Bonneval all-clear stirs Cup punters
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 New Zealand mare early in the week as uncertainty built on whether she would even run or not.
But 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.
“Nobody wanted to be on her but (yesterday) she was comfortably the best-backed runner, firming from $8.50 to $7.50.”
Bonneval, who won six in a row before finishing sixth to Gailo Chop in the Caulfield Stakes last Saturday, 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.
“Up until that point, it had been a process of elimination. They didn’t want to be on Humidor … Bonneval had the query hanging over her head, so it left them with Johannes Vermeer.”
The Irish stayer Johannes Vermeer has gone from unheralded import to dominant Caulfield Cup favourite in the space of seven days.
Before the Caulfield Stakes, Johannes Vermeer was an unknown to Australian punters and was duly sent out a $31 chance.
But his slashing second to Gailo Chop, leaving former Cup favourite Bonneval in his wake, saw him top betting charts after being rated up to a $51 chance prior.
Timeform Australia’s Adam Blencowe confirmed Johannes Vermeer also rated highly on the Timeform scale, but warned he has reservations about him repeating the dose today.
JOHANNES VERMEER HAD BEEN THE BESTBACKED RUNNER ALL WEEK BUT THAT TURNED AROUND AFTER BONNEVAL GOT THE ALL-CLEAR UBET’S GERARD DAFFY