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Bookies tremble as Earthquake dominates Slipper

By Brians Newsflash

Golden Slipper favourite Earthquake is already odds-on in some betting markets as bookmakers attempt to find ways the Darley filly with the perfect record can be beaten in the world's richest juvenile race at Rosehill on Saturday, reports the Sytdney Morning Herald.

It says: Kerrin McEvoy is looking forward to getting on Earthquake again, which is unbeaten in four starts, and was made a $1.95 top pick by Ladbrokes on Sunday, but as much as $2.15 is being bet about the Blue Diamond Stakes winner at Sportingbet.

"It is very exciting to be involved with a filly like her," McEvoy said. "She had a freshen-up between the Blue Diamond and her last win [in the Reisling Stakes] and she is ready to peak...There is plenty of quality there and she is a filly that saves her best for race day."

Sportingbet's Michael Sullivan expects Earthquake to dominate the market and the only chance of extending her price will come should she draw poorly at Tuesday's barrier draw.

"We are the best in the world at $2.15 at the moment but that will be great value if she comes with an inside barrier," Sullivan said. "She just does everything right, which is a big thing for two-year-olds. When they are as professional as her only bad luck seems to be the only way to beat them, but it is my job to take her on."

The TAB has Earthquake at $2 and Glenn Munsie said there were no real new challengers to emerge from last Saturday and he believes she could be the first horse to start in the red since Alinghi, which ran third to Dance Hero in 2004.

"History tells you that horses that run well the week before have a great record in the Slipper," Munsie said. "Bring Me The Maid was good but you can't really see her being up with Earthquake and Mossfun.

"The barrier draw will be very important because if Mossfun draws inside Earthquake, I can see them being a lot closer in the market than they are now. But if Earthquake gets a gate then she will be odds-on and well into the red."

Darley will have three Slipper runners with the favourite joined by Ghibellines and Memorial. Mick Price will be represented by Blue Diamond placegetters Jabali and Cornrow, but both are yet to win a race, while Gai Waterhouse will also have two runners – $1.35 million yearling Valentia, a son of Fastnet Rock, and Law.