Realistically there is no chance I’ll be making a considered study of the form guide after a day at the MCG, especially now my opening partner is likely to be the redoubtable Baron – a man who can take block for full sessions in the Beames Bar and maintain a challenging run rate. Mind you, it is one venue where I might be able to avoid his other relentless passion, the dreaded “trifecta action”. Ever the versatile sportsman, other than a little interest at some obscure provincial gallops, the Baron is happy to relax at the cricket and occupy himself with the minutiae of the game – “coins in” for next boundary, runs per over, if a left handed return will go to the keeper….
I quietly sit on my hands and mutter, “good leave”.
That’s perhaps also a wise tactic for the races tomorrow….the weeks don’t so much “end” as roll in to each other at this time of the year, but there’s another full round of races to be run and a last chance for a metrop “get out” for the calendar year.
Unusually, I reckon I have a marginal lead so was tempted to “fold”.
However, I’m now betting in MR1 No7. That commitment then triggers the same response to either outcome. If it wins I have a little bank for play – if, unthinkably, it “gets beat”, I’ll have to hop back on the horse and chase.
So, given that my calls will be as scrambled as Graeme Wood’s, I’ll be checking for supplements both for my liver and for the inevitable Quaddy.
Here’s a start:-
MR5- 9, 7
MR6- 8, 4
MR7- 9, 10, 16
MR8- 6, 15 (Budge, note M.Payne on fav from a wide gate)
Probably the most interesting race of the day is the B.J.McLachlan Stakes for the MM aspirants at Doomben. Almanackers have funds thanks to Oakleigh Girl on Cup Day and she steps up here against a couple of likely good ‘uns in Unencumbered and Echo Gal. Lining them up is speculative but we do know that the “Oakleigh Charger” can jump and burn.
But, like Santa this week, I’m prepared to go anywhere and everywhere in search of cheer – I hope, however, in this instance the joy is in receiving!
Good luck!
Crio, how did it end up. Will you wake up with a severe case of ‘Barons revenge’?
As an old racing sage used to say…”There’s a story go with it”.
But, in a nutshell, as I pressed “send” to Almanac HQ this morning, the phone rang and I was summoned to work.
Sorry guys put all the news on the previous Crios Racing for the weekend
Four racing days left in 2013, so i’m off to Corowa on Monday for a farwell race meeting for the year. Happy Punting,
Glen!
If you get a chance, watch theTVN post race interview with Oisin Murphy after riding his first winner in Australia on Settlers Way, a pisser
Goodwork by Oges who found the winner in the last in Adelaide, might have found another if notfor a nice slaughter on Wicked Dreams who was never on the track.
one positive from the early start every morning is listening to UZ prior to 6am, that boof head Wayne Hawkes MDS (my dad said) gave a big tip 2 weeks ago for Invisible inthe Magic Millions.
Took the $51 , after todays win into $6
Good work mate. Didn’t know it was such good odds today…I was on the runner up.
Stokes’ very disappointing in the first here.
thanks Oges…I pretty much got out in the last at Morphettville – Betfair SP $4 minus comm.
A rare good day for me yesterday – thanks for the comments Crio and Cowshedend
There is a lot of racing over the Xmas/New Year break so its nice to see we are not down the gurgler yet But you have to feel for DJ- 6 runners Thurs/Sat for one winner and the rest all just beaten by very small margins