Almanac Racing – come on punters…let’s get the chocolates this Easter!

Easter racing was always Randwick, Oakbank and Caulfield. The Sydney Show was a backdrop to the big Yearling Sales under the trees and the Doncaster Handicap and the Sydney Cup held sway.

Nowadays the holiday Monday meetings everywhere are stuffed. Oakbank once pulled crowds second only to Flemington’s springtime but, the Great Eastern aside, the Monday is forgettable (and forgotten by the masses due to mismanagement/overcharging etc) and the Saturday superior but also in decline. The old Hills Railway (AR6, 1100m, Q, Listed) isn’t bad but the great Carnival is certainly in decline. My son, Tom, is heading up there so I’ll be interested in his feedback from less cynical eyes.

The early Easter has as least given the jumps fraternity time to prep for Warrnambool so hopefully there are no great controversies from the fallen log and co over the weekend.

Melbourne’s feature race of the holiday period is now on the Thursday night as the Valley presents Group racing including the prized William Reid Stakes (MR6, 9.15pm, 1200m, WFA, G1). As usual the attendance is weather dependent but the main race is really good. I query Lucky Hussler as the genuine fav, figuring Holler might end up as the “popular elect”. My money’s likely to go on to Kinglike (12) at about 9/1. I’ll be swinging the bag there if anyone’s heading down.

RVL’s sent the Monday meeting out to Sandown but Caulfield still hosts its traditional Victoria Handicap/Easter Cup programme on Saturday. There’ll be plenty of interest early, as Petits Filou (1) resumes in MR4, using Mick Dee’s 1.5kg claim to ease the 60kg allotted.

The Vic H’cp (MR7, 1400m, H’cp, G3) can be tackled many ways. The toppy was runner-up in the Newmarket! I’m really open for suggestions here – there are a few, including the market leaders, which I won’t back. Result race?

The rejigged calendar means that Rosehill now have Easter Saturday and Monday’s banished to the Farm. It’s still a massive Group Day for the old STC and the biggest of them , the BMW/Tancred/whatever (SR7, 2400m, WFA, G1) is sure to attract great interest (as it would’ve with a third of its $1.5m stake!). There are several chances. I’m hoping for a soft track to allow Our Ivanhowe to avenge the Australian Cup.

For those with time to indulge, Buffering is running in Dubai on Sunday (AEST). Notlistenin’tome is amongst the challengers!

Easter’s always a big sporting weekend. My schedule’s The Valley Thursday night, rough chance the Victory Friday, Caulfield on Saturday, Doglands for Sunday arvo and then the ‘G on Monday.

We like our sport here. Young Tom’s opting for Oakbank on Saturday, the Adelaide v Mariners at Hindmarsh on Sunday and then the Bay Oval for the Shield Final for Monday/Tuesday.

Indulge. Enjoy…and Good Luck!

 

 

Comments

  1. G’day Crio. I’ll watch the weather , then i’ll hopefully ascertain my prospects on Sweet Emily tonight. I see her stablemate Final Jest is back running, accepted for the Tocumwal Cup on Saturday.

    I’ll scan my eyes over the Winning Post and hopefully have a change of luck with the nags.

    To my fellow knackers, enjoy your long weekend, and, of course, happy punting !

    Glen!

  2. Good luck to Almanacker Matthew Hooper with Giddyup going around in a $150k G3 tonight.

  3. Good luck Matthew.

  4. Keen to a back a few tonight, rail true at MV allowing horses to run on –
    R3 Keen Array
    R4 Labdien
    R6 Kinglike
    R7 Fenway

  5. system 2,3,4 TheJudge?

  6. Yep.

    My quaddie numbers:

    1,2,3
    1,2,9,10,12
    1,3,9
    1,2,4,9 or just 4 if you want to go skinny.

  7. All this while keeping an eye on the footy (and the little baby)! What a star

  8. Well Crio , with Sweet Emily finishing last in her race, I think it’s time she said goodbye. I put a bit on her last night, yes it’s a mugs game. Good sprinter in her prime, I reckon its brood mare time now.

    Her stable mate Final Jest is running at Tpcumwal tomorrow. Its last start was in the Jerilderie Cup where it tailed the field. Unsure how much better it will do.

    Whilst on the Sweeney family I see the Adelaide stable has Riziz running at Oakbank on Saturday. Unsure how it will go. One start this prep for a tight second; second up form reasonable, let’ s see how he goes. I’m putting a few on him.
    Whilst we’re on bush horses I see Leveraction is running in the Kerang Cup on Saturday. He’s been good for connections with a few country Cups including Corowa, as well as being placed in town. Another country Cup winner Defenceman apparently being retired. He had a good run with Emma Steel winning the Berrigan Cup in 2014, as well doing well in the Deniliquin Cup.
    That’s enough from me. Have a safe Easter, and of course happy punting.

    Glen!

  9. Terrible punting effort by me Thursday. Pushing on to Saturday.
    Rail +5m at Rosehill should suit those on the rail to two horse off.
    Best bet R8 Solicit.
    BMW – too many question marks with Our Ivanhowe under a fitness cloud, and not convinced Preferment is best at 2400m or Rosehill
    Tulloch – think the value is the NZer Predator- back on top of the ground. E/w @$12
    Caulfield isn’t grabbing me as a punting prospect.
    Good Luck. Go Hawks

  10. False favourite for Sydney Cup, on my ratings.

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