Online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au is expecting punters to spend big on Joao Moreira’s rides this weekend at Flemington.
The superstar Brazilian jockey arrives in Melbourne fresh off a record-breaking day out at Sha Tin, where he rode eight winners last Sunday.
He is booked in for both the Group 1 races this coming Saturday, and the turf accountants are tipping the prices on his horses to tumble.
First up is the Australian Cup, where Moreira will jump on Tally.
The four-year-old bay gelding is rated a +2000 middle-of-the-pack chance in a field led by Humidor (+320) and Jameka (+350).
The ‘Magic Man’ was also slated to ride the Mick Price-trained Flying Artie in the 1200m Newmarket Handicap.
After a disappointing first-up run in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes, however, the three-year-old colt was scratched on Tuesday despite holding the second line of betting at +450.
Moreira will instead jump on Extreme Choice – another Price prospect and a well-liked +550 challenger to Spieth, now into +250 from +300.
“What an achievement by the Magic Man on Sunday, he could ride a winner on the moon,” said Sportsbet’s Will Byrne.
“Eight winners from 10 rides, setting a new Hong Kong record.
“He’s popular with Aussie punters at the best of times but we expect support for anything the Magic Man rides to go through the roof.”
2017 Australian Cup betting
Market provided by Sportsbet.com.au
+320 – Humidor +350 – Jameka +500 – Hartnell (Unlikely) +650 – The United States +750 – Exospheric +900 – Stratum Star +1500 – Endless Drama +1700 – Real Love +2000 – Tally, Ecuador, Tom Melbourne, Awesome Rock, He’s Our Rokkii +2500 – Preferment, Our Century +3300 – Seaburge, Boom Time +4000 – Pilot D’essai, Mourinho +5000 – Almoonquith, Abbey Marie +6600 – Turn Me Loose +8000 – Vengeur Masque +10000 – Hans Holbein +15000 – Assign, Aloft2017 Newmarket Handicap betting
Market provided by Sportsbet.com.au
+250 – Spieth +700 – Illustrious Lad +750 – Star Turn +1200 – Chautauqua, Terravista +1400 – Shiedel, Super Cash +1600 – Hellbent +2000 – El Divino, Fell Swoop +2500 – Faatinah, Supido +3000 – Redkirk Warrior, Tivaci, The Quarterback +3300 – Counterattack, Flamberge, Voodoo Lad +5000 – Dal Cielo +6600 – Peacock, Target In Sight +10000 – Hey Doc, Miss Promiscuity, Villa Rosa +15000 – Big Money, Guard of Honour, Missrock +50000 – Inspector