THE Caulfield Cup pre-race plunge came as expected yesterday but it was for NSW galloper Predatory Pricer, not one of the international raiders that had grabbed the spotlight, with an Australia-wide plunge, reports The Age.It says: As much as $10 was bet for the half-brother of former sprint champion Takeover Target after he drew barrier 16 on Wednesday for today's $2.5 million race, but few betting shops were offering any better than $8.50 last night after all reported an avalanche of money for

THE Caulfield Cup pre-race plunge came as expected yesterday but it was for NSW galloper Predatory Pricer, not one of the international raiders that had grabbed the spotlight, with an Australia-wide plunge, reports The Age.

It says: As much as $10 was bet for the half-brother of former sprint champion Takeover Target after he drew barrier 16 on Wednesday for today's $2.5 million race, but few betting shops were offering any better than $8.50 last night after all reported an avalanche of money for the four-year-old.

Horses of that age have won nine of the past 15 Caulfield Cups and have figured in the placings in all but one of those years. There are just four horses in today's line-up that are four-year-olds and another of those - New Zealand mare Daffodil - has also been a dramatic firmer in latest markets.

Betstar principal Michael Eskander said punters were wary about the horse early in the week when he drew wide and it appeared a wet track would be served up today.

''The thinking is that the track won't be as wet as first feared and that he'll take a position in the first four and make his own luck. It's been an overwhelming rush of money,'' Eskander said.

Despite the forecast for rain all week in Melbourne, Caulfield has received only a few showers. Caulfield track manager Jason Kerr said the track was a dead (4) yesterday after four millimetres of rain overnight and seven millimetres since Wednesday.

Predatory Pricer's trainer Paul Murray was not aware of the betting blitz on his horse yesterday. ''We're really happy and can't wait really. We're ready to go,'' he said.

Centrebet's media chief, Neil Evans, reported: ''Predatory Pricer has been absolutely hammered. We're already standing it for nearly $1 million.''