It’s almost Summer – time for the Winterbottom Stakes

by Chris Riordan

It is mighty hard to rouse much enthusiasm for the races this weekend. The quality of the fields has plummeted and fine weather – a drawcard for Friday Nights at The Valley or even the wonderful Woolamai picnics Saturday – looks unlikely again.
I’ll be at Moonee Valley on Friday. 8 races, spaced 30 mins apart makes it a good night, though admittedly part of its appeal is that i live just down the road. The most interesting Acceptor is MOSHE in R6. This is a significant step up from his soft Maiden “kill” at Bendigo, but Black Caviar’s “little” brother does look destined to push beyond these $30,000 Handicaps.
Sandown on Saturday has big fields with plenty of chances. With deteriorating weather it is advisable to be armed with a good form guide and flick to TVN during the cricket to get some indication of any bias.
The 1300m R6 is particularly interesting and 10 yr old Royal Ida (1), claiming 3, must be hard to beat. Sheedy, despite the wide gate, looks a big danger.
The feature race on the national calendar this week is the Gr2 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot in Perth. It’s great to see Fred Kersley’s colors on the toppy, 8 yr old Marasco, but punters will be looking for Whitefriars (D.Oliver) to frank his Salinger form. That should be good enough for this.
Its often fun looking through the Perth fields…Budge, did you know Great Wall Of China goes around over there (R9)?
I’ve got my King Carnage kitty so i need tips on how to bolster it. Good luck if you are trying.

Comments

  1. No wasn’t aware that GWOC had finished up over there.

  2. mark freeman says

    Congrats on your win last week Crio at the ‘rat. Watched him sail over the line on bigpond replays and went ‘… hang on, isn’t that Crio’s?’ Can’t say you didn’t warn us this time either.

    Robdon Flyer for me tomorrow, but more interested in the Miracle Mile with Monkey King and Black’s a Fake etc tomorrow night. Love a good Miracle Mile.

    Good luck

  3. Thanks Freeza. Just home from the Valley. Lowest hold I can recall. One obvious point for punters – especially those of us with some “incorrect” bias – lisa Cropp is in town and she is a seriously good hoop.

  4. Sadly…did not bet today and Lisa Cropp’s ridden a treble!

  5. Mark Freeman says

    She went off big-time – again, can’t say you didn’t warn us Crio!!

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