Accept my indulgence, those of you who’ve not followed the bland circuit of winter’s racing and can’t countenance the thrill I needed to share when I opened my Winning Post this (Thursday) afternoon. Fortunately Tom was home from school – the FOXtelly suspiciously warm – and doing a passable impression of trying some Math homework. “Mate”, I over-ruled , “listen to the Memsie field.”
| 1 | MASTER O’REILLY |
| 2 | WHOBEGOTYOU |
| 3 | LITTORIO |
| 4 | SIRMIONE |
| 5 | RED RULER (NZ) |
| 6 | BUCCELLATI (GB) |
| 7 | MASTER O’REILLY (NZ) |
| 8 | SO YOU THINK (NZ) |
| 9 | SHOOT OUT |
| 10 | ZABRASIVE (NZ) |
| 11 | BRIGHTNIGHT (NZ) |
| 12 | TYPHOON TRACY |
| 13 | FAINT PERFUME |
| 14 | VALDEMORO |
Fortunately for us both, he was suitably impressed. When Budge rang later, on the tram back from work, I said, “You gotta hear the Memsie field?”
Of course, he understood. Sometimes you just need to share the resonance of listing these terrific horses – the top half impressive enough, but with a closing to do Bernborough proud- that will once again step in to their dream worlds at Caulfield this Saturday in the Group 2, 1400m “time-honoured” WFA Spring teaser. Though the honour roll is impressive – the last decade alone includes Sunline, Makybe Diva, El Segundo, Miss Finland and Weekend Hussler – the great thrill of this race is seeing the stars return and trying to map their way ahead. Cup markets will start to fluctuate and fortunes ebb and flow with the crack field assembled. Our diabolical weather has left most trainers with little option other than to “get started”, as, with most of these competitors looking to longer and richer races in the coming months, mileage is required for fitness. The rain has held off today (but raining here now, midnight Th) so Caulfield are confident of a SLOW track which will be a relief to connections.
As for tipping a winner…..???
Let’s not forget that Sydney, too, have a feature meeting at Rosehill which includes the (R6)$million+ Gr1 Golden Rose for the 3 yr olds. Masquerader and Squamosa are building a little Sydney rivalry and are difficult to split, but Toorak Toff’s win at the Heath a fortnight ago looked a perfect trial for this. The Melbourne formline of Crystal Lily and Panipique may also be better than that of their northern rivals. We shall see.
Gai’s wonderful mare, More Joyous, resumes in the (R7)Listed Sheraco Stakes (1100m) and faces quality opponents such as De Lightning Ridge and Sister Madly. This race has depth and quality and I’d love to see the fav step up as a Spring star, but make no mistake that many classic prizes will go to runners from this dash.
The other critical clockwise race, mystifyingly listed as R3, is the Gr3 Concorde (1100m) in which pretty much all of them have a chance and a bright future. Moody has double-accepted for Reward for Effort, but it seems he will skip Melbourne’s damp for this tough affair. Patronyme and Winter King will vie with him for favouritism and there will be a push for Trim. Keep No3 , Trusting, at double figure odds, in your exotics.
I’ll be swinging the bag in the main ring at Caulfield and, as is the way these days, we’ll be watching any Moody-moves cautiously. His Sayahailmary will probably start fav in the first and Salinas likewise in the next – good horse but I reckon some of his are starting to go up “unders”.
The Gr3 McNeil (R4, 1200m, 3yr olds) is usually an indicator of a good horse (think Miss Andretti!) and there are some likely prospects nominated, including the talented Willow Creek, usually preferring a hot pace, the promising Breitling, Kav’s Liveandletdie and the smoky maiden Stratcombe.
The Almanac get-out this week has to be Sound Journey – ref last week’s site comments. Should win.
Can’t wait to get to the races this week. The good horses are returning, my Bulldogs are fading and all we need is for the sun to start shining. My recent tipping, though scattergun, has been hitting some targets but, alarmingly, the staking strategy has been diabolical. But now is not the time to worry about such trifling matters as impending financial doom….get out to Caulfield and see what makes ours such an intoxicating sport.
Crio
Stable report from MK
“Sound Journey has got 59.5 but at the end of the day he is only 3.5 kg above the minimum so I suppose he is well weighted. He has barrier seven and he’s done really well since his last race. He has a lot of improvement in him but I still reckon he is an excellent chance”.
cheers
TR
Thanks Tony – you read your cue! I’m actually thinking of having a little E/W Just Look in the last, so perhaps we can get up a tri?
The conundrum, of course, is the rail out 10m and a dreary afternoon’s weather so far today. This track might chop up. Be there or on TVN and be flexible…for some that means having a capability to bet at Morphettville or Belmont!
Speaking of which, last year’s Cup favourite Alcopop begins his assault on this year’s cups over at Morphettville in the Penny Edition Stakes at 4.35 EST.
Can’t wait for the Memsie, am salivating over here as well Crio. How many of us will be watching the finish and how many watching about 3 to 6 lengths behind the quinella horses?
I’m having a little each-way Chance Bye in the Golden Rose (v nice run last start), and watching some of my early cups fancies going around.
Like many, I like to try to pick the up-and-comer. I loved Moudre’s big win at Flemington in middle of May, but my feud with Eskander cost me the 40s on offer for the Caulfield Cup. I had to suck up the 26s, but after his last run he’s into 16s which is way unders for having beaten Riceman and other shaggy-coat winter types at his last start. Tomorrow’s a big test.
I’ve got some doubles around him in CC and Rothsay and Metal Bender in the Plate and Moatize and Meiner Kitz in the biggy-un.
Good punting Crio
And don’t forget: Last up-and-overs of the season at the Bool on Sunday – small fields but chuck a buck on.
As it turns out, as long as it goes alright Sunday it is looking good to survive into next year at least.
Freeza,
The Heath tomorrow +/or MCG Sunday? I’ll probably be at both (+ the sad Doglands tomorrow night!).
I haven’t had time to look at the form…just the fields. Suspect they’ll come back with paint on the right shoulders as they scout out at Caulfield.
I’ll be throwing Solchow in at odds to my first Quaddy leg and bracketing with 4 and 6 for a div.
Racing pattern should mean Typhoon Tracy for the Memsie but, as you say, there’ll be lots of interest in the vanquished. I’m an unabashed Faint Perfume fan.
Can you help with Race 7 tomorrow? Is 17 a shocking draw for Moudre or simply better than 1? Maybe The Miniver Rose will thrive ona soft track and at a better distance? Elvis??
My plan to get to Balaklava Cup next week looks unlikely but, with the good numbers re jumps, I’ll lock in The ‘Bool for 2011.
Plenty to review from Saturday. Bart’s done it again…repeatedly saying that So You Think has been unable to work properly in the wet and then turning up with a ball of muscle that’s won the strapper’s prize and then the race. He might win everything this Spring. Predictably,a farcically run Memsie meant many backmarkers, like Faint Perfume, were no winning hope. She is too good to discount. A victim of circumstances, Shoot Out’s run was outstanding. The jury is out on Typhoon Tracy and her campaign prospects.
In other races, Bart’s Precedence ran a slashing first-up second in the last race and Moudre dominated the 1700m race. Great prospects.
In Sydney, Toorak Toff was ridiculous odds and very impressive, whilst More Joyous’ win should be her springboard to a brilliant Spring.
What happened to Sound Journey?
Agree Crio,Shoot Out’s run was outstanding, would be a tad concerned about him in the Cox though,has a long sustained run rather than a withering burst.
With the short run home at the Valley it would not want to be giving 3 lengths start at the North Hill,on the other hand the McKinnon might be his go,with the long straight to suit.