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Almanac Racing: Happy New Year

Melbourne’s last metropolitan meeting of the season is at Caulfield. There are some interesting races and, pleasingly, indications that the quality should steadily improve over the next couple of months. Keep an eye on trial fields, results and replays.

The Heath should be a genuine “yielding” and race pretty truly. Like most punters I’ll be watching for signs of an emerging pattern, especially since I’m likely once again to fall into Fast’n’Rocking in the feature, The Bletchingly (MR7, 1200m, WFA, G3). He finds trouble but has a real turn of foot and, if they’re closing, he’ll be the one to back. Some lustre (and early pressure) has gone from the race with the scratching of The Cleaner but I still expect a hectic pace with (justifiably) oft-maligned Lord Of The Sky participating. Charmed Harmony also likes to push forward so “mappers” probably see Mahuta as box seating and being the best bet. Runway Star has excellent fresh form so is the other obvious exotic entry.

It’s a challenging running double as the next is the other race deserving some attention. I can’t understand why connections keep running Mr Individual at Caulfield where I reckon the tight corner doesn’t help. Regardless, he’s talented and, despite a poor marble, must be considered if double figures. The boom horse is Wall Street Wolf, emphatic at Geelong and a key part of D. Dunn’s push to overhaul C. Williams for the title. Prince Of Brooklyn, in form, must also be considered. Good race.

Not much else to report. Of course, the freezing Flemington ring last week was full of “gloaters” planning their Darwin escape – it is Palmerston Sprint day on Saturday (talk about recidivists – African Pulse and Prince Harada) and, as always, the Cup’s on the first Monday of August.

Also in warm climes this weekend is the Port Hedland Cup with an astonishing $50k prize on offer for the sturdy combatants who’ve all earned the “well travelled” tag.

Happy Birthday to all the horses on Monday.

Happy Punting to all those having a dip this weekend.

Any “New Year’s” resolutions?

Good luck!

 

Comments

  1. Bit of a sniff of spring at Caulfield with the Bletchingly and it’s the only race there I can get interested in.
    I’m a bit keen on Lord of the Sky and before everyone shouts “muncher” just compare it with Fast N Rocking who will run fav. Lord OS won 5 from 23 and 3 of 5 2nd up and has 2 Group 1 placings – I think both 2nd and one of them behind Chautauqua, Fast N rocking on the other hand has won 5 of 40, not placed as far as I know at group 1 and 2nd up has won 1 of 7 and probably needs a rock hard track.I’ll be happy to have a try at double or more the odds., but still be wary as neither are really betting propositions.
    Adelaide is rated slow 7 but may improve as weather has been ok last couple of days. Lightning Stakes is the main race and I like Motown Lil, which should get the good run. The rest of the meeting isn’t easy but All Eights should get the cash in the 6th and Kesan is a horse that I rate and will be good odds in the 3rd but wide barrier and not really sure tomorrow will be the day.
    good luck

  2. I’m with you Jock, Bletchingly the only race I could get involved in. Happy to risk the the two shorts (Fast and Rocking unders every time it goes around and Mahuta not proven at this class in sprints) so leaning to Lord of the Sky or Runway Star, with maybe Thermal Current as a knockout. Hard to find a case for much outside those 3 at the odds.
    Thought Tildy Lad looked good value in Adel race 5 at $21, important jockey change!!

  3. Any race that has Lord Of The Sky and Fast’n’Rocking in the market is begging me to have a bet. Mantua has a big program ahead so prepared to risk first up. Happy to go with proven first upper Runway Star. Stokes wouldn’t bring it to Melbourne if it couldn’t win. Each way all day.

  4. Points taken but I am backing Fast’n’Rocking one more time. It’s the one with future black type prospects. The gelding is better than the once wayward colt

  5. Agree Crio but for mine he’s not a reliable enough conveyance to back in anything at around the $3 quoted today. Happy to try him at $20 in better races.

  6. Budge, we should have just taken the cat quinella!

  7. Or back the longer priced cat.

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