Melbourne Cup 2018: Weekly betting updates and market moves
TAB BETTING UPDATES: As the Melbourne Cup favourite continues to be crunched in betting, international racing commentator Francesca Cumani has issued a word of caution.
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RESPECTED international racing commentator Francesca Cumani believes punters are putting too much focus on raging Melbourne Cup favourite Yucatan and forgetting about the other raiders.
Cumani’s warning cames as Yucatan continued to be crunched in betting and is now $4.50.
A $6000 bet at $5 is the biggest win bet placed on Yucatan so far, but it wasn’t the only significant money the Lloyd Williams-owned stayer attracted last week.
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Other bets on Yucatan included $4000, $3500, $2000 (twice) at $6 and another $2000 at $5.
But Cumani tried to play down the hype surrounding Yucatan following his commanding Herbet Power Stakes win.
“I think Yucatan, everyone’s just got carried away with him,” Cumani said on RSN 927.
“On European form he’s definitely not the best-performed horse of the internationals.
“When he came here it was an actual masterclass (from James McDonald). The race slowed down mid-race and then James just let his horse keep rolling at a nice tempo.
“He hit the front and then what was impressive was the way he managed to keep going and then he was eased down on the line.
“But that’s just an example of a European horse being able to use his stamina and maintain good fractions for a long way.
“If he can do that to that field, I just think there’s some others that’ll be even better.”
There are 47 horses still in contention for the Melbourne Cup after second acceptances last week.
Injured trio Withhold, Kings Will Dream and Humidor were removed from the market along with other big names Homesman, The Taj Mahal and Our Idaho.
Duretto is also in doubt after pulling up lame following a track gallop on the weekend.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE LATEST MARKET MOVES AND BIG BETS
MELBOURNE CUP MARKET
(as of 23/10/18 )
$4.50 Yucatan (prev: $6-$9-$51-$201-$101-$101-$51-$51-$51)
$11 Cross Counter ($17-$13-$13-$13-$13-$15-$17-$17-$21)
$11 Magic Circle ($11-$11-$13-$13-$13-$13-$14-$14-$17-$21)
$13 Avilius ($11-$9-$9-$17-$17-$17-$26-$26-$26)
$13 Muntahaa ($15-$17-$26-$26-$26-$21-$21-$21-$21)
$15 Best Solution ($11-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$51-$34)
$15 The Cliffsofmoher ($17-$17-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$34)
$17 Marmelo ($26-$21-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26)
$17 Rostropovich ($17-$21-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51)
$17 Youngstar ($17-$17-$17-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51-$34)
$21 Finche ($26-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51)
$21 Red Verdon ($26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$101-$101-$101-$26)
$26 Duretto ($17-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$51-$51-$51)
$26 Ventura Storm ($101-$101-$101-$101-$101-$51-$51-$51-$101-$51)
$34 Chestnut Coat ($41-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$17)
$34 Runaway ($101-$101-$101-$101-$101-$101-$51-$51-$51)
$34 Sound Check ($41-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$51-$51-$51)
$51 A Prince Of Arran ($51-$26-$26-$26-$26-$26-$21-$21-$51-$51)
$51 Thinkin Big ($51-$101-$101-$101-$101-$301-$101-$101-$101)
$51 Who Shot Thebarman ($51-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51-$51)
$51+ Others quoted
>> Click here for the full market
(TAB fixed odds, prices correct at time of publication)
Market movers
Yucatan $5-$4.50
Avilius $11-$13
Best Solution $13-$15
The Cliffsofmoher $15-$17
Duretto $17-$26
Ventura Storm $101-$26
Tosen Basil $26-$67
