The Sunshine Coast Turf Club get their big day in the spotlight with the Caloundra Cup meeting, also featuring the Glasshouse Handicap for the sprinters and the Sunshine Coast Guineas for the three-year-olds.
There are some other nice races on around the country with the Listed Winter Cup at Rosehill over 2400m and over in WA we have the Group 3 Strickland Stakes over 2000m at weight-for-age.
There are some other nice races on around the country with the Listed Winter Cup at Rosehill over 2400m and over in WA we have the Group 3 Strickland Stakes over 2000m at weight-for-age.
LOOKING FORWARD
Who's hot?
Damian Browne is the man to follow at the Sunshine Coast. His last 16 rides at the track (since May 19) have resulted in eight winners and four placegetters (Win 50% / Place 75%) including a winning treble on May 31 and doubles on May 19 and May 26. Has ridden 47 winners at the track in the last 12 months at a strike rate of almost one winner every three rides. No other jockey has ridden more than 30.
Sunshine Coast
*** As of 4pm the track was rated a Heavy 8. There has been 26mm of rain in the last week including 8mm in the last 24 hours. The forecast is for scattered showers tomorrow. ***
Caloundra Cup (Listed, 2400m, quality handicap)
I can't argue with the market here - I think Zennista and Shenzou Steeds will fight it out and I'm leaning to the former.
Zennista's last two runs have been good enough to win a race like this. She followed a close up fourth behind Solzhenitsyn in the unsuitably short Lord Mayors Cup before solid thirds in the Premiers and Brisbane Cups. Has looked to have Shenzou Steed's measure the last two times they met. That man Browne takes the ride.
Shenzou Steeds does have some things in his favour such as his love of the track (three from three) including victory in this race last year. He also relishes a wet track and showed last Saturday he's returned to something like peak form.
Of the rest Rothera seemed to struggle to run out the 2400m last week and it was a gutbuster. High Kin looked good at Ipswich but gets no favours in the barrier draw. Kaypers faces a stiff class rise and is yet to win beyond a mile but is adept on affected ground. Za Magic has won here and handles the wet but the 2400m is the query.
Locky's Selections
Zennista's last two runs have been good enough to win a race like this. She followed a close up fourth behind Solzhenitsyn in the unsuitably short Lord Mayors Cup before solid thirds in the Premiers and Brisbane Cups. Has looked to have Shenzou Steed's measure the last two times they met. That man Browne takes the ride.
Shenzou Steeds does have some things in his favour such as his love of the track (three from three) including victory in this race last year. He also relishes a wet track and showed last Saturday he's returned to something like peak form.
Of the rest Rothera seemed to struggle to run out the 2400m last week and it was a gutbuster. High Kin looked good at Ipswich but gets no favours in the barrier draw. Kaypers faces a stiff class rise and is yet to win beyond a mile but is adept on affected ground. Za Magic has won here and handles the wet but the 2400m is the query.
Locky's Selections
4 Zennista
5 Shenzou Steeds
9 Kaypers
5 Shenzou Steeds
9 Kaypers
Glasshouse Handicap (Listed, 1400m, quality handicap)
I tipped River Lad last week as an each-way pinch and at the furlong I thought we had the chocolates. The favourite was just too strong. See no reason not to step in here again. Not badly weighted considering the conditions and company, and should handle the going.
Best of the rest is Belltone who went too bad to be true in the Stradbroke. Can bounce back. Someday will likely start favourite and he is another one I tipped last week when he was the victim of a curious ride. Great record at the distance but has never won on slow or heavy although has been placed four times out of four.
Locky's Selections
Best of the rest is Belltone who went too bad to be true in the Stradbroke. Can bounce back. Someday will likely start favourite and he is another one I tipped last week when he was the victim of a curious ride. Great record at the distance but has never won on slow or heavy although has been placed four times out of four.
Locky's Selections
1 Belltone
13 Someday
Other bets
Disciple (Rosehill Race 9 No. 12) is in great form and it took an in-form galloper to run him down last start. Has a great record at the track and distance and has a jockey and trainer who are in good touch. $6 looks generous.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Jockey Michael Cahill will be free to ride at the Sunshine Coast tomorrow despite copping a careless riding suspension for his ride aboard Viking Heart at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
His seven meeting ban begins on Sunday and sees him out until July 10.
