Respectfully, perhaps stubbornly, our Almanac custom is to reference races by their registered name, bypassing the turnstiles of change. But this Saturday’s big mile, originating as the Cantala, is more clearly recalled by me as the George Adams Stakes, its title when I first attended “Final Day” in my much loved time warp of 1982. In my memory it was a stinking hot day yet I ventured back to the scene of my despair (just 4 days beforehand) and saw a gripping clash, backing the fav but saving on Magari which defeated Getting Closer and enabled me to “get out”.
Since then the last Saturday of the Carnival has continued to gain profile as the VRC has bookended the week with what is more easily known as Stakes Day.
In what is now The Emirates, Melbourne has its very own “destination” Mile to rival Randwick’s long admired classics. A Quality Handicap, strong formlines collide and punters tend to launch in to one of the best betting challenges of the week. Again The Cleaner will have a strong profile and make it an honest pace, but the most likely (and Quaddy anchor for those so brazen) is Contributer (6). Obviously you could (and will) make a case for plenty of others.
The attraction of this meeting though goes well beyond the feature. Not only do we partially escape the “try hards” who are probably off to rehab (I heard someone – probaably a “celeb”- confess on the radio that it is OK not to buy a new outfit for this Saturday!!!) but there’s a ripper and varied list of “supporting” races (although, again, too many of them spread over too many hours) profiling juveniles, stayers, sprinters and the middle distance mares.
Here’s a quick overview of them:-
MR1- Maribyrnong Plate (2yo, SW, 1000m) Watch betting! John O’Shea’s Exceed and Excel colt, Bantam (4), made a huge impression winning its trial at Warwick Farm. If you must start early, try a tiny place nibble on 100/1 pop Mister Miyagi (3).
MR5- QE Stakes (2600m, Quality, G3) A race with a rich history which has lost its lustre over time. Nevertheless, were I not working this would be the time I’d plan to arrive and enjoy the top class back end of the day. This is rightly only G3 nowadays. Plenty of possibilities. 8 from 3.
MR6- Sprint (1200m, WFA, G1) From a chequered history, this race has found a niche and status as one of the best of the whole spring. This edition is magnificent. Chautauqua (10) has been breathtaking down the straight, treating pretty good opposition with disdain, forcing the Hawkes camp to juggle their pair of remarkable sprinters. Here he meets some really good ‘uns revisiting their own rivalries forged in an epic Manikato Stakes. Lankan Rupee’s fans will point out that he defied all comers to win, but connections of Terravista, Buffering, Rebel Dane, Famous Seamus and co will cite misfortune and look forward to another crack, this time down the spacious six furlongs at HQ. Further complicating permutations is the appearance of the Irish star, Slade Power, winner of England’s premier sprints at his most recent runs. What a clash! Not to be missed and arguably the highlight of the season so far.
MR7- Stakes (MR7, 1600m, G1)
MR8- Matriarch (2000m, Mares, SWP, G2) Terrific finale to another great series of battles amongst the girls. Suavito has the gate, the form and the hoop to justify top rating. Solicit has drawn a little awkwardly must might be able to roll forward to a handy possy. From a terrible gate I’ll still have to throw in Zonza which I’d fancied when missing a run as Emerg in the Myer. Plenty of chances.
MR9- (Hcp, 1400m) I reckon I’ve got a knock on most of these, having tried so many of them at varied stages. Today’s nominee is Sweet As Bro, 2nd up and juicy odds.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Thanks to everyone who’s been a part of our forum over recent months – the weekly post continues even though the profile falls.
Think I might finally get to Dunkeld next week.
Special thanks to Budge for filling the breech on Cup Day and tipping us in to the winner. Well done!
Not much chance to look at them for tomorrow – late home from Oaks, in the classroom today and then across to Cranbourne for tonight’s meeting!
A succession of seconds has me behind for the past month but I won’t chase – as we know, there’s always another chance as long as you have the ammo on hand.
Good luck!
Another Cup another loser.Sorry Budge I didn’t take your advice (you are the King…) Thanfully my racehorse stock on the ASX is doing better)
No news from the beach but I look to the SA runners at Flemington
Can The Cleaners dream continue and can Captain Crio survive the Western Disricts at Dunkeld next week?