Notable bets
$6000 at $5 on Yucatan
$4150 at $15 on Muntahaa
$4000 the win/$3500 the place at $6/$2.25 on Yucatan
$3500 at $6 on Yucatan
$3000 at $6 on Yucatan
$2000 at $26 the place on Vengeur Masque
$2000 at $17 on The Cliffsofmoher [two separate bets]
$2000 at $6 on Yucatan [two separate bets]
$2000 at $5 on Yucatan
$1333 at $11 on Magic Circle
$1200 at $17 on Rostropovich
$1100 at $13 on Magic Circle
$1000 at $26 on Finche
$1000 at $13 on Avilius
$1000 at $11 on Magic Circle
Notable multis
$1000 double at $14.40 on Yucatan (Melbourne Cup) and Verry Elleegant (VRC Oaks)
$800 double at $127.50 on Brave Smash (won Manikato Stakes) and Cross Counter (Melbourne Cup)
$700 treble at $67.20 on Thinkin’ Big (Victoria Derby), Yucatan (Melbourne Cup) and Redzel (VRC Sprint Classic)
$700 double at $30.80 on Truly Discreet (won Geelong Race 4 on October 24) and Magic Circle (Melbourne Cup)
$500 multi at $264 on Winx (won Cox Plate), Avilius (Melbourne Cup), Verry Elleegant VRC Oaks) and Santa Ana Lane (VRC Sprint Classic)
$500 treble at $117.30 on Thinkin’ Big (Victoria Derby), Marmelo (Melbourne Cup) and Verry Elleegant (VRC Oaks)
$500 double at $78 on Savoie (Victoria Derby) and Yucatan (Melbourne Cup)
$500 treble at $75.62 on Avilius (Melbourne Cup), Verry Elleegant (VRC Oaks) and Santa Ana Lane to place (VRC Sprint Classic)
$500 multi at $74.70 on Benbatl to place (second in Cox Plate), Thinkin’ Big (Victoria Derby), Yucatan (Melbourne Cup) and Verry Elleegant (Kennedy Oaks)
$500 multi at $54 on Winx (won Cox Plate), Thinkin’ Big (Victoria Derby) and Yucatan (Melbourne Cup), Verry Elleegant (VRC Oaks)
******
23/10/18: MONEY KEEPS ROLLING FOR FAVOURITE
THE money keeps coming for Yucatan Ire, who is now the outright favourite for the Melbourne Cup.
In the past week the TAB has taken bets of $3000 at $8, $3000 at $7.50, $2330 at $7.50 and $2000 at $8 on Yucatan Ire, which was forced into a name change because there’s a three-year-old maiden of the same name based at Murray Bridge.
An arrogant winner of the Herbert Power Stakes two weeks ago, the Lloyd Williams-owned international firmed into $6 despite bypassing last Saturday’s Caulfield Cup.
Yucatan Ire attracted further support with bets of $4000, $3000 and $2000 at the $6 quote.
As expected, the Melbourne Cup market underwent a massive reshuffle following the Caulfield Cup, won by Best Solution.
The Godolphin raider was elevated to the second line of betting following Saturday’s win, firming from $26 into $9 before getting wound out to $11.
Youngstar ($21-$17) and Duretto ($26-$17) also tightened following their Caulfield Cup runs, but Ace High and Sound Check eased significantly.
Market movers
Firmers
Yucatan $7.50-$7-$6
Best Solution $26-$9-$11
Rostropovich $21-$26-$17
Youngstar $21-$17
Duretto $26-$17
Thinkin’ Big $101-$51
Drifters
Avilius $10-$11
Marmelo $21-$26
Ace High $17-$51
Chestnut Coat $17-$51
Sound Check $26-$51
High Bridge $51-$201
Notable bets
$4000 win/$3,500 at $6/$2.25 on Yucatan Ire
$3000 at $6 on Yucatan Ire
$2000 at $6 on Yucatan Ire
$3000 at $17 on Muntahaa
$3000 at $8 on Yucatan Ire
$3000 at $7.50 on Yucatan Ire
$2330 at $7.50 on Yucatan Ire
$2000 at $17 on Muntahaa
$2000 at $8 on Yucatan Ire
Notable multis
$1886 treble at $52.50 on Thinkin’ Big (Victoria Derby), Yucatan (Melbourne Cup) and Verry Elleegant (Kennedy Oaks)
$1500 double at $27 on The Cliffsofmoher to place (Caulfield Cup) and Yucatan (Melbourne Cup)
$1000 at $101 on Sixties Groove [two separate bets]
$1000 double at $42.50 on Yucatan (Melbourne Cup) and Verry Elleegant (Kennedy Oaks)
******
17/10/18: YUCATAN MOVING FAST ON ALL FRONTS
EXPLOSIVE stayer Yucatan has stormed into Melbourne Cup equal favouritism following his stunning runaway win in the Herbert Power Stakes and subsequent re-handicap for the famous race.
