Almanac Racing: Crio’s best tip this week is for Warrnambool (but it’s a good one)

Years of working on course has taught me that the last couple of Saturdays pre-Christmas are a write off. The money’s just not there. What staggers me is that is somehow tends to reappear after the “Santa pause”, when I’d reckon everyone should be skint (except for miserable bastards like myself who spend nowt on the northern winter solstice!).

So you cast around and it is hard to recommend a bet for local zealots.

Internationally, it’s a different story with Hong Kong on Sunday the standout. Their Cup/Mile/Sprint/Vase Day is elite and deserving of attention regardless of Australian participants. Those who’ve made the trek reckon this Carnival’s a beauty – you lob by Wednesday to enjoy the “Challenge” night and kick on until the Sunday features. The runners are top notch, with Japan’s guns adding to the mix. Over here the media stays away unless Aussies are involved and betting figures are modest. Rebel Dane and Takedown tackle the Sprint but they’re not high profile. Many of the Euros are spent post-Arc (and avoiding hard decks) and maybe it is an afterthought for our trainers, but if you find the time watch the coverage and enjoy.

Here in Melbourne there’s not much to sell. A $27k Maiden kicks off the Friday night’s Quaddy and the weather forecast’s not great! Flemington on Saturday’s forgettable. Healesville will be packed if the sun comes out. Werribee Cup is on Sunday.

Nostalgia demands that I mention that the Interdominion Final is on in Perth.

Finally, for those of you buying a 2017 Diary, may I suggest you circle the May dates for Warrnambool and, if looking for accommodation, contact me here or Almanacker Andrew Madsen who has some bargain cabins available in Port Fairy – cheap and walking distance to the pubs, from where $10 gets you to the year’s best domestic Carnival. Recommended.

Time to look for a sneaky winner. Help please!

Good luck!

 

Comments

  1. cowshedend says

    Crio ,you joined Airbnb mate? Who sleeps at the ‘Bool’?
    Really like one of Hayes sat. Cardenas, reckon it could be anything.
    By the way did you hear the Doggies won the flag?
    May I never wake up!

  2. I’m thinking of a big lash out TAB wise on Saturday: the Cootamundra Cup. ( Cootamundra is place you drive through !)

    The Tumut horse, Sand Tune, trained by Kerry Wir is of interest. I notice it wasn’t ranked in the Winning Post but it has good Cup form. i saw it win the Corowa Cup in 2015, it also won the Cowra Cup that year, and i’m pretty sure it saluted at odds in the Forbes Cup. Its most recent run was the Griffith Cup, which it won so it’s my best roughie for Saturday. I’ll skip the Valley tonight, focusing instead on Headquarters tomorrow.

    Happy Punting,

    Glen!

  3. Might try a roughie tonight in Race 6 The Big Labrown Ski, has a senior rider up and last run was OK.
    go the dude!

  4. Warrnambool next year Jock?

  5. wait and see for the Bool but if I stay at Port Fairy is Andrew prepared to act as my personal physician in the event of a hangover emergency?

  6. He’s gold. They have had cabins for years and a couple of the stalwarts are scratching. Guaranteed

  7. Andrew Madsen says

    Thanks Chris & Jock,

    I can handout the Berocca as well as anyone at Warrnambool.

    I cannot give the Bool a big enough recommendation.
    Feels like a nostalgic trip down memory lane, the crowd looks very much like one would expect from a race day in the 1960’s.
    Fabulous very competitive racing, jumps sensational, & race caller Rick McIntosh, well worth the trip alone to listen to Rick’s great takes on all things that unfold during the spectacular jumps.
    Rick gets my vote to take over from Greg Miles.
    Do yourself a favour & put the Bool in the diary, first week of May.

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