With Sydney’s big wet continuing this week, punters are once again crawling deep into form guides to see just how well each runner handles the wet conditions. And according to Palmerbet CEO Grant Palmer, more often than not this autumn they have adapted to the conditions.
“Last weekend we really saw punters get a handle on the wet conditions,” explained the leading bookmaker. “Our Ivanhowe, in particular, was a terrible result for us in the Ranvet, we couldn’t write a ticket for Hartnell on the day.”
Punters are more than happy to stick with the Freedman brothers trained stallion, betting up in early markets for this Saturday’s Group 1 BMW.
“As soon as we opened him at $4.60 the big boys started snapping up the price. We’ve already had several big bets for him to win, tightening him into $3.70.”
Interestingly, though, the best-backed runner of the day has been Jungle Edge in the Star Kingdom Stakes.
The gelding finished a narrow third to the talented Russian Revolution in last weekend’s Galaxy and backs up against a much easier field in Saturday’s Group 3 sprint.
Already backed from $7.00 into $5.00, Palmer expects the money to keep coming on race day, but is happy to keep writing tickets.
“He just loves the wet. He wasn’t far from pinching the Group 1 last week on a bottomless track and looks very nicely placed on the short turnaround. They haven’t stopped backing him, but for us he’s the lay of the day on the quick backup from a tough run.”
The Vinery Stud Stakes for the three-year-old fillies has quickly seen punters focus in on two runners bringing recent wet-track form.
Chris Waller trained Foxplay has been a fan favourite this entire campaign, with her step up in distance not scaring anyone away.
“Punters love her, and with her huge win last start are more than happy to keep backing her,” explained Palmer.
New Zealand trained filly La Bella Diosa has also been rock solid in betting, with a return to her own age and a wetter track seen as positives after her last placing in the Coolmore.
“Punters are more than happy to forgive her run in the Coolmore. She’s rock hard at the moment, and has been one of the most popular runners of the day.”
Foxplay is currently the $3.40 favourite for the Group 1 at Palmerbet, with La Bella Diosa on the next line of betting at $5.