The Lloyd Williams runner now sits alongside Avilius at $9 for next month’s Melbourne Cup.
TAB wound in Yucatan from $51 to $9 after he was provisionally elevated into the Cup when he receiving a 2.5kg penalty from Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter.
Originally 55th in the Cup order of entry with 52kg, Yucatan has now climbed to No. 24 following his re-handicap.
As little as two weeks ago, he was a $201 chance.
Yucatan stormed into calculations for both this week’s Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup with his devastating victory on Saturday.
Reeling off a blistering, race-ending 22.78 sec split between the 600m and 200m, Yucatan ($6.50) was allowed to almost walk to the line in beating Brimham Rocks ($9.50) and another raider A Prince Of Arran ($31).
The Cliffsofmoher was another big firmer ($26 into $17) after his strong finish in last Saturday’s Caulfield Stakes.
Unseen raider Rostropovich had his price slashed from $51 into $21, with the TAB writing a $1000 each-way bet at the top odds.
Hamada was removed the market after breaking down with a fatal injury last week. Chris Waller’s Count Octave has since been taken out with a leg injury.
Market movers
Yucatan $51-$11
The Cliffsofmoher $26-$17
Rostropovich $51-$21
Notable bets
$2000 at $11 on Yucatan
$1000 each-way at $51/$13.50 on Rostropovich
$1000 each-way at $17/$5 on Youngstar
$1000 each-way at $15/$4.50 on Yucatan
$1000 at $11 on Yucatan
$800 at $26 on The Cliffsofmoher
Notable multis
$1100 Double at $42.50 on Youngstar (Caulfield Cup) and Youngstar (Melbourne Cup)
$1000 Double at $143 on Sunlight (Manikato Stakes) and Yucatan (Melbourne Cup)
$1000 Multi at $136.08 on The Autumn Sun (won Caulfield Guineas), Youngstar (Caulfield Cup), Winx (Cox Plate) and Avilius (Melbourne Cup)
$800 Double at $42.50 on Youngstar (Caulfield Cup) and Youngstar (Melbourne Cup)
******
10/10/18
Market movers
Avilius $13-$9 fav
Ace High $26-$17
Youngstar $51-$17
Jaameh $51-$26
Yogi $51-$26
Northwest Passage $201-$101
Kings Will Dream $17-$26
Notable bets
$3000 each-way at $13/$4 on Avilius
$1000 at $51 on Our Venice Beach
$500 each-way at $51/$13.50 on Vengeur Masque (two separate bets)
$500 at $51 on Yogi
$500 at $13 on Magic Circle
Notable multis
$1000 multi at $137.39 on Santa Ana Lane to place (Everest), Victorem to place (Kosciuszko), The Autumn Sun (Caulfield Guineas), Smart Melody to place (Thousand Guineas), Winx (Cox Plate), Avilius to place (Melbourne Cup) and Verry Elleegant to place (Kennedy Oaks) LOST
$1000 multi at $78.85 on Santa Ana Lane to place (Everest) | Victorem to place (Kosciuszko), The Autumn Sun to place (Caulfield Guineas), Smart Melody to place (Thousand Guineas), Winx (Cox Plate), Avilius to place (Melbourne Cup) and Verry Elleegant to place (Kennedy Oaks) LOST
$500 multi at $698.62 on Santa Ana Lane to place (Everest), Victorem (Kosciuszko), The Autumn Sun (Caulfield Guineas), Smart Melody (Thousand Guineas), Winx (Cox Plate), Avilius to place (Melbourne Cup) and Verry Elleegant to place (Kennedy Oaks) LOST
$500 multi at $536.90 on Winx (Turnbull Stakes), The Autumn Sun (Caulfield Guineas), Thinkin’ Big (Victoria Derby) and Chestnut Coat (Melbourne Cup)
$500 double at $63 on Avilius (Melbourne Cup) and Verry Elleegant (Kennedy Oaks)
******
01/10/18: CRYSTAL-BALL PUNTER EYES $433K COLLECT
HOMESMAN’S narrow victory over Tosen Basil in the Underwood Stakes would have left one TAB customer feeling very content.
