Punters mistrust returning topliners

THE trainers say maybe but the money says “no’’ for the return of topliners Hey Doc and I Am A Star in tomorrow’s Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington tomorrow.

Betting markets have taken an “absolutely bizarre’’ turn since they opened around lunchtime on Wednesday according to TAB spokesman Trent Langskaill.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a market change so much in such a short time,’’ he said.

“The good horses are out the gate and the money has come for Grande Rosso and Flippant. Maybe we opened Hey Doc and I Am A Star too short but I think the message is that both horses will improve from the run.’’

Group One stars Hey Doc and I Am A Star are using the Aurie’s Star as a pipe- opener for the $ 1 million Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 27.

The market place message is that each is vulnerable first- up tomorrow.

I Am A Star opened the $ 4.20 favourite but blew out to $ 7.50 yesterday afternoon and Australian Guineas winner Hey Doc opened at $ 4.80 and blew out to $ 6.50.

The money came for Grande Rosso, with a $ 2000 bet at $ 19 sparking a tumble into $ 6, and Sydney visitor Flippant, who opened at $ 7 and was last night the $ 4.60 favourite.

Both Tony McEvoy ( Hey Doc) and Shane Nichols ( I Am A Star) said their horses could win but conceded they would improve and were vulnerable.

“He can certainly win but he’s at his best second- up and that’s the Memsie for $ 1 million,’’ McEvoy said.

Nichols said I Am A Star was “as good as she’s ever looked’’.