Betfair Washup: Derby and Golden Eagle Day

3 minute read

With all the great opportunities on the Betfair Exchange comes incredible data.

The team at Betfair provides a Washup of all the key racing results across the day including biggest Betfair Starting Price winners, Bad Beats, In-play Longshots and more.

The Flemington carnival is officially underway, with nine group races run and won on Derby Day, and the finalising of the field for Tuesday's Melbourne Cup. As always, the barrier draw throws up winners and losers and creates movement in the market.

We will take a look at all of that, as well as the key results from both Flemington and Rosehill.

Goldrush Guru headlined the day at Flemington with a stunning win for Jamie Kah. The South Australian raider was sensational, as was Another Wil, also ridden by Jamie Kah in the Group 2 Damien Oliver.

Favourites across the board had a tough day with a couple of notable exceptions. Atishu was one such exception in the Empire Rose, with the brilliant James McDonald landing yet another Group 1.

Another exception was the gutsy warrior Bella Nipotina at Rosehill who was again impressive.

The Golden Eagle was the main event in Sydney, and that was taken out by Lake Forest at the tidy BSP of $21.59!

Here we will wrap the day across the country with all the great Exchange stories!

BEST BACKED WINNERS

It wasn't a day for favourites across the board, with a stack of second and third elects getting the job done.

One favourite who defied that however was Atishu in the Empire Rose. Atishu (pictured) got the job done with 31% of over $700,000 matched around her. James McDonald knows how to win a  Group 1 and piloted her home impressively.

In Sydney, the honour of best backed winner went to the mighty mare Bella Nipotina. The gutsy warrior delivered another super performance to claim the Russell Balding Stakes with 42% of the market share in her corner.

You've gotta love her.

BAD BEATS AND IN-PLAY BOLTERS

The biggest BSP winner of the day came at Eagle Farm, with the aptly named American President delivering at $98, and with a tidy price advantage.

This should have been an omen given the events to come this week.

The worst beat of the weekend came back on Friday night when Igotcha got rolled at the Valley in the opener.

Igotcha (pictured) jumped at $7.20 before trading as low as $1.02 in the run. He had nearly $500 matched at less than $1.04 before going under.

It would be remiss of us not to mention Friday's day meeting at Kilmore, when Groshawk won at the out of this world BSP of $449!

This price was a staggering 171.4% higher than the best tote price.

It would have equaled an extra $2350 for a $10 outlay. Wowee!

PRICE ADVANTAGE

FLEMINGTON

R1 Aeliana, BSP $6.80, Best Tote $5.60, ADV 21.4%

R2 Zeitung (pictured) BSP $7.16, Best Tote $5 ADV 43.2%

R3 Maharba BSP $20, Best Tote $15.35 ADV 30.3%

R4 Another Wil BSP $4.40, Best Tote $3.70, ADV 18.9%

R5 Treasurethe Moment BSP $5.84, Best Tote $4.80, ADV 21.7%

R8 Atishu BSP $4.08, Best Tote $3.55, ADV 14.9%

ROSEHILL

R2 Elettrica BSP $14.70, Best Tote $13.10 ADV 12.2%

R5 Kingston Charm BSP $21.65, Best Tote $16.50 ADV 31.2%

R7 Bella Nipotina BSP $3.11, Best Tote $2.50 ADV 24.4%

R10 Battleton BSP $7.20, Best Tote $5.20 ADV 38.5%

MORPHETTVILLE

R7 Big Story BSP $2.36, Best Tote $2.10 ADV 12.4%

EAGLE FARM

R1 Strawberry Smash BSP $19.38, Best Tote $15.80 ADV 22.5%

R5 Safework BSP $26.46, Best Tote $16.50, ADV 60.4%

R6 Epic Proportions BSP $6.64, Best Tote $5.60 ADV 18.6%

R7 Kerchak BSP $5.30, Best Tote $4.40 ADV 20.5%

R8 American President BSP $98.80, Best Tote $75.80 ADV 28.8%

ASCOT 

R2 Kerman Rock BSP $6.40, Best Tote $5 ADV 28%

R3 Dun With The Blues BSP $13.59, Best Tote $11.20 ADV 21.3%

THE MELBOURNE CUP

The final field is set for the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday with the barrier draw conducted at the conclusion of Derby Day proceedings.

Bendigo Cup winner Sea King has drawn barrier 1, whilst favourite Buckaroo (pictured) will have to win the race from gate 21.

The full field and market can be found here.

Also, a reminder to tune in for the live Youtube Melbourne Cup preview show at 1pm Sunday November 3 with Tom Haylock, David Pfundt from Form King and Adam Blencowe from Racing and Sports.

1 – VAUBAN (11) – Willie Mullins – William Buick – 55.5kg

2 – BUCKAROO (21) – Chris Waller – Joao Moreira – 54.5kg

3 – CIRCLE OF FIRE (24) – Ciaron Maher – Mark Zahra – 54.5kg

4 – WARP SPEED (3) – Noboru Takagi – Akira Sugawara – 54kg

5 – KOVALICA (17) – Chris Waller – Damian Lane – 53.5kg

6 – SHARP 'N' SMART (15) – Graeme & Deborah Rogerson – Michael Dee – 53.5kg

7 – JUST FINE (13) – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott – Jye McNeill – 53kg

8 – LAND LEGEND (18) – Chris Waller – Zac Purton – 53kg

9 – ABSURDE (7) – Willie Mullins – Kerrin McEvoy – 52.5kg

10 – ATHABASCAN (2) – John O'Shea & Tom Charlton – Zac Lloyd – 52kg

11 – KNIGHT'S CHOICE (6) – John Symons & Sheila Laxon – Robbie Dolan – 51.5kg

12 – OKITA SOUSHI (10) – Ciaron Maher – Jamie Kah – 51kg

13 – ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (12) – Brian Ellison – Craig Williams – 51kg

14 – ZARDOZI (4) – James Cummings – Andrea Atzeni – 51kg

15 – SEA KING (1) – Harry Eustace – Hollie Doyle – 50.5kg

16 – VALIANT KING (22) – Chris Waller – Craig Newitt – 50.5kg

17 – FANCY MAN (19) – Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald – Ron Stewart – 50kg

