BETTING HOTS UP FOR MELBOURNE CUP

Melbourne Cup betting moves

Given the short price nature of Incentivise, $2.30 with some bookies before Derby day it’s understandable the punters are looking for value in the race that stops a nation.

Despite the drift, the Peter Moody trained runner still sits comfortably a top the betting and holds 28% of the purse according to the TAB as he looks for his 10th straight win.

Second favourite for the race and top international selection Spanish Mission has been on the Taylor Swift since Friday when news broke about a potential injury that could rule him out of the race. 

Since shifting out from $7 to $12 in betting, Spanish Mission has remained the second most popular backed horse with 8% of the total purse according to TAB.

Last years winner, the Lloyd Williams owned Twilight Payment has also been drifting this week and has gone out past $14 with most bookmakers.

A couple of roughies that have seen backing are the Anthony and Sam Freedman trained import Delphi and Lloyd Williams second runner in the race Pondus.

Delphi in particular has been a focal point of betting with his price getting slashed from $34 to $17 with most bookmakers. Delphi will be under a cloud until 7.30am on Tuesday morning however as he will undergo a late veterinary check in the morning. 

Pondus on the other hand looks all geared up to race and after a spruiking from owner Lloyd Williams has seen his price move in from $34 to $23.

"He'll run a lot better than people think. But he's not there to beat Incentivise if Incentivise is a proper two-miler. I'd be surprised if he doesn't run in the first five," Williams said.

Other runners in the field to receive backing are Maher and Eustace trained Grand Promenade, in a nibble from $18 to $16, as well as Kiwi runner Ocean Billy who has moved from $126 into $61.

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