After last week’s horror run, the script flipped.
The good horses came back. The customers cooled off. And for a brief moment, the small bookmaker was breathing a little easier.
Jason Scott admits the tide turned early.
“We encountered the opposite to last week,” he said. “The right results started to fall our way and the customer base was far more manageable.”
Friday: Early punches, late recovery
It didn’t take long for the punters to land a blow.
Friday racing opened with a $2,000 bet on Vim Vitae in Seymour Race 4 and it never looked like losing.
The pain continued courtside. A sharp NBA customer unloaded $13,000 on the first quarter under 55.5 in the Clippers v Nuggets.
“They didn’t have to raise a sweat. Forty-nine points were scored. It was never in doubt.”
Despite the early hits, Friday finished in front for Ponybet. But the international window almost undid that good work.
“We ran into $3,990 at $3.90 at Santiago and then $3,000 at $4.80 at Ffos Las in consecutive bets. That stung.”
New Zealand racing had Ponybet on the back foot from the start on Saturday morning.
“We were already in a hole when Ben Thompson drove Bellarista home at $6.50 in the third at Ellerslie. We had a $5,000 bet on it. Not ideal.”
Rosberg relief at Caulfield
Then came the moment that changed the tone of the weekend.
Clinton McDonald’s Rosberg was the talking point in Race 2 at Caulfield. The weight of money was enormous.
“We didn’t lay a five-figure bet, but 80 percent of the total turnover landed on Rosberg through singles,” Scott said. “The multis were even worse. Win and place. Everyone was on.”
When Rosberg was beaten, the office mood lifted.
“That was the reset. The multi punters had to reload and start again.”
Race three followed a similar pattern.
“Taken was another one. Seventy-two percent of the money was with Jamie Melham’s mount. Same story.”
The favourites were being trusted. The favourites were getting beaten. The book was rebuilding.
Treasure money and Diamond drama
Pericles did land a decent punch in the Futurity.
“We laid $3,000 at $5.50. That took out $13,500,” Scott said.
But the race was saved by the weight of money on Treasurethe Moment.
“There were multiple $5,000 tote bets and plenty of four-figure wagers. When that didn’t get the job done, you could hear the cheer through the office.”
The Blue Diamond Stakes itself was a surprisingly comfortable result.
“Guest House was a six-figure liability as the last leg of multis, but the biggest bet we laid on Streisand was only $1,300 at $10. The race was profitable.”
The Oakleigh Plate followed suit.
“No massive positions. Another small winning race.”
By the end of Australian racing, Ponybet had built what Scott described as “a significant lead.”
Abu Dhabi and breakfast Basketball
But as always, there’s no clean getaway in the 24-hour betting cycle.
“The international racing on Saturday night was more problematical. Abu Dhabi in particular,” Scott said.
“We ran into $1,000 at $19 on the first winner and $1,500 at $16 on the second. That’s the stuff that chips away.”
Then came breakfast.
A basketball regular stepped in with $12,210 on under 63.5 first-half points in Eastern Illinois Panthers v Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles.
Still, by Sunday afternoon, the ledger was in better shape than seven days prior.
“Sunday turned into a fine day for the bookmaker. After last week, we’ll take it.”
For now, the good horses are back. The multis are being busted. And the small bookie is back on level terms.
Until next weekend.
