Racing: Punters push for Pentane

Pentane has become the first focus of a big Melbourne Cup punt.

The Auckland Cup winner was this week backed to win the best part of half a million New Zealand dollars.

Brian Taylor, chief bookie for Dome Bet, previously DoubleBet, on Monday laid two New Zealanders to win massive amounts around Pentane.

"The pair came into the office, poured money from a bag on to the table and said, 'What odds Pentane?'

"I've got to be honest, it's a while since I've seen that much money all at one time," said Taylor.

On behalf of Dome Bet, Taylor laid the two Kiwis less than they wanted to bet, but still set them to win A$100,000 ($123,000) for Pentane to win the Melbourne Cup and A$300,000 for the Matamata stayer to take the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double.

"They got a spoil because they might have known that the Melbourne Cup favourite Leica Falcon was about to be announced as having broken down, which we didn't know at the time."

Pentane, who went around at yesterday's Te Teko barrier trials, was listed at $27 and has now shortened into $21.

* Brett Scott will make the trip from Melbourne to ride Blake's Boy in the hurdles at Ellerslie on Saturday.

He will be having his first start from the Matamata stable of Craig Thornton.

Blake's Boy, formerly trained at Gisborne by Joanne Moss, has not raced since he fell in the Waikato Hurdles on May 20.