Punters Pin Their Trust In Pumper

Punters looking to pick the eyes out of the early prices on tomorrow's big Epsom Handicap meeting at Randwick have pinned their faith in Jim "Pumper" Cassidy who rides Trusting in the day's feature race.

Since the final field was announced on Wednesday, Trusting has been the best backed runner in the Epsom Handicap, firming from $6.50 into $5. "Trusting is now a clear cut favourite," said Betstar's Alan Eskander. "The punters claimed him early on and from barrier 9, Jim Cassidy should be able to ensure they get a good run for their money. Outside of Trusting, it's a typically wide open Epsom. Firebolt is second pick at $7.50 and we did get some early money on Neeson but he's drifted to $8."

"As far as the Metropolitan goes, Herculian Prince was all the go early but punters are still wary after the "shocker" he put in last time. He's out to $3.80 and I'm guessing that run of the mill punters will wait for a stable lead before coming in at that price. Mr Charlie has been pretty solid at $4 and he looks a horse on the up and apart from those two, it's $9 the field," said Eskander.

One of the best backed runners of the meeting has been Buffering in the Roman Consul Stakes. "The first bet we took on the race was $1,000 at $6 on Buffering and he's now into $4.60," said Eskander. "Favourite backers have also rallied for Retrieve in the Spring Champion Stakes. The $2.30 didn't last long and we took a bet of $7,000 at the $2.25 so he's into $2.15 with his stablemate Giresun the next best at $4.60."

Eskander said there was plenty of interest in Sunday's Turnbull Stakes meeting at Flemington. In the feature race, opening favourite Shocking is unwanted in early betting. "We opened him at $4.60 but no one wants to touch him. He's out to $6.50 and all the early money has been for Shoot Out. We laid him at $6 and again at $5.50 so he's the new favourite at $5," said Eskander.

Punters have rallied behind new sprint star Hay List in the Gilgai Stakes. "We already trimmed him into $1.70 (from $1.85) and Catapulted is the only other one they want in that race. It's $15 the field bar those two which is quite amazing for a Group 2 race at Flemington but they do look like they will dominate the race," said Eskander.