Vinland’s defeat continues frustrating day for punters
THERE were plenty of big bets placed on $1.85 favourite Vinland in the Sheamus Mills Bloodstock Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday, but they all came unstuck on the popular elect.
The Tony McEvoy-trained three-year-old defeated a similar field last start by 1.75 lengths, but a change in tactics may have been enough to upset the well-tried colt.
Jockey Andrew Mallyon had the favourite outside the leader after jumping better than expected, but it never looked likely in the straight.
“He seemed to have a nice run outside the leader,” Mallyon said. “We got across comfortably, travelled comfortably, but once I straightened up I was a beaten horse.
“Maybe the small field and having to sit outside the leader played a small part, but it was disappointing on face value.”
The win by Angelucci ($23.90) continued a tough start to the day for punters at Caulfield with all three previous favourites suffering defeat.
? Vinland absolutely putrid ? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— Greg Larkins (@Greg_Larkins) December 16, 2017
Well-bred two-year-old filly Ennis Hill was a drifter in the market to open the card, but still ran as the $4.50 favourite with bookmakers.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock x. Hips Don’t Lie got a touch too far back with Craig Williams in the saddle and was unable to make up the ground late as Ollivander burst through the centre of runners.
Ollivander was another drifter on track ($6 to $8.90), but the recent jump-out winner showed no signs of nervousness on debut.
The pain continued for punters in the second race on the card when Trogir got up at odds of $10.70. The four-year-old continued to fine run of form for South Australian-trained runners, but didn’t help to ease the pain of punters early on.
Punters were keen to make up for their losses in the Tile Importer Handicap by backing Holy Freeze into $4.50 from a top price of $6.50, but again the money came unstuck.
Fourth was its best go as the Mick Price-trained Kasi Farasi scored the win at odds of $6.40. It wasn’t quite the upset as some punters did manage to find the winner, but it wasn’t the start punters were hoping for at Caulfield.