Fellow hoop Tony Pattillo will also be free to partner Anagold in the Caloundra Cup despite being rubbed out for seven meetings midweek on the same charge.
Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden has just failed to win his first European Group 1, finishing second to German horse Novellist in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
He'll have a sort break now before embarking on a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe campaign and then will likely be retired.
Several of the runners from last week's Royal Ascot meeting look as though they will be Melbourne Cup aspirants this Spring Carnival.
Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Simenon and Edinburgh Handicap winner Opinion are both penciled in for the trip. Hardwicke Stakes fifth placegetter Mount Athos will be back for another throw at the stumps and Australian owned Dandino, second in the same race, are also expected to make the journey Down Under.
His seven meeting ban begins on Sunday and sees him out until July 10.
Fellow hoop Tony Pattillo will also be free to partner Anagold in the Caloundra Cup despite being rubbed out for seven meetings midweek on the same charge.
Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden has just failed to win his first European Group 1, finishing second to German horse Novellist in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
He'll have a sort break now before embarking on a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe campaign and then will likely be retired.
Several of the runners from last week's Royal Ascot meeting look as though they will be Melbourne Cup aspirants this Spring Carnival.
Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Simenon and Edinburgh Handicap winner Opinion are both penciled in for the trip. Hardwicke Stakes fifth placegetter Mount Athos will be back for another throw at the stumps and Australian owned Dandino, second in the same race, are also expected to make the journey Down Under.
LOOKING BACK
Who's hot?
Nash Rawiller has ridden 15 winners in the last three weeks. Had two rides for two wins. Red Tracer ($4.80 win / $2.00 place) and Howmuchdoyouloveme ($2.70 win / $1.50 place).
Eagle Farm
Last week I wrote:
"Hard to fault Red Tracer this prep. Six starts for two wins and three seconds including two narrow defeats by Appearance at Group 1 level. Has had eight starts on slow or heavy going for six wins and a narrow second to Appearance in the Queen of the Turf"
She was simply too good. Sat wide after drawing the car park but still managed to put almost two and a half lengths on them. Hard to make excuses for those behind although Streama was probably in the wrong part of the track. She's Clean could develop into a nice mare next season.
Locky's Selections
3 Red Tracer (1st) $4.80 win / $2.00 place
1 Streama (2nd) $1.90 place
16 Peron (10th)
Exacta 3-1 $17.50
Quinella 1-3 $9.90
Any 2 3-1 $4.20
1 Streama (2nd) $1.90 place
16 Peron (10th)
Exacta 3-1 $17.50
Quinella 1-3 $9.90
Any 2 3-1 $4.20
Tatt's Cup (Group 3, 2200m, quality handicap)
Hard to know what to make of this race with the $21 winner coming off some average form. Shenzou Steeds obviously appreciated the wet track and Rothera did well to hang on for third after sitting wide without cover for much of the trip. Looked like he might win halfway down the straight but just ran out of gas. Ibicenco needed a more truly run race.
Locky's Selections
Locky's Selections
1 Ibicenco (4th)
6 Shamardashing (SCRATCHED)
Healy Stakes (Group 3, 1200m, quality handicap)
Last week I wrote:
"In what looks a pretty open race I'm happy to take $10 about River Lad on an each-way basis."
Another one that I thought was going to get us the cash halfway down the running but full credit to the winner Howmuchdoyouloveme who lumped 60kg, was harrassed in front and was a sitting shot to get run down but simply would not be denied. The biggest weight ever lumped to victory in this event and the first horse to complete the Lightning-Healy double in more than 15 years.
Locky's Selections
"In what looks a pretty open race I'm happy to take $10 about River Lad on an each-way basis."
Another one that I thought was going to get us the cash halfway down the running but full credit to the winner Howmuchdoyouloveme who lumped 60kg, was harrassed in front and was a sitting shot to get run down but simply would not be denied. The biggest weight ever lumped to victory in this event and the first horse to complete the Lightning-Healy double in more than 15 years.
