Bookies ban big bets on Cup fave

LEADING bookmakers Matt Tripp and Rob Waterhouse have handed punters a significant Melbourne Cup lead by shying away from accepting big bets on Marmelo at the traditional call of the card.

While CrownBet’s Tripp, Waterhouse and fellow bagmen Mark Sampieri and Warren Woodcock were prepared to take on a host of other Cup contenders, Marmelo was kept safe.

Opening at $8.50, Marmelo tightened to $8 amid expectation of strong on-course support for the English raider at Flemington.

Tripp said he had a high opinion of Marmelo, an eyecatching Caulfield Cup sixth, and would only accept small bets at $8.50.

“I thought Marmelo was outstanding in the Caulfield Cup,” Tripp said.

“Flemington will suit it down to the ground.

“It’s drawn to get a great run in seventh and eighth.”

Tom Waterhouse tried to back the Prix Kergorlay winner to win $100,000 but the bet was knocked back.

Tripp said he was prepared to risk Max Dynamite and Johannes Vermeer.

“Exposed form now with Johannes Vermeer versus Marmelo, I clearly want to be on Marmelo,” Tripp said.

“While Johannes Vermeer is a class horse, I think there is a query at two miles while the (ownership) stablemate Almandin has done everything right. As you might have noticed, I avoided Almandin.

Tripp, who is believed to have taken more than double the wagers of the other three bookmakers combined, still expects plenty of support for Johannes Vermeer. Single Gaze ($51-$41) will be his worst result ahead of Max Dynamite ($16-$15) and Libran ($51-$41).

Tom Waterhouse had $4000 on Single Gaze while Cox Plate runner-up Humidor was solidly backed with Steve Bradley outlaying $22,000 for a potential $250,000 windfall.

EXPOSED FORM NOW WITH JOHANNES VERMEER VERSUS MARMELO, I CLEARLY WANT TO BE ON MARMELO BOOKMAKER MATT TRIPP

Frankie Dettori’s confidence in defending champion Almandin was reflected in a flood of five-figure wagers.

Solid at $10, the eight-yearold was the centre of a $10,000 bet and several at $5000.

Chasing his first Melbourne Cup success, Dettori said: “I wouldn’t swap Almandin”.

Darren Weir’s Big Duke ($21$20) and Humidor ($11-$10) were also popular with punters.

With Tripp tipping Marmelo, Sampieri went for Rekindling, Waterhouse chose Wall Of Fire and Woodcock nominated Boom Time, who is lukewarm in betting at $31 despite his excellent Caulfield Cup win.