Newmarket Handicap 2024 betting preview & tips | March 9, 2024

The time-honoured Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) is the headline act on Saturday’s eight-race meeting at Flemington. A field of 14 top-class sprinters will duke it out in battle to join the likes of Black Caviar, Weekend Hustler, Takeover Target and Alinghi on the honour roll for the 1200m scamper. Imperatriz will be looking to claim a seventh straight win, but this does look to be one of her toughest assignments to date. Can the Kiwi mare salute, or is their an upset brewing in the 2024 Newmarket Handicap?

2024 Newmarket Handicap odds

Having won four Group 1 races in a row, including the Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) first-up, horse racing bookmakers have installed Imperatriz as a +170 favourite in her bid to keep her unbeaten Flemington record intact. Having finished a half-length off Imperatriz in the Group 1 VRC Champions Sprint (1200m) during the sprint, Buenos Noches (+450) holds the second line of betting. Magic Time (+650) is the only other runner at single figure quote, with Cylinder and Sghirripa the best of the rest at +1200.

2024 Newmarket Handicap speed map

Remarkably, there does not look to be much pace in this year’s Newmarket Handicap. The Astrologist looks like the obvious leader on paper, with the likes of Imperatriz, Magic Time and Cylinder all likely too hold a forward position. Outside of those four, the majority of the field will look to run on late over 1200m, with runners such as Buenos Noches and Espiona needing a strong tempo to display their best.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Newmarket Handicap.

Newmarket Handicap 2024 preview & form

Imperatriz simply must go on top. The Kiwi mare is entering the conversation alongside Black Caviar in the best sprinters we have seen this century. She was challenged throughout by Private Eye in the Group 1 Black Caviar first-up from a spell, but was arguably doing her best work late over the 1000m, to suggest 1200m next would be ideal. Connections had the choice between the Newmarket or the Canterbury Stakes in Sydney, and considering they chose to stay in Melbourne, it is too much of a strong indicator to ignore. With a sit on a relatively soft tempo, Imperatriz should prove too hard to hold out.

Having run Imperatriz to a half-length in the spring, Buenos Noches is clearly the best of the rest. Matthew Smith’s sprinter simply was too far back to be a winning threat in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) first-up from a spell, but the way he hit the line suggests he is in for a big autumn campaign. He will be giving his rivals a big start from towards the rear of the field, however, he is armed with a strong turn of foot, and if he can be within two-three lengths of the leaders at the 300m mark, he might just prove too strong late.

Benedetta was desperately unlucky in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) last time out, when running into plenty of backsides. Once clear, the Jason Warren-trained mare was savaging the line and is sure to appreciate returning the Flemington. She goes around with just 52kg on her back, and from barrier 11, Harry Coffey will have her in clear air throughout. The +1800 being bet is ridiculous, because with even luck, Benedetta is a genuine top two hope.

Outside of the likes of Imperatriz and Buenos Noches, the Newmarket field is as an even a contest as you can hope for. Sghirippa ran an eye-catcher in the Oakleigh Plate, whilst Group 1-winning mares Bella Nipotina and Magic Time are as consistent a sprinter as you can hope for.

Imperatriz clearly on top, but there looks to be some value for those around her.

Newmarket Handicap 2024 selections & best bets

• 1
  

  IMPERATRIZ

• 4
  

  BUENOS NOCHES

• 8
  

  BENEDETTA

• 12
  

  SGHIRRIPA

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