The punter is hoping to turn $500 into a whopping $433,500 after backing Homesman to win the Caulfield Cup and Tosen Basil to salute in the Melbourne Cup — the double paying a combined $867 — before the pair ran the quinella on Sunday.
Lloyd Williams’ Homesman is now a $7 second favourite for the Caulfield Cup, while the Darren Weir-trained Tosen Basil was crunched from $51 into $13 equal favourite for the Melbourne Cup.
That same double is now paying $91. A $500 wager would return $45,500, a shortfall of $388,000.
Homesman also shares favouritism for the nation’s richest staying race, joining Kings Will Dream, Cross Counter and Magic Circle at the top of the market.
The largest bet reported by the TAB during the past week was $1000 at $51 on Yogi followed by $900 at $51 on Patrick Erin, winner of Saturday’s Group 1 The Metropolitan.
A few week ago this column reported a $500 win and $1500 place bet was placed Patrick Erin at $201/$51 — a smart decision now.
International contenders Flag Of Honour, Kew Gardens, Torcedor, Max Dynamite and Thomas Hobson were ruled of the Melbourne Cup.
Market movers
Homesman $26-$13
Tosen Basil $51-$13
Ace High $51-$26
Brimham Rocks $101-$51
D’Argento $101-$51
Egg Tart $101-$51
Haripour $101-$51
Patrick Erin $101-$51
Opposition $201-$101
Gallic Chieftain $301-$101
Notable bets
$1000 at $51 on Yogi
$900 at $51 on Patrick Erin
$800 at $17 on Avilius
$800 at $17 on Hamada
$800 at $13 on Cross Counter
$500 each-way at $26/$7.25 on Count Octave
$500 each-way at $26/$7.25 on Thomas Hobson
$500 each-way at $17/$5 on Avilius
$500 at $17 on Avilius (two separate bets)
Notable multis
$500 Double at $867 on Homesman (Caulfield Cup) and Tosen Basil (Melbourne Cup)
******
24/09/18: FINGERS CROSSED ON AVILIUS
JAMES Cummings’s shock decision to change plans with Avilius burned a lot of punters last week, and now they’re hoping the Goldolphin trainer has pulled the right rein with a number of bets placed on the emerging stayer to win the Melbourne Cup.
The former French galloper is unbeaten in three Australian starts and was a $2.80 favourite for the Group 1 The Metropolitan before Cummings decided on a different direction, with The Bart Cummings at Flemington to be Avilius’ next start.
Following the news, Avilius attracted an $800 bet at $17 (to win $13,600) and two $500 bets at $500 (to win $8500) as well a couple of $500 multi bets.
One of them could net one punter $374,000 should Avilius win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups after claiming the first leg with Jungle Cat in last Saturday’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
But Avilius must first win The Bart Cummings to secure an automatic start in the Melbourne Cup.
Following English trainer Charlie Appleby’s success with Jungle Cat at Caulfield, his Cup contender Cross Counter has joined Kings Will Dream and Magic Circle at the top of the betting.
The TAB tightened Night’s Watch from $101 to $26 after his explosive win in the Naturalism Stakes on Saturday.
