Five races tipped in last week for three winners and a second including a 7/1 shot in Brisbane.
Let's hope it's not a one-off...
Let's hope it's not a one-off...
THE SULTANS OF SPRING
It's Week Four and we look back at another forgotten hero - a grand campaigner of Spring Carnivals gone by whose name we seldom, if ever hear anymore.
As I've written in previous weeks over the next few months I will revisit the deeds of some of the superstars of yesteryear.
I will look at, if you will allow me to wax lyrical, "The Sultans of Spring". (Apologies to Dire Straits.)
I will look at, if you will allow me to wax lyrical, "The Sultans of Spring". (Apologies to Dire Straits.)
Eurythmic
With the return of top quality weight-for-age racing to Caulfield this weekend it is only fitting that we look back at this great West Australian champion who dominated at The Heath in his final three seasons.
After spending his two and three-year-old years in WA, connections made the trip to the eastern seaboard in the Spring of 1920 and Eurythmic was on song.
He won the Memsie Stakes at 20-1 and was immediately installed as favourite for the October Stakes (think the modern day Turnbull) in which he duly saluted by a length and a half. He followed that with wins in the Caulfield Stakes and the Caulfield Cup, despite conceding almost six and a half kilos to the placegetters in the latter. At his last start that campaign he would finish fourth to Poitrel in the Melbourne Cup - his only defeat in 13 starts in his four-year-old year!
At his first start as a five-year-old he won the Memsie Stakes again before finishing a short half head second in the October Stakes. He then set a race record in winning his second Caulfield Stakes before claiming the Herbert Power and the Mackinnon. He started favourite in The Cup but was pulled up after suffering interference.
In his final racing season he won the Memsie Stakes and the Caulfield Stakes for the third year in a row and placed in both the Herbert Power and the Mackinnon. He retired the greatest stakes winner in Australia.
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LOOKING FORWARD
Who's hot?
Jason Holder has ridden four winners this week including a treble at Strathalbyn on Wednesday. He's ridden eight winners in the last three weeks at a strike rate of nearly one in four. Has a host of rides tomorrow at Morphettville but just be aware that the track is likely to be rain affected.
Caulfield
*** As of 4pm today the track was rated a Dead 4 but the forecast is for isolated showers tonight and tomorrow. ***
P.B. Lawrence Stakes (Group 2, 1400m, w-f-a)
I'm attacking this race on the basis that I am looking outside Puissance De Lune but I'll have him in my exotics. Sure he's the best galloper in the race by a long way and all reports are he has trialed superbly but fair dinkum - $2.10 about a horse on a Cups campaign when first-up over 1400m? No thanks. Leave me out of that. Good to see him back though.
Second Effort is the one for mine. His record would suggest that he's a better 1200m horse but he's only been tried four times at the 1400m. Three of those were at Caulfield and resulted in a win (in this race last year no less) and a placing. His last start win here was strong and that followed a flashing first-up run and I think there's still room for improvement in the old boy. Traditionally his best form has been displayed three runs or more into a preparation (16:8-0-3) and the Memsie in a fortnight is his grand final. A bit of rain would only enhance his chances further.
Launay shows his best form when second-up (four wins) and also at 1400m (five wins) and if this was being run at Flemington I'd probably back him each-way but his record here isn't flash. Three goes at the track and distance and he's never run a drum. In fact he's won here only once from 10 attempts, although he has been placed five times.
High Esteem has been nominated for the Caulfield Cup so I don't think Peter Moody will have him screwed down enough to win this but he could be running on. Did string together three on the trot at the end of his last prep but he's blown like an Ekka Wednesday westerly in the betting ($8.50 out to $18).
Ajeeb and Under The Sun will ensure a good tempo but I doubt they can stick on at this level although they will both be fit. Pago Rock hasn't won beyond 1100m since March last year. All three have been tried in early markets however.
Under The Eiffel and Bianmick look outclassed.
Locky's Selections
Second Effort is the one for mine. His record would suggest that he's a better 1200m horse but he's only been tried four times at the 1400m. Three of those were at Caulfield and resulted in a win (in this race last year no less) and a placing. His last start win here was strong and that followed a flashing first-up run and I think there's still room for improvement in the old boy. Traditionally his best form has been displayed three runs or more into a preparation (16:8-0-3) and the Memsie in a fortnight is his grand final. A bit of rain would only enhance his chances further.
Launay shows his best form when second-up (four wins) and also at 1400m (five wins) and if this was being run at Flemington I'd probably back him each-way but his record here isn't flash. Three goes at the track and distance and he's never run a drum. In fact he's won here only once from 10 attempts, although he has been placed five times.
High Esteem has been nominated for the Caulfield Cup so I don't think Peter Moody will have him screwed down enough to win this but he could be running on. Did string together three on the trot at the end of his last prep but he's blown like an Ekka Wednesday westerly in the betting ($8.50 out to $18).
Ajeeb and Under The Sun will ensure a good tempo but I doubt they can stick on at this level although they will both be fit. Pago Rock hasn't won beyond 1100m since March last year. All three have been tried in early markets however.
Under The Eiffel and Bianmick look outclassed.
Locky's Selections
1 Second Effort
4 Puissance De Lune
2 Launay
*** As of 4pm today the track was rated a Good 3. There is the slight chance of a little rain tomorrow. ***
4 Puissance De Lune
2 Launay
Rosehill
*** As of 4pm today the track was rated a Good 3. There is the slight chance of a little rain tomorrow. ***
San Domenico Stakes (Group 3, 1100m, set weights plus penalties)
All boys here and Sidestep was clearly the pick of them in the Autumn but the question remains has he returned as good? We won't know until after tomorrow. In fact that is a question that has to be asked of all bar one runner.
