Bookies Blog

The start of November sees this blog in sensational form. The setback of Curlin in the Breeders’ Cup Classic was compensated by impressive victories from both Zenyatta and Ventura. We also backed Massa at 6/4 to win the Brazil GP on October 20! With Obama on the verge of the Presidency, we are in great form ahead of tomorrow’s Melbourne Cup.

We are in good company. Pricewise is backing 4/1 Mad Rush in the Melbourne Cup, saying that he’s ‘the one to be on’. All very well tipping up a favourite, but we tipped the horse each way at a stunning 16/1!

I have made no secret of my opposition to Septimus, whose ‘last Group One win came in the Irish St Leger, which was a poor contest, equivalent to listed company.’ If I hadn’t already backed Mad Rush, I would certainly be laying the O’Brien horse. Our biggest bet to date was a 10 pointer at evens that O’Brien wouldn’t train 26 or more Group One winners in 2008. He is now stuck on 22, and the record is now seemingly impossible.

I hate to put all my eggs in one basket, but I fancy a match bet between Mad Rush and Septimus. You can get 1.8 currently on Betfair for Mad Rush, but you’ll certainly get 1.9 from O’Brien supporters.

At The Races have 7 hours of Melbourne Cup coverage tonight, with the feature race schelduled for 4am. If you don’t take the odds from the British bookmakers, you will get the Australian SP.

If you didn’t get on Mad Rush when advised, it may be worth taking a punt on New Zealand derby winner C’est La Guerre. With 4 places up for grabs, 16/1 offered by Sky Bet and Paddy Power is tempting. He caught the eye in the Cox Plate, and connections have been aiming him at this race.

Laugh if you want, but Alessandro Volta could run a big race at 40/1. He looks to be the 3rd string horse, and will make the running for Septimus. He should stay, and there’s always a chance that Murtagh has picked the wrong horse. If Murtagh had picked Alessandro Volta, he’d be 10/1. The horse carries a light weight and is sporting the blinkers for the first time.

He often wonders around in the closing stages, and could have won the Irish Derby if he finished in a straight line. We’re hoping that blinkers will sharpen up his game.

Melbourne Cup Recommendations:

1/2pt each way 16/1 C’est La Guerre

3pts at 8/11 Mad Rush to beat Septimus (William Hill)

1/2pt each way 40/1 Alessandro Volta

Remember to compare Melbourne Cup odds at bookies.com to ensure you get better odds than the Australian SP.