The punters didn't waste any time charging into Nathan Purdon's exciting mare Spellbound for her return in the opening leg of the Elizabeth Clarke Mares Triple Crown this Saturday night.

The four-year-old was met with a flurry of four-figure bets when markets opened early this week and subsequently firmed from a quote of $2.80 into $1.90 by Friday morning.

Spellbound, who is first-up following a narrow second placing in the Group 1 Golden Girl in Queensland during July, will clash with a quality field of mares in the Group 3 TAB Make Mine Cullen, which is one of the real highlights on the Ballarat card.

Lining up to beat her is Emma Stewart's reigning Victorian 3YO Pacing Filly of the Year Maajida, David Miles’ pair The Pantheist and Enchanted Stride, as well as a host of others vying for the lion's share of the $30,000 prize.

Below are some of the early big bets placed with the TAB for Saturday night’s meeting.

RACE 7

Win 1,200 @ 2.80 SPELLBOUND

Win 300 @ 2.10 SPELLBOUND

Win 500 @ 2.80 SPELLBOUND

Win 1,600 @ 2.30 SPELLBOUND

Win 2,000 @ 2.10 SPELLBOUND

Win 2,500 @ 2.00 SPELLBOUND

Win 1,900 @ 1.95 SPELLBOUND

RACE 8

Win 400 @ 4.80 QUEEN ELIDA

Win 400 @ 3.60 QUEEN ELIDA

CLICK HERE FOR TAB MARKETS ON SATURDAY NIGHT'S RACING