TAB cuts on Fagan to win Golden Shears Open, on form

TAB cuts on Fagan to win Golden Shears Open, on form

Betting on legendary shearer David Fagan to win one last Golden Shears Open title has seen the TAB slash his odds today just hours before he lines up with about 70 others in the iconic events heats in Masterton.

The 53-year-old Fagan started a $3 favourite when the TAB opened a book on the final three weeks ago, and TAB sportsmaker Kieran McAnulty said the “money has started to go on now,” leading to the odds being cut to $2.50 ahead of the heats starting early-afternoon.

“I think it’s fair to say when we opened-up it was with the anticipations there would be money conming on because if it his last Golden Shears, but his performances since then has made him the genuine favourite on form.”

Fagan has won seven consecutive finals throughouth the ountry in the last month, including a treble at Taumarunui, Apiti and Pahiatua last Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the first time the treble had been achieved since he won all three event 18 years ago.

“We have taken a number of bets in the $500 to $1000 range,” said Mr McAnulty.

The tightening of Fagan’s odds has seen a drift in the odds of the next-most favoured, 2010 winner Cam Ferguson, of Waipawa, Scottish Taranaki farmer Gavin Mutch, and Wairarapa hope David Buick, of Pongaroa, all now at $6. The 2006 winner, Dion King, of Hastings, is now at $8.

Mr McAnulty announced today that bets will also be taken for the first time on who will shear the fastest time in the final. Betting will open lateon Saturday afternoon as soon as the six finalists are known.

The win option on the Open final, the six-man glamour event of 20 sheep each and set to start just after 9pm tomorrow(Saturday), is one of 17 options the TAB is running on the Golden Shears.

Mr McAnulty says more and more bets are being made through internet accounts, the popularity of the event being highlighted in the 40,000 views Golden Shears events had on live-streaming last year. Improved streaming is expected to attract even more views this year.

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