Bookmakers left reeling as Doc Sportello lands gamble.
There will have been big cheers from somewhere at 17.05 this evening as the well-backed Doc Sportello won the 17.00 at Newcastle after what appeared to be a huge gamble pre-race.
Sent of at 8/1, the Michael Herrington trained 5yo was over double that price just eight minutes before the off. In fact, at 16.41 punters could still back the two-time winner at 22/1 with Skybet. Then came the plunge! The 22/1 on offer soon disappeared, so too the 20's, 16's, all the way down to 15/2 just before the off.
In what was a thrilling race, jockey Robert Winston steered his mount from the rear of the field through to the front entering the final furlong. On more than one occasion he looked to be beat but jockey and horse pulled it out of the fire just in time to get their heads in front on the line.
See you on Finals Day! The progressive Doc Sportello books his @awchamps ticket with victory in our Fast-Track Qualifier at @NewcastleRaces: pic.twitter.com/dpAl7A8pL2
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 12, 2017
