Racing and Sports finds the best-backed runners in early betting for Saturday’s meeting at Flemington.

Hipparchus (Race 2) has taken over as favourite at $3.10 after firming a point and a half since markets opened. The Chris Waller-trained gelding indicated he was nearing his best when a close second at Randwick last start and has two wind and two seconds from four tries at this distance.

Francis Of Assisi (Race 3) impressed at his first Australian start when winning the Bendigo Cup and the punters have latched on to him to repeat the dose at Flemington. He is now in to second pick in the market at $3.50 having shortened 80 cents since betting commenced.

Denmagic (Race 6) has been backed in five points from an opening double figure quote but still represents each way value at $6. The mare is untried at this distance but has been hitting the line well at shorter trips and comes off the right form lines including a last-start third in the G1 Myer Classic.

Our Boy Malachi (Race 8) has been a good go in the Darley Classic and is now the favourite at $4.40 after firming two points. The veteran sprinter has a remarkable winning record of 19 victories from 26 starts and comes into this in top form after winning the G2 Caulfield Sprint last start.

Demonstrate (Race 9) has won his last three starts on the trot and punters are looking for him to add one more victory to that sequence, backing him in a point as a $2.20 favourite with TopBetta fixed odds . He is on the back up after winning on Cup day and stays at the same trip.

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