HORSE RACING
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Earthquake's awkward Golden Slipper barrier draw has punters shying away from the favourite, but at least one bookmaker is expecting a flood of money for Darley's pin-up girl later in the week.
Wollongong-based Sportsbetting.com.au immediately wound out Earthquake's Slipper quote to $2.30 following Tuesday's barrier draw in which the unbeaten filly drew 13.
No horse has won the world's richest two-year-old race from the dreaded alley, although Earthquake will jump from barrier 12 if emergency Scratch Me Lucky fails to make the field.
And it seems punters have taken note of Slipper history after being reluctant to launch into the Blue Diamond winner still three days out from the $3.5 million Rosehill scamper.
"She was around the even money mark before the draw but we are now betting $2.30 and there has been no take-up," Sportsbetting.com.au's Hamish Davidson said.
"I'm expecting that with it being the Golden Slipper, and with bookies sure to take on the favourite, the big money will come closer to the event for Earthquake."
Earthquake is attempting to emulate the Blue Diamond-Golden Slipper double completed by Sepoy (2011), Darley head trainer Peter Snowden's only Slipper winner.
Second favourite Mossfun, who had her colours lowered for the first time by Earthquake in the Reisling Stakes a fortnight ago, is still stalking the chart topper at $5.50 after drawing barrier 11.
Davidson reported most interest had centred on premier Victorian trainer Peter Moody winning the Slipper for the first time.
Moody has engaged Cox Plate-winning jockey Chad Schofield to pilot Magic Night winner Bring Me The Maid, set to relish the prospect of another rain-affected track.
"Bring Me The Maid has been the firmer off the back of her impressive win last weekend," Davidson said.
"Mossfun is still right in the market despite suffering her first defeat and drawing out in 11, she's firm around the $5.50 mark.
"But overall there has been little enthusiasm for the majority of the field at this stage."
Sportsbet were keeping Earthquake a little safer at $2.15 in early betting, but backed Davidson's assessment Bring Me The Maid was a huge chance of sending the spoils south of the border.