20/6/2003 edition

Melbourne Bookmakers'
Betting Odds

What's going on?

Have Melbourne bookies looked at the markets being set in Adelaide, Brisbane and the Gold Coast and decided to also field very tight markets?

Have a look at these markets from last Saturday's meeting at Sandown.

R6. Fillies & Mares. Open. 1400 metres.
Top fluctuation: 129.53%
Starting price: 135.73%

R5. Open. 1600 metres.
Top fluctuation: 122.28%
Starting price: 131.75%

R3. 3YO Fillies. Open. 1600 metres.
Top fluctuation: 117.39%
Starting price: 125.01%

When form is pretty much disclosed, as it was for these races, there is no excuse for having a top fluctuation market in excess of 110%. You sure wouldn't want to take a starting price bet in markets like these.

Is it any wonder that for the second week in a row not one horse firmed significantly in the Melbourne betting ring? If Melbourne bookies keep putting these markets up it won't be too long before we boycott Melbourne racing for our Specials, just as we have done to Adelaide and Brisbane racing.

In the face of competition from sports betting markets at around 105% and betting exchanges you would think that horse racing bookmaker betting odds would become more competitive.

While we're looking at bookmaker betting odds let's not forget what's happening in Brisbane. The feature race of the day last Saturday at Doomben was a $100,000 Fillies and Mares Listed event over 1350 metres with 18 runners. The starting price market was 139%. To top that the next race was a 3YO Open over 1200 metres. The bookies served up a starting price market of 151%.

How, Brisbane bookies, will markets like that encourage punters to bet with you? How, Brisbane bookies, will markets like that compete with betting exchanges?

Interstate bookmakers:
If you genuinely want to bet on Brisbane racing and encourage betting turnover, then you should ignore the prices from the Brisbane bookies and set your own markets.

This edition of Punt to Win:
Make money betting first fours
Watch out for these betting tips
Melbourne/Brisbane bookmakers' betting odds
Betting favourites in small fields
Handicapping tips - weight and class
Money talks - Rosehill, Sandown betting tips from the track
Money talks - Doomben betting tips from the track
Money talks - Victoria Park betting tips from the track
Future winners - unlucky horses
Punt to Win 13/6/2003
Punt to Win index

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