18 – INTERPRETATION (14) – Ciaron Maher – Teo Nugent – 50kg

19 – MANZOICE (8) – Chris Waller – Declan Bates – 50kg

20 – MOSTLY CLOUDY (16) – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young – Karis Teetan – 50kg

21 – POSITIVITY (20) – Andrew Forsman – Winona Costin – 50kg

22 – SAINT GEORGE (9) – Ciaron Maher – Tyler Schiller – 50kg

23 – THE MAP (23) – Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray – Rachel King – 50kg

24 – TRUST IN YOU (5) – Bruce Wallce & Grant Cooksley – Mark Du Plessis – 50kg

VIA SISTINA'S UNFORGETTABLE DISPLAY

Chris Waller won a fifth Cox Plate, which won't surprise many…the previous four were all won by Winx, which won't surprise many either. But the fifth was one in near identical fashion to Winx's second triumph, the race that proved she wasn't just a star, but perhaps a generational talent like we'd never seen before.

Via Sistina may not be remembered in the same lofty heights as Winx, but she produced a Winx like victory that will live on in the memories of all her saw it. Plus, who knows what is next for the seven year old mare, who is still in the noms for the Melbourne Cup.

James McDonald's third straight Cox Plate came after a week of drama, after Via Sistina threw him off during morning trackwork at the Valley on Tuesday. The horse galloped three laps of the track on her own, but all vet inspections suggested she was cherry ripe…(which she indeed was).

At Randwick, we saw El Castello keep building the picket fence, with a fourth straight win coming in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes. It was Josh Parr's 11th Group 1 as well,

We saw staggering price advantages across both venues, and stretching back to Friday night, and our own Bella Anderson stretched her lay streak to 25! Not a bad run in quality metro racing events.

Find out how the day played out here.

BEST BACKED WINNERS

Via Sistina took more volume than any other winner at the Valley, but Prognosis and Pride of Jenni achieved a higher percentage of the total matched volume within that race.

The most well supported runners in terms of market share occurred in Races 3, 5 and 6 at the Valley, with Certain Rise the most popular.

The favourite (pictured) held 55% of matched volume before winning the race.

Future History and Red Aces were also very well supported favourites.

In Sydney, it was Group 1 winner El Castello who was the most popular winner amongst punters, holding close to half the matched volume on the Spring Champion Stakes.

IN PLAY BOLTERS AND BAD BEATS

Prognosis (pictured) is hard to label as a bad beat because he did little wrong, however he did touch $1.42 when he loomed into a strong position having grabbed leader Pride of Jenni on the corner.

If not for an out of this world performance from Via Sistina, Prognosis would have been taking the Cox Plate home with him.

Morphettville's program ended with a blowout of sorts yesterday with Surprise Coming living up to their name unfortunately.

Having jumped favourite and traded as short as $1.03 in play they would go under, losing to Plus Fours who opened at $60 and traded at $110 during the race.

PRICE ADVANTAGE

The top result of the weekend came on Friday night at the Valley, with the Reece Goodwin's (of Lay Back with Betfair fame) Montather producing a staggering 82.7% price advantage.

The $49.51 win dwarfed the best tote price of $27.10. This equates to an extra $224 in the pocket for a $10 outlay.

Other notables from Saturday

MOONEE VALLEY

R1: Acromantula BSP $14.10, Best Tote $12.70, ADV 11.9%

R2: Bittercreek BSP $9.50, Best Tote $8.30 ADV 14.5%

R9: Via Sistina BSP $5.92, Best Tote $4.50 ADV 31.6%

R10: Lady Jones BSP $17.50, Best Tote $14.30 ADV 22.4%

RANDWICK

R4: Amazing Eagle BSP $11, Best Tote $7.20 ADV 52.8%

R5: Prost BSP: $10.05, Best Tote $8.70 ADV 15.5%

R6: Lindermann BSP: $4.94, Best Tote $4.20 ADV 17.3%

R8: Belclare BSP: $34, Best Tote $27.80, ADV 22.3%

R9: Ikonawastar BSP $8.80 Best Tote $6.30, ADV 39.7%

MORPHETTVILLE

R2: Dolcemente BSP $3.58, Best Tote $3.10, ADV 15.5%

R6: Obi BSP $28.62, Best Tote $20.90, ADV 36.9%

R7: Pure Bliss BSP $8.14 Best Tote $5.90 ADV 38%

R9: Plus Fours BSP $60, Best Tote $38.90 ADV 54.2%

DOOMBEN

R5 New Joy BSP $5.98, Best Tote $4.60, ADV 24.6%

R9 Tiger Shark BSP $5.54, Best Tote $4.60, ADV 20.4%

CAULFIELD CUP DAY WASHUP

Bella Nipotina climbed another mountain in Sydney, as Harry Coffey delivered a tremendous ride in Melbourne to secure the Caulfield Cup on Duke De Sessa.

Superstars were on show all across the land on a terrific day of Group 1 racing that spanned two cities.

It was another red letter day for Ciaron Maher who won both of the day's features barely an hour apart, with the Everest and the Caulfield Cup.

He was expected to go very close in the King Charles at Randwick with superstar Pride of Jenni, but Ceowulf spoilt that party in exciting fashion.

Matched volumes on listed races went through the roof as full spring racing fever took hold.

We will look at the highs and lows from one of the great days of racing on the calendar.

BEST BACKED WINNERS

The majority of best backed runners in each race went under across the day, but Niance (pictured) was the exception at Caulfield.

The Grahame Begg runner held nearly 40% of the close to $900,000 in matched volume on the Alinghi Stakes.

Too Darn Discreet was fairly well supported in Race 4, but Killcare Beachgirl was equally matched ahead of that race.

Duke De Sessa got quite a bit of late support ahead of the Caulfield Cup, and on pure numbers was amongst the top echelon, but still jumped at double digits.

Ducasse and Willaidow were the best backed winners at Randwick for the day.

