Senior TAB trader Tim Ryan fears the love for Autumn Glow could make her a $1 million liability for the bookmaker in the Golden Eagle on Saturday at Royal Randwick.
Ryan said on Friday that while the payout on an Autumn Glow win in the $10 million race was nowhere near seven figures yet, “there’s every chance it gets there on raceday” as the money continued to come for the unbeaten Chris Waller-trained mare.
Liking the chances of Linebacker to cause an upset, Ryan pushed Autumn Glow’s price out, only then to reel it back in as punters pounced.
“I’m a little bit against Autumn Glow,” Ryan said. “Just thinking it’s her toughest test to date. She’s fourth-up this preparation, and she’s never been that deep in a prep. And four weeks between runs with the barrier trial.
“So I bet $2.30 and now she’s into $1.90, and she’s the best backed horse anywhere across the country. I think she’s holding twice as much as the next most popular horse, which is Observer in the VRC Derby.
“Punters absolutely love her. They won’t hear of her getting beat. I don’t think she’s an odds-on chance, but I’m a bit hamstrung by the money coming in.”
Trainer Chris Waller leads Autumn Glow back from track work at Rosehill Gardens on Wednesday.Credit: KATE GERAGHTY
He had taken bets of $4000 and $5000 for Autumn Glow to win and one of $50,000 on her to run a place at $1.25. He said Autumn Glow’s role in multis was “going to be very important” to the overall liability.
“There’s short-priced favourites at Randwick and even more so in Melbourne,” he said. “A lot is going to come down to how those favourites go early in the day and the multi roll.
