No picnic at Caulfield

by Chris Riordan

Mid-January is usually a time of VISA bills and economic tightening and Race Clubs tend to keep their powder dry with pretty average cards at all major venues – though keep an eye on the Gold Coast where, weather permitting, some exciting events take place around the Magic Millions extravaganza. Will Gerry Harvey (shareholder) allow buyers to bid on line or spec on imports?

If you want to enjoy the races over the holiday period, try going to a picnic meeting. Today’s is at beautiful Dederang, in the Kiewa Valley in Victoria’s North-East. Always check for BYO rulings and transport packages and expect some interesting fashions and things like tug ‘o war. We used to try and get to some of the circuit, preferably booking in to a pub or park and making a whole weekend of the experience.  Check this site for more info http://www.countryracing.com.au/ Backing a winner is a bonus.

Much as I’d like to be out of town, today I’ll be hanging around Turfbet’s stand at Caulfield and looking forward to the feature race (R6, 1200m, $100,000, Listed) in which our King Carnage (10) will be a 14/1 chance. He’s going well – again I am very unhappy at the jockey appointment – but the topweight, First Command, looks to be in a different class. He was, however, disappointing at Sandown so, if he is not fancied, there will be a rally for others, primarily Gerald Ryan’s Ego’s Dare (6). Put the King in your multis. The second leg of SuperTab’s Daily Double (R8, 1400m) wiill pit two good, in form horses, At The Heads (5) and Shadowfax (8), in a battle for favoritism. I’ll be saving on Ma Shang second-up (1) at odds. If you are in front of a TV earlier, watch the first two races. Skinny fields and no value, but good pointers to future riches. Speaking of which, write Registered Nurse in to your black book after her emphatic Maiden win at Mornington this afternoon (Friday). She will provide Benny Hill-esque puns for a while.

Safe travels, happy holidays and good punting.

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