Emirates Stakes favourite Boban has been heavily backed by punters, shortening from $4.60 into $4.

The Group one Epsom Handicap winner has been popular, with one punter placing a $5000 bet on Boban at the opening price of $4.60.

“Boban is the obvious favourite and punters have been circling,” Betstar’s Alan Eskander said.

“He has been $4.60 into $4 and I expect he will start shorter than that on Saturday. This gelding has gone from Black Type horse to Group one megastar in the space of three months with a win in the Epsom a month ago.”

Meanwhile in the VRC Sprint Classic, Hong Kong raider Lucky Nine has been the best backed runner.

“One punter had $5000 on Lucky Nine at $9. We then had another large bet of $10,000 at $4.20, and another $10,000 at $4,” Eskander said.

“He has now been backed into $3.80 and clearly deserves to be favourite. He ran a great second in the Manikato last start and his second up record is clearly superior to his first up record so expect him to be at his peak on Saturday.

“He is a world class galloper, having won the Group one Singapore International Sprint by three lengths in May, plus another four Group ones in Hong Kong prior to that. There is no doubt he will be the testing material come Saturday.”