Eskander’s Betstar have Green to Go One Better in First Caulfield Cup Market

Last year's runner-up Green Moon and Doomben Cup winner Mawingo share the top line of betting in Eskander’s Betstar's opening market for the 2012 Caulfield Cup following the close of entries for the $2.65 million race.

Betstar has rated the imported pair, who are both trained locally, at $13, ahead of Lights Of Heaven at $15. Last year's winner Southern Speed is rated on the fifth line of betting at $26 in what Betstar's Alan Eskander described as a star-studded line-up. The first two internationally-trained entrants in the market are Luca Cumani's Quest For Peace and last year's Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux at $26.

"When you consider the fact that the past two Melbourne Cup winners, Americain and Dunaden, don't even make into the top 15 in our opening market, it gives you some idea of the depth of this year's entry," Eskander said.

"There's no doubt those two horses would be considered unlikely runners at this stage but we're sure Green Moon and Mawingo will be aimed at this race. Lloyd Williams has never won a Caulfield Cup and Green Moon was desperately unlucky last year. He gets the chance to atone this year and Mawingo strikes me as also having the perfect profile for the race," Eskander said.

Eskander said the trend of Australian stables identifying international stayers with the potential to compete in our Cups was gaining momentum as this year’s entries show.

"We've seen the success that local stables have had with the likes of Lucas Cranach, Mawingo, Manighar and December Draw, and there'll be a huge influx again this year going by the entries. Many of these horses are already in Australia so the question about their ability to handle the travel has been taken out of the equation," Eskander said.

"This new trend has become a nightmare for bookmakers and assessors but I expect punters to tell us quite early which horses are most likely to make a name for themselves this spring. We'll be monitoring the market moves on these runners closely," he said.

Star mare Atlantic Jewel has been kept safe at $17 in Caulfield Cup betting but Eskander says she will more likely head to the Cox Plate for which she is expected to be the opening favourite.

A summary of Eskander’s Betstar’s Caulfield Cup market follows – to view the full market click here

To organise an interview with Alan Eskander contact:

Pip Kerr
Marketing Manager
Betstar
Ph: 0420 441 983
Email: pkerr@betstar.com.au