Almanac Racing – Woolamai’s no picnic for Racing’s innovators

We dis racing authorities for lacking initiative and then, of course, pounce on any issues that arise when a new enterprise gets wobbly. But the decision to offer full TAB coverage for the Woolamai picnics was FWD, notwithstanding the positives of coverage given to arguably the most vibrant segment of the local game. Sadly we have to accept that there was a risk. Most sports corruption is at the “lower paid” level. Look at the Pakistanis who spent years being paid “jack” whilst their Admin travelled first-class. It’s unlikely ManU or Federer can be led astray when they’re on such good coin (though there’s the JMac racing oddity to show what greed or pressure can do!). Anyway, one meeting and now one inquiry – https://rv.racing.com/news/2017-01-06/stewards-report—rob-kirkpatrick. Let’s hope it’s a red herring but hmmm.

There’ve been some sad moments for Racing this week, especially the passing of Margaret Quinton, wife and truly partner of gentleman and champion jockey/mentor/trainer Ron. Her sudden death will have rocked many.

Also noticed that trainer Graeme Spackman died, with his former charge Monday Hangover saluting at Nowra at good odds yesterday.

Racing also lost one of the great broodmares in Helsinge – mothering Black Caviar and All Too Hard is quite a legacy.

Other than that, it is business as usual…trots scandals (they’ve found the allegedly rigged race at Cobram a couple of years ago…everything else seems OK!) and more cobalt charges from RVL.

The big prizes are on the Gold Coast this weekend where the Magic Millions Sales and races get plenty of hype and some pretty good horses. Winning Rupert is certainly a drawcard.

Flemington’s meeting is highlighted by the Chester Manifold (MR7, 1400m, Hcp, Listed). The quality of the fields will improve considerably over coming weeks as Feb is the “new autumn”! …Diamond/Futurity/OakleighPlate 25/2 and the Lightning a week prior.

Good luck!

Comments

  1. continuing the unfortunate obit theme – Valmae, wife of Bart, died today. Mum remembers her as a good tuckshop partner from Our Lady of Fatima and SHC days! Lovely lady. R.I.P.

  2. Crio, what is FWD ? I daren’t surmise its meanings.

    I watched the Woolamai nags on the TV. didn’t have a bet but was happy watching the picnics get a guernsey.

    One of my big whines is about the fact there were small country town whose races used to have TAB status but have over time lost it, costing the clubs $$ they could benefit from. Berrigan and Tumut are two i’m particularly thinking of.

    No it’ s good to see a track out in the sticks getting a plug on the TV. Good onya Woolamai and all involved in the coverage ; more than i might say re Benalla.

    Glen!

  3. Glen- FWD = fraught with danger

  4. Fair enough Crio. It might have been F WD but I think I W W : it went well .

    I’d be happy seeing Yea on the TV. Next meeting there Saturday fortnight 28/1.

    Glen!

  5. Get off t a flyer with Emptor in the first at Flemington, egt blinkers and I’m very keen. Another with blinkers I like is Hale Soriano in the 6th. Looks like it could be a procession from the front with Top me Up in the 7th as there doesn’t appear to be anything likely to take it on and a bit keen on I’m Ablaze in the last. Looks like I will be committed to a quaddie in Melb.
    I like a few in Adelaide, Lexgetreddy in the 3rd has had no luck recent runs and should get a good run today outside the lead or perhaps in front. In the 4th Riziz goes OK fresh, the track is rated soft 5 and if it stays there he will like it, also seems to go well for the female jockeys and the one on board is on fire at the moment. My best is Finke in race 7.
    Thanks to Glen for asking for an explanation of Crio’s acronym, given it started with F, I was surmising something else.

  6. put mine on Emptor now Jock – sorry!

  7. too much weight on Emptor, I’m fighting my way out of trouble

  8. cast

  9. in an eerie coincidence I had noticed that a D Panya was the only apprentice riding at the Crass Coast meeting today.
    And she duly saluted in race six on Testashadow at big odds.
    her background is worth a read.
    https://www.g1x.com.au/news/racing/sister-act-deanne-and-beany-panya#.WHmhGt59Yqw.facebook

  10. Thanks Mick, theirs is a great story. Such distinctive names! Pretty good hoops. Good luck to them.

  11. What an extraordinary turn of events in Adel on Sat! Just unbelievable that, no matter one’s state of mind, that a jockey could turn on his own. What would he think if someone did that to him? He can be thanking his lucky stars that it didn’t end up worse, or he would be facing criminal charges which would’ve ended up a long term not out of the saddle, but off the streets. A gaol term would’ve been inevitable had the unthinkable happened.
    Some news of bets placed etc, any mail here on what caused this mayhem? I’ve noticed there seem to be a couple of Adel people in this forum. Any news on it?

  12. I still haven’t seen it Higgo, but the response has been suitably outraged from hoops. He’s gone

  13. Click on link below for replay, best watched on laptop rather than mobile device, the clear “intent” is then obvious. Unbelievable!

    https://www.theracessa.com.au/race/5117165

  14. No background info re any reason, maybe due to Jock supporting House of Wax ( and Regal Spur) who would have certainly gone close.
    I doubt we will ever see him in the saddle again, clearly has weight and ‘other’ issues and should be getting 12 months minimum.

  15. The Swedish girlfriend factor has long been a trap for young players.

  16. Crio, Jock and Budge – I have a memory from the 70’s of Michael Miller riding a heavily backed speedster from an outside trap over 5f at Cheltenham. Jumped a length in front then crossed straight to the rail knocking down a half dozen rivals inside him. Got the chocolates and 6 months from memory. Craziest ride I had seen until the Cartwright carnage.
    Can you remember it and have you got any other examples of dodgem car demons?

  17. G’day Jock, i have long followed Rizzi. He was good sprinter in his day. Placed at G1, winner of G2 , G3 and listed races, but WTF another campaign ?!?

    Yes i know he’s gelded,so can’t go out to stud, but he’s an eight year old, won over $800,000.00 for his owners, though his best is long past him. He’s not won since 2015, i think he was placed in 2 out of 8 starts in his last prep,then he comes back running fourth in a six horse race.

    It’s almost like flogging a dead horse. Hopefully he can go out for a well earned retirement, being remembered as a damn good sprinter, rather than continuing on running around in races he has no chance of winning.

    Phew, that’s my soapbox .

    Glen!

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