The first of four Group 1 races headlining the Victoria Derby Day program at Flemington Racecourse today will be the $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) where John Thompson’s lightly-raced filly Nechita is the easing favourite.

Due to jump as Flemington Race 4 at 1:20pm (AEST) the Coolmore Stud Stakes betting markets at bookmaker.com.au have been getting plenty of attention from the punters over the past few days despite the race being the second biggest for 3YO’s on the program behind the 2012 Victoria Derby (Race 6).

Originally Nechita, last seen running sixth in the Golden Rose in Sydney, opened at $3.60 to win her third race from just four starts but she has eased out slighting to $3.70.

Fillies dominate the Coolmore Stud Stakes odds too with the flying Snitzerland, unbeaten in four starts this time in, occupying the second line of betting at $4.40 – a price that has eased right out from $3.80.

Snitzerland is the Races.com.au team’s tip to win the Coolmore and so her easing price pleases us.

Gerald Ryan’s daughter of Snitzel won her last start at this track and distance in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes three back and hasn’t put a foot wrong since, regular rider Corey Brown staying on today.

Finally a male comes into Coolmore contention with Brisbane raider Sizzling the current $5 third favourite, the Snitzel colt second-up for the season and also a market drifter having opened at $4.40 earlier in the week.

Two other runners are then at single-figures with market mover Fire Thunderbolt at $8 in from $10 with Craig Williams to ride the Adelaide visitor from barrier one, and the Hawkes-trained Jolie Bay in gate two paying $9.50 (out from $8).

Fire Thunderbolt could be the upset pick of this field too having won their opening two starts, including a three length romp at Flemington over 1000m back in March, before going down just a long neck to Snitzerland in the Blue Sapphire last start.

Get behind your Coomore Stud Stakes favourites at the guaranteed best prices now at bookmaker.com.au and make sure to check out their exclusive Pick Your Own Flemington Odds on all of today’s races!

2012 Coolmore Stud Stakes Odds

Flemington Race 4 – 1:20pm (AEST) – 03/11/2012