Market movers, special markets & bonus bets for Melbourne Cup
IT is not quite as big as the horse racing version of Melbourne Cup but greyhound racing's version of “The Cup” is the biggest race on the chasing calendar, and South Australian superstar Worm Burner has been the best-backed greyhound to win tonight's Group 1 Melbourne Cup with online bookmaker Sportsbet.
The brindle dog is currently a $12 shot to take home the $420,000 feature from box two, while the favourite being five-time group winner Zambora Brockie (box three).
A son of Nitro Burst and Flying Liddy, Zambora Brockie is the fastest qualifier heading into the world's richest greyhound racing, having recorded a brilliant 29.06 in his heat of the feature last Friday night.
“While the big money is heading for Zambora Brockie, $12 chance Worm Burner is the best backed, attracting 30% of the total bets placed, ahead of the favourite which has attracted 20% of the total wagers so far,” said Sportsbet's Ben Bulmer.
“Sportsbet.com.au has seen strong support for Zambora Brockie in the lead up to tonight's Melbourne Cup, with the favourite currently holding 65% of the book.
“One punter is confident Zambora Brockie can get the job done, staking $8,000 for the win at $2.10 and had a further $1,000 at $2.30.
“Second favourite Outside Pass, priced at $4.60, is not getting any love with less than 0.5% of punters backing it for the win, with its biggest bet just $20 at odds of $5.50.”
You can also place a bet on some special markets for tonight's main event, including finishing time, winning state by breeding and winning state by trainer.
The breeding market has NSW as the favourite to provide the winner at $1.55, while Victoria is the top pick to train the winner at $1.50.
The most likely finishing time for the final is between 29.31 and 29.60 at $2.90, with the chances of the winner breaking the 28.95 track record a long shot at $21.
In addition to the Melbourne Cup, also being run at Sandown Park tonight is the Group 1 Bold Trease (715m). The race looks an open feature, with heat winners Ramifications (box three), Caco Potion (box two), It's A Bird (box one) and It's A Fling (box eight) set to be the major contenders for the prize.
The first race at Sandown Park kicks off tonight at 6:48pm.
Group 1 Melbourne Cup – odds
1 – Barton Bale $8.50 (out from $8)
2 – Worm Burner $12 (out from $11)
3 – Zambora Brockie $2.10 (out from $2)
4 – Tripum $16 (steady)
5 – Ando's Mac $13 (steady)
6 – Outside Pass $4.60 (in from $4.80)
7 – Matt Machine $51 (steady)
8 – Jesaulenko $5 (in from $5.50)
Group 1 Melbourne Cup – winning state by trainer
Victoria $1.50
Queensland $3.55
South Australia $12
New South Wales $13
Group 1 Melbourne Cup – winning state by breeding
New South Wales $1.55 with Sportsbet
Queensland $4.60
Victoria $4.80
South Australia $12
Group 1 Melbourne Cup – winning time
29.31 – 29.60 $2.90
29.16 to 29.30 $3.10
28.95 to 29.15 $4
29.61 or slower $7.50
28.95 or quicker $21