Christmas Stakes Day

by Chris Riordan

Sport and holidays are essential summer companions. While cricket fans munch on leftover sangers in the outer and salties head to Hobart, race meetings take place right across the country.

The Riordans would head to Victor Harbor post-Xmas for the trots where I’d swing the bag for my old man, able to kick off the thongs on the grass and fleece the throng in shorts and floppy hat – a far cry from the compulsory suit and tie needed to work on the rails today at Caulfield’s Christmas Stakes Day.

But I can’t wait to get there. The MRC brainstrust have endorsed “twilightism”, scheduling the first of 8 for 2.10. I might sneak in to the ‘G for the first session and then – shades of Frank Hardy’s “Four Legged Lottery” – hitch a train thereon from Richmond.

Fields are large and competitive.

The Quaddy begins with the Listed Lord Stakes which will be run sometime after drinks in the final session. This bunch are unworthy of the “Lord”‘s name – perhaps 4 from 3.

Our mighty King Carnage tackles the feature sprint and, despite being unable to secure a senior hoop and the leap in grade, he is going really well and is a saver at big odds. Watch betting for Huxssen, first up after 6 months but very smart if fit. About Ready is another for the exotics.

Tony Noonan legs up his son Jake on With Apologies in R7 and it has enough good fresh form to lure me at the attractive quote. The Moody/Nolen juggernaut presents Mid-Summer Music as the logical fav.

Kav’s Shadowfax will be most punters’ last leg hope. Include 3, 7 and 8 if you can afford it.

Bet up and have fun…at least until the dreaded VISA account turns up in Jan!

Comments

  1. Don’t mention the VISA account, Crio! You’ll spoil Boxing Day for me.

  2. Bet to win Gigs. Visa be damned!

  3. Crio, I hope you didn’t bother with first session at the ‘G.

  4. wish I hadn’t bothered with Caulfield. MCG form was utterly true and, remarkably, the bookies put up Australia as favourites again.

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