Melbourne Cup

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French galloper Brigantin is the subject of a Melbourne Cup betting plunge as punters continue to back the Andre Fabre trained horse to win the Flemington feature on November 6.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said punters appear keen to take any price about Brigantin winning the Melbourne Cup before its first Australian start in Wednesday’s Geelong Cup.

“Brigantin was backed from $18 into $15 and then they crunched it again into an $11 fourth favourite for the cup in the space of 72 hours,” Sullivan said.

“We’ve written a heap of four figure bets on the French galloper including one of $4,000 at $17.”

“It’s been a huge go.”

Brigantin has been backed from $6.50 into $3.20 for Wednesday’s Geelong Cup, the race won by other French gallopers Americain in 2010 and Dunaden in 2011 on their way to winning the Melbourne Cup.

2012 Melbourne Cup

Sportingbet Australia Market
Dunaden 6.50
Mount Athos 9.00
Americain 10.00
Brigantin 11.00
Green Moon 12.00
Red Cadeaux 12.00
Shahwardi 14.00
Tac De Boistron 17.00
My Quest For Peace 17.00
Fiorente 21.00
Ethiopia 21.00
Lights Of Heaven 21.00
Galileos Choice 23.00
Gatewood 23.00
Winchester 26.00
Maluckyday 31.00
Mourayan 31.00

[admin]

Gatewood has shortened from $23 to $14 with Sportingbet Australia for the Melbourne Cup following his win in today’s Geelong Cup.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said he was happy to lay the imported galloper despite the outstanding record of Geelong Cup winners in recent years.

“We did shorten him up from $23 to $14 and punters came for him straight away,” Sullivan said.

“I am happy to take him on though as he still isn’t guaranteed a run in the Melbourne Cup and he had every possible favour to win today.”

Fellow Cup contender Brigantin remained steady at $10 after running third.

“There has been a mountain of money for Brigantin this week which saw him shorten from $19 to $10 with money still coming this morning including a bet of $4000 at $11,” Sullivan said.

“He is still borderline for a run too but I don’t think he will have lost any admirers today as the race just wasn’t run to suit.”

[admin]

Sportingbet Australia has taken a bet of $25,000 each way at $13 on Americain to win the Melbourne Cup for a potential collect of more than $400,000.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said the money has been pouring in for Americain after the announcement jockey Damien Oliver will ride the horse.

“Americain has been backed from $13 into $8.50 second favourite with us over the last few days,” Sullivan said.

“His run when 4^th in the Caulfield Cup was sensational and showed he’s on track for the two miles next month.”

Caulfield Cup winner and reigning Melbourne Cup champion Dunaden is a solid $6.50 favourite.

2012 Melbourne Cup
Sportingbet Australia Market
Dunaden 6.50
Americain 8.50
Mount Athos 9.50
Red Cadeaux 11.00
Green Moon 12.00
Brigantin 12.00
Maluckyday 15.00
Shahwardi 18.00
My Quest For Peace 19.00
Lights Of Heaven 21.00
Ethiopia 21.00
Others $23+

[admin]

Bookmakers continue to take a steady stream of cash for 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain to win the 2012 version of Australia’s great race.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said Americain has been backed from $13 into a $6.00 outright favourite in front of Caulfield Cup winner Dunaden over the past few days.

“He’s been extraordinarily well backed including a bet of $25,000 each way at double figure odds on Saturday,” Sullivan said.

“We wound Americain’s odds into $8.50 over the weekend and plenty of four figure punters kept lining up to back him at that price and we were still taking significant money for him at $7,” Sullivan said.

Dunaden remains solid at $6.50 while steady support has trimmed Mount Athos’ price from $9.50 into $9. Red Cadeaux is an unchanged $11 fourth favourite ahead of Brigantin, who is $12 out to $13.

Galileo’s Choice has been $23 out to $26 with Sportingbet Australia.

Of the trio of contenders that raced in Saturday’s Sportingbet Cox Plate, Ethiopia is $21 into $14, Southern Speed $61 into $51 and Green Moon $12 out to $21.