IN PLAY BOLTERS AND BAD BEATS

Bella Nipotina (pictured) did it again! Jumping at $8.62 she would only hit $11 in the run, but she would nail Giga Kick who got very short in the closing stages of the race.

Giga Kick was matched at $1.03 ($229 at that price) when it looked like he'd done enough to hold out the gallant mare, but she (as always) could not be denied.

Wycliff traded at $1.03 and got beaten on the same card at Randwick, with China Sea copping the same fate in Race 3 at Caulfield.

Wiggum took the cake though in Race 8 at Morphettville, getting matched at the bottom out price of $1.01 before losing.

France's Boy was the biggest BSP winner of the day across metro meetings, getting up at the staggering $95 at Morphettville!

PRICE ADVANTAGE

CAULFIELD

R1: Getafix BSP $5, Best Tote $4.30, ADV 16.3%

R2: Lofty Arch (pictured) BSP $10.50, Best Tote $8.20 ADV 28.3%

R3: Kingofwallstreet BSP $7.95, Best Tote $6.70 ADV 18.7%

R7: Estriella BSP $6.27, Best Tote $5.60 ADV: 12%

R8: Lady In Pink BSP: $20.78, Best Tote $17.20 ADV: 20.8%

RANDWICK

R3: Aeliana BSP $12.09, Best Tote $7.70 ADV: 57%

R4: Lekvarte BSP $12.50, Best Tote $9.80 ADV: 27.6%

R6: Overpass BSP $7.11, Best Tote $5 ADV 42.2%

R7: Bella Nipotina BSP: $8.62, Best Tote $7.35, ADV: 17.3%

R9: Ceolwulf BSP $7.60, Best Tote $6.05, ADV: 25.6%

EAGLE FARM

R6: Deferential BSP $35.02, Best Tote $27.30 ADV: 28.3%

R8: Apunter BSP $23.73, Best Tote $20.10, ADV: 18.1%

R9: Ceremonius BSP: $10.88, Best Tote $9.50 ADV 14.5%

MORPHETTVILLE

R4: France's Boy BSP: $95, Best Tote $65.60 ADV 44.5%

R6: Winning Revolution BSP: $25.28, Best Tote $16.70 ADV: 51.4%

R8: Pearl Adios BSP: $34, Best Tote $26.30, ADV: 29.3%

FAVOURITES 'DENIED' ON BUMPER GUINEAS DAY

Bold and brave was the order of the day at Caulfield, with favourites beaten largely off the back of some masterful rides from some magnificent jockeys.

Blake Shinn's effort to get Antino home in the Toorak probably tops the list, but Damian Lane on Private Life in the Caulfield Guineas and Mark Zahra on Deny Knowledge in the Might and Power were very special.

Deny Knowledge summoned the tactics of absent superstar Pride of Jenni to launch to the front and hold off the fast finishing Mr Brightside to claim the day's first Group 1.

Broadsiding was expected to romp away with the Caulfield Guineas, but as forecast by Mounting Yard specialist Bella Anderson, this was perhaps not the Grand Final for the young champ, and he was duly beaten by Private Life who got up at a healthy BSP of $15.40.

Antino touched $12.50 in play during the Toorak, but the superb Blake Shinn produced what could be the ride of the carnival to get him off the canvas. He needed a good horse underneath him as well, and he certainly had that.

Rosehill saw some good price advantages in features races like the Gloaming (El Castello), the Hill (Attrition) and the Alan Brown (Here To Shock).

In fact every single race at Rosehill netted a price advantage of at least 6%, and every feature race in both Melbourne and Sydney, including all three Group 1's netted a price advantage of significance.

Here we will look at all the big stories from a terrific day.

BEST BACKED WINNERS

Mr Brightside and Broadsiding were the best backed runners of the day by quite a margin, but both were beaten (more on that later).

The honor of best backed winner went to the talented Jimmysstar, who romped away emphatically to win the Weekend Hussler over 1400m at Caulfield.

This was the first race of the carnival to take over a million dollars, with 68% of that bet around Jimmysstar (pictured).

Antino got some late love in the Toorak, but Another Wil was the best backed runner in that race, and Grinzinger Belle was another winner to be well supported, although the beaten City of Lights was popular in that race.

BAD BEATS AND IN-PLAY BOLTERS

Broadsiding (pictured) took in excess of $600,000 ahead of the Caulfield Guineas before running unplaced.

Even more popular was Mr Brightside in the Might and Power, who held 84% of all matched volume in that race.

Group 1's are never easy though, and he found that out when Deny Knowledge produced a stunner from the front to claim the prize.

The opening event at Rosehill yesterday saw runners trade at $1.50 (Apollo Mission), $1.52 (Piraeus) and $1.78 (Treize) before getting beaten by Alabama State.

PRICE ADVANTAGES

CAULFIELD

R2: Kuroyanagi, BSP: $5.30, Best Tote $4.30, ADV 23.3%

R5: Jimmysstar BSP: $2.40, Best Tote $2, ADV 20%

R7: Deny Knowledge (pictured) BSP: $12.19, Best Tote $9.20, ADV: 32.5%

R9: Bellatrix Star BSP: $7.66, Best Tote $6.70, ADV 14.3%

ROSEHILL

R1: Alabama State BSP: $4.21, Best Tote $3.10, ADV: 35.8%

R2: Who Ever Thought BSP: $14, Best Tote $10.90, ADV: 28.4%

R3: Medatsu BSP: $4.85, Best Tote $4.10, ADV: 18.4%

R4: El Castello BSP: $8.51, Best Tote $6.80, ADV: 25.1%

R7: Attrition BSP: $36.38, Best Tote: $28.70, ADV: 26.7%

R8: Here To Shock BSP: $12.13, Best Tote: $10.50, ADV: 15.5%

EAGLE FARM

R1: Propose BSP: $13 Best Tote: $10.90, ADV: 20.4%

R2: Hyde BSP: $25, Best Tote: $17.90, ADV: 39.7%

R3: Hella Fast BSP: $8.70, Best Tote: $5.70, ADV 52.6%

R8: Nikau Spir BSP: $6.92, Best Tote: $5.30, ADV: 30.6%

MURRAY BRIDGE

R1: Hiatus BSP : $4.66, Best Tote: $3.90, ADV: 19.4%

R5: Truly Elsa BSP: $7.66, Best Tote: $6, ADV: 27.7%

R8: Watchme Win BSP: $4.16, Best Tote: $3.40, ADV: 22.4%

R9: Maracourt BSP: $11.85, Best Tote: $7.70, ADV: 53.9%

PREVIEW: KEY GUINEAS STORIES

On 'moving day' in Melbourne and Sydney we saw the big stables rise to the occasion. With four group ones around the country and the seasonal debuts of the two-year-olds, it was certainly a feast for punters and racing fans alike.

