By MICHAEL GUERIN
The New Zealand Cup is still five weeks away but the Aussie invasion has already started - led by their punters.
With the Australians appearing to be in the unusual position of having greater open class depth than New Zealand this season, confidence they can win their first New Zealand Cup in 13 years is high.
And the TAB bookies found out just how high yesterday.
Australian punters have started the Cup book with a bang, headed by several large bets on former Kiwi battler Major Bid.
Now racing in Australia as The Major Bid he has been ultra impressive, winning 14 of his 17 starts since crossing the Tasman, although he has yet to beat a Grand Circuit class rival.
But that didn't stop an Australian punter having $3000 on him to win the Cup at $18, for a $54,000 return.
That was just one of several decent bets on Major Bid, one of two Victorians confirmed for the Cup.
The other is Breeny's Fella, who has also had support after storming into third behind Safe And Sound in his comeback race last Friday night.
The large bets on Major Bid have produced the unlikely scenario where he is fifth favourite for the Cup at $9, ahead of far more established stars like Breeny's Fella, Happy Asset, Bogan Fella and Mac De Stroyer.
There has also been small support for New South Wales pacer Atitagain, who impressed in his first outing from the Dennis Wilson stable when just going down to Courage Under Fire at Harold Park last Friday night. Yet he would need to win a feature race between now and Cup time to earn a start.
While the Aussies have ridden their wave of confidence all the way to the TAB, Kiwi punters have not be idle, with Chloe Hanover backed to win $20,000 just seconds after her Methven Cup win on Sunday, a victory which guaranteed her a New Zealand Cup start.
"So far the interest has been great and we are looking at holding at least as much as last season," said TAB bookie Kevin Gutschlag.
"We have a very even Cup field this season and we have already had money for 24 of the 26 nominated horses. It should be a very interesting next five weeks."
Holmes D G's blistering win in last Friday's North Shore City Stakes sees him in the familiar role of Cup favourite at $4.25, with Yulestar drifting to $6.50.
Lyell Creek nearly cost himself $15,000 by scaring his opponents away from Friday night's Canterbury Park Trotting Cup.
Only seven rivals will take on the champ in the $25,000 Addington feature, even though they will get at least 15m headstart.
The race was in jeopardy on Monday as several of the nominees were also eligible for a class three and faster trot earlier on the programme.
But it will provide Lyell Creek with his first look this season at the horse who went closest to beating him in New Zealand last season, Sundon's Way.
The latter heads a strong Mark Purdon assault on the meeting, joined by Buster Hanover in the feature trot.
Pacing guns Ouch and Bogan Fella clash with The Tough Nut and Happy Asset in the $25,000 Nobilo Wines Mobile over 1950m, with Ouch securing the ace under the conditions of the event.
And unbeaten 3-year-old Young Rufus takes on City Rogue and fellow northerner Parisian Falcon in the $30,000 Rising Stars Championships.
Racing: Australians quick off mark to launch NZ Cup assault
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