It shaped as a slightly softer turnover Saturday on paper, but with much of the country focused on Anzac Day commemorations early, it was always going to be a slower burn before the action built.
For Ponybet’s Anthony ‘Juppy’ Jupp, the day began at a different tempo, with the Dawn Service and morning marches naturally taking priority before punters turned their attention to a strong day of racing across the country.
“An early start with the Dawn Service and March meant things were a bit quieter early,” Jupp said.
“But once people settled in, it picked up quickly. Morphettville was the focus, with good cards at Flemington and Randwick, a wet Eagle Farm and plenty of footy to keep an eye on as well.”
Early swings set the tone
It didn’t take long for momentum to start shifting once betting activity ramped up.
“There was some early action in the States, we laid one at Remington Park, $600 at $8 to lose $4,200 and thankfully dodged that. Jupp said.
“But then we copped one at Te Rapa. A punter had $1k at $6.50 Talisker and then came again for another $1k at $10. That put us on the back foot pretty quickly.”
Randwick added to the early pressure.
“Race 1, the punters were all over Bangkok Hottie (heavily backed into $3.80 favourite) and we sent out another $5k there. It felt like we were chasing early.”
Flemington fightback
Just as things were starting to slip, Flemington provided a much-needed result.
“The omen bet of the day was The Western Front in the first at Flemington and thankfully it got the job done,” Jupp said.
“The punters had bet around the last-start winner and that pulled back what we lost at Randwick to give us a bit of breathing room.”
But the reprieve didn’t last long.
“Eagle Farm Race 3 hurt. We laid Navyonthehighway $1,400 at $6.50 and Give Giggles $1,900 at the same price. That was another $10k out the door when Give Giggles got the cash.”
Punter goes on a heater
As the afternoon rolled on, one punter in particular took control of the book.
“We got a little bit back through Alice Springs, laid $2k at $7 The Final Word (race 2).
“Thankfully the 6yo gelding never fired a shot, finishing midfield.”
However, the same punters had plenty of ammo.
“But then one punter just went on a run. He was on Silvasista in the St Leger, had $3k at $3.70 after already landing one in New Zealand, and we had to retreat again.”
“And he wasn’t done. He had $1,500 at $13 on Prince De Vega at Bathurst as well. At that point it was max pain.”
J-Mac does the damage
Adelaide proved another turning point, with a familiar name front and centre.
“We got JMACed in Adelaide with his double: Tycoon Star in the Tobin Bronze and Panova in the Oaks. The punters had the lot there,” Jupp said.
“Out wide we were going okay, Alice Springs and Kalgoorlie helped, but we just gave it straight back at places like the Sunshine Coast and Dalby.”
Sangster Stakes sting
The feature race at Morphettville delivered one of the biggest swings of the day.
“The Sangster was a tough watch. We wanted to keep My Gladiola safe, but she jumped a $20k loser for us,” Jupp said.
“Charm Stone and Benedetta were both $5k liabilities, but the sting in the tail was we also laid Gee Gees Mistruth, including one bet of $200 at $34.
“That photo was a huge result either way, but in the end we dusted about $7,200 on the race when Geegees got the bob. It summed the day up.”
Footy favourites finish the job
Despite clawing some ground back late, the damage had largely been done.
“With all the favourites winning in the footy, there was no getting it back.
“We got a bit back late through Perth, the trots and the dogs, but overall it was one of those days where the punters just had the edge.”
“We’ve had a few winning days of late, but this weekend the battle was well and truly won by the punters. Onwards and upwards to next week where feature racing heads to my home town of Bendigo before all eyes turn to the famous May Carnival at the ‘Bool.”
