Nature Strip’s cash splash
DOOMBEN 10,000 favourite Nature Strip was the subject of a massive betting move soon after acceptances for the $800,000 feature were taken yesterday, forcing him into an odds-on quote by day’s end.
Ladbrokes was offering $3.30 on Nature Strip on Tuesday night and then $2.80 after final acceptors, but moves at other agencies soon trimmed the odds.
Tab.com.au reported the bulk of the money, taking a bet of $200,000 on the horse.
The confident move came despite the Galaxy winner drawing barrier 11 in the 13horse field yesterday.
Nature Strip has only been tested twice at 1200m, finishing unplaced in the Group 2 Euclase at Morphettville in May last year before striding to victory in lesser company at Flemington two starts later.
He was taking short steps at the end of the 1100m Galaxy in March, but trainer Chris Waller has done a lot of work getting him to settle since then and the market has given his skills to achieve that a rousing vote of confidence.
Interestingly, the Nature Strip move hasn’t been universal, with Ladbrokes punters getting behind the autumn bridesmaid Osborne Bulls in early trading.
“We’re actually holding triple the amount of money for Osborne Bulls as we are for Nature Strip,” Ladbrokes’ Tom Hackett said.
GREYHOUND racing’s Group 1 Brisbane Cup has received a massive prizemoney boost, going to $375,000 this year, including $250,000 to the winner.
The $225,000 stakes increase will make it one of Australia’s richest greyhound races.
The announcement coincided with Racing Queensland announcing the race will be shifted from its traditional summer timeslot to a blockbuster final on Super Night, Thursday, July 4.