Racing: Guineas looks a vintage edition on my favourite race day of the year

By Mark “Makybe” Freeman

Magnificent card at Caulfield on Saturday, punters, and the weather is shaping up perfectly. My favourite day of spring, and easily the best to get along to.

The Guineas looks a vintage edition, with those classy Sydney colts set to battle it out. I like Trusting from his last effort, and I think he and Manhattan Rain have an advantage over Denman and So You Think because they’ve had a good look at Caulfield under race conditions and will be better for it.

For the trifectas, Knacker favourite Starspangledbanner was an extraordinary run in the Guineas Prelude, and could get a cosy tuck-in behind them from the inside marble and push up late to get among the prizemoney, and I’m also going to include Nicastro – outclassed but might get a lucky trail into the placings.

There’s plenty of interest across the program. Three-year-olds go all right in the Schillachi, so perhaps Wanted fits the bill, while the Yalumba could be a trap again. Hopefully Douro Valley won’t spoil the party again like he did last year, but it should come down to the better ride between Newitt and Oliver.

But for Daff’s cash, which sits in piles on his desk at the minute, we’re very keen on two, and we’re keeping it simple.

All American has been building to a huge run in the Toorak. His last effort in the Rupert Clarke was excellent after getting too far back in the midst of the start debacle in that race. He’s got Glen Boss on and a lovely marble, and could get the ideal spot three and four back and get a suck into the finish at big odds. We’ve already jumped on the $34 available last night.

Melb R6 No. 16 All American $25 ew ($34 win, $8.50 place)

And it’s D-day for our big go in the Caulfield Cup, Hissing Sid. He has to win the Herbert Power to get a run, and there’s no reason he can’t. He came home in tandem with Speed Gifted last start, and he’s since won the Metropolitan. He’s drawn his first good marble since the Warrnambool Cup win, and he’s got Froggy on board again. Go Sid, you bird.

Melb R8 No. 6 Hissing Sid $50 win ($7 now, but will wait for $8).

(Current bank $500)

Good luck, punters.

Comments

  1. Freezer

    I can see the Guineas unfolding. On disclosed form, and the sense of class that accompanies it, The Banner can only win with the right ride. He may be better than we think but we don’t know yet.

    I picture it like this. He gets the smother. Is revved up at the 600. D. Nikolic goes for the doctor, catches Denman napping, and is three lengths clear at the 250. The good ones are getting stoked up, and chasing, but it’s too late. “The Banner has pinched this. You are a genius D. Nikolic.”

  2. Freezer/Crio

    I’m interested in Paprika, and agree that the winner will come from the bottom of the field.

    Also have a real Shehu Shigaru roughie, Run Roxy Run in the last at (flat track) cricket score odds.

    JTH

  3. mick geary says

    John,

    I like your confidence – how do you see the balls falling tomorrow night at around 8.30pm?

    I like Paprika too and give Gallica a shot at odds in the Toorak.

    Looking forward to the day….

  4. Makybe,

    You are indeed a good judge. I reckon ALL AMERICAN is an each way special (where is the $34?).

    Think that Hissing Sid is some hope but you are betting with your heart and not your head there I think (though it worked last week!)

    Reckon DENMAN is the lay of the day and may miss a place. There are 3 other quality colts there but I think TRUSTING might be something special.

    Can’t ignore the obvious in the last, VELOCITEA. Just hope I can still afford to back a favourite by then and aren’t looking for better odds to get out!

  5. Mark Freeman says

    Budge the $34 was with Betstar Wednesday night, but tonight I see they’ve come for him, he’s into $21 there and $24 on the exchange.

    Yes the heart thing is fair call – wise old sage said ‘never hate em, never fall in love with em’ – and I aspire to that, but in the end I like to have a little stable of gallopers that are keen and hit the line, and then go hard when conditions are right for them.

    I reckon a head-argument can be mounted for Sid: last run he hit the line and matched motors with Speed Gifted, and is set to produce his best after four runs in. I reckon he’s got a touch of class, and having seen the last decade of Warrnambool Cups, I’ve never seen an easier win than his.

    The trick will to get off him if if he fails tomorrow – that’ll be the hard bit.

  6. What a gun tipping wesite this is!
    Last week we had the declaration on ALL SILENT at around $14 and this week Elvis proferred the folowing:

    “The Toorak, and I am throwing out Allez Wonder. I said to Budge, I’ve got a kind of “La Neige” gut feeling about her. The $51 last night on fixed price is now $35”

    Got the money and paid $42 if you don’t mind! Great work Elvis. Pity I had not a zac on it!

  7. Kenneth Briedis says

    Dear Makybe,

    I’d just like to say how much I enjoyed your column.

    Except for the bits in bold.

    Looking forward to next week, nonetheless.

    Yours,

    Kenneth

  8. Peter Flynn says

    Just back from The Heath (late home) and I am well-refreshed.
    A touch of the ‘La Neige’ about the Toorak alright!
    Ditto Budge. Hats off Elvis.
    I’ve never been able to catch Bart.
    He deadset talks out of the corner of his mouth.

    Allez Wonder was a winner of a restricted race midweek at Money Valley at its last start.
    How did it get into the field? No emergencies I guess.

    I got Maxisun and Alcopop home.

    Played JTH on the Banner.

    Admission price and 3 beers is 66 lazy ones.

    I reckon that’s a bit steep.

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