Australia’s premier online bookmaker Luxbet has opened betting markets for this Saturday’s $100,000 Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) at Flemington with Cardinal Virtue the favourite of the field.

The 2011 Kensington Stakes field originally featured 13 acceptances but is down to 12 runners following the scratching of #6 Stirling Grove.

Drawn well in barrier three and due to be ridden by Michael Rodd, the David Payne-trained Cardinal Virtue has opened at the top of the 2011 Kensington Stakes odds paying $3.90 through Luxbet.

Five-year-old Cardinal Virtue has been in great form of late winning an 1100m sprint at Randwick on Boxing Day by two lengths before finishing a gallant second in the Listed Carrington Stakes (1100m) on New Year’s Day.

Second favourite for tomorrow’s Flemington feature is Warm Love, the promising Octagonal filly sitting at a quote of $4.80 in the Luxbet markets.

Prepared by David Brideoake, Warm Love is also drawn ideally in barrier two for the Kensington Stakes and is seeking her fourth straight win for the season.

Warm Love should continue to gain support from the punters after having been allocated just 53kg for tomorrow, a nice drop down in weights from the 56kg she carried to victory in the Nouvelle Star Handicap at Flemington last start on January 15.

Other runners at single-figure odds in the Kensington Stakes betting at Luxbet are seven-year-old stakes winner Grand Duels ($6), the Anthony Cummings-trained Trader ($7.50) and Bel Esprit five-year-old Silver Bullion ($9).

The 2011 Kensington Stakes is scheduled to run as Flemington Race 6 on Saturday January 21, due to jump at 4:10pm (AEDST).

Get in on the Saturday racing action at Flemington online at Luxbet and if you are new to sign up, make sure you enter the exclusive promotion code BONUS400 to get a free $400 bet!

2011 Kensington Stakes Odds

*Odds are Fixed Win from Luxbet and subject to change