Riff Rocket well-supported in Winx Stakes betting

The Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) field is littered with previous Group 1 winners, but the Chris Waller-trained Riff Rocket has been the one who has been best backed since final field markets opened on Wednesday morning.

The 2023 Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) winner returns to the track for the first time as a four-year-old, and with a record of seven wins from 11 starts, punters are hoping he can return a winner.

Having opened at a $13 quote with horse racing bookmakers, the three-time Group 1 winner is now listed as an $8.50 chance on the fourth line of betting with Picklebet.

The son of American Pharoah was a dominant winner first-up last campaign over 1400m in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes when disposing of a handy field at Flemington.

Watch Riff Rocket win the 2024 CS Hayes Stakes

Truth be told, Chris Waller dominates the Winx Stakes betting markets, with a strong hand of six for the first Group 1 of the 2024/25 season.

Fangirl won the 2023 Winx Stakes and is set to have her first start since finishing second in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) on March 2.

Having opened as a $2.10 favourite, punters are happy to keep her Fangirl safe in betting, with the mare a $2.20 favourite.

Watch Fangirl win the 2023 Winx Stakes

Stablemate Via Sistina made a strong impressions during her initial Australian campaign during the Sydney autumn, winning stylishly in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m), before finishing a distant second to Pride Of Jenni in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

Quoted at $5.50 when markets opened, bookies have pushed the mare out a full point to a $6.50 quote, with that price likely to drift further with the former European tending to her best work over a mile and beyond.

Watch Via Sistina win the Ranvet Stakes

Group 1 winners Tropical Squall and Zougotcha have both stuck firm at a $9 quote, with the pair expected to play prominent roles in Handicap events throughout the Sydney spring, whilst Semana ($13) and Detonator Jack ($19) will be looking to build on impressive autumn campaigns.

Atishu ($26) is the best of the rest, whilst Just Fine ($27), Zardozi ($34), Buckaroo ($71) and Zeyrek ($126) are all looking to use the Group 1 as somewhat of paid barrier trial as they look to step up in trip as their campaigns roll on.