Torcedor drifted from $15 to $26 after failing in Germany on Sunday in his first start for Australian Bloodstock.
Market movers
Night’s Watch (won Naturalism Stakes) $101-$26
Thinkin’ Big (won Gloaming Stakes) $301-$101
Torcedor (last in Germany) $15-$26
Our Venice Beach (seventh in Naturalism) $26-$51
Yogi (sixth at Morphettville) $26-$51
Ventura Storm (ninth in Naturalism) $51-$101
Vengeur Masque (10th in Naturalism) $51-$101
Red Cardinal (11th in Naturalism) $51-$101
Hiyaam (14th in Naturalism) $51-$101
Notable bets
$800 at $17 on Avilius
$500 at $51 on Youngstar
$500 each-way at $26/$7.25 on Thomas Hobson
$500 at $17 on Avilius (two separate bets)
$500 at $15 on Torcedor
$300 each-way at $201/$51 on Abdon
Notable multis
$500 treble at $748 on Jungle Cat (won Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes), Avilius (Caulfield Cup) and Avilius (Melbourne Cup)
$500 double at $289 on US Navy Flag (Everest) and Avilius (Melbourne Cup)
$500 double at $289 on US Navy Flag (Everest) and Hamada (Melbourne Cup)
$500 double at $255 on US Navy Flag (Everest) and Cross Counter (Melbourne Cup)
******
17/09/18: LLOYD, O’BRIEN MAKE THEIR MOVES
THE Melbourne Cup market has had its first significant shake-up in weeks as owner Lloyd Williams and trainer Aidan O’Brien start to make their presence felt.
Two St Leger wins over the weekend in England and Ireland for Kew Gardens and Flag Of Honour saw the price of the O’Brien pair both trim to $17 with TAB fixed odds.
Those results, and others here, have pushed the odds of favourite Kings Will Dream out to $13 despite the Darren Weir star continuing his faultless campaign with a second in the Makybe Diva Stakes on Saturday.
Orderofthegarter is now rated as Williams’ best chance following his encouraging Australian debut at Flemington, his price tumbling from $51 into $21.
James Cummings’ Avilius was another notable firmer ($26 into $17), while Japanese import Danon Roman’s price was slashed from $301 to $51 after exceeding expectations in his first start for Anthony Freedman.
Michael Moroney’s ex-German horse Sound Check received more support, with another $1500 bet at $51. The six-year-old is now $26.
There was also an interesting $1000 wager on $101 shot Sixties Groove — for a $101,101 return — who hasn’t raced since late July because of shin soreness.
Another punter outlaid $500 to win $130,000 on a Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double with Trap For Fools and Kings Will Dream.
Meanwhile, three-year-old colt Grunt was removed from the market after trainer Mick Price confirmed he won’t run.
Market movers
Firmed
Avilius (won Kingston Town Stakes) $26-$17
Flag Of Honour (won Irish St Leger) $26-$17
Kew Gardens (won St Leger) $26-$17
Orderofthegarter (second at Flemington) $51-$21
Jaameh (won at Flemington) $101-$51
Jon Snow (third in Makybe Diva) $101-$51
Danon Roman (third at Flemington) $301-$51
Drifted
Kings Will Dream (second in Makybe Diva Stakes) $10-$13
Torcedor $13-$15
Unforgotten $17-$26
Muntahaa $21-$26
Prince Of Arran $21-$26
Idaho (fifth in Irish St Leger) $26-$51
Tosen Basil (11th in Makybe Diva) $26-$51
Weekender (third Irish St Leger) $26-$51
Ace High (fourth in George Main Stakes) $26-$51
Chequered Flag (10th at Flemington) $26-$101
Notable bets
$1500 at $51 on Sound Check
$1000 at $101 on Sixties Groove
$500 each-way at $26/$7.25 on Max Dynamite
$500 each-way at $26/$7.25 on Thomas Hobson (two separate bets)
$500 at $17 on Cross Counter
Notable multis
$500 double at $260 on Trap For Fools (Caulfield Cup) and Kings Will Dream (Melbourne Cup)
$500 double at $234.60 on Kings Will Dream (Caulfield Cup) and Sixties Groove (Melbourne Cup)
$500 double at $234.60 on Kings Will Dream (Caulfield Cup) and Trap For Fools (Melbourne Cup)
******
11/09/18: CRAZY BET ON POPULAR MARE
THE worst performance of Single Gaze’s career hasn’t deterred one punter from backing the popular mare in this year’s Melbourne Cup.
