Sal’s Preview: Derby Day, and Vale to a Local Legend

 

Greetings All,

 

The heir had tried Milo Cricket but was now keen to play cricket so we ventured down to Glen Iris CC who were running an Under 10 team.  The first man to introduce himself was Paul ‘Pal’ Lourey, he made us welcome as he did to everyone who came to the club.  18 years on and the heir still plays at Glen Iris and until this week Pal was a part of our lives.  Sadly he died suddenly on Monday leaving a gaping hole in the heart of the cricket club.

 

Local hero just starts to describe Paul and his service for the club and association (ECA).  If there was a job to be done he was either doing it or organising it.  Match day or training night Paul made it run, dealing with councils and co-tenants he knew how to make things work.

 

If you played ECA cricket or VAFA footy there was a fair chance Paul knew about you.  Even remembering details of games that I had played against him for East Doncaster back in the 1980s.  He loved a chat and a beer, which made him a great contributor to Almanac Lunches.  Pal didn’t mind a punt so cricket washouts could get him down to the heath for the afternoon.

 

A line in the club song is ‘every member is a star’!  There was no greater star than Paul Lourey.

 

Rest in Peace Pal

 

 

Track Time

 

What do the punting gods have in store for us this week.  Changes to the card over recent years has stripped this card of some of its lustre but we still have three group one races among the nine group races that make up the card.  We know the weather gods have not been kind with rain most of the week and a fine-ish day on Saturday could make it tricky with astonishing recuperative powers of the course.  We saw last week how the inside improved during the day for Craig Williams to romp home on Bella Nipotina in the Manikato.

 

 

Race 1 – Carbine Club Stakes (G3, 1600m, 3yo SWP)

 

A typically tough opener with not much between them.  Tijuana (1) gets the penalty for winning the Stutt but only 1½kg split them all here, none of the four that beat him in the Guineas are running here.  Always wary of CJW andPungo (12) comes off a maiden win last start, Waller produced the winner of this race last year coming off that same race.  Like the way Elkington Road (6) held on in the Guineas and Watadeel (8) was not far off Zoe’s Promise last start.

 

Selections – 1-12-6-8

 

 

Race 2 – Archer Stakes (G3, 2500m, HCP)

 

It’s the last ticket into the Melbourne Cup with 8 of the 15 runners needing to win, Alegron (1) for GSOB is safely in the cup as he uses one of Grandad’s method to complete the preparation.  Interpretation (10) gets some weight relief here, beaten only by Lunar Flare and Francesco Guardi here in the Bart is reasonable form.  Reckon he can be yet another Maher-Eustace runner on Tuesday.  Surefire (8) did beat him in the Geelong Cup and will be a major threat especially with JMac aboard.  Makram (6) third in the Geelong Cup is consistent and giving some chance toSerpentine (9) who gets significant weight relief but needs a good surface to play on.

 

Selections – 10-8-6-1

 

 

Race 3 – Rising Fast Stakes (G3, 1200m, HCP)

 

The first of the straight races which should help workout whether the inside, outside or crown is favoured.  Massive run from Triple Missile (8) after blowing the start at Caulfield, a big chance provided he loses the tardiness.  Sirius Suspect (4) loves the straight and will be in front for a long way, takes good ones to get past.  On form Generation (3) appears ready to win and would have had on top but for the impost and not much wrong with the form ofGravina (6).  If by chance we get a good track would be looking hard at Argentia (9),  Superium (11) and Shaquero (13).

 

Selections – 8-4-3-6

 

 

Race  4 – Wakeful Stakes (G2, 2000m, Fillies SWP)

 

Main selections at the top of the field with this looking to have a bit of tail with several maidens having a throw at the stumps as they step up to 2000m.  P Payne kept Jenny Jerome (1) at home last week, should have conditions to suit and expect to run well leading into the Oaks on Thursday.  So Dazzling (3) was just that here two starts back, probably the pick if the rain hits.  Maher-Eustace have engaged JMac for Zennzella (6) surely a sign of intent and Let’sbefrankbaby (4) has been running well in this company.

