Legendary owner JP McManus placed more than A$2 million in wagers at Melbourne’s annual Call of the Card event on November 2, 2026, staking £523,000 on British candidate Hopewell Rock ahead of the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- Market Shifts: McManus’s A$1m push on Hopewell Rock drastically altered the betting boards at the Crown Palladium, thrusting the George Boughey-trained contender into co-favoritism.
- Tactical Value: Strategic backing of Joseph O’Brien runners, including James J Braddock at 20/1, highlights value hunting on stamina-profiled European stayers.
- Stable Representation: McManus maintains a dual-pronged tactical approach with his own runners, Trustyourinstinct and last year’s runner-up Goodie Two Shoes, entering the 24-horse field.
A Record-Breaking Night at the Crown Palladium
The annual Call of the Card function delivered scenes rarely witnessed in global racing as McManus made his historic first visit to the Melbourne tradition. Working in tandem with fellow owner Paul Byrne, the syndicate methodically dismantled bookmaker ledgers in front of a sell-out crowd of over 1,000 attendees.
JP McManus sparked sensational scenes on the eve of the Melbourne Cup by staking more than A$2 million of bets on the race – including A$1m (£523,000/€627,000) worth of wagers on leading British candidate Hopewell Rock🔗 https://t.co/9af8LMWrGx pic.twitter.com/KD3Ed1UQks
According to Sporting Life reporting, the headline play centered on the George Boughey-trained Hopewell Rock. After starting the session with targeted plays on Soul Of Spain at 33/1 and Zakouma at 40/1, the betting partners launched a calculated assault on the feature market.
Swiftbet layer Natalie Hinkley and bookmaker Chris Lester absorbed the historic volume, ultimately laying the massive wagers that secured a potential A$10m payout on the Ebor runner-up. Racing Post details how the syndicate finished the afternoon by locking in ante-post favoritism for Point Of Law.
Stamina Profiles and Tactical Dynamics
Hopewell Rock arrives at Flemington following a rigorous European campaign that featured a victory at Glorious Goodwood before a narrow defeat in the Ebor Handicap. Richard Brown, racing adviser to owners Wathnan Racing, noted that the five-year-old possesses the ideal mental temperament and athletic engine required for the gruelling two-mile test.
The race dynamic shifted further when McManus expanded his portfolio to include Joseph O’Brien’s James J Braddock at odds of 20/1. Irish Examiner notes that the syndicate capitalized on an expected drop of rain, reasoning that the prevailing conditions would not inconvenience the stamina-heavy profile of the European raider.
| Horse | Trainer | Stake / Odds | Target Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopewell Rock | George Boughey | £523,000 (~A$1m) / Various | A$10m |
| James J Braddock | Joseph O’Brien | A$150,000 / 20-1 | A$3m |
| Goodie Two Shoes | Joseph O’Brien | Various / 25-1 | A$2m |
| Zakouma | Various | Various / 40-1 | A$2m |
Managing Internal Stable Expectations
While the heavy financial backing went to a high-profile rival, McManus retains direct ownership interest in two major contenders for the Melbourne feature: Trustyourinstinct and Goodie Two Shoes. Limerick Leader confirms that the stable stalwarts completed their quarantine and travel routines without incident.
“Both have had great preparations, they’ve had no hic-ups along the way. They’ve travelled down well and settled in well. It’s been their target for some time so should they not win, we have no excuses,” McManus told Racing.com.
Reflecting on the unique atmosphere of the pre-race function, McManus contrasted the Australian betting spectacle with traditional European fixtures. He observed that while high-stakes public wagering on this scale rarely materializes in Britain or Ireland, the transparency and public engagement inject unmatched publicity into the global racing calendar.
The Road to Flemington
With barrier draws finalized and veterinary clearances concluded, attention pivots directly to the starting stalls at Flemington. Point Of Law leads the market following a decisive victory in the Geelong Cup for trainer Ciaron Maher, drawing sharp comparisons to the established European form lines brought by the O’Brien and Boughey stables.
As the international contingent prepares for the grueling two-mile handicap, the unprecedented financial commitment from racing’s most recognizable syndicate guarantees intense scrutiny on how the stamina-laden European speed maps unfold.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