Despite her underwhelming comeback from retirement in the Chelmsford Stakes last week, the TAB customers had $200 on Chris Waller to secure the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double with Prized Icon and Single Gaze — to win $214,200.
Single Gaze is currently rated at $51 for the Melbourne Cup but Waller is now reassessing the Caulfield Cup runner-up’s future after she struggled in her return when last in the 15-horse field.
Three-year-old colt Zousain has been popular in Melbourne Cup multis with the TAB taking three separate bets on the Waller galloper to win either the Caulfield Guineas and Golden Rose, for triple-figure collects.
One of the more surprising bets last week was a $500 win and $1500 place ticket on import Patrick Erin — who is also in the Waller stable — at $201/$51 for a $177,000 collect.
The seven-year-old’s best result in Australia was a fifth in the Manion Cup in March.
Lloyd Williams’ Homesman was the big firmer, from $101 to $34, after his second in the Dato Tan Chin Nam, with one punter snatching $51.
Another punter went early with his $500 wager at $51 on Japanese import Hush Writer, which flopped at the Valley.
After the release of Melbourne Cup weights, German import Sound Check attracted a $1500 bet at $51 (for a $76,500 return) and is now a $26 chance.
Market movers
Homesman (second in Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes) $101-$34
Yogi $51-$34
Sound Check $51-$26 (after release of Cup weights)
Notable bets
$1500 at $51 on Sound Check
$1000 at $10 on Kings Will Dream
$500 the win at $201 / $1500 the place at $51 on Patrick Erin
$500 each-way at $51/$13.50 on Vengeur Masque
$500 at $51 on Hush Writer
$500 at $51 on Homesman
$400 at $26 on Ace High
Notable multis
$300 double at $442 on Zousain (Caulfield Guineas) and Cross Counter (Melbourne Cup)
$250 treble at $680 on Zousain (Golden Rose), Brutal (Caulfield Guineas) and Cross Counter (Melbourne Cup) LOST — Zousain ran second
$250 Double at $676 on Zousain (Caulfield Guineas) and Chestnut Coat (Melbourne Cup)
$200 Double at $1,071 on Prized Icon (Caulfield Cup) and Single Gaze (Melbourne Cup)
******
03/09/18: PUNTER NABS BEST PRICE
BEFORE Best Solution was confirmed for the Melbourne Cup, one punter took a calculated gamble the Goldolphin stayer would be heading to Australia.
The $51 was snapped after with the TAB accepting a $350 wager before Best Solution’s Group 1 success in the Grand Preis von Baden (2400m) in Germany on Sunday.
He is now $26.
Best Solution has all the answers for Saeed Bin Suroor and Pat Cosgrave in Group One thriller at Baden-Baden. 👇👇https://t.co/iRGhGnHQDf pic.twitter.com/fwlfsaw2gC
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) September 3, 2018
British-trained Magic Circle has drawn plenty of interest in the past week with his price firming from $21 into $14 equal second favourite.
Magic Circle, who destroyed his rivals to win the Chester Cup and Henry 11 Cup in May, received two bets of $500 at $18 and $15.
Kings Will Dream is now outright favourite at $10 after another -catching run when third in the Memsie Stakes.
Classy mare Unforgotten surged up the Melbourne Cup market (from $51 into $26) following her dominant win in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick.
Victoria Derby winner Ace High, runner-up in the Chelmsford, was also a significant firmer.