In the gloomy conditions down at Flemington, Gai Waterhouse watched with an eagle eye from the stands as the stable collected the Bart Cummings with Just Fine (BSP $32) saluting after running them ragged from the front under Jordan Childs. For Betfair customers who managed to find him, a staggering +24.5% was available vs best tote price of $25.70! It's doubtful whether this race will prove the right lead up form into the cups. On face value it appears one of the rare years where the Metropolitan might instead be the race to follow, due to the sheer margins Land Legend and Zardozi put on their rivals.

The Waterhouse/Bott team also scored in two of the three two-year-old contests on the day with Tremonti (BSP $4.20) in the Maribyrnong Trial, and King Kirk (BSP $11.79) winning the Breeders Plate. The stable has used the Breeders Plate as a springboard for Golden Slipper horses in the past with Vancouver, Pierro and Sebring all winning the race. Can King Kirk follow a similar path?

Elsewhere, we saw Chris Waller's gun import Via Sistina bounce back in the Turnbull. This mare was a lacklustre run behind Pride Of Jenni in the Makybe Diva Stakes when a well-supported favourite, and punters didn't want a bar of her midweek. Connections blamed the 'shifty ground' for her down performance that day, but we saw similar track conditions yesterday suggesting she may simply not be a second up horse. She was crunched late in betting from $5.20 down to a BSP of $3.94 to run down a game Eliyass. She looms a key Cox Plate contender and currently sits on the third line on the Betfair Exchange at $5.70, behind Prognosis and Pride Of Jenni.

In Sydney, Waller again had a stranglehold on the G1's claiming the Metropolitan with Land Legend (BSP $6.91) and the Flight Stakes with progressive filly Lady Shenandoah (BSP $3.54).

Land Legend and Zardozi paired off for a cracking battle down the Randwick straight, putting 3.5 lengths on their nearest rival. Highlighting punters confidence in the European import down in the weights, the best tote price of $7.20 trumped the BSP of $6.91, suggesting a good firm on the exchange late. Land Legend is now a $17 chance in the Caulfield Cup and $26 in the Melbourne Cup. Congratulations must go out to apprentice Reece Jones aboard Land Legend, riding his first Group One winner! No mention of protest?

Lady Shenandoah was the beneficiary of stable-mate Autumn Glow's withdrawal from the Flight Stakes, saluting with a price advantage of +10.6% vs best tote in the Flight Stakes. Chris Waller had earmarked the Thousand Guineas on November 16 as her target, but punters should tread carefully, as post-race he suggested the filly would still need time to mature and might not head that way.

Ceolwulf (BSP $4.47) stormed down the outside for trainer Joe Pride to claim the Epsom and may be another horse bound for the Cox Plate, or alternatively the King Charles Stakes at Randwick.

Upcoming Week's Main Races

The Caulfield Cup Carnival begins this week with three big G1 races on the card.

Broadsiding is the red hot $1.80 favourite in the Guineas, with Godolphin searching for a third win in the race in the last five years. Another Wil for Ciaron Maher will be a dominant favourite in the Toorak Handicap, with connections talking him up as a potential Cox Plate starter if he were to win here. The Herbert Power offers a free pass via ballot exemption to the Caulfield Cup for the winner, with the likes of Post Impressionist and Vow And Declare among the nominations.

We head to Rosehill in NSW with the G2 Hill Stakes, G2 Roman Consul and G3 Gloaming Stakes to be run as a key Derby lead up.

Facts
· 15/20 winners on the Flemington and Randwick programs last Saturday saw a BSP price advantage vs best tote price.
· 8 of the last 10 winners of the Caulfield Guineas have started single figures
· Broadsiding on track to become the shortest favourite in the Caulfield Guineas since the turn of the century. The Autumn Sun 2017 (BSP $1.75) and Weekend Hussler 2007 (SP $1.90) shortest priced winners this century.
· No mare has won the Toorak Handicap since More Joyous in 2010
· Both Pride Of Jenni & Mr Brightside have been nominated for the G1 Might And Power at Caulfield, setting up what would be a ninth H2H clash.
· Gun hoop Damian Lane will miss Caulfield Cup Day due to suspension.

A favourite trades at $100 in-play, a $139 BSP runner salutes and stars emerge in Group 1 racing across two states.

What a day it was as Spring Racing launched into full swing at Randwick and Flemington.

Via Sistina was the headline act in Melbourne, but not without some incredible drama, with the mare hitting $100 in-play before lifting herself up off the mat.

Uncle Bryn was a stage stealer at that same meeting with an incredible BSP and an even more remarkable price advantage.

The victory came at $139, which represented an 81% advantage on the best tote price of $76.50. This equates to $625 for a $10 outlay!

Randwick saw Chris Waller win two of the three Group 1s, but that card wasn't without upsets either, lead by Airman at $63 in the Premiere Stakes.

We will look at all the remarkable Exchange activity, and analyse the highlights and drama across Turnbull Stakes/Epsom Handicap Day.

BEST BACKED WINNERS

It wasn't a day for short priced favourites in general, but the volumes on some winners were still quite high.

Via Sistina was fairly popular ahead of the off the canvas effort in the Turnbull, and Ceolwulf (pictured) was probably the best supported winner amongst the NSW Group 1 winners, with 39% of nearly $600,000 in their corner.

First Settler was reasonably popular at Flemington, but still jumped around the $4.60 mark, with honorable mentions to Right to Party and Revolutionary Miss who held about 30% of pools hovering around or beyond half a million.

