RIVER Verdon was yesterday made 5-2 favourite (English odds) to recapture the $5 million International Cup a week on Sunday.
Ladbrokes, the world's biggest bookmakers, have stolen a public relations initiative and are the first bookmaking firm to offer ante-post prices on both the International Cup and Bowl.
Their head of public relations, Mike Dillon, was recently in the territory, which is when he took the bold decision of offering ante-post prices on the two races, despite the form of horses coming from all corners of the globe being very hard to equate.
Dillon said yesterday: ''The Hong Kong International Cup and Bowl have shot to prominence and quickly established themselves as some of the most valued prizes in international racing.
''Local hero River Verdon is an automatic favourite for the International Cup though he will face a severe examination from at least three of the overseas challengers.'' After River Verdon, Ladbrokes make the French filly Verveine their 5-1 second favourite, followed by America's Adam Smith who will be ridden by Gerald Mosse.
Adam Smith can be backed in London at 6-1 with Ladbrokes while English challenger and Mick Kinane's mount, Alflora, is at 7-1.
