Melbourne Cup Call of the Card 2011
In the current environment of corporate bookmaking, where Melbourne Cup markets have been in operation for months prior, it may seem a little outdated to maintain the Call of the Card tradition. However, it remains as a final snapshot of where the field is headed betting-wise with only 24 hours to go. It’s also a great distraction for people obsessed with racing, who have to endure that last 24 hours like a 5 year old waiting for Santa!
More seriously, it is a chance for bookmakers to balance their books as they compete to offer the better odds. It’s also a chance for serious punters to make substantial wagers prior to the madness of Cup Day itself and it can be a great bonding time, as tables of mates combine resources to hold group bets.
This year was no different, most unfancied runners went for a bath and sizeable support came for choice runners that had either impressed in recent efforts, or were being spruiked by connections. The main action came for Americain, who as last year’s winner, had his quote expanded from the recent $4.80 to $5.50. Others supported heavily on the day were Lucas Cranach, Mourayan, At First Sight and Niwot.
At conclusion and in one of the foyers, a man with an Irish accent was overheard making a phonecall. At the other end was obviously someone wanting to know a little of what had gone on. He replied: “I don’t know, just seems like a bunch of blokes spraying their cash around to me.” This got a laugh from several of ‘the blokes’ in the vacinity, for in truth that’s probably the ‘snapshot’ of the ‘snapshot’.