The hoopla’s gone but there’s still terrific racing this weekend with The All Aged Stakes headlining at Randwick and mega-VOBIS bonuses the lure at The Heath.
Rather than revisit last Saturday’s gorging, which revisionists are tentatively declaring a success, I’m happy to look at the upcoming Sydney offerings as an example of an “old-fashioned” feature day (excepting the baffling opener) with good prizemoney, ratings and fields giving all “stakeholders” some berley to be involved.
There are two Group Ones but the first must be resisted for the time being (SR5, Champagne Stakes, 1600m, 2yo, SW, G1, $500k). The pre-post fav, Yankee Rose, is a star. Her trainer’s remarkable story has, subsequent to her Sires’ win, become more widely known – but, as of Wednesday, she’s lame. Vet Inspection to be held Friday. $1.40?!
Betting markets might be confused in the other Group One (SR7, All Aged Stakes, 1400m, WFA, G1, $600k) for more traditional reasons – this is a good little field with many angles to be considered. With options, Blake Shinn’s plumped for Malaguerra, probably hoping to catch this wave right through to the Stradbroke. How can I claim to be a better judge than him?…yet I’m leaning to his “discard” English as the pick of the 3yo contenders (Press Statement has lost my confidence). Black Heart Bart might be the value blowout.
Notable supports on an interesting card are the Hall Mark Stakes (SR6, 1200m, SWP, G3, $150k) in which I’m snipping the toppy, Charlie Boy, at about 10/1 and the munchers’ JRA Plate (SR8, 2000m, Quality, G3, $150k) for which C.Waller has 7 Acceptors.
Big incentives have guaranteed a day of “depth” and competitive racing at the Vic Breeders and Owners’ bonanza out at Caulfield. The meeting covers most distances and categories and, despite so many races being “restricted”, there’s enough quality across the day (and assurance that they’re all having a crack) to entice punters in to switching over from the footy intermittently.
The Quaddy starts with the Sprint (MR6, 1200m, SW, $250k) and is headlined by Newmarket winner The Quarterback. I much prefer him down the straight though his William Reid run at MV was remarkable, he’s won here and the weight scale’s generous. But 6/4? Not for me. Almighty Girl’s taking another massive class leap but I suspect she’s the real deal. 9 looks a serious trifecta lock and be sure to include Del Prado at 20+/1.
Punters will be offered pretty cramped odds about the next fav, Bondeiger, in the 2000m Gold Heath (MR7, 2000m, SW, $250k). I can see the attraction of ticking the Quaddy number but, as a punter, I’d look wider. I’ll have a small interest in Vianden at 33/1 and be delving deeper in to the form tomorrow.
The final two legs don’t have the VOBIS limitation. The first of them, the Vase (MR8, 1400m, H’cp, Listed, $140k) will be a spirited betting race. Heaps of chances with track conditions (looking very firm) and luck in running sure to play a part. The toppy has a horror gate out in the training sheds so I’m risking him. Here are some roughies worth consideration – Matt Laurie’s duo down the bottom and Mick Price’s “black shorts”” Onpicalo.
My philosophy on the last leg is never to go wide but rather to hope to get there first and then stake accordingly. The MRC have insulted us with a $50k BM78 raffle to close (MR9, 1100m, H’cp) which will likely initiate a response to bet elsewhere – jam them if they take us for granted! It’s attracted a better field than they deserve. Forced to commit, I’ll suggest 11 with the 7 as way overs.
Stuck with a rare Saturday off I’m interested to see how much the races grab my attention away from the track. My current schedule’s Punt Rd for the VFL and maybe the MCG for a quarter or so pre-Doggies v Blues. Lots of distractions but willing and able to “get involved” if any urgers can make a case.
Good luck!
Very impressive Almighty Girl in all 3 starts to date. Suspect she well and truly measures up in R6 Caulfield.
Prepared to give proven class horse Kermadec another go in All Aged Stakes at attractive price.
Syd R6 That’s a Good Idea looks the value @$16. First up last campaign at WFA 3rd to Terrravista/Rebel Dane.
R7 Kermadec @ $7.5 – happy to forgive the Doncaster run, and go back to the 2nd to Winx in George Ryder. J Mac on board, another plus.
I notice there’s racing in Hillston on Saturday. That’s even further out than Ardlethan!
Hillston was a bit of a stronghold for Al Grasby when the flamboyant MP was the local federal member.
Glen!
Yeah, Glen. a mate of ours moved up to Hillston years ago. Grows spuds. Dodgy fruit’n’veg marketeers. Think it’s where the Moraitis (Might And Power) fortune was built. Chinese have bought much of it and their large scale farming’s making it tough.
Melb is a bit difficult although Red Bomber and Bondeiger both look over the line to me.I might try We’ve Got this in the 6th, they normally can get home on the outside later in the day and I’m prepared to risk Almighty Girl against the boys and I can’t be on The Quarterback anywhere but Flemington.
In Sydney Race 2, Ryker was 2nd to Happy Clapper first up last time and has had 3 trials so maybe a good hope at odds ( blinkers back on), I also like Target in Sight in the Hall Mark and I reckon Malaguerra will show he’s up to it in the All Aged- it may be the last chance to back him at reasonable odds.
Bays playing Norwood tonight at The Parade, big chance of a win.
Adelaide is difficult but October Date in the last is fantastic first up, I backed it first up last time and it won like a champ and then went off. In race 7, Patch Adams although drawn off the track should be pretty hard to beat, form behind Mahuta and Tally looks better than any others and has P Gatt which is a plus.
I see it is the old Port Guineas meeting at M’ville tmrw. Interesting 2yo race also.
What were they thinking when the masterminds got together and came up with a 4000m race? Jumpers flats are back in mode are they? Prizemoney of $80? You could buy the entire field for that and get change!
Only one that stood out to me in Melb was Almighty Girl, looks good value at $4.50 fixed.
Sydney race 6 I’ll be on Speak Fondly and Artlee. Race 7 thought the winner would come from either Malaguerra or English. In the last Great Esteem looks great value at $26 and Tales of Grimm also good fresh but will he need a run????
In Adel I thought Secretmensbusiness had a chance at $15 and in the last if October Date is right (coming off a long break) should win but right down the bottom no 22 Victory Downs has a chance at odds, currently $21, will get a really soft run and just needs a few breaks in the straight.
Good luck to all.
Had $10 Knoydart at $40. Thought it had got up on the line……
Got out on Precious Gem.
Like fav but tip for Weiry’s here in the last
Laura Andrassy! We’re all sharkbitten
G’day Crio, do you know why the Wang meeting was abandoned on Thursday ? All I can find is that this was done on vets advice; no more details.
I notice the Hillston meeting was abandoned after R 3. Racing NSW has no details on their site.
Glen!
Stable opposite Wang track had a case of “strangles”. Highly contagious. Stewards had no option but abandonment. Think there’s a Wodonga as compensation tmrw.