2011 Golden Rose - Foxwedge heavily backed

[admin]

The John O’Shea trained Foxwedge has been heavily backed at Sportingbet Australia to turn the tables on Smart Missile and cause an upset in the Golden Rose.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said Foxwedge had shortened from $9.00 to $7.00 in the past 24 hours on the back of some big bets.

“We took one bet to win $20,000 at $9.00 and the money has kept coming for him,” Sullivan said.

“It is no real surprise given Smart Missile only just nabbed him on the line last start and he is $1.80 while Foxwedge was $9.00.

“The race could well be run to suit Foxwedge too given the small speed and potentially a lack of speed which could make it very hard for Smart Missile to finish the way he did last start.”

Sullivan said there had been little money around for the favourite so far but he had little doubt the big punters would step in before Saturday.

“He was off the map first up and while he has eased from $1.70 to $1.80 so far this week, I am sure we will see punters come for him given the way he finished in the Run to the Rose,” he said.


2011 GOLDEN ROSE
Sportingbet Australia Market
Smart Missile 1.80
Helmet 4.20
Foxwedge 7.00
Manawanui 7.00
Aeronautical 10.00
Flight Of Pegasus 61.00

[admin]

$100,000 BET ON SMART MISSILE

The big money has started to arrive for Smart Missile in the Golden Rose with Sportingbet Australia taking a bet of $100,000 at $1.85.

Smart Missile remains $1.85 with Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan saying he is prepared to get plenty more money out of Anthony Cummings trained colt.

“He had been a little easy early in the week with money coming for Helmet and Foxwedge but punters have stepped in now,” Sullivan said.

“We have taken one bet of $100,000 and a number of other good sized bets and currently he accounts for over 90% of the hold on the race.

“I am prepared to take him on in this small field and think he is a genuine risk at this price.”

Sullivan nominated Foxwedge, Helmet and Manwanui as the genuine dangers in the race and expected punters were happy to back all three.

“Foxwedge looked home before being grabbed by Smart Missile on the line and when he got to $9.00 punters stepped in,” he said.

“Helmet has been $4.60 to $4.20 while Manawanui was very impressive in the Up and Coming and I expect money to come for him too.

“With the small field, a lot will depend on how the race is run and if there is no speed on, Smart Missile may very well find it impossible to run these other good horses down.”


2011 GOLDEN ROSE
Sportingbet Australia Market
Smart Missile 1.85
Helmet 4.20
Manawanui 7.00
Foxwedge 7.50
Aeronautical 10.00
Flight Of Pegasus 71.00

[admin]

ROSE A COMPETITIVE BETTING RACE DESPITE SHORT PRICED FAVOURITE

The Golden Rose has turned into one of the most competitive betting races of the year with bookmakers reporting big money for nearly every runner despite many thinking Smart Missile had one hoof on the trophy.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said Smart Missile dominated betting early in the week but there had been big money for Helmet, Foxwedge and Manawanui in the past 48 hours.

“There has been plenty of big money for Smart Missile including a bet of $100,000 but he isn’t dominating betting like many thought he would,” Sullivan said.

“Helmet has been backed from $4.60 to $3.60, while we have taken a bet to win $40,000 on Manawanui and a number of good bets on Foxwedge including one to win $20,000.

“I am sure there will be plenty more big money for Smart Missile after his dominant win in the Run to the Rose but punters certainly don’t think he will have it all his own way.”

Sullivan said the small field was a concern for Smart Missile with the possibility of a lack of speed counting against him if he goes back in the field as most expect he will.

“I think there would have actually been a lot more money for Smart Missile in a bigger field with the guarantee of a truly run race,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone knows where a number of runners will settle and that is what has seen Smart Missile drift from $1.75 to $1.90.”


2011 GOLDEN ROSE
Sportingbet Australia Market
Smart Missile 1.90
Helmet 3.60
Manawanui 6.50
Foxwedge 8.50
Aeronautical 11.00
Flight Of Pegasus 81.00