BAD BEATS AND IN-PLAY BOLTERS

On a day of upsets, somehow a favourite managed to cause a boil over as well.

Via Sistina was a popular pick ahead of the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes, but she had to pull out a mighty effort to get the job done.

Jumping at the well supported $3.94, the 7-year old Chris Waller mare found difficulty and looked absolutely gone in the run.

The star peaked at $100 in-play before nailing the gallant Buckaroo who is enjoying a super prep.

We will discuss Uncle Bryn again shortly, but of all the upsets across the day this one topped the list. $139 BSP, with more than $1500 matched at that price. A huge price advantage to top it off on an extraordinary day of racing.

Shining Smile was on the other side of the coin in Race 2, hitting $1.03 in the run before getting pipped by Tremonti late.

Airman was the pick of the Sydney upsets with a $63 BSP blowout in the Premiere Stakes.

PRICE ADVANTAGE

Notable advantages by track

Flemington

R4: Too Darn Discreet BSP: $12.14, Top tote $10.50, ADV: 15.6%

R6: Uncle Bryn (Pictured) BSP: $139, Top tote $76.50 ADV: 81.3%

R7: Just Fine BSP: $32, Top tote $25.70 ADV: 24.5%

R9: Right To Party BSP: $5.99, Top tote: $5.10 ADV: 17.5%

Randwick

R1: State of America BSP: $13.13, Top tote $10.70, ADV: 22.7%

R2: King Kirk BSP: $11.79, Top tote: $7.70, ADV: 53.5%

R4: Swiftalcon BSP: $5.62, Top tote: $4.10, ADV: 37.1%

R5: St Lawrence BSP: $14.51, Top tote: $9.70, ADV: 49.6%

R7: Airman BSP: $63, Top tote $44.20, ADV: 42.7%

Morphettville

R1: Boltonova BSP: $21.49, top tote $17.60, ADV: 22.1%

R4: Lomax BSP: $10.69, Top tote: $9.30 ADV: 14.9%

R9: Motorace BSP: $5.37, Top tote: $4.30, ADV: 24.9%

Doomben

R5: Scripted BSP: $12.75, Top Tote $9.40, ADV: 33.6%

MANIKATO/GOLDEN ROSE WASHUP

The Valley was shining bright under the Friday Night lights as the Group 1 Manikato produced a stunning result.

With Melbourne in fever pitch for the Grand Final on Saturday, it was Sydney that took the racing stage with the running of the Golden Rose.

On the friday night it was Southport Tycoon who grew wings late to swamp Growing Empire who bottomed out at $1.01!

It was an incredible result on a night that also saw Pride of Jenni land a return blow on Mr Brightside by winning the Feehan in impressive fashion.

At Rosehill, we saw Broadsiding edge out stablemate Traffic Warden to take the major price after a decent firm on the Exchange.

Oh and the Lions won a flag after hitting $60 during the season, and a whopping $200 during their semi-final miracle against the Giants.

BEST BACKED WINNERS

Broadsiding kept taking a wave of money late in the lead up to the Golden Rose.

$2.70 into $2.50 into an eventual BSP of $2.03. Of the nearly $600,000 in the pot, 60% of that was matched on Broadsiding (pictured)

On Friday night, nearly $800,000 was matched on the four-horse field in the Feehan, with 91% of that going to 2 runners. Pride of Jenni and Mr Brightside. This rivalry continues to grow momentum and we can't wait for the next installment.

IN-PLAY BOLTERS AND BAD BEATS

We can't go past the Manikato for this weekend, or perhaps even the spring.

Growing Empire shot clear in the straight and looked home for all the world at the 200m and even at the 100m.

$3100 was traded on Growing Empire at $1.01! Which is extraordinary. Southport Tycoon however was not familiar with the script, and caught fire late to edge the race on the line having maxed out at $1000!

It will be very hard to top this result all spring in the miracle win/bad beat conversation.

Honorable mentions to Merchant Boss at Morphettville who had $350 traded at $1.03 in play during Race 3 but got rolled at a meeting where three runners in Race 7 traded at less than $1.50 before losing.

PRICE ADVANTAGE

Notable advantages

SANDOWN

R2: Ndola, BSP $3.08, Top Tote $2.60, ADV 18.3%

R3: Zaszou, BSP $14.30, Top tote $9.20, ADV 55.4% (pictured)

R4: Kingswood, BSP $12.37, Top tote $8.20, ADV 50.9%

R7: Desert Lightning, BSP $5.97, Top tote $4.80, ADV 24.4%

ROSEHILL

R4: Firestorm, BSP $12.46, Top tote $10.30, ADV 21%

R5: Perspiration, BSP $12.94, Top tote $10.20, ADV 26.9%

MORPHETTVILLE

R4: Jean Valjean, BSP $4.80, Top tote $4.20, ADV 14.1%

R5: Sacred Kenshi BSP $43.53, Top tote $32.60, ADV 33.5%

R6: New York Scandal BSP $5.51, Top tote $4.40, ADV 25.2%

R7: Trust the Law BSP: $27.38, Top tote $17.10, ADV 60.1%

TOOWOOMBA

R8: Hidden Wealth BSP: $5.20, Top tote $3.90, ADV 33.3%

BELMONT

R2: True Apostle BSP: $6.80, Top tote, $5.10, ADV 33.3%

R7: Without Reg BSP: $25.66, Top tote, $22.10 ADV 16.1%

MAKYDE DIVA STAKES DAY WASHUP

Spring is all about the superstars, and few things are better than when two brilliant horses come together to produce an electric finish.

In perhaps the closest thing today's racing has to the mighty battles between Sunline and Northerly, Pride of Jenni and Mr Brightside clashed in yet another Group 1.

What made the aforementioned battles so special was the contrast in styles between the leader and the chaser.

In the modern installment, the leader Pride of Jenni has landed several blows, but this time it was the chaser Mr Brightside who got the points to win back to back Makybe Diva Stakes.

