Another for the “how times have changed” file.
With the ho-hum local offerings during ho-ho-ho season I’ve cast my eye across other options and found an old fav and a rising star both strutting their stuff this Sunday.
Here’s a challenge? Did you even know that the Interdominion Series has been contested over recent weeks and that it culminates at Gloucester Park with a Super Sunday this weekend?
For many of us this was a big sporting event when we were kids. Take this test. Check out this link. If it gets you all nostalgic, wonder at the changes that have wrought it nearly irrelevant in mainstream sport http://www.harness.org.au/inter/resultsp-70-79.htm
For those who’ve stuck with the changing sport, the final is the richest harness race in the world ($1.3m) and the highlight of a card featuring 4 Group Ones. It’ll be live on the 7 Network.
Victorian stars Lennytheshark (C.Alford) and Philadelphia Man (G.Lang) had been expected to dominate and, despite both “suffering” defeats in the last heats (having each already qualified for the Final!), they’ll still lead the markets, though barrier draws mean that good gates = on pace = better chance on the Gloucester Park circuit. Here’s an early rundown of the field thanks to harnesslink http://www.harnesslink.com/News/Inter-Dominion-Final-runner-by-runner-guide
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Further afield, Hong Kong Jockey Club continues its push to prominence in global racing with a magnificent meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday (Cup/Vase/Sprint/Mile). This day is becoming an end of year GF and, with Australian contestants sure to be prominent, it will certainly have a media profile befitting its status. From what people say, it is a “must attend” bucket-lister – how I wish! They all recommend getting there in time for the Wednesday night “Jockeys’ Challenge” at Happy Valley and then enjoying the local attractions until Sunday’s finale.
The problem for those of us marooned at home is that, if we reckon the Aussies can sting, the local Totes will be poison. Your options are to bet against those you think a risk, or sit on your hands and cheer. Criterion, Lucia Valentina, Preferment…add the antipodean jockeys and trainers and you can see why this is a must watch event for thoroughbred followers over here.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
More coverage as the weekend approaches. I’ll probably be at the Valley on Friday night and will certainly be back on my stand at HQ Saturday. Both “modest” meetings.
For now it is time to switch on the Happy Valley races and also flick over to the Launceston night races for the return of The Cleaner (v The Admiral) at 8.40pm tonight.
Good luck!
The Cleaner a dramatic flop
Friday night fields are poor this week so I plan to save myself for Saturday.
I’ll be trying red Bomber Flem race 4 – beat Trust in a Gust 2nd up last time in at equal weights and 1st up run was good on a track where nothing made ground. I will probably also try Star Rolling in the same race as 3 Kg off is appealing if it finds anything near best form, big odds so won’t cost much to find out.
I also thought Good Value looked Ok in the 5th as was off the track all the way to Kilmore and fought it out well, the one issue will be settling in the run at 2000 metres as he was a bit keen at Kilmore.
In race 7 Kingdom of Dreams should be getting close to his best as is currently $34 so I’m on board and I’ll give Sea Spray another chance in the last- track was no help last time.
Adelaide is very ordinary. Race 7 Burst Away will lead easily but I have a doubt on its ticker so Alcobro should get the $$
Thanks for the link Crio, some great names there, was at the Markovina win with the great b gath in the sulky, didn’t remember that it was in 3 interdoms with 3 different drivers and 3 different trainers.
Absolutely gutted after my moral in Sydney got one of the greatest slaughters in living memory last week.
Did you see the article in the Age re the moral outrage of the Brighten Grammar students going to the tote? Don’t remember a bookie ever refusing a quid from an outstretched youthful arm in my day, the only restriction the publican had at the Braybrook hotel before he let us on and have a couple of quiet pots, was to take our crimson blazers off!
The Braybrook Hotel ?!? It’s not the place I knew in the 80’s and 90’s. Like the Ashley it’s become a big pokies lounge. The West ain’tt what it was.
Yesterday I watched Regan Bayliss slaughter what was a good chance. The fifth at Kyneton over just under seven and a half furlongs swa him on the Brian Cox mount Baby Jack. He had the inside barrier, it was emphasised the horses drawn on the outside would be disadvantaged, so what did Regan do when they jumped ? He dropped back to last !!!! This contrary to all expectations. I’m not sure what Coxy said Anyhow he flew home, finishing sixth in a field of eight! Not happy with that ride, and a jockey i’ll be very guarded about in the future.
Western Health raceday @ HQ tomorrow. Having been born there, having worked there, it’s a must bet day for me.
Happy Punting,
Glen!
Will you be on course Glen?
I was lucky enough to lay that last fav at MV well in the red. Lovely.
Alas Crio, not to be. I’m currently quite butchers hook.
Racing for me today involves popping down the bowling club to make my investments , then back in the lounge channel surfing channels 519, 521, & 522 interspersed with the test matches on channels 100 & 506. Happy punting mate.
Glen!