 

Selections – 1-3-6-4

 

 

Race 5 – Linlithgow Stakes (G2, 1400m, HCP)

 

A tough challenge when two of your favourites line up against each other – made harder when you also need to be objective on their chances.  I speak of Turaath (7) and Jimmy the Bear (11).  It’s a step up for Jimmy and reckon he is capable but just going with the mare Turaath (7) who is 2 from 2 over this journey and raced in this class before.  Old Flame (8) burnt plenty of punters last start where it just didn’t pan out, unlikely to find the same trouble at headquarters.  Also giving Catalyst (4) a mulligan for last start, his best is good enough for this.

 

Selections – 7-11-8-4

 

 

Race 6 – Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1, 1200m, 3yo SW)

 

The market is saying that In Secret (15) can hold off Jacquinot (1) this time.  Reckon the market has them too far apart, like Jacquinot (1) from an outside gate to swoop over the top of the filly.  The great unknown is the undefeated Grand Impact (7), inside barrier might not be in his favour but hard to argue with winning form!  Buenos Noches (6) is a known commodity down the straight and tough at the end of 1200 so some chance.  A few others in the market but a pretty long tail.

 

Selections – 1-15-7-6

 

 

Race 7 – Victoria Derby (G1, 2500m, 3yo SW)

 

A marvellous renewal of the blue riband event with the winners of the main lead up races in with a great chance.  Suspect the winner will come from one of those.  The barrier draw proved the folly of pre-post betting – Mr Maestro (4) was a raging favourite till drawing the outside gate.  Still think he has a great chance but will take a masterful ride from Damian Lane.  Berkeley Square (2) and Sharp ‘n’ Smart (1) were both solid winners last week and suspect it will come down to how the race is run.  Berkeley Square (2) has a devastating turn of foot, can he produce it at the end of 2500m?  While Sharp ‘n’ Smart (1) was able to grind down Elliptical in the Spring Champion.  Little between them but giving the pick to BS with his Flemington experience.  Pericles (5) looked every bit a derby contender last week and not discounting the a couple from the Geelong Classic in Grand Pierro (6) and Aberfeldie (17).

 

Selections – 2-1-4-5

 

 

Race 8 – Empire Rose Stakes (G1, 1600m, F&M WFA)

 

Going with the other New Zealander in the filly She’s Licketysplit (16) to replicate the performance of I am a Star.  She has a win over the journey here all be it against her own age group and is building a very good record.  Too much noise to ignore the boom on La Crique (14), imposing record, JMac on board – almost convinced.  Nimalee (2) is a beauty that puts in every time, would have like Yearning (12) to draw a better gate but by this time the outside might not be a disadvantage.

 

Selections – 16-14-2-12

 

 

Race 9 – Begonia Belle Stakes (G3, 1100m, Mares SWP)

 

Banking on the outside being the best place to be by now and Shalstar (17) with C Williams on board having the right run.  If the inside has the advantage then Asfoora (2) will be very difficult to beat after her decisive win two weeks ago.  Isotope (10) will appreciate the drop back from Group 1 company and Zapateo (3) is more than capable.

 

Selections – 17-2-10-3

 

 

Quaddie Time

 

Solid favoured runners in every leg and some pretty long tails in them too.  Problem is that this carnival often has a member of that tail pull surprise and deliver value in the quaddie – reality is that they knock most of us out!  So happy to take the early favourites and spread the load later.

 

Quaddie

 

Leg 1 – 1, 7, 15

Leg 2 – 1, 2, 4, 5

Leg 3 – 1, 2, 7, 12, 14, 16

Leg 4 – 2, 3, 10, 17

 

288 Combinations, $30 Investment returns 10.4% of the dividend.

 

Go Jacq!

 

Cheers, Sal

 

 

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