The Battle Of The Bush final can be a head scratcher for punters with horses coming from far and wide, but a strong betting move on a roughie could be an important pointer.
The bush racing series has comprised 16 qualifying races all over Queensland, culminating in the $200,000 final over 1200m on Tatt’s Tiara day at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Topweight Moscini – a seven-year-old gelding trained in Toowoomba by Dale Groves – has been the subject of an interesting betting move.
CHECK OUT RACENET’S SECTIONALS TOOL FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BUSH
Moscini, who during his career has had trainers including Bjorn Baker, Joe Pride and Kris Lees – won a qualifier at Goondiwindi on April 15.
“Moscini has been the one TAB punters have come for in the Battle of the Bush Final,” TAB’s Hamish Ferguson said.
“The Dale Groves trained runner opened up at $31 during the week with TAB and after some significant interest from punters, has been wound into $16 as of Friday morning.
“The topweight is responsible for 30 per cent of the hold and is the best backed runner ahead of favourite Isis Carmella ($4) who is holding 22 per cent of investments.”
The Battle Of The Bush series has the condition that runners do not have any metropolitan wins over the previous two years.
Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara favourite Opal Ridge. Picture: Bradley Photos
In other betting moves of note on Tatt’s Tiara day, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s French import Osmose has been strongly supported ($5.50 into $3.70) in the Listed Tattersall’s Mile.
“The four-year-old mare is holding 54 per cent of the early money with TAB and is by far the best backed runner in the market,” Ferguson said.
Punters believe favourite Opal Ridge is clearly the most likely winner of the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara.
“Opal Ridge leads the way in terms of money held for the final Group 1 of the season,” Ferguson said.
“The talented filly is responsible for over 30 per cent of the early investments on the feature, streets ahead of the next best in the market, Ruthless Dame, who is only holding 11 per cent.
“Outside of the favourite, TAB punters seem to be finding it difficult to pick one they like with Chaillot ($10), Comrade Rosa ($14) and Chain Of Lighting ($8.50) all holding around 8 per cent of investments each.”