Market movers for Saturday at Randwick, Eagle Farm and Sandown
THE big talking point from last Saturday’s racing action was the state of the Eagle Farm track, but punters still got to witness some quality action and the big market moves came thick and fast.
Despite the track issues punters still climbed into the betting markets, with some of those moves paying off and some of them missing the target.
We’re not only focusing on the action at Eagle Farm, we have the bookmaker reports from Randwick and Sandown which resulted in mixed returns for punters, but on the whole was an early-winter success last Saturday.
Market movers report – Eagle Farm
Race 1: Burning Passion ($2.60), from Trevinder and Rare Occurrence
Punters got the day off to a winning start at Eagle Farm after smashing the Sydney-based Burning Passion. It opened at $4.80 and has heavily backed throughout the week, especially after the scratching of Londehero. Trevinder closed well at $26 for second with the well-supported Rare Occurrence making late ground to give each way punters another good result.
Race 2: Col ‘n’ Lil ($7), from Duca Valentinois and Elle Lou
The talented Col ‘n’ Lil was a stylish winner and punters were heavily rewarded again. It was backed into $7 after opening at $13, which was the direct result of race favourite Religify drifting from $2.45 to $3.10 come start time. The biggest move in the race came for Elle Lou which closed at $4.80 after touching $11 earlier in the week.
Race 3: Melody Belle ($5), from Taking Aim and Pierata
The New Zealand filly was superior in the heavy conditions, but punters were reluctant to back it. After opening at $4.40 it dropped to $3.80 early in the betting, but it steadily drifted to $5 come start time and some punters cashed in big time. Taking Aim and Pierata were steady in the betting with big money coming for Malahat which finished out of the placings.
Race 4: Kaiser Franz ($51), from Zambezi Warrior and The Chairman
This was one for the bookies after long shot Kaiser Franz came up inside runners to score the upset. The Robert Heathcote-trained runner was $71 into $51, but with heavy money coming for the likes of Jumbo Prince, Neverland and Mister Impatience, the bookmakers well and truly made a killing off this race.
Race 5: Order Again ($4.20), from Volatile Mix and Violate
The race was dictated up from by Order Again and punters got back on track. It opened at $6.50 and closed at $4.20 after touching $4 earlier in the day. Runner up Volatile Mix went close for Darren Weir and gave punters a near miss at nice odds. It was backed in from $14 to $8.50, but it should continue to run well throughout the Brisbane winter carnival. Prized Icon was the drifter with bookmaker, closing at $5.50 after opening at $3.60.
Race 6: Eckstein ($15), from Egyptian Symbol and Sold For Song
Punters missed a great chance to get $15 with a quality runner. Eckstein showed its class by winning with style and only the early punters that backed it into $11 during the week were able to celebrate. Egyptian Symbol was a drifter with bookmakers and Sold For Song was specked at long odds. The big drifter in the race was Miss Cover Girl ($9 to $26) and it ran accordingly.
Race 7: Clearly Innocent ($11), from Jungle Edge and Counterattack
Clearly Innocent proved it wasn’t just a Scone specialist and the result was one for the bookies. After opening at $6 it drifted to $11, which could be due to the confidence shown for Jungle Edge and Counterattack. Jungle Edge firmed in from $13 to $5.50 after punters caught a glimpse of the Eagle Farm track and they were able to lock in good place odds for the wet track specialist.
Race 8: Niccanova ($11), from Sylpheed and I Thought So
Punters almost landed the big plunge on Sylpheed which opened at $23 and was backed into $9.50, but talented filly Niccanova saw them all off. It was specked at double figure odds, but there weren’t many other notable moves in this race.
Horse to follow out of Eagle Farm: Volatile Mix
It looks to have plenty of talent over the staying distances and it should be staying on throughout the carnival.
Market movers report – Sandown
Race 1: Cliff’s Edge ($3.80), from Lone Eagle and Josephine Sea
Punters were all over the bookmakers in the opening race at Sandown. All three place-bearing runners were heavily-backed in the market with the winner closing at $3.80 after opening at $4.60. The drifter was opening favourite Star Search, which missed the placings.
Race 2: Rillito ($5.50), from Nikitas and Kalashani Lad
There wasn’t much movement in this race. Kalashani Lad drifted from $26 to $81, but scored an impressive third placing.
Race 3: Gold Medals ($3.40), from Zed Em and Marlo Man
Both Gold Medals and Zed Em were heavily backed and they ran accordingly. The only well-backed runner not to finish in the placings was Now And Zen with Marlo Man grabbing third at odds of $15.
