By MIKE DILLON
The TAB does not expect you to back Classic Babe for the $350,000 Westbury Stud Auckland Cup.
Chief odds setter Justin Swift admits the $8 on offer for Classic Babe is a haircut - half the odds he says reflect her realistic chance of winning.
Swift says the same about the other two Auckland Cup favourites Smiling Like ($6.50) and Blazing ($9).
"Their odds, particularly Classic Babe, reflect their betting not their chance of winning," he said.
Swift was almost embarrassed - and with justification - to admit the TAB did not want any more bets on any of the three horses at the top of the market.
"There has been huge betting for all three and we've been left with the scenario of putting them at prices which shouldn't attract bets."
A ledger has to balance, but is this any way to run a real betting chart?
Classic Babe's case is extraordinary.
She has to win today's Nathans Memorial to even make the field for the cup, in which case her odds this morning should be 25-1.
The mare's co-trainer, Colin Jillings, cannot believe she is as short as $8.
"It's ludicrous, who would back her?"
The irony of the short odds is that two months ago nobody would have considered Classic Babe even a remote Auckland Cup chance.
Jillings said he and training partner Richard Yuill had set the mare for the cup a long way out.
"You can't go anywhere in this business without planning. You have to set for a big race and then hope."
Classic Babe was unluckily beaten under 58kg at Ellerslie last week and looks to be the improver.
Lance O'Sullivan rides Classic Babe today, but has not yet committed himself to a cup ride.
Racing: Classic Babe's odds hardly make sense
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.