TAB Market Movers: Big early bets land ahead of Epsom and Turnbull Stakes Day

TAB punters have wasted no time getting involved in the all-in markets ahead of a massive Saturday of racing, headlined by Epsom and Metropolitan Day at Randwick and Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington.

With markets already open across a stack of features, there have been some significant early moves as punters look to beat the price before final fields are declared.

Early money arrives at Randwick

The first two-year-old races of the Sydney season are always fascinating betting affairs and punters have zeroed in on one in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes.

Peter Snowden-trained filly Shezablaze has been one of the strongest early moves, firming from $6 into $3.50 after impressively winning a recent Kensington trial.

That support has seen Shezablaze displace Clinton McDonald’s Everlasting Grace at the top of betting.

Things have been much quieter in the boys’ equivalent, the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate, where Nonu heads betting for Bjorn Baker. Nonu will sport the same colours as Baker’s impressive Golden Rose winner Warwoven.

Big moves in the Group 1s

Markets for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap have been open for some time, but Ceolwulf has been the notable firmer, backed from $15 into $8.

Autumn Boy remains the $3.50 favourite for the famous Randwick mile.

Athelwulf and The Euphrates share the top line of betting at $3.50 in The Metropolitan, with the market relatively quiet outside of some support for Deakin. He has shortened from $26 into $15 for the 2400m feature.

The Group 1 Flight Stakes has produced one of the biggest moves of the week.

Impressive Caulfield winner Regal Ambition has been crunched from $51 into $15 to win Saturday’s feature should she back up, following a dominant victory on Sunday.

Striking Alibi is the $2.80 favourite ahead of Global Goal at $3 in what shapes as a fascinating edition of the Group 1 for three-year-old fillies.

Genesis Runner has also been popular with TAB punters in the Dulcify Stakes, firming from $2.80 into $2.30 on Monday.

There is considerably less value on offer for those wanting to side with star sprinter Tempted, who is a prohibitive $1.70 favourite to take out the Premier Stakes.

Punters launch into Turnbull Day

A cracking edition of the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes headlines the action at Flemington, where Aeliana has attracted early support.

The Chris Waller-trained mare has firmed from $5 into $4, leaving her on the second line of betting behind $2.50 favourite Sir Delius.

There has also been plenty happening in the Edward Manifold Stakes market.

Profligate has been backed from $6 into $4.50, while Saintly Dancer has also attracted support at a bigger price, firming from $11 into $8.

But the most dramatic move has come for Oceans Fouroseven.

The lightly raced filly has been slashed from $51 into $15 following a dominant six-length maiden victory at Swan Hill last start, with punters keen to find out whether she can make the sizeable leap in grade.

Athelwulf could be in for a massive Saturday. As well as sharing favouritism for The Metropolitan in Sydney, he is a commanding $2.20 favourite for The Bart Cummings at Flemington.

The 2500m contest carries added significance, with the winner earning a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup.

There have also been a couple of strong early moves in what looks a wide-open Gilgai Stakes.

Smooth Chino has been one of the best-backed runners, halving his quote from $15 into $7, while King’s Secret has also attracted support, firming from $15 into $8.

Major TAB market movers