Big bets go on Swayzee ahead of The Race at Cambridge

The punters have really come for dual New Zealand Cup winner Swayzee ahead of tonight's $1m The Race by Sport Nation at Cambridge (8.55pm).

"Swayzee is the best backed runner of the night so far," reports Harness Trading Manager Ben Grimstone, "we have had multiple four-figure bets at $4.20."

The Jason Grimson-trained star is currently the third favourite behind Leap To Fame at $2.30 and The Janitor at $3.20.

"We were aware we opened a touch big but are comfortable around that mark for now. He's into $4.00 though backed more like a $2.50 chance," says Grimstone, "it will be interesting to see how the market matures.

The night's other big slot race, the TAB Trot is all about one horse.

"Keayang Zahara is heavily anchored in 1000s of multis, even at $1.05 though Gus is popular in the "Zahara-out" market, with a couple of four-figure bets taken at $2.50," says Grimstone.

In Race 3 Mick Konstantin is the best backed runner on the card behind Swayzee.

Trained by Jay Abernethy and to be driven by Aussie gun Cam Hart (of Swayzee fame) he opened at $3.40 and is now into $2.60.

"He looks set to start clear favourite," says Grimstone, "Candy Cane has been very quiet early."

Trained by Robert and Jenna Dunn, Candy Cane will be driven by Mark Purdon and is currently at $3.80.

Other notable moves have seen Delaney go from $3.50 into $3.20 in Race 1 while in Race 2 Kyvalley Ray was heavily backed early but Our Col, unbeaten in two starts for Tony Herlihy, has now gone favourite at $2.30 with Kyvalley Ray at $2.50.

In Race 5 Smackdown has been well-supported ($11 into $7.50).

"There has been support also for Wat Next with customers playing the lead-trail scenario," says Grimstone."

Nymbal is the best backed runner in Race 7, holding 55% of the book with The Box Seat Boost for favourite Allamericanplayer proving popular.

Michael Guerin's punting guide for Champions Night

Race 1: Only a small field with three winning chances but the least favoured of those Delany (No. 3) can win. Trainer says he is very fit and they will try to lead all the way which makes his $3.50 fixed odds appealing as Layton David (4) and Off Shore (5) might have to come from behind him to beat him.

Race 4: Nice race to stick with Team Dunn. They have the best horse in the race in Bounce N Beyond (10) who can do things wrong and faces a big handicap but might still be able to win. The value though is his stablemate Bravehearthighlander (7) who galloped when about to run to the lead last week and would have probably won. At $7 boosted he is a good each way bet or used in cover alongside his stablemate.

Race 5: Best filly in the race is Ripples (9) but from barrier 1 on the second line over 1700m she is going to need a lot of luck. She can still win, as can second favourite Queen Lizzy but you can make a strong case for backing Wat Next (3) who has gate speed and could lead and then covering on Smackdown (1) who should also be handy on the markers. At $6.50 and $7 you won’t need to have much on.

Race 7: Race looks to set up perfectly for Allamericanplayer (3). Has been placing behind a super little horse in Jumal lately and drawn to lead here over 1700m in a race without too many attackers. TAB giving $3 with the Box Seat Boost and that is very simply a smart bet whereas his $2.20 with the book a touch short.

Race 8: A great field but Leap To Fame is still the best horse so you should feel too uncomfortable about taking around $2.40 (boosted on Betcha) as he can win sitting parked and if he runs to the front the race is over.

But there are some other value options:

- TAB are betting $2.40 for the track record not to be broken which is overs.
- The boosted quinella Leap To Fame/Swayzee at $5 is good money.
- Merlin paying $2.05 to finish Top 6 for a horse who have never finished outside the Top 6 in his 52 start career is just plain silly even if it effectively a Top 5 since Leap To Fame is not an option in that market.

Race 9: Keayang Zahara is a budding champion but even she isn’t worth backing at $1.05. Gus at $2.50 in the “Favourite Out” market makes great sense as he should beat the Kiwis so really you are getting $2.50 for him head to head with Jilliby Ballerini. Meant To Be paying $7.50 to be the first Kiwi home is wonderful money considering the vulnerabilities of the other three locals

Note : As always, please gamble responsibly.