Trials and noms are indicators of exciting months ahead and, unsurprisingly, Melbourne’s first G1 of the season has lured some of the stars in to action in what looks a terrific card at The Heath.
Let’s cut straight to the feature. The Memsie (MR8, 1400m, WFA, G1) has a great legacy and trainers have responded with a capacity and quality field (note that Fawkner has been scratched already). No Dissident throws the race wide open. There are lots here that I want to be on 2nd up and deep in to Spring (eg Volkstok’n’barrell) but less that I’m enamoured with this weekend. Not sure that there’s much pace here though Charmed Harmony’s wide gate ensures that he’ll try to dart across, possibly successfully (if he gets a run). Hawkes’ Entirely Platinum is about the only genuine leader. Don’t really like the backmarkers so will probably speculate on an on-pacer at odds (Rising Romance or maybe even Sertorius). A really good form race. Hopefully the rain doesn’t wreck the track.
There are interesting questions confronting punters all day.
Look at Race 1. Moody’s now training a Sir Patrick Hogan Kiwi mare which has fresh form (Abidewithme). Big watch.
The McNeil (MR4, 1200m, 3yo, SWP, G3), often a banner race, has drawn 3yr olds from diverse formlines and the suspicion is that a couple of these might measure up to the silk department. Toppy probably fav and looks a real star. 10 has huge wraps and will be odds. Fillies have been better in recent times so a watch on 11. All worth consideration (thus no bet).
Rich Enuff returns in MR5 (1100m, SWP, G3). $2.80 looks ridiculous. Hopefully he’s supported into the red and wins accordingly.
I’ve not time to cover the form yet but let’s hope it doesn’t chop out late and ruin a really good start to the “Miller’s Guide” races. Disappointingly the Memsie is at 4:45. Unfortunately there’s no work for me and I’d hoped to manage the main race/footy double with the Doggies starting at 4:40. Seems it will be viewed from Docklands!
There’s plenty else worthy of note…
- Rosehill’s fields are good with the Run To The Roses (SR5, 1200m, 3yo, SWP, G2) of especial interest. Typically, it has a small field but, pleasingly, there looks to be a real race on between the top 4. Alas, we’re back to Heavy going up in NSW.
- com launches this week and who knows what it will deliver. They’d promised no “Home and Away” populism and then deliver Delicious McAvaney and Campbell Brown.
- Nikolic has apparently applied for a licence to ride in Queensland.
Isn’t racing marvellous?
I’m knackered and heading to the couch with a formguide and an eye on the cricket.
Any banter and tips always welcomed and appreciated.
Good Luck!
Ripping Memsie, track a slow 6 with rain about, the rail should cut out later in the day.
Love Taiyoo in the last,have a squiz at its run in the G2 Lawrence, was 3 wide from the gate, and still finished off better than anything else. Back to listed company and only go’s up 1kg the wide gate will suit it settlingback and running on, irish jumps jockey John Allen go’s on.
only coincidence, but going to have a drum interest Dandino in the Memsie, been off the scene an age, but showing great toe in its jumpouts, expect it to be closer than expected, about 60’s eachies
I see Riziz i s backing up following last weeks win. Down in distance, up in weights, i’d like another collect on the old (7) fellow.
Glen!
Can’t get too enthused about the Adelaide card with a couple of jumps races on the program. However there are good norms for the Balak Cup next week so it’s sure to be a good program especially if the weather holds
My roughie for Melbourne is the Canberra visitor Loved Up in R7 and I will have a small interest on He or She a former West Aussie galloper in R6 .Glen have a look at the fields for Berrigan. Not bad for a country meeting
Pretty good meeting at Caulfield.
I reckon Rich Enuff is a big risk and will try Bull Point 1st up for McEvoy. I agree with Oges re: He or She and maybe put Zebrinz into my trifectas.
Race 7, mares is the hardest of the day and I’ve already had a few bob on Estonian Princess. Trainer reported in a pre race interview last time that he hadn’t done much with her and she would improve on the run. He has made a few gear changes and last run was well back and wide when they ran home in 33 sec’s so maybe she’s a rough hope off a good run- also has Yendall on which will please a few readers.
Might have something on Magicool first up in the Memsie- owes me nothing and will take up a position ok. Coming home on Lets Make a Deal, really like this as she can do some work and keep finding.
