Almanac Racing: Winx @HQ
Flemington’s meeting is a conundrum – the bonus of Winx probably compensates for what’s a bit of a disappointing card for this high profile day. A really good meeting but we’re at the pointy end now so usually want more depth.
The VRC’s had a good crack at promoting the “mighty mare” and her first visit to HQ. The Turnbull Stakes itself, like a Sydney feature, is a dud as a race as Humidor and the fav are classes above the few opponents who’ll earn good coin for just going around. 3.15pm.
The Gilgai’s another major race that’s come up a bit short with just 9 acceptors (MR4, 1200m, G2). It’s going to be interesting to see how markets are structured here as punters face the old dilemma of a lack of pace in smallish fields and the choice of which part of the track to attack. Counterintuitively I’m with Silent Sedition. This flies in the face of my determination to stick with horses for courses – last time here the winners were the victors of last year’s Melbourne Cup, Australian Cup and Newmarket Handicap – it happens every year and I try to defy the stats again!
One thing’s for sure; most of the races – especially the Quaddy Legs of the Edward Manifold, The Bart Cummings, the Blazer and even the lacklustre lottery of the last – will provide solid form for Cup Week which is less than a month away.
There’s also a city meeting at The Valley on Friday Night. It’s a far cry from last Friday night’s brilliant racing highlighted by She Will Reign in the Moir, but this will be a summer staple that relies on good weather and non-punters. Miss Vista in the 955m dash is probably the main attraction.
Up in Sydney it is the Spring Champion/Roman Consul and assorted Group races – I’m not up with their form at all…but, as usual, can be lured with a bit of logic or even a tug of the coat-tails!
If you’re having a try, good luck!
For more Turnbull Stakes check out Sal’s preview
About christopher riordan
The Turnbull field is a bizarre one, especially with Magicool and Skyfire in it, both surely way unders at 300-1. You have to commend Mornington trainer Amy Johnston for entering Skyfire, despite it being 100-1 in a benchmark-78 last start. Sixth and seventh placings get $10,000 prize money so it is guaranteed a cheeky payday, not to mention the thrill the owners would get from seeing their horse in the same mounting yard as Winx.
Tom,
Couldn’t agree more mate re Amy Johnston and Skyfire. The owners pay a poultice to have a horse in work and tomorrow will be a “tell your grandchildren” day for them. Priceless.
Well said Elvis. Good luck to you tomorrow. I’ll buy a book for you as you have a runner as the sole owner in a Group Race at HQ. Fantastic!
I’m 100% on board with Amy Johnson, what owner wouldn’t want to get a run in a group1 when you know you are going to end up $5K in front?
Otherwise I find the meetings all a bit lack lustre but will be loading up on Good Project in the last with the shades on first time.
I’m with you Tom et al. I’d love to have a runner at Flemington let alone on a big dy and in a feature event.
And just a reminder that it is Murtoa Cup Day.
And the fav in race 7 at Murtoa is ‘Rat with Goldtooth’.