Irish billionaire JP McManus has laid down a staggering total of $1 million on Hopewell Rock, eyeing off a mouth-watering $9.6 million payday if the Irish raider wins the 2026 Melbourne Cup.

The best price offered by the four bookmakers, Lyndon Cleary, Chris Lester, Natalie Hinkley and Robbie Waterhouse, was $10 during Monday’s Call of the Card.

The punter laid down the gauntlet, requesting a $1 million wager at the $10 price — and Lester initially took $500,000 with Cleary fronting $30,000.

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After the room get their bets in, that same punter went about filling the remainder of his seven-figure wager, saying: “You can fill up the rest at $9.50”.

Hinkley took $150,000 at $9.50, before the remaining $320,000 bet was placed at $9 odds — taking the total winnings to a staggering $9.6 million payday.

Irish horse Hopewell Rock ridden by Cole Harris gallops during early morning trackwork at the Werribee Racecourse on November 2, 2026.
Irish horse Hopewell Rock ridden by Cole Harris gallops during early morning trackwork at the Werribee Racecourse on November 2, 2026.Source: AFP

Elsewhere, McManus also requested multiple others bets to win $2 million, including on his own horse Goodie Two Shoes, as well as Soul of Spain, So You Are and Zakouma.

While considering the bet proposed on Soul of Spain, Hinkley delivered a hilarious line.

“It’s a lot of money,” Hinkley said.

“It’s going to have to be a bank transfer, is there anyone that can bring me a glass of champagne up to the table? Because I am about to say yes, that’s a bet.”

Another punter requested a $300,000 bet at $21 odds on James J Braddock, with three bookmakers fronting the bill, which could result in an eye-watering $6.3 million payday.

Favourite Point of Law also saw some huge betting moves, including a bet to win $2 million from the McManus Family and another to win $1 million at $8 odds.

The Irish businessman and racehorse owner also had $100,000 to win at $7 with Hinkley on Trustyourinstinct.

Shockletz fielded two $50,000 both at $11 dollars, with a return of $550,000 looming for that pair.

JP McManus (L) and champion trainer Gai Waterhouse are seen at the official Press Conference ahead of the 2026 Melbourne Cup.Source: Getty Images

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Wolfden betting laid down $90,000 on Enfjfaar at $26, split between bookies, to return $2.34 million while Tom Waterhouse had healthy bets on Zahrann and So You Are to win $500,000 and $280,000.

Mr Monaco was another popular runners, while Wine Dark Sea saw support as well as Future History, with the betting action seeing Waterhouse receive a wave of boos.

A $20,000 bet was requested at $91 for the Gregory Hickman-trained runner, with Lyndon floating the four on stage split the wager.

However, Waterhouse wouldn’t budge on his original quoted price of $91, agreeing only to his odds.

“Sorry, Robbie the price was $91,” host Jason Richardson said when Waterhouse refused the $91 price.

“And I quoted $81,” Waterhouse said.

Hinkley, as she did throughout the call, then fronted the remaining $5,000.

Mark Zahra riding Royal Supremacy defeats Ben Melham riding Future History.Source: Getty Images

Elsewhere, Sportsbet have seen favourite Point of Law garner a significant amount of interest in betting alongside Trustyourinstinct, So You Are, Shockletz and Juja Kibo.

They have also taken $15,000 on Hopewell Rock, $5,400 on Royal Supremacy and $5,000 on Kizlyar.

SIGNIFICANT BETS WITH THE BOOKIES

$6000 WIN @ $51 on 8. Wine Dark Sea: $306,000 — TAB

$3000 WIN @ $51 on 17. Future History: $153,000 — TAB

$16,500 WIN @ $7 on 20. Point of Law: $115,500 — Palmerbet

$7500 WIN @ $13 on 11. Juja Kibo: $97,500 — Palmerbet

$1250 EW @ $51/$13 on 14. Soul Of Spain: $80,000 — Palmerbet

$2000 WIN @ $34 on 23. Zakouma: $68,000 — TAB

$1000 WIN @ $61 on 5. Vauban: $61,000 — TAB

$5000 WIN @ $11 on 12. Hopewell Rock: $55,000 — TAB

$2000 WIN @ $26 on 10. Goodie Two Shoes: $52,000 — TAB

$500 WIN @ $51, $1000 PLACE @ $13 on 3. Knights Choice: $38,500 — Palmerbet

$1000 EW @ $26/$8 on 16. So You Are: $34,000 — Palmerbet



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