Flow Meter
Photo: news.com.au
I love a cult racehorse.
My all-time favourite is Waikikamukau and among the others to have gathered a dedicated following among front bar residents are Maythehorsebewithu and the only horse to have won Liberal pre-selection for the seat of Cook, Richard Cranium.
This Saturday over 1950 metres in Race 6 at Morphettville we’ll see the likely swansong for another treasured galloper in Flow Meter.
While most would agree that he’s been honest rather than spectacular, what sets ‘Danny’ apart (as he’s known around the stables) is that this’ll be his 200th start.
Yes, 200! Not unlike those wiry sixty-somethings you hear about still suiting up for the reserves on a half-back flank, or bowling cagey offies after harvest.
His record is 199-20-26-27 and as Flow Meter is a rising thirteen-year-old, the rules will soon force his retirement. Mostly a stayer, he’s still travelling well and flashed home for a fourth at his last start and won in this campaign.
His trainer John Hickmott reckons there’s talk of a race at Murray Bridge being named after him and remembers that the owners couldn’t give him away all those years ago. Danny has won nearly 800k which is remarkable given that he’s not bothered the scorer in a black type event.
But he’s got plenty of ‘horse miles’, having raced in country Victoria, Melbourne and the NT as well as ticking off lots of country South Australia courses. He made his debut a year before Winx first graced the track.
Flow Meter was often the subject of barbeque and Saturday text talk with my brother-in-law Bazz. His retirement will leave a narrative hole, and we wish him well in his new paddock life near Murray Bridge.
Saturday afternoon I’ll be at Glenelg Oval watching the Tigers take on the Woodville/West Torrens Eagles in a must win clash but reckon I’ll duck across to the Holdy to watch Danny’s final jump.
He’s currently showing 40/1 and I’ll have a few each way, as a tribute.
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About Mickey Randall
Now whip it into shape/ Shape it up, get straight/ Go forward, move ahead/ Try to detect it, it's not too late/ To whip it, whip it good
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Mickey, it’s a pity there isn’t an Almanac betting account as I’m sure we’d all love to join in your tribute and put a few bob each way on Flow Meter on Saturday afternoon.
It might be a stretch to suggest him winning Saturday would be like Blighty’s after the siren torp, but you get the idea! Won’t be a dry seat in the Holdy if he salutes.
Thanks Ian.
Great story Mickey.
Unusual horse names have been of much interest to me for a good while. In addition to the ones you mention, I suppose Who Shot the Barman was the most recent case. As it happened, it was named after one part owner’s grandmother who was fond of her alcohol. At family get togethers she was often heard to ask that question in a loud voice if she had to wait too long for a drink.
I have both won and lost money on Flow Meter however I am more than happy to park any residual animosity to one side and cheer loudly for it at the Petrel on Saturday arvo.
RDL
I may just have a bob or two on Danny myself.
Thanks RDL and Smokie. Who Shot the Barman went pretty well!
Some old Kimba mates and I have a chat group and in this we (okay, mostly me) document our novelty bets. A quick scan over the past year shows that I invest in music and hospitality-themed neddies as well as the simply ridiculous of nomenclature. Here’s a selection. Most were drubbed!
Dr Evil
Ruby Tuesday
Looks Like Elvis
Red Red Wine
Starspangled Rodeo (Witchita Lineman is getting around too)
Rat with Gold Tooth
Juicing Carrots
Butter Chicken
Sandpaper
Lobster Noodles
Dirty Deeds
Pudding
Hungry Heart
Whitchety Grub (sic)
Jumbo Ozaki
Microwave Jenny.
Amazing. Thanks for telling us about him. I’d love to own a horse like that. Years of enjoyment. 73 placings out of 199 starts. Way better than my punting.
Thanks Pards.
73 placings is mind-boggling. That’s, of course, a bigger number than the combined total starts for both Black Caviar and Winx. To have a horse that competes for a decade must be amazing especially given that I know people whose nags haven’t made it to the track on a single raceday!
