With a number of exciting head-to-head battles taking place at this weekend’ Sydney Track Classic, leading online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au has opened a series of markets pitting some of Australia’s premier track and field athletes against their biggest rivals with the highlight being John Steffensen’s showdown with young gun Sam Soloman in the Men’s 400m event.

And it’s Steffensen who sportsbet.com.au is tipping, pricing him as the $1.70 favourite to finish with a better result than Soloman, who has been priced at $2.10, in the event.

“John talked it up after his win in Perth and we think he’ll back it up in Sydney so we’re looking forward to hearing what he’ll have to say this time,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

Jana Pittman has been opened at $2.25 in her head-to-head battle with Lauren Boden in the 400m hurdles. Boden, who won the event at the Perth Track Classic last weekend is the $1.59 favourite to finish with a better result.

In the women’s discus, 2009 World Champion Dani Samuels is the $2.80 outsider against Beijing gold medalist Stephanie Brown Trafton ($1.40) while Sally Pearson has not a worry in the world after being priced at $1.03 to outdo any opponent ($11).

Long distance runner Craig Mottram finds himself the outsider in his head-to-head battle with Collis Birmingham, priced at $2.50 to finish with a better result in the Men’s 1500m with Birmingham at $1.50.

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
Women’s discus
$1.40 Stephanie Brown Trafton
$2.80 Dani Samuels

Women’s 100m hurdles
$1.03 Sally Pearson
$11 Any other runner

Women’s 400m hurdles
$1.59 Lauren Boden
$2.25 Jana Pittman

Men’s 400m
$1.70 John Steffensen
$2.10 Sam Soloman

Men’s 1500m
$1.50 Collis Birmingham
$2.50 Craig Mottram