CALL OF THE CARD ACTION!
The Iconic Call of the Card has been run and done at Crown with Betfair making a successful debut as the event’s major sponsor.
On the evidence of the betting activity in the room the Cup might be heading on a plane to Ireland!
Absurde was a very popular runner when it came his turn with some healthy activity for the Willie Mullins horse, however it was the stablemate and race favourite Vauban who was the day’s best backed horse with a staggering volume bet on the import.
Vauban took bets of $350,000 and $200,000 individually, with a total backed volume in excess of a million dollars at around the $5 price. (Some spread over multiple bookies).
Vauban (pictured) has continued to ease slightly on the Exchange out to $4.80 from as low as $3.90, as he looks to become the first favourite to win the race since Fiorente in 2013
Last year’s winner Gold Trip took separate bets of $37,500, $20,000 and $15,000 at the $8.50 price as he looks to be the second back to back winner since 1975 (The other was the immortal Makybe Diva).
Early in the card, the runners who attracted interest were #20 More Felons and in particular #15 Lastotchka.
The Price/Kent runner took combined bets of $48,000 from one single punter as well as $10,000 and $8,000 outlays at $26.
#24 True Marvel was also backed for $4000 at $251 in the first activity of the day.
At the opposite end of the scale, three runners had no activity on the day with #16 Magical Lagoon and #14 Sheraz untouched, as well as #2 Alenquer who is under an injury cloud.
Alenquer is set to be retiring champion Damien Oliver’s final Melbourne Cup ride if he can pass a fitness test for a stone bruise tomorrow morning.
Other notable points were Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight taking bets of $28,000, $21,400, and two separate bets of $15,000.
Soulcombe has also been very popular late on the Exchange and that was reflected in the room, with outlays of $27,000 and $21,000 on the runner.
Overall his volume for the day ranked fifth overall behind Vauban, Gold Trip, Without a Fight and Absurde.
An interesting watch was 2019 champion Vow and Declare.
No horse has won the Melbourne Cup four years apart, but the 8YO is in terrific form and was a popular pick in the room, with several bets hovering between $4000 and $7000.
Japanese import Breakup took a bet of $14,300 as he seeks to emulate Delta Blues from 2006.
Right You Are and Cleveland were popular with “smaller” bets, with a lot of cash activity around the $300, $500 and $1000 mark.
NOTABLE BETS:
#5 Vauban – $320,000 at $5 across the 4 bookies
#15 Lastotchka – $25,000 at $21 with Warren Woodcock
$20,000 at $21 with James Filgate
#1 Gold Trip – $35,000 at $8.50 with Lyndon Cleary
#7 Absurde – $45,000 at $12 with James Filgate
$20,000 Each Way at $12/$3 with James Filgate
#3 Without A Fight – $30,000 at $7.50 with James Filgate
$22,000 at $7.50 with James Filgate
#17 Military Mission – $6,000 at $36 with James Filgate
#24 True Marvel – $4,000 at $250 with Robbie Waterhouse
$4,000 at $250 with Warren Woodcock
For a full preview of the race check out Andrew Hawkins runner by runner analysis.
BETFAIR PROUDLY SUPPORTS CROWN’S ICONIC CALL OF THE CARD
The annual Call of the Card will this year be proudly supported by Betfair, the world’s largest and Australia’s leading betting exchange. The event returns to the Palladium at Crown on Monday, 6 November 2023 as a panel of popular bookmakers take their first official bets for the heart-stopping Melbourne Cup race.
Now in its 27th year at Crown, the Call of the Card is a fixture on the Spring Racing calendar as it kicks off the Melbourne Cup festivities with four of Melbourne’s leading rails bookmakers – Rob Waterhouse, James Filgate, Lyndon Cleary and Warren Woodcock – accepting bets at quoted prices the day before Australia’s most famous race, the Melbourne Cup.
More than just a horse race, the Melbourne Cup is an Australian social and cultural tradition that ‘stops the nation’ – and the Call of the Card on Melbourne Cup eve is always the best indicator of where the early odds are landing.
Hosted by racing aficionado and television presenter, Jason Richardson, guests will enjoy exciting entertainment and a delicious three-course lunch before the event culminates with the four bookmakers announcing their odds for each horse. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
For this year’s event, a number of Betfair representatives and customers will be in attendance, watching the action and voicing their views. Building excitement for the crowd in the room during the call. Betfair is also working closely with media partners to ensure a flavour of the thrilling event, will be shared to wider audiences across the day.
As a betting exchange, Betfair is a unique player in the wagering landscape and is excited to be supporting Call of the Card for the first time. Betfair CEO Amy Zavros said: “Betfair is an online punter vs punter platform and with this event we are excited to be able to connect with customers and demonstrate Betfair’s unique betting features. By supporting Call of the Card, Betfair is looking forward to celebrating the excitement of early betting into the Melbourne Cup and showcasing how we are on the side of punters”.
Betfair has recently refreshed its brand, launching its On Your Side campaign this Spring, reinforcing how it provides a unique choice for punters compared to other online wagering brands.
From Southbank to Flemington, Crown is preparing for a Cup Carnival to remember, announcing a range of elevated experiences for guests, including the illustrious Call of the Card event.
Crown Melbourne CEO Mike Volkert said: “Crown is thrilled to have Betfair on board with this iconic event and is looking forward to bringing all the excitement of Melbourne Cup Carnival to our guests, both onsite at Crown and Flemington Racecourse.”
The event will follow Crown’s recent unveiling of a bold new brand for the first time in nearly a decade, recapturing its original spirit as a leading curator of exceptional experiences, entertainment, sport, and tourism in Australia.
Crown’s new direction begins with a program of elevated events across its three resorts in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth across sport, music, art, dining, and entertainment – with the Spring Racing Carnival a key kick-off milestone.
For more information and ticket sales visit Ticketmaster.
