TAB.com.au has installed Japanese raider Admire Rakti as the new Melbourne Cup favourite off the back of its outstanding win in the Caulfield Cup. Admire Rakti waz $9 prior to today’s Group One triumph and is now a clear $4.20 favourite.
Admire Rakti, with HK based Zac Purton aboard, had some support to win the Cup ($14 into $11) but most of the attention was on race favourite Lucia Valentina ($4.60 to $4.20), which rattled home to grab third.
Rising Romance, for rider James McDonald, looked to have stolen the race after following the rails into the home straight and hitting the front, only to be mowed down at the finish.
TAB customers waited until close to jump time to back the favourite while earlier in the day there was money for others in the market.
Sydney Cup winner The Offer attracted a bet of $11,000 @ $23 (two separate bets of $6,000 and $5,000 from the same customer).
Who Shot Thebarman also had a big bet of $4,000 @ $11 placed on it.
CAULFIELD CUP RESULT – Admire Rakti 1, Rising Romance 2, Lucia Valentina 3
In further Melbourne Cup news, Lucia Valentina firmed for the race that stops the nation ($13 into $11) while Brambles was another mover in the market ($26 into $16) after it finished fourth behind Admire Rakti.
MELBOURNE CUP – TAB Fixed Odds
Admire Rakti $4.20
Protectionist $6.00
Lucia Valentina $8.00
Bande $13
Fawkner $14
Junoob $14
Brambles $16
Contributer $16
Who Shot Thebarman $21
Others from $26