Almanac Racing – 35 years since The King, the new Queen will reign

Money Valley’s always been aggressive with its marketing, at least since the days of Ian McEwen, but this year the hype’s gone to a new level and it seems the crowds will follow.

Saturday’s being touted as a sell-out and it is all down to Winx. She’s a star and the Cox Plate’s more like an exhibition gallop/lap of honour than a contest, but the theatre of the occasion should nevertheless be memorable. She should be under $1.10 by my rating. Why not?

The rest of Saturday’s card is good but I’ll have my annual whinge that they’ve diluted the quality by spreading 18 races over the 12 hour extravaganza – not to mention risking the track when the “WFA Championship” is essentially R17. Gambling turnover will overrule logic.

The Mile and the Vase are mainstays of the big meeting and always deliver. I’ll be betting on It’s Somewhat and saving on Religify in MR8, tipping that it’s on-pacers to dictate. Weiry’s colt Cliff’s Edge will be favoured to back up from the Norman Robinson and win the mile and a quarter feature (MR10) en route to The Derby.

Fine weather and a cracking sprint means the Moonee Ponds junction will be gridlocked on Friday night – get the train and walk along Puckle Street if you want to save angst. This should be a wonderful night and the Manikato has some challenges for punters – essentially a lack of real early speed. As such, you have to go with Vega Magic and maybe spec on Hey Doc for a blowout.

A milestone weekend for racing.

Get involved. I’ll be on the front computer for Awesome Bet on the Rails. Come and say g’day.

Good luck!

 

Comments

  1. Agree with you Chris on It’s Somewhat. My only doubt is barrier 1, as the inside is unlikely the place to be on Day 2. Banking on K Mc to angle him away from rails when they get to the school.

    I like Master Reset tonight, loves the track and 2nd up form is great. This race looks the target he’s been set for.

    Hard to go past Vega Magic in Manikato, but don’t think I can take even money.

    Think Oregon’s Day can get back into the winner’s circle on Saturday, looks to be good pace on paper that will allow her to settle and think she can loop the field.

  2. I’m trying to get to next week with money in the bank but I’m struggling to find any standouts. I’ll be having something on Sanadaat in the 4th and Salsamor in the last who will really appreciate the 2040 metres. Duckworth is a middle pinner with a chance in the last in Adelaide.

  3. great win by Winx. I only just watched it. she worked hard and finished as well as any, and she and Humidor were lengths clear of the rest

    I never thought I would see the King’s feat matched, and I would probably still favour him over 1600m at Randwick with the brilliant acceleration and Halwes-like cruising speed, but she can’t do any more or better than she has done.

    yet another deadset champion, we are lucky, we are.

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