Crio’s Racing: Magic Millions 2012

Keen racing fans will know that this is Magic Millions time. This concept, driven by master-promoters Gerry Harvey and John Singleton, has been an unequivocal success. The prizemoney and the profile are huge and, from a P1 meeting, it is now a major racing “event” in Queensland with more Government money about to be pumped in to the Gold Coast Racing Club. Off-peak, the trainers and breeders love the excuse to play up in the sun and International buyers have been successfully courted. The maiden is worth $80,000, a sign of the strength and weakness of this hyped up restricted meeting. Despite getting a pretty good media run – a product of a slow time for racing news, probable junkets for the journos and, in the past, Singo’s midas touch – the quality of the runners is, by a generous description, hard to gauge. I doubt that I’ve ever considered betting there, though a trip for the week would undoubtedly be great fun. Prospective punters can at least be assured that runners are there to win and, as a bonus, they race on a good course with some of the best jockeys following the money – including a return to Australia of the red hot C. Williams. The sales have been underway this week and, despite a rash of rationale, the evidence suggests that prices are down…hence “value is up!!”. For the record, Gai’s Driefontaine (8) is the popular elect in the rich 2yo classic.

My racing commitments certainly lack the glamour of the Millions, with a return to Valley Nights and then a modest card at HQ. Moonee Valley might finally strike a pleasant evening, but I expect the punting money to be small by this stage of the school hols…in fact, I can vouch for that! Saturday’s Flemington races are pretty standard for around now – not bad, featuring the Chester Manifold (1400m),but with much better soon to come.

Early Quaddy tempters include:

R5- 3, 10 (Olly back and riding for a big punting stable!), 6

R6- 10 (Moody’s back), 6, 12

R7- a raffle. Field

R8- my strategy is to put in 8, maybe 3. No great confidence but you can crush if still alive.

Melbourne pundits will be glad to welcome Olly returning to City battle and should also note the re-emergence of N. Callow – a highly talented, “enigmatic” rider who has been dominating the Provincials over the last month. More tetchy types – like you and me Elvis – will note some of the race names at HQ….Tauto given a 0-78!

Within a couple of weeks the Autumn stars will be back and horse racing will get a fling at some profile before footy grips. Black Caviar, confirmed as the highest rated sprinter in the world this week in the 2011 World Thoroughbred Rankings   (http://www.racingvictoria.net.au/news/rvl/n_World_Thoroughbred_Rankings_2011.aspx), is expected back soon and she generates extraordinary coverage. Let’s hope the Industry capitalizes.

Meanwhile, good luck if you have a try this weekend and, as always, any helpful hints are welcomed at this site.

Comments

  1. Crio

    Agree slim pickings at HQ.

    Note that Preacher Boy, trained in Oakey, is an emergency in Race 8 at the Gold Coast. Any connection to that other famous Oakey export, whose father I understand has done a bit of preaching in his time?

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