Easter Saturday promised fireworks and, according to Anthony “Juppy” Jupp, it delivered in every direction.
After a busier-than-expected Good Friday, Ponybet braced for a monster day across codes. It did not take long for punters to start firing.
“We were into it early with some wild stuff,” Jupp said. “We laid a cross-sport multi. Orlando Magic, Adelaide Crows 1 to 39, Sydney Swans, Seattle Mariners, Brisbane Broncos and Cowboys 1 to 12. $600 to win just under $14k.”
“That’s the sort of bet that keeps you honest early.”
And if that wasn’t enough, one ambitious punter tried to thread the needle across the entire day.
“We even had one bloke trying to land 26 winners. One dollar to win about $460k. You’ve got to respect the optimism.”
Early swings and roundabouts
The day began well enough for the book.
“We got off to a good start in New Zealand which helped settle things,” Jupp said.
But the momentum was quickly halted.
“We laid $1k at $3.60 at Remington Park and that one went against us. That was the first reminder it wasn’t going to be straightforward.”
Caulfield and Randwick then delivered a mixed bag.
“Caulfield Race 1 was a strip out – we took a bet of $2k at $4.80 about Muktahlif there and got stung. “But we got off to a good start at Randwick Randwick to kick things off.”
“And then Randwick Race 2. Another whack. One punter had $500 to win $2,600 on Profoundly. That sort of stuff adds up quickly.”
One More Song’s with at Oakbank added to the pressure early.
“The first there was well backed. We took $2k and $1k at around $4. That one going in didn’t help.”
Building then leaking
For a stretch, Ponybet looked to be getting on top.
“We had a really good run through the middle part of the day,” Jupp said. “We were building a decent position and starting to feel like we had it under control.”
But as often happens, the outliers chipped away.
“A couple of out wide results took the cream off it. Moyura Race 1 cost us $4,400 and Wyong Race 3 another $6,600. You don’t feel those individually, but together they hurt.”
TJ Smith tension
The Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes brought serious turnover and a few nervy moments.
“There were some decent bets flying around. We even laid a monkey at $41 about Skybird,” Jupp said.
“We were pretty keen to keep Briasa and Tentyris safe, but late money came for Briasa as well.”
In the end, the result could have been worse.
“Joliestar was only a small loser for us, so we got out of that one relatively okay.”
Gold Coast gut punch
Any stability was quickly undone on the Gold Coast.
“Concession in Race 5 was a horror result,” Jupp said.
“One punter had $2k to win over $10k and when that goes in, you’re back to square pretty quickly.”
Dodging bullets at Warracknabeal
The Warracknabeal Cup had danger written all over it and nearly delivered.
“We had bullets flying everywhere,” Jupp said. “$1,500 at $8 Gold Bullion, $500 at $41 Elsa, $1k at $6 Chartres.”
In a stroke of luck, one of the biggest threats disappeared late.
“Gold Bullion coming out at the gates didn’t hurt us, put it that way.”
Doncaster devastation
Then came the race that defined the day.
“The Doncaster was the one,” Jupp said.
“Only one odds-on favourite had won it in 100 years. Winx. That didn’t stop the punters.”
“They launched. We laid $10k at $1.95 and a stack of $1k and $2k bets.”
Jupp could only shake his head.
“Make that two odds-on winners in a hundred years. Complete strip out.”
Derby relief and a small Cup collect
There was some late respite.
“The Kerang Cup was a nice little win for us. Always good to see my old mate Brent Stanley get one home with Mercurial Boy,” Jupp said.
Randwick’s Derby provided a much-needed turnaround.
“There had been a tip floating around for the Kiwi Dun Deal Right. One punter had $1,200 at $21 and also $800 at $31 Victoria Spirit.”
“We’d also laid $4.5k on Observer and we were also standing Federalist, Road to Paris and One Step Closer. So when Green Spaces won it comfortably, that was a proper result for us.”
The final wash-up
Despite a few wins late, the damage from earlier in the day, particularly the Doncaster, told.
“Brisbane was good to us, but the out wide meetings and a couple of AFL favourites getting the job done made it tough going,” Jupp said.
In the end, it was a grind rather than a glory day.
“We finished up winning enough to cover expenses,” he said.
“But there wasn’t much left for the pocket.”
