Darley sire Nadeem is an opening $2.50 favourite to be crowned Australia’s champion first-season sire by winners for 2010-11.

Sportingbet Australia has installed the son of Redoute’s Choice at the head of its market ahead of Widden resident Strada and fellow Darley freshman Gonski.

“Nadeem covered a good book of mares and has given every indication that his progeny are early goers,” Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said.  “His first four runners haven’t finished out of the money.”

Sullivan is also keen on the chances of Gonski this season.  “With 139 live foals on the ground, he must have a show by pure weight of numbers,” Sullivan explained.  “Gonski is a son of Danehill that went very fast and history has shown us this sort of bloodline has been successful in Australian racing.”

Sportingbet Australia market

Nadeem $2.50;   Strada $4.60;   Gonski $6.00;   Holy Roman Emperor $7.00;   Red Dazzler $7.00;   Written Tycoon $7.00;   Churchill Downs $13;   Danerich $17;   Flying Pegasus $21;   Ad Valorem $26;   Artie Schiller $26.

Previous premierships have been won by;  2010 Stratum (13 winners),  2009 Not a Single Doubt (13),  2008 Exceed and Excel (13),  2007 Johannesburg (12),  2006 Show a Heart (13),  2005 More Than Ready (16),  2004 Catbird (15).