TAB Traders: Overpass, Asfoora And Joliestar Backed At Royal Ascot

Australian racing fans are backing the local raiders in force ahead of Royal Ascot, with TAB’s early markets revealing significant confidence in the chances of Overpass, Asfoora and Joliestar.

The Group 1 King Charles III Stakes has proven particularly popular among local punters, with Overpass accounting for almost two-thirds of all money wagered on the race.

The Bjorn Baker-trained sprinter heads betting at $3.30 and is shaping as one of the best-backed Australian runners of the entire carnival.

Defending race winner Asfoora is also attracting strong support. The Henry Dwyer-trained mare is the second-best backed runner in the King Charles III Stakes despite sitting at double-figure odds of $10.

Australian punters are equally bullish about the prospects of Joliestar later in the week.

The Chris Waller-trained mare dominates TAB’s all-in market for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, holding virtually all of the money invested on the race at her current quote of $2.70.

If the betting trends are any indication, Australian punters are expecting another successful Royal Ascot campaign.

While attention is rapidly turning towards England, TAB traders are still counting the cost of last weekend, which largely belonged to the punters.

“I can certainly say it was a weekend for the punters,” a TAB spokesperson said.

“Many of the sought-after horses won while Spicy Margarita was our worst result in the book.”

The biggest individual wager of last week came at Mornington on King’s Birthday Monday, where one punter staked $59,000 on Delicate Lady in Race 5 at odds of $2.60.

It was just one of several notable collects recorded by TAB across the long weekend.

At Canterbury’s King’s Birthday meeting, a punter landed a healthy return after investing $4,600 on Sting In The Tail at $9.00 in Race 5. The winning bet returned $41,400.

Another customer got involved midweek at Kensington, backing Konsa in Race 3 on Wednesday. The punter staked $20,000 at $2.20 to collect $44,000.

There was also a successful multi that linked together winners across New South Wales and Victoria. The bet combined Delicate Lady at Mornington, The Devil In Her at Mornington and The Creator at Canterbury, with all three runners saluting to complete the wager.

The results capped a difficult few days for TAB traders and continued a trend of well-supported runners delivering for punters.

The focus now shifts to Royal Ascot where Australian hopes once again dominate local betting.

If early money is any guide, punters believe Overpass can add another international Group 1 to his record, Asfoora can defend her crown and Joliestar can further enhance her reputation on one of racing’s biggest stages.