2012 Melbourne Cup
Sportingbet Australia Market
Americain 6.00
Dunaden 6.50
Mount Athos 9.00
Red Cadeaux 11.00
Brigantin 13.00
Maluckyday 14.00
Ethiopia 14.00
Shahwardi 21.00
My Quest For Peace 21.00
Green Moon 21.00
Lights Of Heaven 23.00
Tac De Boistron 23.00
Gatewood 26.00
Fiorente 26.00
Galileos Choice 26.00
Winchester 31.00
Mourayan 31.00
Glencadam Gold 35.00
Jakkalberry 35.00
Others 35.00 +

[admin]

Punters have rallied behind Mount Athos to win next week’s Melbourne Cup, backing the Luca Cumani trained stayer from $10 into a $9 outright 3^rd favourite behind Americain and Dunaden.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said only Americain has been as well supported to win the Cup in recent days.

“We’ve taken a bet of $10,000 on Mount Athos at $9 and a heap of smaller bets totalling $5,000 at the same price in the last 24 hours,” Sullivan said.

“Punters are beginning to take note of the massive weight advantage the horse has over the two favourites.”

Dunaden is a solid $6.50 second favourite and recent interest in the 2011 Melbourne Cup winner has been steady including a bet of $5,000 on Tuesday.

Red Cadeaux has attracted only a sprinkling of support and is steady at $11, while Gatewood has been backed from $35 into $26 despite the galloper needing to win Saturday’s Lexus Stakes to be assured a start.

Fiorente has been largely unwanted and is $21 out to $26 with Sportingbet Australia.

Godolphin’s Cavalryman ($51) and Lost In The Moment ($51 out to $61) have also been unwanted with Sportingbet Australia punters and Shahwardi has also eased from $18 to $21.

2012 Melbourne Cup
Sportingbet Australia Market
Americain 6.00
Dunaden 6.50
Mount Athos 9.00
Maluckyday 11.00
Red Cadeaux 11.00
Brigantin 14.00
Ethiopia 14.00
Galileos Choice 18.00
My Quest For Peace 21.00
Green Moon 21.00
Shahwardi 21.00
Lights Of Heaven 23.00
Tac De Boistron 23.00
Gatewood 26.00
Fiorente 26.00
Winchester 31.00
Mourayan 31.00
Jakkalberry 35.00
Glencadam Gold 41.00
Others $41+

[admin]

Punters continue to take any odds they can get about French galloper Americain winning Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said the 2010 Melbourne Cup winner could start as short as $4.50 on Tuesday if the steady stream of cash continues.

“We’ve taken a $50,000 bet on Americain as well as a few smaller five figure wagers and a mountain of four figure bets,” Sullivan said.

“He’s by far our worst result should he win but he does have history against him, as only one horse has won with 57kg or more in the last 20 years and only four favourites have saluted across the same period.”

Strong support for Mount Athos has seen it leapfrog Dunaden into $7.50 second favouritism. Caulfield Cup winner and defending champion Dunaden is $6.50 out to $8 while last year’s runner up, Red Cadeaux, is rock solid at $11.

2012 Melbourne Cup
Sportingbet Australia Market
Americain $5.50 (was 5.50)
Mount Athos $7.50 (was 9.00)
Dunaden $8 (was 6.50)
Red Cadeaux $11 (was 11.00)
Maluckyday $13 (was 11.00)
Green Moon $16 (was 21.00)
My Quest For Peace $17 (was 21.00)
Ethiopia $19 (was 14.00)
Kelinni $19 (was $101)
Galileos Choice $19 (was 18.00)
Fiorente $21 (was 26.00)
Lights Of Heaven $26 (was 23.00)
Zabeelionaire $34 (was $34)
Tac De Boistron $34 (was 23.00)
Winchester $41 (was 31.00)
Mourayan $21 (was 31.00)
Jakkalberry $51 (was 35.00)
Sanagas $51 (was $81)
Glencadam Gold $51 (was 41.00)
Calvaryman $51 (was $51)
Niwot $51 (was $51)
Precedence $81 (was $101)
Voila Ici $151 (was $151)
Unusual Suspect $301 (was $251)

[admin]

Below is Michael Sullivan's preview of the Melbourne Cup. Kelinni (19.00) is his top pick. Michael Sullivan is the CEO of Sportingbet.

No.1
DUNADEN – $8 59kg (16)

Superb French horse who was an arrogant winner of the Caulfield Cup two weeks ago when he overcame a wide gate and big weight to fly home. Has 4.5kg’s more than what he carried to win this race last year but he’s no stranger to carrying and winning with big weights in class races overseas. Very hard to see him not running in the top 3.


No.2
AMERICAIN - $5.50 58kg (12)

Big run in the Caulfield Cup and meets Dunaden 5 kilograms better for being beaten 1.5 lengths in this race last year. Has been heavily backed this past week with Sportingbet Australia ($9 into $5.50) and the booking of Oliver will only improve his chances, as could any rain.


