Punters have continued to support favourite Sepoy on the eve of the $3.5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill.
“The most popular runner today by far has been Sepoy,” TAB Sportsbet’s Glenn Munsie said on Friday afternoon.
“Then Smart Missile, and they dominate the money today. They are well over half the money invested just on those two runners.
“He (Sepoy) is roughly double the amount out of Smart Missile, that’s how popular he is.”
Sepoy has been favourite for the Golden Slipper since TAB Sportsbet released its first market with Sepoy at $8.50 on February 4.
The Blue Diamond Stakes winner got into as short as $1.90 following Karuta Queen’s shock defeat in the Black Opal Stakes on March 13, and retained his spot at the head of the market despite suffering his first defeat at the hands of Smart Missile in the Todman Stakes (1200m) two weeks ago.
A brilliant track gallop at Randwick and favourable barrier draw saw Smart Missile firm from $5 to $4.60 on Tuesday behind Sepoy at $3.20.
The pair remained at the same prices on Friday.
Magic Millions winner Karuta Queen has had steady support this week with the popular filly shortening from $17 to $11.
Sepoy was beaten as the rain fell at Rosehill in the Todman two weeks ago but the track had received no rain on Friday and was rated a dead (5).
“We had no more rain today so everything is on the improve,” track manager Lindsay Murphy said.
“I’d say it will stay as a dead five to start tomorrow and we’ll just see what happens from there.”
Glamour mare More Joyous is the shortest-priced favourite on the program which includes five Group One races.
More Joyous is at $1.22 to claim her fifth Group One success in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
VRC Oaks winner Brazilian Pulse is the $2.70 favourite for the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) for fillies, Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday heads the BMW (2400m) market at $2.80 and Coolmore Classic winner Aloha is $4.80 favourite for the weight-for-age George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
AAP TURF
