16 October 2011

Why are bookmakers taking bets on declared non-runners?

So Atlantic Jewel is out of the Cox Plate:
"The Cox Plate is just too soon for her, she is in her first preparation," Coolmore's Tom Magnier said last night."
Yet this morning on TVN's Racing Review, up goes the sportingbet.com.au market for the WS Cox Plate, with Atlantic Jewel third favourite at 5-1. In chimes Bruce Clark: "There's Atlantic Jewel, take it out, $5, won't be running, not nominated." So what is it doing there listed as third favourite? We know it's all-in betting, but Centrebet, Sportsbet and TAB Fixed Odds have all taken Atlantic Jewel out of the market. Yet as of 10.40pm AEST, Sportingbet was apparently still taking wagers on a horse that will not be running. Why?