Almandin no-show gives Who Shot Thebarman Zipping favouritism
THE withdrawal of Melbourne Cup-winner Almandin has opened up the betting market for this Saturday’s Zipping Classic at Sandown.
The Chris Waller-trained Who Shot Thebarman – winner of the group 2 race in 2015 – now tops the betting at $3.60 with Sportsbet.com.au, ahead of a strong field.
The gelding has had a similar build up to the race and Waller is confident lightning can strike twice in consecutive years – his horse hasn’t won a race since this time last year, but finished a promising fifth in last week’s Melbourne Cup.
“Who Shot Thebarman won it last year after coming off a similar run in the Cup, so it all depends on the opposition,” Waller said, talking about his charge.
“He has pulled up well since the Cup – I think the tracks have been fantastic at Flemington during Cup week and horses have been pulling up well.
“Earlier in the carnival they pulled up knowing they’d had a run, but this week they have been pretty good and seem to have come through it really well.”
So Si Bon is the next one on the line at $3.80, while Big Orange ($4.40) and Beautiful Romance ($5.50) round out the first four. Interestingly, punters are coming for Almoonqith, which has come into $6.
Sportsbet odds man Ben Bulmer echoed those sentiments surrounding the new favourite.
“Who Shot Thebarman hasn’t won for a year, but he’s been around the money and did well to finish behind Almandin in the Melbourne Cup. He heads betting at the moment, but that could change by race day,” Bulmer said.
2016 Zipping Classic Sportsbet betting market
$3.80 – So Si Bon
$4.40 – Big Orange
$5.50 – Beautiful Romance
$6.00 – Almoonqith
$11 – Secret Number
$15 – Gallante
$15 – Charlevoix
$15 – Nozomi
$51 – Puccini
$101 – Tristram’s Sun
$101 – Transfer Allowance