Brett Prebble is all the rage in Jockey Challenge betting last night, punters swarming to back the Australian into $2.85 favourite after he opened at $3.20.
Prebble has a eight-ride book led by impressive debut winner Dance For Gold and a tremendous each-way chance in the feature race aboard Thumbs Up.
Dance for Gold scored from a near-impossible position over 1,000m in January and steps up to a more suitable 1,200m. Against future winners Cosmic Boom and O'Halo, Dance For Gold was off the bit in the early stages, before rattling off a 21.20s sectional from the 800m to the 400m, where he was still 41/2 lengths off the leader. Despite that margin, he continued his charge to the line to win by a short head. He was then failed in a trial, Caspar Fownes citing shin soreness for the poor effort, before a let up and two solid trials to have him ready.
Captain Sweet almost assures Prebble of points in the Sprint Cup with just a seven-horse field lining up in a race where main-rival Douglas Whyte does not have a ride.
Other strong hopes for Prebble are Diligent III, Packing Whiz and Supreme Knight, backed by a couple of outsiders - Master Racer and Smiling Watch.
Whyte was second pick at $3.50, but all of his favoured mounts have drawn badly - Can Do (barrier 12), Good Hong Kong (13), Fay Fay (12), Why Not (12), Vivacissimo (12) and Real Specialist (12).
