RE: Willing to bet...I am not sure I buy this theory. I think it more likely that it is some retail investor(s) trying to accumulate, knocking it down late in the day. I have done the same the other way, buying a little to close it up at the end of the day. And, I got slapped by my broker for doing it!
The proof will be in the pudding. Once the options have been issued, the practice should stop, if your theory is legitimate. If it does then I will be the first to alert the OSC that some skulduggery has occurred
Piper