No.3
JAKKALBERRY – $51 55.5kg (19)

His run was ok in the Caulfield Cup when caught wide without cover and kept trying to the line. Lacks a turn of foot which is a huge concern as is the fact that it has never run over a distance this far. Chance to come top 10 as it sticks on but don’t think it can win.


No.4
RED CADEAUX – $11 55.5kg (18)

Last year’s runner up meets Dunaden better off at the weights and has been raced sparingly this year to enter this race on the fresh side, something he wasn’t able to do last year. Jockey Michael Rodd sticks and he’s been heavily supported in the last few days with Sportingbet. A definite winning chance.


No.5
WINCHESTER – $41 55.5kg (22)

Run-on horse who has never raced over further than a mile and a half. Given the way the cup is often run with backmarkers getting their chance you would have to concede him a top half finishing chance but very hard to see him running past the big guns.


No.6
VOILA ICI – $151 55kg (13)

Has run a couple of really good races this prep when led and only just been run down by horses like Ocean Park and Green Moon. Needs some give in the ground but never raced beyond 2800m and unlikely to get a soft lead. Hard to have.


No.7
CAVALRYMAN – $51 54kg (6)

Doesn’t appear to be one of Godolphin’s better horses. Previous races show he appears to be able to settle well and go to sleep which is a big plus but lacks a turn of foot when asked to go which is an obvious negative.


No.8
MOUNT ATHOS – $7.50 54kg (8)

Been the big spruik horse for this race since markets first came out. Relaxes beautifully in his races and has a big turn of foot, the ideal ingredients to win this race. Looks very well weighted and will be hard to beat.


No.9
SANAGAS – $51 54kg (4)

Has been set solely for this race and trainer Bart Cummings knows how to have them peaking at the right time. Beaten less than 4 lengths in the Caulfield Cup. At $51 with Sportingbet, a good roughie for your exotics.


No.10
ETHIOPIA – $19 53.5kg (14)

Very promising stayer who ran a huge race in the Cox Plate where he defied popular opinion by racing forward instead of swooping from the rear. Good value runner.


No.11
FIORENTE – $21 53.5kg (2)

Appears to be a very dour type and stable has a big opinion. Could surprise.


No.12
GALILEO’S CHOICE – $19 53.5kg (11)

Has jumped over hurdles like Vintage Crop and will certainly run the trip out. Must respect the trainer and therefore can’t rule him out.


No.13
GLENCADAM GOLD – $51 53.5kg (7)

Didn’t perform well in the Caulfield Cup when exposed to pressure a long way from home. This race will be no different and is therefore hard to have.

No.14
GREEN MOON – $16 53.5kg (5)

Only an average run in the Cox Plate when battled on for 7^th. Has been set for this race and stable has done it before.


No.15
MALUCKYDAY – $13 53.5kg (9)

2010 runner up has returned to some really good form since being injured last year. One of the top local hopes and I can see it running in the top 5.


No.16
MOURAYAN – $21 53.5kg (3)

Extremely honest and consistent type who has placed in the top three 17 times in his 32 starts. Gets a nice weight drop from his recent runs and loves a fight.


No.17
MY QUEST FOR PEACE – $17 53.5kg (1)

Ran well in the Caulfield Cup finishing just 1.6 lengths off the winner. Wouldn’t shock if he goes close.


No.18
NIWOT – $51 53.5kg (15)

Copped a check at the top of the straight in the Caulfield Cup but was only ok to the line after that. Was well fancied in last year’s race and this year is no easier.


No.19
TAC DE BOISTRON – $34 53.5kg (21)

Well supported import prior to disappointing run in the Geelong Cup. There were excuses however and if there is any rain about come Tuesday then this horse is a real chance.


No.20
LIGHTS OF HEAVEN – $26 53kg (17)

Lightly raced promising mare who ran an impressive 3^rd in the Caulfield Cup. Concern is she has never raced over the mile and a half but by Zabeel and has a great trainer.



No.21
PRECEDENCE – $81 53kg (20)

This is the 3^rd Melbourne cup start for this war-horse, who has been beaten 7 and 9 lengths at his two previous attempts. Can’t see him improving on those performances but does have Bart Cummings in his corner.


No.22
UNUSUAL SUSPECT – $301 53kg (23)

Beaten less than 4 lengths in this race last year but doesn’t seem to be going well enough this time. Huge respect for the trainer but this would have to be a miracle.


