With Saturday's CAULFIELD CUP looming large, clients of the Michael Eskander office have continued to splurge on the major fancies.  One time favourite Republic Lass, who ran moderately at the weekend, met with support yesterday to the tune of $50,000 to $5,000, from the same punter who had $45,000 to $5,000 last week! 

Dash For Cash, whose price plummeted over the past fortnight, has had continual support, first at $21, then at $17 and $15, now he shares the $13 line with Beekeeper.  One astute client coupled Dash For Cash, Northerly and Helene Vitality in doubles with top Cox Plate (Lonhro, Sunline) and Melbourne Cup (Vinnie Roe, Pugin) chances for multiple $100,000 results.

As anticipated, Northerly has had some serious admirers this week.  We bet one enterprising client $20,000 to $3,000, and laid a further series of good win-only bets at $7.  We also fielded a bet of $100,000 to $4,000 about Northerly completing the Caulfield Cup/Cox Plate double.

The David Hall trained Pentastic, who probably lacks the media profile of some of his rivals, is well fancied at $10 after we laid $20,000 to $2,000 each way late yesterday.

In the COX PLATE, punters have warmed to champion mare Sunline after her grand run at Caulfield on the weekend.  We were happy to bet a 'nation-high' $5.50 on Monday morning, but quickly corrected to $5 once the good support came.  Bel Esprit, who has been unlayable all spring, was backed from $34 to $26, one punter claimed us for $40,000 to $1200.  The colt was also exceptionally popular in Caul/Cox and Cox/Melb doubles.  What a difference 90 seconds makes in racing!

We are also betting pre-post on tomorrow's VATC THOUSAND GUINEAS.  Sydney filly Victory Vein is favourite at $2.80.