Crio’s Racing – Around the World for Sixpence

Pot-shots at The Championships are just too easy – weather and wankers have ruined any chance of an Antipodean showpiece.

The so-called Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day at Royal Randwick (nauseating) faces the usual dilemma of poor weather and an unreliable track… and some pretty good horses lost in the fug.

To be honest, ante post punting (never recommended) is foolhardy in such conditions. The turnover windfall expected was punctured by last weekend’s postponement and certainly won’t be recovered with the forecast unstable. The big ATC dream has turned in to a nightmare – how can you expect people to travel and buy packages next year when the hard data shows “rain”?

This week’s meeting is a mixed bag – big prizemoney and 4 Group Ones allow spruikers to get excited, but in reality there’s a “Group fatigue” setting in (won’t that seem ironic in a few weeks!) and casual punters have mostly moved on to the footy codes – leaving the self-serving breeders, bookies and fashionistas to gush.

The best reason to pay close attention – and this does not require a punt – is to watch the remarkable collection of gun hoops on display. The Magic Man faces some hot talent. Ryan Moore’s in town and good judges rate him as the world’s best. Add Zac Purton, James McDonald, Olly and co and there’ll be some brilliant hoops plying their trade.

As for the card, here are some pointers:-

Arguably the pick of the early races (after a couple of “discardables”) is the Percy Sykes (SR4, 1200m, 2yo, SWP), named for TJ’s legendary vet. A good field, I’m tipping Hawkes and O’Shea to fight it out. 2 from 3.

The G1 highlights are:-

SR6 Oaks (2400m, 3yoF, SW ) – 1 and 2

SR7 Queen Of The Turf (1600m, F+M, WFA) – always a good race. Punters must confront their First Seal (14) demons. I’m still a believer but it hasn’t cost me. Noble Protector has done nothing wrong and is the logical other elect which must go in to exotics. Beyond them it is very open.

SR8 Sydney Cup (3200m, H’cp) – Not interested. Hartnell is pitchforked in at the weights.

SR9 QE Stakes (2000m, WFA, $4m!!) – The Autumn has belonged to Contributer and to the strong Japanese form. Logically that will continue.  1 and 10. Most fascinating will be the reappearance of Cox Plate star Adelaide. Add it and Criterion to the pick4. A great conclusion to the G1 action.

 

The big meeting of the week, however, is far from “Royal” Randwick – over near Liverpool the famous Aintree racecourse hosts its annual jumps Festival, culminating in the remarkable Grand National on Saturday. Famed jockey, Tony McCoy, is the topic for most ruminations, an example of which is found here from The Guardian.

It’s a huge sporting weekend again   The Masters and the Jumps Festival are top seeds for me and, with footy codes all stirred in, I guess Flemington’s card falls off the radar. However, I’ll be there looking for some wages…any help, as always, welcomed.

Good luck!

Comments

  1. Fast Cash finally gets a gear change – “visor on” at Flemington. Drawn the outside, but looks like there will be plenty of pace, to help him get over the top.

    How much will the Randwick track dry out???
    Noble Protector and Adelaide are lays if the track doesn’t.

    Arrowfield – Kuro – Shinn should be able to slot in 3 wide with cover

    Oaks – Ballet Suite/Gust of Wind are the value

    Syd Cup – If weights were re-done Hartnell with a rating of 115, would be equal top weight with Protectionist on 58kg. 6kg+

    QE – Where will J Mac position Contributer? With the Japanese expected to go out hard, maybe out the back? Will need to be outstanding if he can win from back there. All three of his wins this campaign have been sit and sprints, and we has run his last 600m <34secs. This will be a different kettle of fish. I'm be on Criterion – will enjoy a strongly run 2000m, will handle the ground, get a good smoother from barrier 4, and the George Ryder form has well and truly stacked up.

  2. cowshedend says

    On weights Hartnell looks a moral.
    Judge, not sure whether both Japanese horses will jump and run,Tosen Stardom was ridden upside down from its normal race pattern back home,last run in Japan came from near last at the top of the straight with a very long sustained run to get up over 1800, and it’s 2 previous starts settled worse than mid field.

  3. cowshedend says

    Also read an article from 1954 from the Sun re the AJC’s ‘Disgust” at the crowd for the QE, it was 50000, at least 20000 under expectations!
    Also of note was that it was run in Feb. surely dryer and not competing against the footy codes.

  4. There is good racing and fields in the city this week (what do you reckon Jock? ) the locals are thin on the ground but last start Mebourne winner Qadir looks a good e/w in the last
    Glen-the Riverina boys are chasing our stake money with Chris Heywood having a couple engaged and nth Vic trainerJohn Ledger also having having a runner
    This coupled with a strong Vic contingent makes a good day

  5. I think the Judge is on the money with his “lays” in Sydney. I’m keen to find one in Noble Protector’s race and might try either Gypsy Diamond or Bonaria (50’s, amazing odds and gets a 4.5 kg turnaround). I’m also going to keep backing Spillway, no doubt it’s well up in class but keeps getting better and may get the last crack at them if the Japs play some games to beat Contributor.
    Sea Spray is a good thing early on at Flemington and Fast Cash also a good hope in the 4th. I will be looking to lay Ball of Muscle first time down the straight if it stay’s under 6-4.
    Adelaide is an OK program and I’m very interested to see how Nevis goes in the 6th .Derby trial winner in Ireland ( 4 runners but did also run in the National stakes) and the stable only normally comes here for a group 1 so I’m expecting it to go well. Pt Guineas is the race of the day and Miracle the Second is ready to win, well in at weights, significant jockey change and other chances have drawn poorly, watch out for Time Walker in it, he may be pretty good.
    Get home on Qadir in the last if Oges gives the go ahead, looks like a swoopers race.

  6. cowshedend says

    Contributer out of QE

  7. Crio,

    Probably anyone bar me and any RISA employees would notice that Queenslanders can go racing at Corfield tomorrow. Laurd would win if the meeting wasn’t transferred to Mournington.

    I”ll have half a try at Randwick. That track and widespread hype frightens me a bit.

    I am going to try a thing at a millions at Flemington. Thunderbird One in the 8th. Trainer has always talked him up even in better races than this, and I was a huge Scott Tracy fan, great actor. Lightly raced, has ability.

    From a financial return perspective, I will be focussing on Morphettville. The Port Guineas is a really intriguing race, with a great chance of a decent Quad/Treble dividend.

  8. Thought Corfield off?

  9. Elvis,
    Very good. Any strings attached? I always thought Scott Tracey was a bit wooden, as an actor

  10. Corfield actually does exist, located near Winton,,,,,Sort about 20 letters on average per day to that location.

  11. Yes Mick. Covered the Corfield Cup last year.

  12. cowshedend says

    Baffling ride on Hartnell, and the last 2 mile leader who won was???????
    Well done Judge with Criterion,
    and while I’m at it Tommy Berry “tosen stardom didn’t handle the ground from the 800″…… FF sake, you had him 3 deep without cover from the gate! I would have thought it would have been pretty much virgin ground out there you pickle!

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