Locky's Selections
3 River Lad (2nd) $2.50 place
5 Gundy Son (5th)
4 Riva De Lago (SCRATCHED)
4 Riva De Lago (SCRATCHED)
Other bets
Someday (Eagle Farm Race 5 No. 14) just missed Tokamak last start and meets him 1.5kg better off tomorrow at the same track and distance. Has never won at the mile but his last run seems to indicate he's looking for it now at this stage of his career. Stable has produced a few winners at Eagle Farm so far this carnival. (Benny's Buttons, Belltone, Sizzling) $3.50. 3rd. $1.50 place.
*** Stewards questioned Michael Cahill over his ride on Someday and he told stewards he made a wrong decision to allow Diademe to cross him at the 1100m which caused him to be shuffled back to the rear of the field. ***
Border Rebel (Randwick Race 4 No. 4) was one we tipped as a roughie with a place chance last start and he was just edged into fourth in the QTC Cup at $15. He was beaten just a half a length that day by the likes of Galah, subsequent Eye Liner winner Conservatorium and Griffon. Will get a heavy track tomorrow and he's four from four in those sort of conditions. He's $4 now but get in early because as much as $4.80 was bet in early markets. Meeting abandoned after Race 3.
Nothing Like Luca (Randwick Race 6 No. 2) has been a revelation since being transferred to the O'Shea yard. He's won three from three in the last month and I'm happy to take $4 tomoorow to say he can do it again. Meeting abandoned after Race 3.
Fulgur (Randwick Race 8 No. 3) comes off back-to-back wins in Victoria and that man Waller appears to have found the key to this former international. Tried at 2000m before being dropped back to the mile where he seems to be at his best. Is backable at $4.60. Meeting abandoned after Race 3.
The Bowler (Flemington Race 1 No. 1) showed promise as an early two-year-old when a narrow second to Kuroshio in the Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts & Geldings) on debut. Spelled after failing in the Blue Diamond but has resumed with back-to-back wins. Has to contend with a wide barrier and a big weight but just looks better than these. Should get $5. 5th.
*** Rider had to stop riding and change the whip to the other hand at least four times in the straight because he was running about like a drunken sailor. Did well to stay within a length and a half of them in the end. Will win a few races if he can learn to stop being such a boofhead. ***
*** Stewards questioned Michael Cahill over his ride on Someday and he told stewards he made a wrong decision to allow Diademe to cross him at the 1100m which caused him to be shuffled back to the rear of the field. ***
Border Rebel (Randwick Race 4 No. 4) was one we tipped as a roughie with a place chance last start and he was just edged into fourth in the QTC Cup at $15. He was beaten just a half a length that day by the likes of Galah, subsequent Eye Liner winner Conservatorium and Griffon. Will get a heavy track tomorrow and he's four from four in those sort of conditions. He's $4 now but get in early because as much as $4.80 was bet in early markets. Meeting abandoned after Race 3.
Nothing Like Luca (Randwick Race 6 No. 2) has been a revelation since being transferred to the O'Shea yard. He's won three from three in the last month and I'm happy to take $4 tomoorow to say he can do it again. Meeting abandoned after Race 3.
Fulgur (Randwick Race 8 No. 3) comes off back-to-back wins in Victoria and that man Waller appears to have found the key to this former international. Tried at 2000m before being dropped back to the mile where he seems to be at his best. Is backable at $4.60. Meeting abandoned after Race 3.
The Bowler (Flemington Race 1 No. 1) showed promise as an early two-year-old when a narrow second to Kuroshio in the Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts & Geldings) on debut. Spelled after failing in the Blue Diamond but has resumed with back-to-back wins. Has to contend with a wide barrier and a big weight but just looks better than these. Should get $5. 5th.
*** Rider had to stop riding and change the whip to the other hand at least four times in the straight because he was running about like a drunken sailor. Did well to stay within a length and a half of them in the end. Will win a few races if he can learn to stop being such a boofhead. ***
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Lend me your ear.
- Vincent van Gogh, Arles (France), 1888 A.D.
- Vincent van Gogh, Arles (France), 1888 A.D.
Don't forget to add a comment, vote in the poll or sign up for e-mail notifications at the top of the page if you've enjoyed what you've read!
No comments:
Post a Comment