Adelaide is a poor meeting and look out for horses who will improve on a better track, there could be some results but I think that The Chairman in the last is best of the day.
Crio, I’m with you in the Memsie. No pace and will be difficult to run on with quite a few here needing the run. There will be some distinct improvers out of this race their next run.
I like Sertorius fresh (took the $34) and Entirely Platinum should get a soft run up near the lead and might be hard to catch without being softened up.
Looking forward to the footy though with some great matches on the way….what an open field it is. I can see some upsets this year and could we be seeing the first team (under the current format) go top from outside the 4?? I think there’s not a lot between them this year and some of the lower qualifiers are capable of beating the top 4 sides.
Good luck to all.
Also thought Havana good value in the last Syd at $21.
Yes Oges i noticed Berrigan. It’s a nice track to visit being one of the few in nSW running the Victorian way. I notice Emma Steel has a few handy runners on track. I won’t be there on the day however.
It’s along time since there’s been a TAB meeting there, May 2002 to my memory.
Happy opunting Oges !
Glen!
Crio, uncanny that this comes so close to your well named greyhound at Traralgon…..
https://www.punters.com.au/news/Bill-Vlahos-arrested-in-Torquay_139157/
Oges, any discussion on this weekends Berrigan races is esoteric with the meeting postponed until Saturday week. Well, there you go !
I’m curious re Moruya on Sunday. There’s been lots of rain and flooding in that neck of the woods, so i’ll see if they pull the pin there.
Glen!
Thanks Glen – after passing through there a few times and trying the excellent bakery I thought it should be on my list of race meetings
for interstaters, not a drop of rain today so track should be OK. Problem is, of course, if it rains during the meeting…then it cuts up. Bet early with confidence and then watch. They should eliminate MR3.
Thanks for that Higgo. I was wondering if Vlahos had somehow skipped away.
Still want to know the full story of the “ill-fated Jimmy”.
Just took $1.50 geelong with Cloke out Jessie White in, may as well painted a wheely bin black an white.
Oges there’s three meetings per year in Berrigan. There’s this postponed one, the Berrigan Cup is run on Derby Day, as well as a meeting in March. They used to have four to five meetings per annum, though it’s now down to three. as I mentioned earlier it’s many moons since Berrigan had a TAB meeting, the last one I recall is May 2002. It’d be great if they could have at least one TAB meeting a year. Small towns like Berrigan would appreciate this sort of support from Racing NSW and the TAB.
Glen!
CSE so you’re the reason pies are on fire. Wanted to back cats at quarter time but wanted $5 only showing $3. Reckon they’ll get up but no value there.
Mug….Moi?
Those weak sheep shaggers, they are well and truly off my chrissy card list!
Keen on Entirely Platinum in the Memsie. Goes well first couple of runs in and gets a soft lead or slot behind leader. Vostok by far best horse in the race and would be no surprise if he blew them away.
Pressing hard to beat R6. They thought enough of it to accept for the Memsie. Much better in at the weights in this.
Pressing a real show, especially if rail cuts and they’re running on.
Anyone want to give a push for anything to beat Alaskan Rose (R2)?
I reckon Sebring Sally is the obvious improver but by all accounts Alaskan Rose looked pretty good.
I will be back on Foxtel in 30 mins, tech is here with a new box ( after 6 weeks). He’s an irish guy and has already noticed the form guides on the table and is asking for tips, I’m holding off until the foxtel connection is working.
I don’t want to back anything to beat Alaskan Caviar but if you think Rich Enuff is a risk you’d have to back Bounding. They’re classes above the rest.
Crio, I think the top weight is much better suited when able to lead….blinkers go on today and should get own way. $11 great value.
Was seriously worried when Rich Enuff got to 5/2. Winner very good.
Abidewithme in the first got me through the day.
ZACADA nominated Sandown Wednesday. Needs to win some prize money to get into Guineas.
RIP J B Cummings AM
Yes Higgo, I popped on the 642 news this morning to be greeted by the sad news. RIP Bart.
Glen!
Crio, without trying t take over here, perhaps we could have a discussion on the “one liners” from the great man. Bart had an incredibly dry sense of humour and a natural with one liners.
Would be nice to hear a few like the “flies in the stable” and a “second opinion” on Beadmans clerical career! (as short lived as it was)
yeah, some great memories Higgo.
Reckon this week’s Crio’s Q? will have a JB theme.