Bluebet boss Michael Sullivan believes Vega Magic or Chautauqua will start favourite for The Everest as punters warm to proven form rather than the potential of She Will Reign for Saturday's $10 million Randwick showcase, which has become Australia's biggest betting race outside the Melbourne Cup.
Rails Run: Caulfield Guineas and The Everest
Betting agencies are being swamped with wagers on the world's richest turf race. Three-year-old filly She Will Reign had been the favourite since her stunning return victory in last month's Moir Stakes, but Vega Magic took over from the Golden Slipper winner at the top of betting on Thursday after a series of big bets made him the $4.80 favourite.
"She Will Reign has probably been the horse that has cost us more money than any other in the past six months, but I think we can get it back in this race," Sullivan said. "The serious punters are coming for Vega Magic and Chautauqua.
"The filly will still go around a loser for us but she is the one we can take risks with because she is taking on the best sprinters in the land and is still a baby.
"This is the biggest betting race outside the Melbourne Cup for us already this year and we only just starting to see the big money roll in and it is all for the horses that have been there done that.
"It wouldn't surprise me if Chautauqua is favourite when they jump, just because of his record at Randwick and what he has done in the TJ Smith for the past three years."
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Vega Magic's co-trainer David Hayes has three runners in The Everest and has been pleased with the former West Australian sprinter had settled into Sydney and travelled on his right leg.
Since joining the Lindsay Park team, Vega Magic is unbeaten in three runs, including the Goodwood and Memsie Stakes at group 1 level. But Hayes is not counting out $9 chance Redkirk Warrior.
"I hope the punters are good judges but I'm finding it hard to split Vega and Redkirk Warrior," Hayes said. "They are both in great shapes and at the price from the better barrier I would probably lean to Redkirk Warrior. "I can't understand why there is so much between in the betting."
This article was first published on The Age.
For the latest The Everest betting odds, click here.
