The Melbourne Cup is once again here, and the race that stops the nation sparks some staggering betting activity.
Last year’s huge boilover victory by Knights Choice saw the bookmakers walk away as the big winners.
But punters this year are hopeful of securing some big wins, none bigger than the $4 million that could be pocketed after some huge bets were made at the annual Call of the Card.
Easygo, a technology company co-founded by Stake founder and Melbourne billionaire Ed Craven, bet $500,000 at $8 on Al Riffa to win $4 million.
“My head was spinning, I tell ya,” bookmaker Chris Lester told Racing.com.
“It is a big bloody bet.
“The amount of money… I have never seen it.
“I have never seen Call Of The Card this big, not in my memory.”
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Meanwhile, Betr have taken a bet of $20,000 at $6, while one punter with Palmerbet lumped $10,000 on it at $11.
Elsewhere, Sportsbet have also had a $30,000 bet placed on Al Riffa.
The Irish raider is one of the race’s most well-credentialed overseas runners, having won the Irish St Leger in September in dominant fashion.
According to Sportsbet, if their current betting trends continue, the No.1 could even start the race as the favourite, shortening past Half Yours.
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Palmerbet has also taken a huge bet of $2500 each way on Flatten the Curve, with a win netting that punter $108,750.
Sportsbet have also taken several bets on Flatten the Curve, joined by Parchment Party as their two most popular roughies.
Buckaroo has also had some support, taking a $4,000 bet on the Waller geldy to net a pretty $104,000.
THE BIGGEST BETS WITH THE BOOKIES
PALMERBET
$10,000 @ $11 Al Rifa (now into $8.50)
$4500 @ $9 Al Rifa
$2500 Each Way @ $34/9.50 Flatten The Curve (now into $20)
$1000 Each Way @ $81 More Felons (now into $41)
Both Land Legend and Smokin Romans attracted support at $101 and both now $61 chances.
Palmerbet have seen an influx of betting on international runners this year, while Half Yours has also had lots of $500 and $1000 bets placed on it.
SPORTSBET
Sportsbet’s three biggest bets have been on Al Rifa. If the current trend continues, they believe the No.1 will start as favourite.
The biggest of those bets sits at $30,000.
Their most popular roughies are Flatten the Curve and Parchment Party.
BETR
20k Al Riffa @ $6.0
5k Al Riffa @$8
3k Presage Nocturne @$13
4k Buckaroo @$26
4k Valiant King @$9
3k Royal Supremacy @$34
2k Absurde @$23
CALL OF THE CARD BETS OF NOTE
$500,000 on Al Riffa at $8
$150,000 on Al Riffa at $7.50
$133,333 on Al Riffa at $7.50
$50,000 on Al Riffa at $8
$44,000 on Meydaan at $25
$40,000 on Vauban at $26
$33,333 on Furthur at $30
$25,000 on Absurde at $20
$20,000 on Middle Earth at $51
$20,000 on More Felons at $51
$20,000 on Absurde at $20
$20,000 on Chevalier Rose at $60
$16,666 on Arapaho at $61
$16,666 on Furthur at $30
$15,000 on River of Stars at $18
$10,000 on Arapaho at $51
$10,000 on Meydaan at $30
$6,000 on Onesmoothoperator at $40
$5,000 on Chevalier Rose at $60