Other notable performances came earlier in the day with Point King making a Melbourne Cup statement with an excellent win in the Group 3 Archer Stakes.

Grinzinge Belle took out the Let's Elope and Arkansaw Kid delivered Craig Newitt his second listed victory of the day in the Bobbie Lewis.

Traffic Warden stole the show in Sydney with a double figure BSP and a sizeable price advantage, with Lady Shenandoah (Ming Dynasty) and Sunshine in Paris (Sheraco Stakes) also impressing.

To top things off we had a $133 BSP winner at Morphettville with Stormsarrived causing exactly that!

With a top tote price of $71 this was a huge result for Exchange punters.

BEST BACKED WINNERS

$1.6 million was matched on the Makybe Diva Stakes, the biggest volume on a race since the T.J Smith in the Autumn.

83% of that went to three horses, with Mr Brightside (pictured) ultimately the best backed winner of the day.

The best result for Cash Back 2nd punters also came in that race with Pride of Jenni.

Via Sistina, who jumped favourite, was the subject of four lay suggestions amongst Betfair's experts through Lay Back with Betfair and Pros v Bookies, with the main query being the fact they were in their first Melbourne start.

Other notables

Growing Empire: $525,000 in Race 4 Flemington

Dawn Serviec: $458,000 in Race 5 Flemington.

BAD BEATS AND BLOWOUTS

We saw some short priced favourites tumble through the day, as is often the case on the major meetings.

Storm Boy (pictured) jumped $1.98 in the James Squire at Rosehill but it was Traffic Warden who got the job done. Storm Boy held 61% of volume on the race.

Joliestar was well supported at the same meeting, jumping at $2.04 with 59% of volume in their corner.

At Flemington, Via Sistina was part of that three way avalanche in the Diva only to get beaten by Pride of Jenni and Mr Brightside.

Drifting was very well supported in Race 3 before going under as well.

Stormsarrived was mentioned earlier and he was the blow out of the day at Morphettville. With nearly $600 matched at a BSP of $133.25!

Tribeca Star was a very messy beat at Eagle Farm yesterday as well, trading at $1.01 with $533 matched at that price.

Flemington Race 6 saw four runners trade at less than $2 in play before Chrysaor, who jumped at $34.74 and hit $50 in the run got the victory.

PRICE ADVANTAGE

Notable advantages by track

Flemington

R3: Bellatrix Star BSP: $20, Top tote $15.90, ADV: 25.8%

R6: Chrysaor (Pictured) BSP: $34.74, Top tote $23.70 ADV: 46.4%

R7: Grinzinger Belle BSP: $18.10, Top tote $14.30 ADV: 25.1%

R9: Arkansaw Kid BSP: $7.95, Top tote: $5.95 ADV: 33%

Rosehill

R2: Awaygoesthebunny BSP: $10.02, Top tote $7.80, ADV: 28.3%

R5: Firestorm BSP: $26.57, Top tote: $19.40, ADV: 37%

R8: Traffic Warden BSP: $10.69, Top tote: $9.10, ADV: 17.5%

Morphettville

R2: Stormsarrived BSP: $133.25, Top tote: $69.20, ADV: 92.6%

R3: Andrews Memory BSP: $7.14, Top tote: $5.40 ADV: 32.2%

R9: Silent Don BSP: $11, Top tote: $8.10, ADV: 38.1%

Eagle Farm

R7: Linthorpe Lad BSP: $36.61, Top Tote $31.20, ADV: 17.3%

R8: Nashira BSP: $19.64, Top tote $16.90, ADV: 16.2%

Belmont

R2: Real Deluxe BSP: $4.39, Top tote $3.50 ADV: 25.3%

R5: Stop Dreaming BSP: $7.04, Top tote $5.90 ADV: 19.3%

R7: Odinaka BSP: $54.90, Top tote: $47.10 ADV 16.7%

R9: Buckets Ridge BSP: $9.17, Top tote: $7.30 ADV 25.7%

THAT WAS THE SEASON THAT WAS 2023/2024

As we reach the end of the 2023/2024 racing season we reflect on the highs and lows, as well as the unbelievable from the year that was.

With some extraordinary results on the Betfair exchange, we will dive into the BSP blowouts, the horror beats and the in-play miracles from a memorable 12 months of racing.

From Without A Fight defying 23 years of history to Pride of Jenni upsetting superstar after superstar, and in the process confirming she is indeed one herself.

From the jet-setting Bella Nipotina, to a $793 winner who no-one rated. We'll have it all in the season that was.

Biggest BSP Winners

We go to Kilcoy in Queensland for the highest BSP winner of the season.

Roar Hide has just one victory from 28 career starts, but that one win was a gem. With a BSP of $793.33 Roar Hide would roll forward and just keep going to produce a stunner that seemingly came out of nowhere.

Catch Me Out at Muswellbrook won a 900m maiden at $455.40 in October, whilst Aureus Miss did similar over 1600m in a Pakenham maiden at $440.

Of the metro runners to do it, the highlight was Makram at Flemington in the Listed Elms Handicap in February.

Makram (pictured) jumped at $316.52 which dwarfed the best tote price of $151 by over 200%!

Jimmysstar was $1.30 in the same race, and traded as low as $1.12 in play.

Eight runners in total would produce victories in the season with a BSP of $300 or higher, with three of those in city class racing.

TOP 10 BSP WINNERS

The Bad Beats

For every high their must also be a low! With some short priced favourites coming unstuck through the season.

With the lay function a unique feature of Betfair, these results can be as good as tipping something at a blowout price.

Tapa Kick was expected to bolt in during a 1600m maiden at Gunnedah in July, pinging the gates with a BSP of $1.12.

It was not to be though, with Tapa Kick (pictured) being one of ten runners beaten despite a BSP of $1.25 or shorter.

The Messara runner did go on to win twice for the season as a consolation.

Jimmysstar as mentioned earlier was one of the worst in a listed race, with the $1.30 BSP before the Makram defeat.

Six of the worst eight beats for the season came in maidens which could perhaps underline the difficult punting nature of those races.