Race 4: Renew ($2.30), from Urban Explorer and Honey Steel’s Gold
Punters went back-to-back in the jumping features with Renew, but it wasn’t one way traffic in the betting. The OTI Racing jumper got to $2.15, but drifted late in the piece. Honey Steel’s Gold firmed in from $4.20 to $3.40, but had to settle for third. There was limited action elsewhere in the small field.
Race 5: Grand Dreamer ($5.50), from Transfer Allowance and Goathland
Another quiet race for punters with Goathland firming in from $2.65 to $2.20, but there was little action elsewhere. Epsom Hill and Great Glen were specked at longer odds, but failed to fire.
Race 6: Plein Ciel ($2.10), from Petrology and Coldstone
This was an interesting betting race regarding the favourite and eventual winner Plein Ciel. The Weir-trained runner opened at $2.90, firmed into $2, but drifted notably about an hour from start time. Punters quickly snapped up to $2.50 on offer from CrownBet.com.au and it eventually started as the $2.10 favourite. Most other runners stayed firm in the betting.
Race 7: Soho Ruby ($6), from Pedrena and Lady Lee
Soho Ruby was a noted drifted after opening at $4.20. Most of the money came for Pedrena which closed at $2.60 after touching $3.40 earlier in the week. Iheartpoppy was a big firmer from $21 into $8, but failed to make an impression.
Race 8: Widgee Turf ($3.40), from Barbie’s Boy and Valliano
Punters had been burned by Widgee Turf too many times this season for it to happen again. It drifted from $2.80, but it still ran as the favourite. Punters were able to secure good each way odds around Barbie’s Boy which opened at $12 and closed at $8 – a good price for a quality runner.
Race 9: Cannyescent ($4.60), from Data Point and Thelburg
The punters were going home happy from Sandown after backing the first three home. Cannyescent opened at $8 and was smashed into $4.60. The Lindsay Park runner dominated the race over Data Point and Thelburg which were also heavily-backed into short quotes.
Horse to follow out of Sandown: Barbie’s Boy
It will get better throughout this campaign and over the longer distances.
Market movers report: Randwick
Race 1: Kementari ($5), from Easy Go Easy Win and Sambro
Punters couldn’t decide on which runner to back in the opening race. Solid money came for four runners which all started at either $4.80 or $5. There was very little money placed outside of the first four favourites.
Race 2: Clipper ($2.90), from Suncraze and Major Sharpe
Punters saw this race as a two-horse affair and it worked out that way. Clipper was backed into $2.90 after opening at $4 and Suncraze drifted from $2.60 to $4.80. A couple of other runners were specked to cause an upset, but they didn’t come close to the two favourites.
Race 3: Monasterio ($26), from Cross Stitch and Lord Kingsley
The winner was a big drifter after opening at $10. Punters couldn’t decide on a clear cut favourite and the top six market chances were all unable to fill a placing.
Race 4: So Willie ($6), from Supply And Demand and Kingsguard
Despite excellent recent form, So Willie was a drifter after opening at $4.60. The talented runner burst through runners to beat race favourite and firmer Supply And Demand. Former Kiwi runner Kingsguard drifted from $6.50 to $13, but ran credibly for third and will keep during the winter.
Race 5: My True Love ($5), from Our Belisa and Nettoyer
Race favourite My True Love was the top elect at $5, but there wasn’t much money coming for many runners in this. Siren’s Fury and Seeblume were specked at odds, but punters were happy to try a few runners at longer odds.
Race 6: In Times Of War ($2.60), from Love’s A Fantasy and Feelin’ The Love
The writing was on the wall early in the betting for In Times Of War. The talented runner opened at $3.80 and was quickly smashed into $2.60. The drifter was Sisken, which had beaten In Times Of War earlier this season, but was unable to match it this time around. Most other runners drifted, expect Feelin’ The Love which firmed in from $23 to $13 – money well placed.
Race 7: Allergic ($6), from Broadside and Soviet Courage
We can’t quite believe punters got $6 for Allergic after opening at $3.20. The Darren Beadman-trained runner had been in good form, but punters were keen to back Broadside which battled on well for second. There was no money for Soviet Courage which produced a grand effort for third.
Race 8: Kudero ($15), from Badajoz and The Monstar
There wasn’t much action in this race. Upscale was a firmer from $5.50 to $4.80, but most other runners drifted or stayed around their original odds.
Race 9: Magical Stance ($16), Imperator Augustus and Level Eight
There wasn’t much luck for punters in the final race as Magical Stance scored at double figure odds. High Mist and The Bull were the two favourites, but there wasn’t much confidence around.
Horse to follow out of Randwick: Kingsguard
It will be better for the run and it battled on nicely.