Punters pounce as Bonneval given OK
PUNTERS did a U- turn yesterday and realigned their allegiances with Bonneval, as she attempts to turn last week’s below- par run into Caulfield Cup glory today.
Punters went cold on the mare early in the week as uncertainty built on whether she would even run or not.
However, after being cleared on Thursday, support has once again rolled in for her.
“Johannes Vermeer had been the best- backed runner all week, but that turned around after Bonneval got the all- clear,” UBET’s Gerard Daffy said yesterday. “Nobody wanted to be on her, but ( yesterday) she was comfortably the best- backed runner, firming from $ 8.50 to $ 7.50.”
Bonneval firmed in most places yesterday after stewards finally agreed with trainer Murray Baker that the mare was fit to take her place in the field. “Everyone had been holding back with regards to Bonneval, but once she got the tick, they jumped straight back on,” tab. com. au’s Glenn Munsie said.
While both totalisator agencies reported support for Bonneval yesterday, Australia’s biggest corporate bookmaker Sportsbet said she was still friendless with them.
“When Bonneval was in form she was the most popular Cup runner, but she’s now eased from as short as $ 4.80 to $ 9,” Sportsbet’s Will Byrne said.
Others finding support with Sportsbet have been Ventura Storm ($ 15-$ 12), Humidor ($ 7.50) and Harlem ($ 9.50).
Daffy said UBET had written just 30 bets in total on Johannes Vermeer before he put himself in the spotlight in the Caulfield Stakes last Saturday. Munsie said it had been similar south of the border.
CAULFIELD CUP
Johannes Vermeer Bonneval Humidor Harlem, Amelie’s Star Ventura Storm Jon Snow Inference Marmelo Lord Fandangog Abbey y Marie Singleg Gaze Boom Time Hardham Wicklow Brave Sir Isaac Newton He’s Our Rokkii