No.23
ZABEELIONAIRE – $34 52kg (24)

Run was ok in the Caulfield Cup when beaten less than 3 lengths for 6th. Gives the impression that he is looking for this longer trip and with a light weight and good rider, could be the blowout at
$34 with Sportingbet.

No.24
KELINNI – $19 51kg (10)

The Lexus Stakes winner has won 8 of 18 and is always close, having never finished further back than 4^th in all of his Australian starts. He is fit and in form and the Lexus Stakes has been a good recent guide. Great odds and my selection to win the 2012 Melbourne Cup!

[admin]

Punters have rallied behind Galileo’s Choice to give Irish trainer Dermot Weld his third victory in the Melbourne Cup.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said Galileo’s Choice has been the best backed runner since Saturday night’s barrier draw.

“We’ve taken one bet of $5,000 at the big odds and more $2,000 and $1,000 bets than I can count and that’s slashed his price from $21 into $16,” Sullivan said.

“If the rain comes you can expect him to start even shorter,” Sullivan said.

Godolphin’s Cavalryman has been the best backed roughie of the race and is $51 into $34 with Sportingbet Australia.

“A couple of smart punters both had solid four figure each-way bets on Cavalryman and we’ve taken a mountain of smaller bets for Frankie Dettori’s mount,” Sullivan said.

Red Cadeaux has also been very well supported from $11 into $9 with Sportingbet Australia with one punter placing a $7,000 wager on last year’s runner up at double figures.

Race favourite Americain is $5.50 out to $6.50, Dunaden is $8 into $7.50 and Mount Athos is rock solid at $7.50.

2012 Melbourne Cup
Sportingbet Australia Market
Americain $6.50 (was $5.50)
Mount Athos $7.50 (steady)
Dunaden $7.50 (was $8.00)
Red Cadeaux $9 (was $11.00)
Maluckyday $14 (was $11)
Green Moon $16 (was $17)
Galileos Choice $16 (was $21)
My Quest For Peace $19
Kelinni $19 (steady)
Lights Of Heaven $19 (was $26)
Ethiopia $21 (was $19)
Fiorente $26 (was $21)
Mourayan $26 (was $21)
Calvaryman $36 (was $51)
Zabeelionaire $41 (was $34)
Tac De Boistron $51 (was $34)
Winchester $51 (was $41)
Jakkalberry $51 (steady)
Sanagas $51 (steady)
Glencadam Gold $51 (steady)
Niwot $51 (steady)
Precedence $101 (was $81)
Voila Ici $151 (steady)
Unusual Suspect $301 (steady)

[admin]

A sensational Cup eve plunge on English stayer Mount Athos has seen the Luca Cumani trained galloper join Americain and Dunaden as equal Melbourne Cup favourites at $7.50 with Sportingbet Australia.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said the late move for Mount Athos has been significant.

“We’ve written more tickets on Mount Athos today than any other runner in the race and the volume has been enormous,” Sullivan said.

“There’s been one bet of $10,000 on Mount Athos and plenty of smaller yet significant wagers and they just keep chipping away at it,” Sullivan said.

“Of the three equal favourites Mount Athos is the most likely to start favourite tomorrow if this late money is any indication.”

Dunaden has also attracted heavy support from Sportingbet Australia punters on Melbourne Cup eve including one bet of $20,000 at $7.50.

Americain has been the big drifter, despite heavy support that saw the 2010 Melbourne Cup winner’s price touch $5.00 late yesterday.

Red Cadeaux is $11 into $9 with bets including $18,000 and $7,000 placed on last year’s runner up today.

2012 Melbourne Cup
Sportingbet Australia Market
Americain $7.50 (was $5.50)
Mount Athos $7.50 (was $9)
Dunaden $7.50 (was $8.00)
Red Cadeaux $9 (was $11.00)
Maluckyday $14 (was $11)
Green Moon $17 (was $16)
Galileos Choice $15 (was $21)
My Quest For Peace $19
Kelinni $19 (steady)
Lights Of Heaven $19 (was $26)
Ethiopia $21 (was $19)
Mourayan $23 (was $21)
Fiorente $34 (was $21)
Calvaryman $36 (was $51)
Zabeelionaire $51 (was $34)
Tac De Boistron $67 (was $34)
Winchester $51 (was $41)
Jakkalberry $51 (steady)
Sanagas $51 (steady)
Glencadam Gold $51 (steady)
Niwot $51 (steady)
Precedence $101 (was $81)
Voila Ici $151 (steady)
Unusual Suspect $301 (steady)