by Chris Riordan
It was a wonderful day’s racing at Flemington and Randwick and, I must add, Almanackers were once again well directed if they looked to our site for guidance.
I warned to avoid the early races and the first “shortie” got rolled with the winner, Master Harry (Moody/Nolen) very impressive.
Precedence bolted in (R2) after heavy support. Appropriately named, this should have confirmed to punters how well Bart’s horses are going and (boom, boom!) set the precedence for his afternoon.
Response (R3) was highly rated and won comfortably. Big wraps on this filly. Marveen was a late scratching but would not have won anyway. Delta Gee ran well and is worth following.
Elmore won a race (R4) that should not have been fixtured here.
footyalmanac.com really did give pointers to the Big Six which went unclaimed.
Be Positive won the first leg (R5) much to Budge’s anguish after he had it in all exotics last start. It was backed for a fortune in the ring late…Freeza, you should have seen your old enemy, Alan Eskander, after the race. Honestly, he looked pale, “fly-blown” as we used to say, for at least 20 minutes after that race! Form from it is unreliable as it was a “trot and canter”. The predictable flashed home.
Budge and I were then very keen on Vigor to win the Blamey (R6) and bet accordingly. Elvis warned of Lord Tavistock who swooped just as we were claiming our cash. Hissing Sid (Freeza) was an outstanding Warrnambool Cup trial. Doctor Fremantle might improve.
Rock Classic (R7) was mentioned last week as we all had problems with Denman’s staying capacity and short quote – they took $1.65 at the death! I thought Linton was under the odds but it ran well and Set for Fame just kept going to wrong spots as Luke Nolen fatefully followed the favorite expecting a cart in to the race. The hard track* put me off the winner which was silly as $20 was double my rating.
Heart of Dreams again failed to stay (R8) and I plonked Sirmione, hailed in the shadows, but the winner, Zipping was well supported, well deserved and, as a Cox Plate/Sandown Classic class of horse, easy to have. Bart’s horses filled the placings with Moatize flashing home.
My shining light came in the sprint (R9) where I tipped Devil May Care which saluted at $31.20!
The preview then nailed the easy $105 trifecta in the last (I backed Confidence Reef straight out!) so I feel we have pointed punters in the right direction.
Replays will generate winners.
Moody and Cummings seem “on fire”.
A step up in distance (Denman and Heart of Dreams) can undo classy horses.
The free admission to Flemington yesterday, though poorly promoted, resulted in a really good crowd and a great day’s racing.
Focus now turns to Sydney.
Hinchinbrook (R2) and Crystal Lily (R4) were winners yesterday and star Slipper trials, whilst some bubbles burst.
Shoot Out (R6) was a magnificent Guineas winner in a strong Derby oriented field. I think the Sydney form here is pretty good.
If interest demands, we’ll push on from the Melbourne “Festival of Racing” and continue to look for winners. Please contribute ideas and comments.
*The track, Elvis, unlike Our Aqaleem, was upgraded from Dead to Good.
Crio,
You made a good deal with the “Devil”. Well done.
Our Aqaleem was downgraded from good to dead.
Until Friday.
Much to like about all of that Crio – the fly-blown Esk, the sage advice sprinkled throughout, the excellent get with Devil May Care. As it crossed the line I had that feeling of ‘uh-oh, someone stuck up for it and I didn’t take the tip’.
Not that it would have made much diff – I was taking trifectas and didn’t have Mrs Waters, and the dry crumbs left at the bottom of our quaddie jar were not enough to include four in the skinny leg, the Guineas, so gone straight up.
Giddy Up Crio, column on fire, keep it rolling for Sydney. And geez the win of Shoot Out was unbelievable. Nearly fell at the 200, but once it got out it just flew; long strides, neck low.
I’m on Military Rose into Littorio, Slipper/BMW – and that’s the one and only pre-post I’ll be having I’d say.
cheers
Are you going to the ‘Bool?
Yeah, who’s going to the Bool?
They wouldn’t hold the meeting if Freezer and Gears didn’t turn up.
Anyone else going?
I’m up for it (I think!).
That would then make me a prime target for the anti-jumps floss as I’m also going to Oakbank.
Daff and others,
At this stage, I’m going to the ‘Bool.
Er, come in with the late news Eric Pearce, but yes, we’re off to the Bool
We’d better line em up on the bar then.