Crio’s Racing : Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes?

 

 The ATC trumpeted the remarkable 1207 noms received this week for the highly anticipated Championships (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/the-championships-receives-staggering-response-for-sydney-autumn-carnival-makeover/story-fni2gegf-1226829674835). The riches on offer have certainly hypnotized owners and trainers and a media barrage will ensure the popular success of the inaugural venture on April 12/19.

Autumn goalposts  have been shifted and the impact on Melbourne racing will be closely monitored. Let’s hope there is enough quality to guarantee a notable couple of months.

As usual there’s plenty to keep form followers alert this weekend, from the G3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes headlining a much better Friday card at the Valley, via ripper options at Caulfield and Randwick on Saturday, to the ever popular (Listed) Kilmore Cup amongst a host of Sunday possibilities.

Plenty to choose from, so be choosey!

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It’s a tough task for punters heading for The Heath on Saturday – and note the “dusk” times (R1 @1:40 and R9 @6:20) – but 3 Group Ones ensure a memorable meeting, even if some of the “big” races have lost some lustre. The MRC have yielded, rather cynically, to complaints about having the main race on last….they’ve moved the meeting back and shaped the times to fit getting the G1’s on to TV….essentially doing what they wanted and tacking the Mares race on after Ch7 head to the News. The upside is that the features are not protracted, with “just” 35 mins between them, but the trade off is the late finish.

Probably the first race of especial interest is the Zeditave Stakes (MR2, 1200m, 3C+G, SWP, G3) where the highly rated Lion Of Belfort and Fast’n’Rocking are up against some exciting prospects. I am, I must concede, a “Lion” fan…for the moment!

The fillies go around in the next (MR3, Angus Armanasco Stakes, 1400m, SWP, G2) but this is certainly one to avoid – P.G.Moody provides 5 of the 9 acceptors in a seemingly poor edition.

This season’s returning stayers/hopeful WFA crop line up in the old St George(MR5, 1800m,WFA, G2) and Star Rolling (7), Foreteller (4) and Pakal (6) are ones I’d have considered for the Quaddy had the TAB deemed this race worthy ( hint: it is on at 4pm as telecast starts)! As usual, interest will also focus on Cup winners Fiorente (some reckon he’s evens in this!) and Green Moon as they step back in to the limelight.

The Quaddy kicks off with a disappointing Futurity (MR6, 1400m, WFA, G1), made more so by the no-show of Eurozone, now on a Guineas path. This formerly great race experimented as a Mile and, now restored to the traditional 7f, seems not to have regained an Autumn niche although a good‘un seems to still salute – All Too Hard last year. The first of these that I recall attending was when Galleon won in 1982 – it’s significance should be apparent to trivia buffs? Moment Of Change looks like being 6/4 and has a perfect course record and few viable contenders. Maybe Bull Point, with the pull in the weights, can enhance his stud value with a G1 @ about 11/4.

The Blue Diamond (MR7, 1200m, 2yo, SW, G1) has, rightly, been promoted as a match race between a crack colt, Rubick (2) and brilliant filly, Earthquake (12), emphatic last start winners here in identical times! But the filly, pre-draw  fav, has been dealt a cruel blow pulling out the 15 marble. Rubick (pretty much declared by G.A.Ryan) is now the punters’ elect and some middle pinners sniff a chance. If they burn, Hawkes’ Nostradamus might be the swooper (with G.Flog brandishing the shillelagh). Jabali (6) looks to be the one that speedmappers will fancy with a cosy run.

Punters are likely to support winning form in the Oakleigh Plate (MR8, 1100m, H’cp 50min, G1) and corporates suggest Lankan Rupee (3) could go up about 11/4. Picket fencer, and Hareeba winner, Knoydart (9) is probable next elect along with impressive Shamal Wind, so superb first up in the W.J.Adams. But you can make a case for lots of these and luck in running always plays a part – Richie’s Vibe is 25/1.

As usual the Mares run around to complete the Quaddy (MR9, Mannerism, 1400m, 4+Mares, SW+P, G3), a leg forgotten as loungerooms take the News. 5 and 9 if you must.

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Arguably the most interesting races of the day are up at “Royal” Randwick.

The Light Fingers (SR5, 1200m, 3yoFillies, SW, G2) sees the return of last year’s glamour 2yo filly, Guelph. In past times bookies would be calling “take 5/4” – today’s quote of $1.80 seems so much less romantic, but equally intimidating. She’ll want to be ready to run because Sweet Idea, Real Surreal and Arabian Gold are group fillies.

The other highlight of an excellent NSW programme is the Apollo Stakes (SR7, 1400m, WFA, G2) with Boban (about 13/8) seeking to restore some shaken faith after a flat performance in the Expressway – has he not “come up” or maybe a little more dour this time as they eye off the 10 furlongs of the QE2 as the main paydirt? His conqueror last start, the remarkable and mostly unacknowledged Appearance (usually way “overs” but here just 9/4), must again be the measuring stick and we know that Speediness (about 15/4) will run on. Rain Drum might be the bolter fresh.

Fascinating.

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I’ll be at the front of the queue tomorrow (Thursday) arvo when the Winning Post hits the shops here in Melbourne, looking to dissect the form while Mitch dismantles the Proteas.

Great times indeed. Any tips or tales are always welcomed.

Good luck!

 

Comments

  1. Crio – did you see the Norwegian cross-country skier in the 15km biathlon do a “Luke Nolan” on BC at Royal Ascot and stand up in the irons and salute 5 metres off the line? The Frenchman behind him lunged and Norway got the Gold by centimetres.
    Shades of the Professor on Hyperno all those years ago. Moonee Valley Gold Cup??? Hyperno had some tricks and stopped like shot when Roy stopped riding him. Got a long holiday from memory.
    Check out the photo finish in this report (the finish is when the ski tip crosses the line) and the postilion’s contrasting posture:
    http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2014/02/biathlon-mens-15km-mass-start-recap/358239/

  2. Peter, was at that Moonee Valley cup, and the professor dropped his hands, Clear Day was the horse that bloused him.
    Watched that vision of the bloke lunging his size 87 skis and missing by a whisker, great stuff. Guns and skiing hmmm, will keep my eyes open round the streets of Footscray to see if it takes hold.

  3. The rain in South Oz has played havoc with meetings especially KI and at Strath as a few fancies were either scratched or ran poorly
    A big win by Canon Diablo yesterday and the trainer has a big opinion of this horse so I will keep you informed
    On Sat my local bet will be Danish Spy e|w as it will run home late
    Over in Melbourne for the ANZAC Day weekend this year so may catch up with a few regulars and Captain Crio

  4. Really looking forward to Caulfield today, especially the Blue Diamond/ Oakleigh Plate double…..if you can’t get out there, tune in. The Oakleigh Plate is a fascinating Handicap with a raft of chances – the sort of race where everyone has a roughie. Track Good3.

  5. Crio, surely Fiorente is the lay of the year at $2.40, Foreteller or Pakal for me.
    like Freshwater Storm in the 1st.
    Bit more rain about than expected round here, the Heath must have missed it

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