AFTER taking out line honours in 2015 and 2017, Comanche is the $2.75 favourite at TAB to claim line honours in the 2019 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, which begins at 1pm AEDT on Boxing Day.

When betting opened on November 19, Comanche was the $3 second elect and firmed to as short as $2.50 before easing to the current price of $2.75.

Black Jack was runner-up in the battle for line honours last year and has also shortened at TAB from $4 to $3 to go one better in 2019.

Nine-time line honours winner Wild Oats XI opened the $2.80 favourite but has drifted to $3.35 despite receiving 33 percent of support from TAB customers.

According to News Limited’s Amanda Lulham, Wild Oats XI had to be repaired a month ago when her mast fractured in a lead-up event, and a spreader on the mast broke during a recent training sail.

SHK Scallywag 100 retired early in last year’s race with a broken bowsprit but has been supported from $6 to $4.50 to take line honours in 2019.

TAB ODDS

2019 Sydney to Hobart Line Honours

$2.75     Comanche                                          opened $3; as short as $2.50

$3           Black Jack                                            opened $4

$3.35     Wild Oats XI                                       opened $2.80

$4.50     SHK Scallywag 100                            opened $6

$9           Infotrack                                              opened $8

$51         Ichi Ban                                                opened $151

$67         Alive                                                      opened $67

First out of ‘The Heads’

$3.25     Comanche

$3.75     Black Jack

                Wild Oats XI

$6           Infotrack

$6.50     SHK Scallywag 100

$26+      Other Yachts Quoted