Penny Veejay is the horse punters have come for in pre-post betting heading into Saturday night’s Campbell’s Cash & Carry Legends Mile at Moonee Valley.
The Jayne Davies-trained gelding was the big shortener in TAB Sportsbet's fixed odds market for $50,000 Group 2 race, coming in from his opening quote of $7.50 to the third line at $5.50 in the first 36 hours of betting.
Punters don’t seem to be concerned the seven-year-old is dropping back from the 3150m of the Kilmore to the 1609m of the Legends Mile.
The Legends Mile will be the son of Village Jasper’s first start since finishing a narrow second to Sting Lika Bee in track record time in that memorable Kilmore Cup on October 28.
Master driver Gavin Lang can see why punters are warming to Penny Veejay’s chances.
“He’s last three runs have been very good and he’s shown before his liking for short races, so given the barrier draw (gate two), I think he’ll be right in the mix,” said Lang, who replaces Chris Alford as Penny Veejay’s driver.
The backing for Penny Veejay has seen the two at the top of market both drift slightly. Polemarker By My Side is now $2.20 after opening 10 cents shorter than that, while fellow star five-year-old Smoken Up (barrier five) is out from $3.50 to $3.80.
Sting Lika Bee and Cincinnati Kid remain solid at $6.50 and $11 respectively, while Popular Alm Sprint winner Courtygaz is the only other runner under 25-1 at $18 (out from $16).
Solar Active has been the best-backed runner in one of two other features on the Legends Mile program, the $20,000 Group 3 The George Gath for the trotters.
The Joe Abela-trained eight-year-old has come in for good support, firming from his original quote of $11 into $9.
Sundons Gift remains the $2.80 favourite, out from $2.75, despite his 30-metre handicap with Split Image out to $5.50 after opening at $5.
Deanna Troy, Apennyspent and Ladyinred are the only runners under double figures in the night’s other feature, the $20,000 The Blossom Lady for mares.
Deanna Troy and Apennyspent have been steady at $2.60 and $3.60 respectively, while Ladyinred has drifted slightly from $3.60 to $3.80.
