RACES May 19, 2011
Despite Brisbane’s Winter Carnival having a month still to run, there is a sense of a let-down after the massive crowds, hype and excitement of Black Caviar’s BTC Cup win last week and the breaking news that she is now to be rested until the Spring.
Nevertheless, Doomben still hosts Australia’s premiere meeting which demands punters’ attention. Most will focus on the final 3 races.
In Race 6, the BRC Sprint, Thankgodyou’rehere has drawn the carpark yet still looks to be the yardstick. 3 from 5.
My Kingdom of Fife has stamped his credentials as the best middle distance stayer around and it is tough to tip against him in the Doomben Cup (R7, No6, 2020m). 6,7,10.
The favourites (1+7) have drawn the highway (18+20) in the last, the BTC Classic (R8, 1350m). Look for value. Maybe 5 or 13 E/W.
Pleasingly, we have a reasonable meeting at Flemington this Saturday so I just hope the weather is fine – my station in Flemington’s main ring is exposed and, unfortunately, sparsely populated by the“rank and file”; not surprising given its lack of facilities. Punters rightly stay away.
They’ll be missing some time honoured off season classics – the “other” 2 miler, formerly the Duke of Norfolk Stakes, and the mile race for 2 yr olds, the Gibson Carmichael Stakes, which has a good record of throwing up winners for next season (such as Apache Cat) – and two other races that are heats of successful and well supported series – the Winter Championship and the Banjo Paterson. As evidence of the strength of Melbourne racing, there is also a Listed sprint down the iconic straight – $790,000 of prizemoney plus bonuses on a drab winter Saturday!
The Quaddy begins with The Straight Six (R5, 1200m). Dubbleanny is flying but this is a good race. Chance to 4 and put in 2 if outside “on”.
The 2 miler (R6, 3200m, $200,000) has good depth of moderate horses. Good luck! Maybe 4+5.This is a bonus race for bookies’ staff as we get time to get a coffee and have a sit down whilst they plod the marathon – a nice change from the 1000m dashes where there’s barely time to change the betting slips.
Heat 2 of the Winter Championships (R7, 1400m) is worth some research. Demerit (3) is a good horse, but 13 is a bad gate from that shute. I’m looking for a leader. 11 racing really well and be sure to put in the bottom-weight.
Under The Hat (R8, No7) will rightly anchor punters’ hopes in the last…an early finish at 4.10EST.
Regionally, the KrisFlyer, a leg of the World Sprint Series, is on in Singapore and it is to be hoped that the extraordinary Rocket Man shows his old form – then, if he doesn’t get lured to Flemington by the Derby Day riches, he could at least be an opponent for Black Caviar at the end of the year in Hong Kong.
Good luck!
BTW, So You Think races Sunday night (EST) in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
Crio,
La Bella Diamante, the dam of Bourse, is indeed a three quarter siseter in blood to Octagonal, etc, being by Zabeel out of a daughter of Klairessa.
On to the form, in no particular order:
Flemington: Xcellent’s brother Rockferry started one of the fav’s in the Derby in 2009 and if he is half as good now, and a tenth as good as his brother, runs a good race at odds.
Doomben: This where the relative quality and the odds are.
I love NZ horses in Qld at this time of year and some of my selections will reflect this.
Doomben: Race 2 :Atom Cat. Trainer, hoop, form. Back him e/w with a saver onthe other Kiwi St. Germaine.
Race 4: I really like the potential of Heidelicious and will try her along with the Kiwi Scarlett Lady.
Race 5: With a bit of rain predicted, 2 great chances at good odds. Culminate and Marquardt.
Race 6: El Chico (Kiwi) and Mr Armstrong ( Good trainer who rarely travels)
Race 8: Under the Eifell (Team Vasllene) and Wabeel, who will appreciate the drop in distane .
Good Luck and thanks for the track/weather info.
Track will be very fair at Flemington. So much of the form is on wet tracks, with sires whose progeny swim +/or non-winners. Eliminate and the fields are pretty skinny. I haven’t the time, but this is a good day for punters to work…hope you turn a profit.
Crio, still sticking with Norsqui in the 3200 race at nice odds. Horse on the up, a promising stayer in the making. I’m plumping that his Sandown win on the bog hasn’t taken too much out of him.
DD
DD,
That’s the Duke of Norfolk Stakes.