Starspangledbanner $6.50 at Betfair to win UK debut

Australian punters have the opportunity to get the better of their international counterparts tomorrow night when Starspangledbanner makes his international debut in the Group 2 Duke of York Blue Square Stakes at York.

Last seen placing in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in March, Starspangledbanner is rated a $6.50 chance by Betfair punters in his first start for world-renowned Coolmore trainer Aidan O’Brien.

The dual Australian Group 1-winner has been asked to carry a topweight of just over 62½kg in the race, in which Sir Michael Stoute-trained Main Aim is a $3.80 favourite.

Betfair spokesman Jake Norton said that Australian punters have been able to take advantage of Betfair’s international race markets in recent years, with Scenic Blast, Haradasun and Miss Andretti all returning double the dividends of Australian TAB prices on the global betting exchange in their conquests abroad.

“The great thing about betting into truly global markets such as Betfair’s is that prices aren’t subject to Australian parochialism,” Norton said.

“In fact, Betfair’s markets are as accurate a barometer as any for major international races.”

“That said, Starspangledbanner’s price in the Duke of York suggests British punters may underestimate our top sprinter.  He only gives the favourite 2 kilos, whose best win is at Group 2 level.”

The Duke of York Stakes is often considered the starting point for sprinters to launch their northern summer campaigns, with races like the King’s Stand and Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in mind.

Starspangledbanner is available at $15 in Betfair’s ante post market to win the King’s Stand Stakes on June 15, in which Australian galloper Nicconi is a $7.20 favourite and fellow compatriot Gold Trail a $21 chance.

Starspangledbanner is $9.80 top elect for the Golden Jubilee four days later, in which Nicconi $12.00, Alverta $17.50, Gold Trail $23.00 and Aussie-cum-Emirati Fravashi $36.00 all feature.

The UK Tote’s exotic markets can also be accessed directly through the Betfair site.

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