The Lord Mayor (winner at Randwick) and Midterm (runner-up at Caulfield) had their prices slashed from $201 to $51.
Market movers
Kings Will Dream (third in the Memsie Stakes) $14-$10 fav
Unforgotten (won Chelmsford Stakes) $51-$17
Ace High (second in Chelmsford Stakes) $51-$26
Best Solution (won in Baden-Baden, Germany) $51-$26
Mr Garcia $101-$51
Ventura Storm $101-$51
Midterm $201-$51
The Lord Mayor $201-$51
Jaameh $51-$101
Notable bets
$500 at $26 on Hamada [two separate bets]
$500 at $18 on Magic Circle
$500 at $15 on Magic Circle
$470 at $14 on Magic Circle
$350 at $51 on Best Solution
******
30/08/19: JAPANESE STAR BACKED AT $151
The first Melbourne Cup bet was placed just hours after last year’s race was won by Rekindling, with one punter banking on the then Irish-trained horse going back-to-back in 2018, with a $10 each-way wager at $21.
But the Lloyd Williams-owned galloper won’t be defending his title.
However, Team Williams unveiled another Cup prospect in Our Venice Beach, with his price trimming from $34 after his second at Moonee Valley in his Australian debut.
Charlie Fellowes-trained Prince Of Arran was the big firmer with TAB following the announcement of the nominations for the Melbourne Cup, shortening from $51 to $21.
Kings Will Dream, Withhold and Torcedor hold joint favouritism at $14.
One of the biggest firmers has been Japanese star Chestnut Coat.
A $26 chance, one shrewd punter jumped on at $151 with a $200 wager (for a $30,200 return) on May 14, before his price tightened to $51 on the same morning following news he was heading to Australia.
Another is ing a potential $127,500 collect after taking odds of $127.50 on Kings Will Dream and Chestnut Coat in a Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double.
A bet of $2000 at $26 on Tosen Basil, a Japanese import now with Darren Weir, will return $52,000.
Surprisingly, one of more popular runners is English stayer Stradivarius — with a $1200 bet at $21 placed over the weekend after his Lonsdale Cup win in York — even though he is unlikely to travel to Australia.
Market movers:
Prince Of Arran $51-$21
Our Venice Beach $51-$34
Count Octave added at $26
Pacodali $51--$101
Biggest firmers:
Chestnut Coat $151-$15-$17
Kings Will Dream $51-$13
Penhill $201-$51
Magic Circle $35-$17
Biggest bets:
$2000 at $26 on Tosen Basil to win
$2000 each-way at $15/$4.50 on Torcedor
$1200 at $21 on Stradivarius to win, $500 to place at $6
$1000 at $101 on Penhill to win, $800 at $26 to place
$1000 at $101 on Main Stage to win
$1000 at $51 on Sir Charles Road to win
$1000 at $51 on Stradivarius to win
$1000 at $35 on Pinot to win
$1000 at $26 on Cross Counter to win
$1000 each-way at $21/$6 on Marmelo
$1000 at $21 on Marmelo to win
Biggest multis:
$1000 double at $127.50 on Kings Will Dream (Caulfield Cup) and Chestnut Coat (Melbourne Cup)
$1000 double at $41.40 on Winterfell (Breeders Crown 3YO C&G Trotting Final) and Withhold (Melbourne Cup) LOST
$1000 Double at $350 on Tom Melbourne (2017 Kingston Town Classic) and Red Cardinal (2018 Melbourne Cup) LOST
Stewards query Pride Of Jenni Toorak entry
Racing Victoria stewards have inquired into leading trainer Ciaron Maher’s decision to enter star mare Pride Of Jenni for Saturday’s Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.
Melbourne Cup weight penalty for Bart Cummings winner
Just Fine’s gutsy win earned him a Melbourne Cup weight penalty, while Racing Victoria also announced penalties for last Saturday’s Epsom Handicap and Metropolitan winners.