Prince Of Penzance first, daylight second in season 2015-16 review

THERE can be no other winner than Prince Of Penzance as the clear standout for long pop upset of season 2015-16 after winning Australia’s most famous race at 100-1.

NATHAN EXELBY

2 min read

July 31, 2016 - 5:00PM

Prince Of Penzance became the first Melbourne Cup 100-1 winner since World War II and the equal fourth biggest outsider to win the two-mile classic. Picture: Colleen Petch

THERE can be no other winner than Prince Of Penzance as the clear standout for long pop upset of season 2015-16 after winning Australia’s most famous race at 100-1 last November.

In an industry driven by statistics, every racing season throws up a multitude of amazing and quirky results, but the Melbourne Cup victory by Prince Of Penzance will be long remembered.

Michelle Payne became the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup and trainer Darren Weir captured his first “major” when Prince of Penzance became the first 100-1 winner since World War II.

His victory also made him the equal fourth biggest outsider to win the two-mile classic.

Below is a selection of some of more amazing statistics compiled last season.

Michelle Payne creates history on the first Tuesday in November. Picture: George Salpigtidis

LONGEST-PRICED WINNERS

$201 What A Buzz — Devonport 9/8/2015

$151 Lady Hederaj — Morphettville 29/8/2015

$151 Chambray — Gawler 15/5/2016

There were 13 horses that won around Australia at official starting price odds of $101 or longer last season, with What A Buzz at Devonport trumping his rivals with a 200-1 victory.

Another 135 horses at triple figure odds found their way into the placings.

And of course Prince Of Penzance was the standout of them all, winning Australia’s most famous race at 100-1 last November.

Overall, more than 5300 horses started at 100-1 or longer and if you backed every one of them you would have lost more than 70 per cent on turnover.

SHORTEST-PRICED LOSER

$1.10 Sooboog — Gosford 13/8/15

$1.10 Payback — Ipswich 4/9/15

$1.12 Atlantic Road — Geelong 5/4/16

Overall, 17 horses started at shorter than $1.20 last season and the above mentioned trio were the only ones to be beaten.

For all odds-on pops, South Australia was the biggest graveyard in the country, with just a 46 per cent strike rate and 23 per cent loss on turnover. Queensland was 58 per cent.

FAVOURITES

THE top pick in each race around the country struck at 33.3 per cent last season, for an overall loss on turnover of nine per cent if you backed each one using level stakes. Tasmania had the best strike rate at 37 per cent, while Victoria and South Australia were the lowest at 32.6 per cent.

Interestingly, for metropolitan racing, Brisbane was the least dangerous venue for favourite backers, with all bets producing a loss of just 2 per cent off a 32 per cent strike rate.

GROUP 1 BETTING

BACKING the favourite in Group 1 races was a successful punting formula, with the 27 winners (from 72 races) producing a tidy 17 per cent profit.

It was a different story for odds-on favourites though.

Winx started odds on in three Group 1s and won each time.

The other odds-on Group 1 favourites for the season — Exosphere (Coolmore), Chautauqua (Darley Classic), Press Statement (Randwick Guineas) and Tarzino (ATC Derby) — were all beaten.

MOST STARTS

Rapidus 32 (1 win)

Hundredz Thousanz 28 (2)

Princess Mavi 27 (1), Gentleman Max 27 (4)

The Melbourne Cup was a nice little earner for Prince Of Penzance as he finished the year with $3.8 million in the pocket. Picture: George Salpigtidis

MOST PRIZEMONEY

Winx $5.6m

Prince Of Penzance $3.8m

Capitalist $3.5m

In the season just completed, no less than 24 horses amassed earnings of $1 million or more. There were seven that topped $2 million and four that hit $3 million or better (Chautauqua was the other).