The Bletchingly Stakes (MR6, G3, WFA, 1200m), named for the champion racehorse and sire, was usually the first Group race in Melbourne of the new season. Somehow, though, our formguides suggest that it is to be the main race at The Heath this Saturday, the final weekend of the 2012/13 year.
New Year’s Eve is often a time for reflection and so, looking back, we see a tumultuous 12 months with great highs but many challenges confronting the Industry.
Black Caviar, of course, kept racing buoyant and popular – she’ll be irreplaceable. Her feats overshadowed some other grand stories, such as the “Miracle” of Lauren Stojakovic’s Diamond and the remarkable performances of genuine top notchers like Pierro and All Too Hard – more of them next week when I’ll preview some Horse Of The Year Awards.
But it would be naïve to suggest it has not been a trouble free time. Olly and D.Nikolic were the high profile suspensions as the darker side of betting and race fixing were explored. Remarkably many suspect that, after huffing and puffing, the house has not blown down and, whether it is because authorities are toothless or gutless, the corruption flourishes.
Betting issues crossed in to mainstream sport and media with “corporates”, and especially Tom Waterhouse, saturating TV screens and billboards and changing forever the way people preview events… any primary school kid can quote the odds and recognize bet types for footy.
Young Tommy’s situation worsened when he became embroiled in the unsavoury and ongoing Singo v Gai ruckus which, for me, was a terrible situation that, among other repurcussions, meant Sydney did not get to farewell and pay homage to one of its greatest ever mares, the marvellous More Joyous – she deserved better than being sandwiched in a spat of egos.
As usual the big events have held their place – especially in Melbourne – but the rank and file racegoer seems gone forever. Crowds at metropolitan meetings are in freefall and country tracks (Cup Days aside) are ghost towns. The Randwick reno will be a story to follow and it is hoped that the ATC can reap the rewards of a massive investment.
Sydney Racing still has some unfinished business for this season as the battle for the metropolitan Jockey Premiership goes down to the final 2 meetings. Hughie Bowman’s big lead has been eroded, especially as he’s had to sit out the last couple of weeks and watch Nash Rawiller hit a rich vein of form – until yesterday, when Nash’s expected surge to the lead stalled leaving him half a win behind with this Saturday and then the Randwick midweeker remaining. They are very different types of riders but both are bred from horsemen and either is a deserved winner. Punters will rally to them this week, though Christian Reith looks, arguably, to have the strongest hand for anyone contemplating the Shane Templeton Rider’s Challenge!
In Melbourne I’ll be getting to the MRC double, with the Caulfield meeting preceding the J.J.Houlihan Hurdle / Grand National Steeple fixture at Sandown on Sunday. The jumps races are pretty interesting. Smerdon holds the key to the very open hurdle whereas weight and bad luck seem the significant obstacles to the remarkable Bashboy in the Steeple. As usual, no bet but keenly watched.
Saturday’s card is not too bad for this time of the year. It kicks off with a really interesting 2yo with lots of untried juveniles up against some promising types. Moody’s Monkstone (12) is the early fav but I’m a bit keen on Ticket To Toorak (3) at double figure odds.
I’ll add some early Quaddy observations here (Slow 6) and hope for some input to supplement or challenge these numbers:
MR5- wide. Wary of Weiry’s taking over She Goes To Rio (8) and putting the demon D.Dunn up. I’m risking the shorties and including 4 and 5.
MR6- want to be on Second Effort (3) at good value.
MR7- hmmmm….this is tough. Include 11. 4 despite the gate. Even 6 at rich odds, especially if wet.
MR8- want to close skinny but I have a knock on lots here. I actually give Veewap a show here, but it wins as irregularly as me. 14 and 15 will be on my ticket, but I could easily miss a placegetter. Needs more study.
And input.
All comments welcomed.
Hope the season has been prosperous and you are ready to ice the year and saddle up again next week for the Horse’s Birthday and a big 2013/14.
Good luck!
Crio, there was some awful scandals this racing year, Oliver, Waterhouse and Singleton, Howmuchdoyouloveme on Derby day.
Wonder how the AFL goal umpire felt after copping a year for a $5 multi, and Oliver gets less for a 20k go at another horse in a race he was ridingin( but he was depressedand it was the first time he’d ever done it YEP!) What a strike rate
The Con Gorozidis of punters -Olly will survive the setback and ultimately be Hall of Famer! Demetriou told me.Stuart O’Grady denied it.
Good comments Cowshedend and a good reply Crio.
Dont you love “the punt”- great one week and wipe out the next (been the story of my life this year)
OLeary has spelled Bouncing Beverly who has a slight injury but has his horse that won 2 weeks ago Value As going around at Morphettville (a good e/w ). He won a race mid week beating a David Jolly runner and then Jolly came out and won the next (fav at skinny odds)
He told me his horse “had no luck” in Melbourne last week
However next Sat he will have about 4/5 in at Morphetville and he will fly out to Darwin after as he has runners there
(A bottle of red may help later in the week)
Now Jock- this “woop” from the bush is coming to stay at the Bay next Thursday and I would love to catch up with you for a coffee in the city on Friday if you can stop the wheels of Govt turning for a while (Crio will give me a character reference if needed) I can go to the track Sat but have to leave early to come home for a function
Lastly I think Crio you should make a special appeal to Mark Doyle to be part of Crios Racing – if nothing it would get Budge going
We have filled our “buffoon” quota!
Which is the horse, unlucky last week, and where is it going around next?
I sank with Jock’s mudlarks last week and need to counter attack.
Argee Mc Laren was the horse (Boss rode it for Jolly)
Its ok Im on a mission tonight
What a week on CRIO.
The tribal aspect of footy, bufoonery and the Budge coming out of hibernation to deliver the last word in very succinct style. What’s a schadenfreude anyway, is it a sausage in bread with cabbage or a new imported beer.
On to the sport of Kings (and paupers)
Good to see that Oges has made it back to the beach, putting in the hard yards. You’re on for a coffee on Friday, Crio will provide my mobile number so give me a ring pre Friday and we can arrange. The Gov’t is in a state of flux ( as usual) and can surely do without me for a while on Friday.
Should have a drying track at Morphettville and it’s Lightning Stakes day and Moody has Thermal Current in who should have easily won it’s last start and gone on to be one of the fav’s in the Blue Diamond so if it can run up to disclosed form it wins easily. I’ll also butter up again on Perfect Punch in the 4th, better track and not Parks track.
Everywhere else looks impossible at the moment but agrre with Crio about a possible chance for Veewap in the last as they normally can come from back and wide at the end of the day and a firmish track would help.
Your brother Peter is the Caulfield King – get his input.
Jock – could you send the mobile no. to Crio please
Crio and Jock you were stiff in the last Veewap had to do a bit more work than Freedmans thing.
Was a lovely ride by Brad Rawiller in the Bletchingly, and pretty strange a Clinton McDonald winner to get the blows ,see any money for it Crio?
Unloved Cowshedend! I weakened and then, to compound the pain, didn’t saddle up in the last which was remarkable odds. Sandown tomorrow!
Crio, your tips have been pretty good quaddie wise lately as evidenced by last Saturday at Caufileld where I got three legs courtesy of your tips, so…. Can I make a request… After your initial quaddie picks, could you add a new thing to your picks where you pick in each leg 2 extra picks that punters should consider in each leg roughies or whatever. It would help me no end. Thanks a million paubai.