It seems nothing can deter punters from sticking with the Gai Waterhouse juggernaut as More Joyous dominates Toorak Handicap betting with online bookmaker sportsbet.
The champion will be attempting to become the first mare in 106 years to carry 60 kilograms or more and win a Group 1.
Despite the mammoth task, since betting opened More Joyous has been extremely popular with punters. The eight-time Group 1 winner has received 85 percent of wagers to win the Caulfield race.
More Joyous is currently the $2.25 favourite ahead of Queenslander Solzhenitsyn ($4.60) and King Mufhasa ($8.00).
“It’s well documented the task More Joyous faces, but it hasn’t stopped support for the mare,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.
“She won this race two years ago carrying 58 kilograms and now she has to break a century old record to do it again. She’s a very popular mare, an out and out champion. When you couple that with the Waterhouse factor it is not surprising punters are betting confidently.”
Another mare, Yosei, has firmed from $17 into $13 in the Toorak and Tokugawa has been steady at $15.
The Waterhouse runner Pierro also dominates Caulfield Guineas betting. The unbeaten colt has firmed to $1.22 and holds 90 percent of wagers.
Sportsbet.com.au is also betting on Pierro’s winning margin. The most popular choice is for the colt to win by a dead-heat to 1.9 lengths, which is $3.30.
Punters who used sportsbet.com.au’s Top Tote Plus came away big winners last weekend, averaging an 18% higher return at Flemington and Randwick compared to all three TABs.
Top Tote Plus ensures punters get the best possible price on every horse race, every day.
Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
Toorak Handicap
$2.25 More Joyous
$4.60 Solzhenitsyn
$8.00 King Mufhasa
$10 Glass Harmonium
$13 Yosei, Spirit Song
$15 Tokugawa
$18 Steps In Time
$41 Illo
$251 Ulundi
Caulfield Guineas
(Prices in brackets from 10 October)
$1.20 Pierro (in from $1.25)
$9.00 Epaulette (out from $8.00)
$13 All Too Hard (steady)
$17 Awesome Bro (out from $15)
$41 Let Go Lenni (out from $31)
$41 Ashokan (out from $31)
$101 Carringbush Jack (steady)
$151 Road Trippin (out from $126)
