Punters interest high in the Melbourne Cup

Media Release

4 November 2008

Punters interest high in the Melbourne Cup

The possibility of a New Zealand trained horse snatching victory in the Melbourne Cup for the first time in seven years has punters lining up at their local TAB stores to be part of the excitement.

As at 12 noon today, the total betting turnover on the Melbourne Cup was at its highest ever level on record for that time of the day on race day.

New Zealand Racing Board General Manager Racing and Wagering Bill Colgan says turnover is tracking well and is up nearly 19 per cent at 12 noon today compared to the same time last year.

“Obviously the majority of the betting action is placed on the Melbourne Cup in the two hours before the big race but we are pleased with how things are tracking currently,” he says.

“There has been talk of a recession in New Zealand but we are seeing no signs of it affecting New Zealanders excitement in getting behind the biggest racing event in Australasia,” Mr Colgan says.

“This is literally the race that stops the nations on both sides of the Tasman,” he adds.

There are three New Zealand trained horses lining up in the big race today, which starts at 5pm (NZ time), led by leading hope Nom du Jeu (paying $8.40 for the win). The others are Boundless and Prize Lady. In addition, there is the New Zealand bred and owned Gallopin, which is Australian trained.

There are also three other New Zealand-bred horses competing in the race – Master O’Reilly, C'est La Guerre and Guyno.

Last year, New Zealand punters bet nearly $7 million on the Melbourne Cup itself with more than $17.2 million in total passing through the New Zealand TAB on Melbourne Cup Day.

Ends

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