Crio’s Racing: Return to reality

The publication of acceptors for Saturday’s Caulfield meeting has rammed home the reality of a return to pretty humdrum racing – 5 runners in the first if they all get there! For those at the Valley last weekend it was already apparent. It was the smallest crowd I’ve seen in a Saturday betting ring and retailers’ bleatings of tough times has trickled on course. It is, indeed, a different racing season. Moonee Valley’s Friday function rooms will be full of Christmas cheerers and picnic rugs will cover the lawns at Avoca and Woolamai, but it will be hard yakka “on the bag” at the Heath for the main metrop meeting.
There might be some value in the Quaddy with some of the shorties carrying serious queries. Here are some numbers to start debate:-
MR5 1800m.
Stick with Weir/Boss combo here (4) and throw in 6.
MR6 1440m. Vic Cup
Good race. Temting to tip The New Boy (12), clearly with form for support, but D.T. O’Brien’s horses are not firing. Risk and look for middle pinners like 10,1,3.
MR7 1440m.
Look for value again. 1,10,7.
MR8 1100m.
6
Good luck if you are having a try.

Comments

  1. Humdrum, yes but also maybe good for finding winners as I found last weekend.

    A lot of horses will be droppping in class and many others will be ‘over the top”.

    I notice an old, this time of year fav of mine is going around, Danzylum. Trainer keeps dodging the carnival horses each year and he always picks up a race or two.
    Casbabel in the last is another who is suited in this class and can get home over the top as he has done a few times at Caulfield.

    I’m sure I will be able to find a few more to back when I escape from work!

  2. That’s true Jock – a punter was making a similar point last week. The fields have less depth, horses are at their mark and, if bookies find it tough, it’s probably a good time to weigh in.
    Danzylum might nearly be past it…9yo gelding!

  3. Skip of Skipton says

    Anyone see the Japan Cup last Sunday? Jakkalberry, Red Cadeaux, Mount Athos and the Arc winner went around, but were good examples of ‘over the top’.

    The first filly to win (daughter of Deep Impact) nosed out their top horse Oferbve. Daylight third.

    You’d need a damn good beast to win that race thesedays.

  4. Delta Blues’ hoop rode it and survived a long protest. They really run it at a solid clip. Quinella top class.

  5. Skip of Skipton says

    Yeah crio, I watched the run again on youtube and noticed the silks of the first two. Same as Delta Blues/Pop Rock. Third and fourth weren’t ‘daylight’, but the rest were.

    They’ve always scooted along in that race. Horlicks in ’89 ran 2:22.2 which was a world record for 2400m. It’s been a great race. I remember Naturalism getting his ass near whipped off down the long home straight by Dittman, just failing to hold the top local horse Tokai Teio. That was a classic.

  6. hmmm… Naturalism getting beaten – another Pandora’s!!
    Cox Plate/Star of the Realm/Japan.

  7. Skip of Skipton says

    Naturalism was beaten fair and square in the 1992 Japan Cup,crio. By a head.
    There was no rider falling or bad ride, like the other two examples you give.

    Remember the Caulfield Stakes when he burst through the middle of the Phantom and his brother Phantom Chance? He was a great horse.

  8. No happy memories for me Skip… so nearly an “out and out”!

    Really quiet and losing night at MV tonight – they extended the agony by putting back the last by 15 mins whilst lightning cleared! Needing to fight back at The Heath.

  9. Skip of Skipton says

    Just getting thunder and rain here now as I type. Sorry about your night, crio. That’s the game innit?

    Naturalism just pipped Veandercross in the AJC Derby after vice versa in the Rosehill Guineas. Good horses.

  10. Skip, I am talking thru the boss’ kick – I hardly bet. My main concern is that he still takes a stand at these meetings as there is limited work for baggies these days – even doyens!

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