Amongst a congested sporting landscape, the once prestigious Futurity Stakes meeting at Caulfield is in danger of being overlooked by sportslovers and punters, many of whom are already casting their wayward staking towards footy betting, which on the NAB Cup is foolhardy.
Friday night’s meeting at the Valley is actually very good but it will be largely ignored due to the Dogs and Hawks at Etihad and even the TV coverage of the Aussies playing in New Zealand.
This morning’s little paper speculated on the likely comparative crowds at racing tomorrow. Balnarring picnics are catering for 4,000 (they shut the gates at 6,000 last meeting) whereas Caulfield are backing up from an underwhelming 9,000 at their premiere Blue Diamond/Oakleigh Plate meeting.
The disappointing acceptances for the Heath doesn’t give me any optimism for a vibrant betting ring. And my staking form is awful so I won’t be trying very hard either. Fields in general are pretty small and lack depth. Even the “time-honoured” Futurity, these days over a mile, has only six declared runners. Once again those who do attend will witness a top-notch racehorse, on this occasion the wonderful mare Typhoon Tracy, who will probably be too sharp for Sniper’s Bullet.
My bet of the day, on a “last-chance” basis, will be Salinas, where I’ll be risking sending good money after bad. I thought it a good chance last start at the Valley but, instead, the smart money went on victorious stablemate Speedy Natalie whilst Craig Williams got “lost”, figuring prominently in the stewards’ reports. Tomorrow Luke Nolen, Peter Moody’s No.1 hoop, jumps on board.
Almanac punters would do well to check the site in the morning where, if he has recovered from tonight’s excesses, our Groote Eyelandt guru, Elvis, will post his late mail and dreams to follow!
He tipped a 30/1 winner last week, Electromotive, his second bolter of the Carnival. I suspect his unorthodox punting methodology (he understood roving bankers back when I thought it was rhyming slang) will find some value for us at Rosehill’s Silver Slipper/ Hobartville meeting.
Anyone else’s input will be greatly appreciated. I need a serious dose of enthusiasm to get me to “Super Saturday” next week!
I do like Thegoodandthegreat in the 2yo – most of the other fancies have run their grand final and he was quite impressive on debut.
The only upside of this week being such a crap meetingh is that next week will be a boomer!
Two “hot” tips for no collects tonight…I’d be better off not punting or at the very least backing my own (mis)judgement.
Despite poor “left hand” form I’m going to have to have something on Mentality in the last at Caulfield. With a claim, this is a declining Group One horse thrown in to a fairly nondescript race.