TAB Market Movers: Big Cup Day plunges as punters pile into Flemington support card

The Melbourne Cup might be the main event, but TAB punters aren’t waiting until 3pm to get involved on Australia’s biggest day of racing.

There has been a flurry of early money across the 10-race Flemington program, with several runners attracting significant support and some prices more than halving.

A debutant in the opener has been one of the best-backed runners on the card, while the money has also arrived for several Sydney-trained gallopers and a couple of runners at double-figure odds.

Breakfast plunge on Maher debutant

For those who like a bet with their breakfast, Amsterdam has been the subject of a serious early move in the two-year-old race that kicks off proceedings.

The Ciaron Maher-trained colt has been backed from $9 into $3.60 with TAB ahead of his debut in Race 1.

A son of champion racehorse Anamoe, Amsterdam has had two encouraging trials leading into his first raceday appearance and will have the services of star jockey Mark Zahra.

Punters clearly liked what they’ve seen at the trials, with the colt’s opening quote disappearing quickly.

Waterhouse and Bott runners attract support

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable has attracted plenty of early interest, with two runners well supported in consecutive races.

Promising stayer Yauson was rolled as a short-priced favourite at Caulfield last start, but punters are keen to get their money back on the So You Think gelding.

He’s been backed from $4.80 into $2.90 in Race 2, despite drawing the car park in barrier 20.

The wide gate hasn’t deterred punters, who are clearly expecting a much-improved result.

And those hoping Waterhouse and Bott can make it an early double have also launched into Waiheke Rose in Race 3.

The filly has firmed from $7.50 into $4.60, making her another significant market mover for the powerful Sydney stable.

Cup-winning trainers attract early money

John Symons and Sheila Laxon will chase another Melbourne Cup triumph at 3pm, but punters are hoping the training partnership can strike earlier in the afternoon.

Their Race 3 runner Star Of Macedon has been heavily supported, firming from $6 into $3.40.

The move makes Star Of Macedon one of three runners attracting significant support in the same race.

Katoto has also been backed from $13 into $5.50, setting up an intriguing betting contest, with Waiheke Rose another notable firmer.

Sydney money arrives down the straight

The early betting suggests the interstate visitors will be making their presence felt on Cup Day.

Peyton has been hammered from $13 into $6 for Race 4, one of the biggest moves on the entire program.

There has also been support for Fovea in the same race, with its price shortening from $9 into $5.50.

Race 8 attracts two decent plunges

Two of the biggest moves of the day have come in Race 8, where punters have launched into runners at opposite ends of the early market.

Ranarsson has been smashed from $4 into $2.30, making it one of the shortest-priced runners among the Cup Day market movers.

But there’s also been a remarkable push for Lindsey Smith-trained Mr Natural, who has been backed from $17 into $6.

Mr Natural has shown a ripping turn of foot, a weapon that should be well suited to the expansive Flemington circuit.

The early support suggests punters are expecting him to unleash that finishing burst down the long Flemington straight.

More money arrives late in the program

The betting action isn’t confined to the early races.

Sabaj has been backed from $4 into $2.60 in Race 6, while Everain has attracted significant interest in the final event, firming from $15 into $6.50.

With the Cup Day crowd descending on Flemington and betting turnover set to build throughout the afternoon, it will be fascinating to see whether these early moves continue or the market finds some resistance.