Betting on the Tattersall’s Cup 2017 in Brisbane this weekend has opened right up after the early scratching of race favourite Tucanchoo.

Team Hawkes were forced to remove the in-form Sydney raider from Saturday’s $200,000 Group 3 Carlton Mid Tattersall’s Cup (2200m) on vet’s advice, leaving just seven runners in the Tiara Day event.

Due to run as Doomben Race 5 at 2:37pm (AEST), the new favourite in Tattersall’s Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au firming in from $3.40 to $2.40 is Rudy.

Helen Page’s Gold Coast-trained Red Dazzler six-year-old carries the 59.5kg top weight on the weekend meeting all six of his rivals 5.5kg worse off.

That hasn’t deterred the bookies or punters however with Doomben specialist out to improve on his last start fifth at the same track and distance in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2200m) a fortnight back.

Hot on Rudy’s heels in the updated Tattersall’s Cup odds at $2.60 for the win is Brisbane Cup third placegetter Pemberley from the Caulfield stables of Ciaron Maher.

The five-year-old was four lengths beaten as a $17 shot carrying 53kg in his lead-up run, his first at the Doomben track, and only rises a kilo this weekend looking to go two better.

So will the two new best in Tatt’s Cup betting run the quinella on Saturday or their value to be found further down the markets in the likes of runaway Ipswich winner last time out War Baby ($10) or the rails-drawn More Energy ($14)?

1^st

#3 Pemberley ($2.60)

It’s opened up with Tucanchoo out and looking at the lead-up and weights think the Brisbane Cup placegetter looks in an excellent position to post his first win since September last year. He’s got form around some very nice types including the Herbert Power third last October and is Group 1 performed. Was underrated last start, has the advantage of a previous run at Doomben now and wouldn’t need to improve much to battle on well again and win.

2^nd

#7 War Baby ($10)

For a bit of value this Beaudesert-trained mare could surprise if she handles the rise in class. She has had 10 previous goes at Doomben for just one second place finish to date and despite being a 60 start veteran this is her first black-type assignment. She earned her shot at this with a six and a half-length Ipswich win over 2150m last weekend and connections plan to strike while the iron is hot. This is a much harder race obviously, but it is a small field and she’s on 54kg again with Larry Cassidy in the saddle. Genuine place chance.

3^rd

#1 Rudy ($2.40)

Plenty of boxes ticked by the favourite and he’ll be in the money for sure. Drawn well and is the obvious class horse in the race. Loves Doomben (17-5-3-4), but his winning form from 48 career starts only extends out to a mile. He has certainly been very competitive over further than that in big races including the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) third earlier this campaign. Was carting 59kg that day as a $26 shot and was only one and a half lengths beaten by the winner before a Group 2 PJ O’Shea Stakes (2200m) second, beaten a similar margin with the same weight. Brisbane Cup fifth was sound enough, but he’s giving away plenty of weight and needs the give out the track.

Whether you’re backing or sacking our Saturday Brisbane racing selections make sure you’ve got access to the winter’s hottest odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au.