The feature race in Queensland this weekend is the 2016 Ipswich Cup, betting tips for the staying clash detailed below.

Maurus is the favourite and Races.com.au tip to win the 2016 Ipswich Cup this weekend in Queensland. Photo: Daniel Costello.

Set to run as Ipswich Race 6 at 3:17pm (AEST) on Saturday afternoon, this year’s $175,000 Listed Channel 7 Ipswich Cup (2150m) originally attracted a final field of 11.

Just 10 hopefuls remain in the mix however after the early scratching of the Shawn Mathrick-trained Adirondack (10).

Sitting top of the latest Ipswich Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $2.45 and firming is the David Vandyke-trained Maurus who will jump from the outside alley carrying 58kg.

Local Brisbane hoop Damian Browne has the mount on the Medicean five-year-old who comes off back-to-back runs at Doomben with Blake Spriggs in the saddle.

Two back he won over 2200m defeating Volkhere by three and a half lengths before a last start fifth to Caulfield Cup placegetter Our Ivanhowe in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 21.

He’s had the freshen-up between runs now, is at an ideal distance and drops a kilo from his 59kg in the Group 1.

Maurus opened at $2.70 and has firmed into clear $2.45 favouritism to win his first Black-Type race.

In an open Ipswich Cup betting market there are a further five single-figure fancies including Chris Waller’s smart import Dance Of Heroes ($5.50), the 59.5kg top weight Puccini ($6) from the stables of Darren Weir and the John Zielke-trained Sunshine Coast galloper Worthy Cause ($6).

So will Maurus salute for the punters or is there an upset Ipswich Cup result pending from the likes of the rails-drawn Iggi Pop ($7.50) out to atone for a Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) ninth last time out or the Michael Nolan-trained Toowoomba galloper Jumbo Prince ($8.50)?

1^st

#2 Maurus ($2.45)

Hard to go past the firming favourite who ticks plenty of boxes heading into Saturday’s clash. He drops right down in class of a Group 1 run in Brisbane over a similar distance when beaten under two lengths. He is also down a kilo and has nice form over the distance (2-1-1-0). Can handle this field, is on the improve, Browne aboard and looks the one to beat.

2^nd

#7 Dance Of Heroes ($5.50)

Nice draw (2) and weight (54kg minimum) for Waller’s Danehill Dancer five-year-old who won over 2000m at Rosehill two back before a last start fifth at Randwick in late May. He dropped to 1800m for that run and will relish the step back up in distance on Saturday and also will thrive coming back from 61kg to his light weight this weekend. Will be in the finish and Jeff Lloyd rides.

3^rd

#4 Iggi Pop ($7.50)

Rails run for this Peter Robl-trained veteran, the seven-year-old son of Savabeel out to improve on a Brisbane Cup ninth over the mile and a half. Ran over the same distance two back when runner-up to Ecuador in Sydney’s Listed WJ McKell Cup. That was his third second place finish on the trot following placings in the Toowoomba Cup (2000m) and Wagga Wagga Gold Cup (2000m). Has the ability to get back to that form over the 2150m on Saturday, just needs luck with the 56.5kg. Tough horse, if he gets the right run will be in the finish.

Whether you’re backing or sacking our Ipswich Cup 2016 betting selections, make sure you lock in the hottest odds online now at Ladbrokes.com.au – home of Odds Boost!