V.R.C. AUTUMN DOUBLE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 81, 17 March 1934, Page 2

V.R.C. AUTUMN DOUBLE

HOW BETTING SHAPED, As was conjectured here at the time, when Foursome went out to wan the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington a fortnight back it was as a rank outsider. So little was his chance appreciated by the public that on the day 50’s went begging for takers, while 20's were freely offered about the eventual runner-up, Dame Moab. On the s.o. machine Foursome’s dividend represeated considerably longer odds than those called by the “ring.” Jac.ko, who ran third, was the actual favourite and about him nothing much better than 4’s and s’s were available. A Virtual “Skinner.” Foursome’s success in the Newmarket Handicap, said a Sydney exchange a day or two after the race, is estimated to have put £40,000 into the bags of the double bookmakers in Melbourne. For them it is one of the best results on the Flemington autumn double for years, and the Australian Cup liability was reduced to a negligible quantity. Some wagers were laid about Foursome and the fancied Cup candidates, but the amounts were only small. Wit' Danlio and Peter Jackson one or two fair bets were noticed during the last few weeks, but the fielders who laid them state that it is impossible for them to lose over the double. One of the biggest straight-out winners over Foursome was a prominent Melbourne bookmaker, who did not accept the Adelaide horse’s poor showing in the Oakleigh Plate as correct, and backed his opinion to the extent of £3OOO. As he also secured a clean sheet on his book on the course he had a really profitable day. As to the course betting on the Australian Cup, we have yet to get news, but during the week subsequent to the running of the first leg of the double, the market would seem to have been pretty active. On the Monday following it Heroic Prince and Glppsland, owing to their success in their Saturday’s engagements, were advanced to the position of equal favourites along with Peter Jackson and Danilo, the previous favourite, was set back to fourth position. A day or two later on we find Heroic Prince at the head of the quotations, with Gippsland on the next line, and Peter Jackson, with Sea Rover, at a point longer odds. _ On. the eve of the race, however, Heroic Prince was called in the root s at a point and a half longer odds than Gippsland, with Sea Rover close up, Danilo next, and then Peter Jackson and Ruach. As we know, the places were eventually filled by Heroic Prince, Peter Jackson and Gippsland in that order, so that pre-post backers, at any rate, were well on the mark.