SUPPORTERS of New Zealand mare Daffodil caught bookmakers unaware when she was easily the best-backed runner for the Melbourne Cup at yesterday's Call of the Card at Crown Casino, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.It says: The AJC Australian Oaks winner, which could give jockey Chris Munce his second Melbourne Cup victory, was backed to win more than $1 million at odds of $17.The Bart Cummings-trained Viewed, out to make it successive wins in the race, retained favouritism for the $5.65m handica
SUPPORTERS of New Zealand mare Daffodil caught bookmakers unaware when she was easily the best-backed runner for the Melbourne Cup at yesterday's Call of the Card at Crown Casino, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
It says: The AJC Australian Oaks winner, which could give jockey Chris Munce his second Melbourne Cup victory, was backed to win more than $1 million at odds of $17.
The Bart Cummings-trained Viewed, out to make it successive wins in the race, retained favouritism for the $5.65m handicap when firming from $5.50 to $5, with form stayer Alcopop solid at $6.
''If you told me Daffodil would be the best backed when we walked over here, I would have laughed at you,'' said Betstar bookmaker Alan Eskander, who was one of five bagmen fielding at the Call of the Card.
''It probably reflects the lack of depth in this year's Cup,'' added Eskander, who is tipping Master O'Reilly ($14) to win the race at his third attempt.
Sydney rails bookmaker and Centrebet owner Con Kafataris was operating on the Call of the Card for the first time, and he said that while the betting interest from punters wasn't as intense as in past years when he had been on hand as a punter, there was still a ''good spread of money for most runners''.
''There was certainly some juicy odds on offer for punters,'' Kafataris said. ''A lot of the prices on offer, I think, were far superior to what we will see on raceday.''