Racing: Kiwi punter helps push price to $9

The first bet laid at Colin Tidy's Sydney bookmaking office yesterday morning was for Cheval De Troy.

"As soon as we posted the prices on our website, someone took A$1600 ($1740) to A$20,000 ($21,700) about Cheval De Troy," said Tidy's odds-setter Mark Morrisey.

"It was from New Zealand and obviously it was a loyal Kiwi."

The odds were $13 on opening and that single bet pushed the price into $9.

Favourite for the race is Eremein at $4, just ahead of the Allan Denham-trained Outback Prince.

Outback Prince beat Eremein last start in the Hobartville Stakes, but Morrisey said it should have been the other way around.

"Eremein got trapped three deep and would otherwise have won."

Morrisey said the Rosehill Guineas was always a difficult race for bookmakers and punters.

"The 3-year-olds traditionally go straight from the 1400m of the Hobartville to the 1900m of the Canterbury Guineas and there is always a lot of guesswork as to which of them will handle that best.

If there was a certainty of Eremein running out the 1900m, he would be a lot shorter than $4."

Lonhro's little brother Spike is third favourite at $5 after running on fairly into third in the Hobartville.

"He had his chance in that race, but to be fair to him he gave the impression he was looking for more distance. He gets that here."

Cheval De Troy looks good value if the odds stay anywhere near the $9, because he will start a hot favourite on the New Zealand TAB.

Melbourne jockey Damien Oliver will take the ride after a bunfight earlier in the week when Chris Munce claimed he had been engaged for the colt.