After a surprisingly good meeting at The Heath last week – and a rare winning trip down Dandy Rd for bookies – it is back to HQ for a fairly typical winter card this Saturday, with competitive fields and hopefully an improving track.
As has now been the case for several weeks, the Nolen/Newitt battle for Season’s honours will be a focus of interest…it seems likely to continue until the final races of July. The most anticipated of their encounters this week comes in the Monjon Australia Hcp (MR7, 1000m) which has form and interest beyond its “normal” $70,000 city status. P.G.Moody’s horses seemed uncharacteristically “off” last weekend so it will be very interesting to see how former smart juvenile Golden Archer performs in his return. She’s got especially impressive credentials over the 1000m, testing Sepoy, and would be hoping to use this as a springboard to future riches. But Mick Price and Froggy Newitt also are ambitious. Perth filly Night War was scratched from the sodden WFA Listed Sprint last week and probably thought that this would be much easier. She is a ½ sister to the Diamond winner, Samaready, with Group form out West and high hopes for joining the illustrious list of guns to have crossed the Nullabor. Completing the trans-continental interests in this field is topweight Canali, from the good betting NT stable of Stephen Brown. He is a quality horse but many will be scared off by the hoop, Ms A Brown(a), whose last win was at Adelaide River. A quantum leap to the famous straight at Flemington so I’d be reluctant to bet, but hardly shocked if it wins.
I’m time-poor (Open Golf coverage!) so will look at some more betting options soon.
Early Quaddy inklings are 1,3,4/3,9,11,14 (tough leg)/3,4,7/4,6,7
Especially interested to see how Moody’s runners perform.
Any tips or comments are always appreciated and, as usual, I’ll be swinging the bag on the rails.
Next week we might have a good look at Horse of the Year noms, Frankel’s future and Dunaden’s destiny…there’s always something to pique interest in racing.
Good luck!
Crio- do you still think Newitt can win the Jocks premiership? Anyway we all know you are saving yourself for the warmer weather of Darwin and a few ales to keep dehydration at bay. (after the weather here and Melbourne anything will be warm)
Nolen’s getting outside rides but if Moody’s mob doesn’t fire I reckon Froggy can pinch it.
Another point of interest approaching will be the filly award for 2011/12…..Atlantic Jewel v Mohsheen?
Alana Brown is, I believe, the trainer’s Darwin based Apprentice and daughter.
Does anyone know why Durics not riding these days?
Oges,
I see that V.Duric rode some trials on Monday and has a mount at Werribee on Thursday….he’s been away 2 months – injury or suspension I suppose.