Punters Launch Into Atlantic Jewel

Friday, 13 April 2012: The highly anticipated return of Atlantic Jewel has drawn the serious punters out of the woodwork, and they haven't been shy in snapping up the short odds about Mark Kavanagh's unbeaten superstar.

Atlantic Jewel Photo by Racing and Sports

The three-year-old filly opened as a $1.55 chance on TAB Sportsbet fixed odds this week to win the Sapphire Stakes (1200m), and an avalanche of money has wound that price into $1.40.

One opportunistic punter grabbed the $1.55 odds with a $50,000 bet while a $20,000 wager at $1.45 came in last night.

“We don't get that sort of money out of horses pre-post,” TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said.

“We've got over 100,000 [dollars] out of it pre-post and our customers aren't usually like that, especially at the real shorts.”

Atlantic Jewel  has been joined by some unlikely runners in the betting ring this week.

One punter launched into rank outsider On Every Level , plunging $100 on the Scott Aspery youngster at 200-1.

Victoria Derby winner Sangster  has also firmed from $100 into $35.

“It'd need a tow truck the way it's going at the moment but funnily enough they said it'll probably go forward tomorrow, he thought it went better when it went forward,” Munsie said.

“The best supported runner since the draw is Silent Achiever , she's $4 into $3.80 since the draw on Tuesday.

“The trainer of Silent Achiever keeps telling everyone that she had the tougher run [in the Rosehill Guineas] and she'd be better suited.

“He though the Oaks was the soft option and the Derby was a better race for her at three times the prizemoney.

“Laser Hawk 's stayed 3.20, he's easy to lay because he's a Gai [Waterhouse] horse.

“It's hard to lay the other Kiwi Ocean Park , it's 4.80 out to 5 dollars.”

Black Caviar 's half brother All Too Hard  has attracted all of the money in the Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) barring one bet of $35,000 on Golden Slipper winner Pierro  at $2.60.

But Munsie said the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) had been the most interesting betting race.

“I know some joints have got Foxwedge  favourite over Rain Affair , we've got more out of Master Of Design  and Varenna Miss  than we have out of Rain Affair and Foxwedge,” Munsie said.

“There's not a great deal between them but not a race that's been a savage betting race.”

Munsie said roughie Master Of Design had been well backed at $71.