TOP 10 BAD BEATS (BSP)

In-play bolters and horror shows

Bella Nipotina would run in Group 1 races in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne during the season, winning a pair of them as well as appearing in the feature even "The Quokka" in WA.

Of all Bella's achievements, the effort to win the Giga Kick after hitting $280 in-play was probably the most remarkable.

Private Eye fans would have experienced that race very differently, with the runner trading at $1.01 before Bella Nipotina found a gap and poked her nose through to win.

A number of horses "maxed out" at $1000 in-play during the season, with Offspring once such example over the 1400m at Wagga in March.

Barry the Poet by chance produced a $1000 in-play win at Dubbo just 18 minutes after Bella Nipotina's result in the Giga Kick.

Mi Rock Aly in April at Bendigo was three lengths clear with 100m to go at $1.02 with over $5000 traded at the price before Samuel Langhorne got home from $700 in-play as well.

It is worth also mentioned Left Turn Clyde at Morphettville in April who opened at $226 despite a best tote of just $81. He hit $609 in the run before winning handsomely.

HISTORY

We had Imperatriz (pictured) become the first horse to be backed for a million dollars twice in the same season with the Kiwi champion the star of the year.

Without A Fight became the first horse since Ethereal in 2001 to win the Caulfield/Melbourne Cup double despite the heavy support for both Gold Trip and Vauban on the first tuesday in November.

Pride of Jenni is the other horse who deserves to be in the votes for the year, with three group 1s, two of them coming during the same week in the Flemington carnival, and both of them at double figures.

Happy birthday to all the magnificent Thoroughbreds out there who make following this sport a pleasure.

Price Advantages

The top 20 BSP's for the season also came with a substantial price advantage.

These BSP's ranked from $240 all the way up to $793.

With the scale as follows.

On Roar Hide a $10 outlay would generate an additional $6400 for Exchange punters which is extraordinary.

STRADBROKE DAY WASHUP

Jeff Lloyd won 94 Group 1 races amongst over 5500 victories in his career.

Son Zac has been a fine jockey for a number of years and has now cemented his name on the Group 1 honor role with victory in the Stradbroke Handicap yesterday.

His expert steer got Stefi Magnetica home at Eagle Farm at a tidy price with the All Too Hard mare toughing it out impressively.

First to greet Zac on his return to scale was his old man, and that was when it struck home.

"I was fine the whole time cantering back, but to see my dad has got me emotional," Lloyd said post-race.

"It is really good just to get that group one on my resume. I've had some great opportunities in the past year or so and I haven't been able to capitalise. To get the job done today in a very big race, it is very special."

Earlier in the day we saw Broadsiding blow them away in the J.J.Atkins en route to a possible Cox Plate later in the year.

These were two highlights on an overall brilliant day of racing across Australia.

Best Backed Winners

We mentioned Broadsiding earlier, and he takes the cake here.

The star colt (pictured) got up at $1.70 with 68% of the market hold ahead of his Group 1.

It won't be the last time he's the best backed runner on the card.

Earlier in the day we had Freedom Rally kick off the Eagle Farm program with a very well supported victory.

At Sandown it was Miss Roundini, Hard to Cross and Mrs Chrissie who were the best supported winners.

Bad Beats and In-play bolters

Watch for the Euros and the T20 World Cup to throw up some specials (for the wrong reasons) over coming days.

In the NRL it was the Gold Coast Titans who produced a horror beat for backers, after trading at $1.13 against the West Tigers when seemingly in control.

They were matched for nearly $1000 at that price.

In racing the worst beat or beats came at Belmont, where five horses traded as a sub $2 favourite in the same race!

Climb on Top was one of them, and duly saluted but Ginger Green (pictured) ($1.41), Fortunes Luck ($1.53), El Patron ($1.61) and Elbow Lounge ($1.98) were all short priced favourites in the last 300m.

PRICE ADVANTAGE

Alegron was an early standout at Eagle Farm, with a 17% price edge on the $9 BSP result in Race 4.

Broadsiding was somehow 13.3% better despite being heavily backed in the J.J.Atkins, with Fawkner Park (pictured) the best overall in Qld in the very last of the day at 19%.

At Sandown we saw Ten Deep win Race 2 with a 29% edge for Exchange punters with Name Dropper going even better in Race 3 at 34%.

Hard To Cross, Mrs Chrissie and Gentleman Roy all went at a double figure edge with Cadmus doing the same in the last.

THE BOOL DAY 2: OFF THE CHAIN

Day Two at Warrnambool is in the book and with it came another series of brilliant racing stories.

A jockey winning the Galleywood just 10 days after first winning a race in Australia, and a class galloper shone brightly in the Wangoom.

Chains of Honour (pictured) went around over the mile at Flemington in March and seven weeks later he was charging home in the Galleywood at a double figure price for Ciaron Maher.

It was his first start over the jumps in more than two years, with a recent trial delivering the team all the confidence they needed.

French jockey Luca Remondet won his first Australia race in Pakenham less than two weeks ago and now has a feature in the book.

"It's unbelievable and you can't describe it," Remondet said after the race.

"This feeling is amazing, he's an amazing horse, we have an amazing team, so thanks to everyone for that and now we will enjoy it."

Tuvalu followed the value path with a double figure win in the Wangoom for Lindsey Smith.

Tuvalu's last start was the Railway in Perth in November and his last win was the Group 1 Toorak Handicap in 2022.

His price on reflection certainly seemed overs.

Cotton Tree kicked the day off with a 16% price advantage when winning the first for the Price/Kent team.

Whistle Down kept the Symon Wilde party going with a victory in the second at a 6% edge.

La Pleine Lune planted the French seeds for the day in Race 3 with a victory at a 156% advantage for team Hayes.

Tom Foolery was close to the best backed runner of the day in Race 4 when saluting for John Leek, whilst Ti Tri Lad delivered impressively in the fifth.

Linda Meech is usually good for a victory during the Warrnambool carnival and she did so in Race 7, thus delivering the best price advantage of the day at 21% aboard Whistlefield.

Kimmorley gave Maddie Raymond a second victory in two days in the penultimate at a 17% edge, before the superbly named Jabbawockeez closed out the day in style.