All will be revealed shortly
Cup and Oaks day served up there usual sacks of crap in the minor events, the greys race, which is the equine answer to the egg and spoon event, a plethora of unbearable straight race raffles with 20 runners.
Needless to say I had a Barry of a week, but will butter up tomorrow and have a bit of a go at Big Memory in the QE.
Have bagged straight races for an eternity, but tomorrows ripping sprint is a must see,
not having a punt in it but will be strapped in for a squiz.
Oges,
Do not encourage the Budge comments like “you are the King” will be taken to heart and Elvis will be in for a torrid time (like the rest of us)
I thought Rhythm to Spare was a great chance in the Emirates/Honda/ Invitation stakes, I don’t think The Cleaner is a hope and I doubt Hucklebuck at 1600, maybe Lucky Hussler is also in it despite the poor draw.
I’ll be having something on Teravista who was the best run at the Valley and really good odds if he handles the straight.
I thought Keep Da Rose was overs in race because Tango’s Daughter and Solicit will drag it over to a good position, it did run 3rd in this last year from an outside gate and the run before last when it drew 1 was pretty good., I also reckon Pin Your Hopes in the 3rd is getting close to a win.
Adelaide is a shocker of a day so stay away.
I’ve been encouraging a couple of no-hopers who regularly view this site to start contributing—–so where are you dodgy and black dog?
Crio,
Watched Slade Power win the July Cup. Pretty, pretty spectacular. The last 2 furlongs uphill and he just ran away from them. Won 1200 on a heavy with 63.5. Shataqua (who hasn’t) has been extremely impressive, but this is WFA. I reckon Wayne Hawkes is a bit surprised he has gotten to this point.’ SLADE POWER.
Cadillac Mountain wins the 2nd.
The Emirates, and I like Leebaz. Obviously a play on Zabeel, as was Bazeal Bay, who won the race in 1998. Team Hawkes will temper the disappointment of Shataqua’s (who hasn’t) loss with a win in the George Adams. Roughie: I’m Imposing (who isn’t)
Classy NZ mare Telepathic (2 from 2 second up) wins the last.
Elvis,
I’m with you in the last.
Have you taken up phonetics?
Jock,
Great to hear you are with me in the last.
In answer to your question, yes and no. I am more about abstract cognitive units of speech more than basic phonetics. Anyway. Slade Power. Forgot Lankan Rupee. That was a gut buster last start. Am I wrong? Buffering, His day in the sun was long coming, then it happened, now its over. Slade Power to make a near full hand of imported plunders.
Finally leaving Cranbourne races so not much time for the form tmrw. Track will be as dry as my throat – or Elvis’ wit.
No love for my non omen pick in the last…2nd up is the go and Corstens is finding winners
What day is the Craven A Stakes on?
Trainers are on to me again – logged in for my only bet of the day…MR9 No8 scratched!
Ciro
Fantastic rundown over the carnival , great reading and comments
Jock has egged us on to contribute so here goes!
Leebaz has a good record at the distance and has a handy record 2nd up as well as having an in form D Dunn on board. As well as a handy weight drop-fingers crossed for a good showing
Agreed with you Jock on Teravista in the Darley, go the Hughie Bowman!
Dodgy Yarrow get in and comment
Dog
well done,making much more sense than after a few pints last night.
Agreeing with Jock will take you a long way.
Dodge says. Happy to add and share my humble thoughts with such a wise and successful group of fellow sports lovers even though I differ with the guru Jock and the dog. Cant go past the two obvious in The Darley in Lankan Rupee and Chautauqua . Follow up in the Emirates with the team of Waller and Oliver and Bull Point. In the Energy Stakes a horse named after The Dog in Scratchy Bottom followed in the last by one that everyone is tipping Telepathic. Hope I don’t have egg on my face after taking on my buddies Jock and Black Dog . Good punting all.
Great work black dog, $9 winner brilliant
Not the best quality George Adams , but such a gutsy performance by The Cleaner, it’s the Mums Pride of the new millennium, was $6.90 when they jumped on the Tassie tote, $17 betfair
Well done all.Jock can pick as well as Budge but the SA horses did well and the Cleaner got me some E/w. Welcome to the new guys
The SA form has been outstanding – where was the Strath mail Oges??