Racing: NZ bookies offer best price about Interdom favourite

Mark Purdon. Photo / Christine Cornege

The New Zealand TAB is taking a stand against redhot Interdominion favourite I'm Themightyquinn.

And that sees them offering the best odds anywhere in Australasia about the West Australian pacer winning Friday's A$1 million final.

TAB harness bookmaker Steve Richardson was happy to leave I'm Themightyquinn at $2.40 last night, even after taking action on the hotshot yesterday.

That compares more than favourably with the $2 on offer with many bookmakers in Australia, some of whom are suggesting I'm Themightyquinn will start odds-on in the final.

"Almost every major bet we have had is for the favourite and we aren't laying Smoken Up at all," said Australian TAB Sportsbet spokesman and form analyst Adam Hamilton.

But Richardson is voting on parochial money balancing his book, keeping Auckland Reactor tight at $5.50 and offering the best price on the favourite.

Last season's disqualified Interdominion winner Smoken Up looks set to continue to drift throughout the week, getting as long as $4 with some bookmakers yesterday, with many of Australia's professional punters willing to write him off, believing he won't be able to secure the front.

The $3 million earner is likely to be forced to sit outside probable leader Mr Feelgood after the latter's driver, John McCarthy, declared he wants to stay in front on Friday.

"Why would I hand up?" said McCarthy. "We broke the track record for this distance last week and it is only a half-mile track.

"He is good in front and if I hold the lead, which I think I will, then I will be staying there."

Mr Feelgood has been the big mover in markets, coming in from $7.50 to $5.50 in Australia after drawing the ace, but again the NZ TAB has him longer at $6.

Meanwhile, Mark Purdon has warned punters supporting Auckland Reactor in next week's Auckland Trotting Cup to be careful.

Auckland Reactor will probably accept for the Cup but Purdon will have no idea whether he will start the superstar pacer until maybe as late as race morning, depending on flights from Perth to Auckland and how the stallion is when he arrives.

That should deter punters from backing him in the futures markets, which will be open until Friday night, although once the Final Field market opens on Sunday those who support him will get a refund if he is scratched.