Grizzled gamblers just move on to the next episode but true racing lovers indulge in some reflection, even nostalgia, about horses, races and carnivals they’ve seen. Enjoyed – not endured.
The 2013 Sydney Autumn is destined to generate memories and debate that will fuel racing conversations for generations to come.
Just look at last week for example… an extraordinary day’s racing with an honour roll of great merit. Again the 3yo crop shone, with Fiveandahalfstar earning a spot in the next Miller’s Guide by winning the Tancred as a reigning Victoria Derby winner. Lights of Heaven and Norzita are pretty good horses to be winning “minor” supports. The Slipper winner, Overreach, was outstanding. Appearance completed one of the great season’s for a middle distance mare – yet the drama was of “good thing beat” More Joyous who went down on her nose. And Pierro caused the perpetually hyperbolic Gai to brand him as the best horse of the last half century! What a day!
This week’s Derby meeting had promised to go up a further notch but acceptances are not quite as grand as had been hoped – especially in the Derby itself where It’s a Dundeel looks to be just that and will be a bargain at the quoted 1/4.
The T.J. Smith (1200m, WFA, G1) will rightfully steal the limelight if Black Caviar takes her place in the field. Moody’s reckoned her gallops to be career best which makes her unbeatable on a rapidly improving track. Hay List, unfortunately, had a bit of a setback last week but still intends to challenge. The fav’s barrier 1 is a bit of a quandary and it is a good field – but she’s better than that. A “must watch”.
It’s another black-type strewn card (3@G1, 2@G2, 4@G3) with the only clear cut deep-red shorties being in the Group Ones – The Derby (SR7), The T.J. Smith (SR9) and the Sires’ Produce (SR5), in which Overreach is expected to comfortably back up for a good cheque.
Otherwise it looks a challenging day for punters who will have to factor in the unfamiliar Randwick track and a surface which, hopefully, will be firm by raceday.
Down here in Melbourne there is a remarkably good meeting at Flemington with free admission to entice punters and onlookers to Headquarters. There are races listed that are better than some of the Group ratings we had had over summer – look, for example, at the excellent $80,000 Yarraville Handicap (MR7, 1000m).
For those starting Quaddy prognostications, here are some early possibilities:
1st Leg (MR5, 1600m) – Very good and very even race. 2 and 3.
2nd Leg (MR6, 2000m) – Go wide. 9,11,3.
3rd Leg (MR7, 1000m) – I’m a big Lady Melksham fan but Flemington has been her nemesis with 2 flops. 4 and 7 might provide the value.
4th Leg (MR8, 1400m) – Speed charts please! Rugged Cross (14) looked good at Sandown. Include 6.
Racing is enjoying a run of good stories – what about the $5m.+ $4m. yearlings this week – whilst other codes take their turn in the shame file.
Enjoy it while it lasts!
All comments and suggestions welcomed, as always. Be sure to, at the very least, watch the big races at the “new” Randwick.
And good luck!
Are the 3 G1 shorties in Sydney all morals?
Crio,
2 of the 3 are.
Hard to go against Overreach, should just sit up and sprint home the last 400 but I’d want to lay it if it tries the Champagne.
BC, over the line
Its aDD not over the line. Already been beaten at 2500 in Vic Derby which may have been one of three things 1. didn’t stay, 2. end of prep 3. pace of the race. I tend to think it didn’t stay but is probably more mature now. Should win but can get beaten although the only danger on form looks like Phillipi, nothing he beat would be a hope.
Good meeting in Adelaide. In race 5 Mick Kent has hesnotthemessiah which was a great run at Caulfield last time out and will be very hard to beat, Moody has high esteem in the same race it will probably be red odds.
Who knows anything/much about a horse called Equal Rights? It’s making its first start for the Freyer stable in the picnics at Cootamundra on Saturday. She’s a 6 year old, previously trained by Simon Morrish. Last start she came 23.75 lengths last at Sandown on April 3, with the track rated a slow 6. Not a good recommendation, though when it comes to the picnics, it means nought. Watching Soward win at Ardlethan after his previous very poor form indicates the huge gulf between metropolitan racing, and the standard of the picnics. Thus i’m curious to know more about this horse.
Glen!
Obviously a very slow horse Glen.
The Balnarald form should stack up at Cootamundra.
Glen,
Personally don’t know it but has run 3rd to Montgomery over 3000 at the valley 2 years ago and strung together 3 on the trot last Feb over 1600 at the valley twice and one at Great Western. Probably wins at Cootamundra if it reproduces that.
All three placegetters in the Tancred were Derby winners.
I’m hoping Bloodbuzz Ohio can lead hard for 10f, then the Derby might be a contest.
Jock,
The Dundeel was sluggish at the Valley and not right at Flemington – maybe over the top or maybe the left handed racing. He looks a better horse in a weaker field. Monty.
‘Awaiting Moderation’ eh? Listen bloke, I can’t find a way to exit from this ‘Gravatar’ jive.
What is going to happen is, you are going to ‘step by step’ get me out of ‘Gravatar’. You got me into it, now get me out of it. If you think I’m a joker, think again.
Skip and others,
I spoke to Admin about how the new filter kills conversation.
It will be remedied.
Good punting