The Warrnambool Cup and the Grand Annual will headline Day 3 from the fabulous Bool!

All tips are live from Expert Jackson Oldham, and check out the daily watchlist from jumps expert Nick McQualter.

WARRNAMBOOL DAY 1 WRAP

Day one at the Bool has been run and done with some terrific racing, headlined by  herculian performance in the Brierly Steeplechase.

Stern Idol was the short priced favourite but had to pull out all stops to lug 73kg across the 3450m to record a victory. Headed in the straight and severely challenged the Maher/Eustace runner was brave in the face of an 8kg weight difference to outlast Instigator.

The day had started well for the local Maher/Eustace team with Alakahan opening the carnival with a victory in the first at a 6.5% edge over best tote.

Symon Wilde's team have had the best strike rate of any trainer during the Warrnambool carnival over the last five years, and they were quickly into work with Bazini in race 2.

The aptly named Leaderboard won at $10 in Race 3 with a 14% price advantage befor Maher/Eustace followed up the first hurdle win of the carnival with the first flats win of the carnival as well over the 1200m in Race 4 with Cazini.

One of the best price advantages came in Race 5 when team Hayes got Harpalee home with a 28.8% edge…#tokillabesttote

The Brierly threw up amazing betting activity with Stern Idol hitting $50 in-play when looking out on his feet.

Instigator had $500 matched on him at $1.04 in the run whilst Brittanicus traded at $1.65 in the run as well.

Vivideel won Race 7 whilst Maddie Raymond's quest for back to back Warnambool Cups ticked it's first box when Rolls got it done over the 1700m.

He followed the same path 12 months ago.

"But I am happy I have got the runs into him I need to, to have him on song. "And I think he's going as good as what he was last year." Raymond told racing.com

Prince Sonic's $42.31 win the penultimate beat Sportsbet by 21% which was a lucrative result and Romantic Choice brought it home with a $16 win in the final event.

The Galleywood Hurdle and the Wangoom will headline Day 2 from the fabulous Bool!

All tips are live from Expert Jackson Oldham, and check out the daily watchlist from jumps expert Nick McQualter.

SANGSTER DAY WASH UP

Group 1 racing hit Adelaide and the Sun and the Stars were visible at Morphettville as the SA carnival launched in spectacular fashion.

Vibrant Sun claimed a thrilling photo finish in the Australasian Stakes whilst locally trained Climbing Star delivered a stunner in the Robert Sangster, upsetting the highly fancied Estriella who finished a long way back.

The top three in the feature event were all in double figure odds when they jumped, meaning those who played the Exotics could have had a very strong afternoon.

Learning to Fly who ran second happened to hit $1.03 in-play as well…oh and we had a horse win on the Gold Coast with a $400 BSP…just quietly.

Vobis day at Caulfield threw up some terrific racing, and we had listed events in Queensland and WA for good measure.

With price advantages, some huge firms and some epic upsets, this was another memorable day of racing.

Next stop Warrnambool! Where we will be providing daily feature interviews and Washup pieces for our Hub readers.

BEST BACKED WINNERS

Berkeley Square (pictured) drifted a fraction before the jump but was still the best backed runner of the day to salute at Caulfield.

Holding nearly 55% of over $600,000 in matched volume his victory was a popular one for punters. It also came at a price advantage.

Aviatress kicked the day off strongly in Adelaide with a victory as clearly the best supported runner in that race.

Growing Empire in the second was another well supported runner who got the job done.

FIRMERS AND DRIFTERS

The firmers and drifters were on point early in the day!

Aviatress (pictured) firmed from $2.52 into $2 before winning the opener at Morphettville as mentioned earlier, with Growing Empire also shortening from $3.70 into $2.44 ahead of Race 2

Jemoma Alpilage moved from $3.60 into $2.54 at Eagle Farm before winning Race 3.

Berkeley Square was a drift as stated above, from $2.30 out to $2.80 but was able to win that race regardless.

Shamrock Sally ran second after a large drift at Kembla Grange in Race 4 whilst Skirt the Law was unplaced in race 6 at Eagle Farm after the biggest drift of the day.

Hedged also drifted in the penultimate race at Caulfield before running third.

Bad Beats and In-play bolters

An extraordinary last ball finish in a Women's Cricket ODI between Pakistan and the West Indies is a standout here.

Pakistan needed 1 run to tie and 2 runs to win but lost a wicket off that final ball to go down by the smallest possible margin.

They had traded at $1.02 in-play with the West Indies matched for over $1000 at $34.

At the Gold Coast we saw one of the highest BSP winners you could ever imagine!

Gus the Bus got up at $394,48 in Race 3, and wait until you see the price advantage. An extraordinary result.

Rosehill also saw some crazy action with three runners losing in the same race despite all of them trading at less than $1.70.

Broadway Bouncer ($1.23), Sumo Star ($1.51) and Xtra Gear ($1.69) were all favourites before Everyone's a Star got it done.

Everyone may be a star, but they can't all be winners.

Learning to Fly (pictured) was the sickest beat of them all though, going down in the Robert Sangster Stakes from $1.03 in play just before the post!

I am Me ($1.47) and Estriella ($1.88) also got very short in that same race.

PRICE ADVANTAGE

Gus the Bus should have this entirely to his own.

$394.48 BSP is one thing, but how about a 243.3% price advantage over best tote?

The Best Tote was $114.90 which means a $10 outlay leaves you $2,700 better off. That is extraordinary.

Back on planet earth Seonee was the best of them at Morphettville with a 42.3% edge in Race 6, whilst Skybird was 21% better in Race 5.

Climbing Star's 9% edge was solid in the Sangster given the $33.60 BSP.

Chicago Storm brought it home well with 34% in the last.

Caulfield threw up a belter in the first, with Awapuni Princess's (pictured) $48 BSP producing a 150% boost on best tote!

Albanian I am  (25%), Belles Saviour (35%) and Extra Two (33%) continued a rollicking start at the Heath.

Stanley Express was a crazy 66% better in Race 8 as well.

Did we mention Gus the Bus on the Gold Coast?