I have followed Flow since his first start. He’s a warrior, one that should be held in the highest esteem by all in the racing game. His courage and determination is extraordinary over the years. Yes, he’s no Winx or Nature Strip(who I love both dearly) but he should be recognised by the VRC and SA racing for an unforgettable career. Go You Good Thing on your 200th Danny!!. Here’s hoping he’ll show those whippersnappers a thing or two as ‘Paddock Dad’
Thanks Annette. Just read he’s scratched today and instead will run tomorrow at Bordertown in the sixth over 2000m. The mail is, ‘place best’ but I reckon he’ll win by a nose. They jump at 3.20 local time. Gamble responsibly.
Ta Mickey.
I had it all planned, a small ew on Flowmeter, having him as the roving banker in my trifecta, but alas he’s scratched.
Anyhow I notice his jockey tomorrow is L Overall. Hopefully they are totally Overall the rest of the field with Flowmeter celebrating a rare double century. My $ are ready.
Happy Punting.
Glen!
Good luck Glen! I’ll have a look tomorrow.
I loved the work of L. Underall in Caddy shack. Hopefully, L. Overall can pilot him home.
Well Mickey the double ton is again on hold. Today’s Bordertown meeting abandoned due to the weather and state of track.
I did OK$$$ on the punt yesterday, so the $$ I won that I allocated to Flowmeter will have to live in my sky rocket a bit longer.
May have to wait until Morphetville next Saturday, if not Gawler mid week.
Glen!
I imagine they are going to make sure it gets its 200th start wherever it ends up so keep us informed won’t you Mickey. RDL
I am late noticing Flow Meter, only hearing about him last year
Have noticed it has had 16 starts in 2022
32 runs in last 12 months
Don’t really back based on quirky names, but did love the Cow.
Love quirky names based on breeding like Dinga, Are there Any, Before Dan, Walk of Shamus, Magic Carpet Burns
1999 Derby Day had Rogan Josh win the McKinnon in Race 7 and Black Bean win Race 9 the Salinger
Glen! and RDL- I’ll keep a close eye on the form guide. Think he’s unlikely to start mid-week at Gawler (lots of maidens and 2yo races!) so hopefully next Saturday.
Let’s trust he’s not stranded just short like Steve Waugh at the WACA in 1995.
Thanks Rodney. I always keep an eye on Snitzel’s offspring largely to note the variations in naming with Hot Snitzel and Snitty Kitty two favourites!
Flow Meter is nominated for race 2 at Saturday’s Morphettville meeting. A BM 78, it’s over 2250m. No rain is forecast between now and then so all should be good to go! We’ll learn more with tomorrow’s acceptances.
He’s still a colt next to Al Jabal, a nineteen-year old chestnut gelding who won at Wiltshire in 2001.
Giddy Up !!!
Flow Meter running Saturday in Race 2. It’s the C’grats Flow Meter On 200 over 2250m. There are six acceptors and he’s the sixth fancy showing about 50/1. They jump at the time-honoured 12.57pm slot.
Mickey, thanks for the great story. Further trivia, the other 5 horses up against Danny tomorrow have less combined total starts (196) between them, and if he was to crack for second place tomorrow his prizemoney would top $800,000. Cheers.
Thanks Tigersnake. I reckon I’ll be in Belair National Park when they jump so will listen in on my phone. So many great threads to this story. Hoping a few more emerge tomorrow.
That’s not Flow Meter in the pic. Flow Meter is darker, almost black and has a white patch on his forehead
Just watched the replay and the old bloke displayed lots of character in the run but found it all a bit much and, In gentlemanly fashion, allowed the other five entries to lead him home.
Will be better off for the run
‘And Flow Meter has got around safely. Rest easy, legend. It’s all done.’
Just got to this thread Mickey. Great yarn about a horse I’d never heard of but seemed right under my nose. The tension of the scratching and abandonment via the comments was riveting. Love it.