Windjammer is the horse I'm talking about of course. He has a run under his belt and it was a good return. He got back but powered to the line to win by a good margin with good closing sectionals. The worry is top jock Hugh Bowman has jumped off him to ride another.
That horse is Cluster. He's had just the one career start for a midfield sixth behind the talented Zoustar. Has had two trials in readiness for this. Hugh has ridden him in all three of those runs and sticks solid despite his maiden status. Watch the market.
Whittington and Va Pensiero comfortably accounted for Windjammer back in March and have a couple of good trials under their belt but you just don't know if they have returned in the same order.
Locky's Selections
Windjammer is the horse I'm talking about of course. He has a run under his belt and it was a good return. He got back but powered to the line to win by a good margin with good closing sectionals. The worry is top jock Hugh Bowman has jumped off him to ride another.
That horse is Cluster. He's had just the one career start for a midfield sixth behind the talented Zoustar. Has had two trials in readiness for this. Hugh has ridden him in all three of those runs and sticks solid despite his maiden status. Watch the market.
Whittington and Va Pensiero comfortably accounted for Windjammer back in March and have a couple of good trials under their belt but you just don't know if they have returned in the same order.
Locky's Selections
9 Cluster
7 Windjammer
1 Sidestep
7 Windjammer
1 Sidestep
Other bets
Lady Melksham (Caulfield Race 8 No. 3) looks the best on a good but tough day at Caulfield with some quality thoroughbreds going around. Flies fresh and trialed like a bomb from all reports. A winner of four from five at this trip including this race last year. Not badly in with just two kilos over the limit. $5.00 looks appealing.
Coup Ay Tee (Rosehill Race 2 No. 3) is a no-brainer here for for mine. An in-form sprinter in a race full of resuming stayers and non-winners. Showed a devastating turn of foot to beat some quality imports in a Listed race last start and drops back to handicap grade here. $2.80 looks like charity.
Catkins (Rosehill Race 5 No. 2) is another who does her best racing fresh (three from three) and she's well in here with the three kilo claim. An on-pace runner who is drawn to get a saloon passage in transit. The one the backmarkers will have to run down. $3.50.
Less Is More (Rosehill Race 8 No. 5) was desperately unlucky last time and I'm sure most racegoers would have seen the run. Hell, I think even Ray Charles saw the run. The wider draw this week should see him get more running room in the straight and he'll take improvement from his last hit-out because he was eight weeks between runs and dropping from 2400m to 1500m. $3.80.
Coup Ay Tee (Rosehill Race 2 No. 3) is a no-brainer here for for mine. An in-form sprinter in a race full of resuming stayers and non-winners. Showed a devastating turn of foot to beat some quality imports in a Listed race last start and drops back to handicap grade here. $2.80 looks like charity.
Catkins (Rosehill Race 5 No. 2) is another who does her best racing fresh (three from three) and she's well in here with the three kilo claim. An on-pace runner who is drawn to get a saloon passage in transit. The one the backmarkers will have to run down. $3.50.
Less Is More (Rosehill Race 8 No. 5) was desperately unlucky last time and I'm sure most racegoers would have seen the run. Hell, I think even Ray Charles saw the run. The wider draw this week should see him get more running room in the straight and he'll take improvement from his last hit-out because he was eight weeks between runs and dropping from 2400m to 1500m. $3.80.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Bart Cummings famous silks will be protected as recognition of his contribution to racing.
Officials declared on Tuesday that his green and gold colours cannot be used for another 50 years even if they are retired before then.
Meanwhile there are a few good horses set to resume in coming weeks.
Rebel Dane is set to step-out next Saturday in the Show County Quality at Warwick Farm while Norzita had an exhibition gallop midweek ahead of her expected return in the Toy Show Quality on the same day.
Miracles of Life will resume a week later at Caulfield in the McNeil Stakes while Dear Demi will make her first Spring appearance in the Let's Elope Stakes at Flemington on September 7.
Commanding Jewel meantime will bypass tomorrow's Cockram Stakes and will likely head to a 1000m Listed race at Moonee Valley next weekend.
Lastly officials say the Werribee track will be ready to host the international contingent this Spring following extensive repairs.
An investigation was launched after the July 17 meeting at the venue had to be abandoned due to the unsafe condition of the track.
LOOKING BACK
Who's hot?
Paul Messara has started the new season with a bang, training three winners and three placegetters from his first eight runners. In fact since July 22 he's had six wins and five placings from 14 starters (Win 42.9% / Place 78.6%). Has just the one runner tomorrow in Mic Mac (Randwick Race 5 No. 3). 2nd. $1.90 place.
Royal Randwick
Missile Stakes (Group 3, 1200m, w-f-a)
I'm not taking any credit here because Rain Affair looked the obvious winner and the quinella wasn't hard to guess either. Could this be the prep when Rain Affair finally cracks that maiden Group 1?
Locky's Selections
Locky's Selections
2 Rain Affair (1st) $1.30 win / $1.10 place.
3 Mic Mac (2nd) $1.90 place.
7 My Destiny (4th)
Exacta 2-3 $2.70
Quinella 2-3 $2.70
3 Mic Mac (2nd) $1.90 place.
7 My Destiny (4th)
Exacta 2-3 $2.70
Quinella 2-3 $2.70
The Rosebud (Listed, 1200m, quality handicap)
The Cummings team look to have a good colt here in Eurozone. Forced to race against his usual pattern he still managed to find in the straight and was pulling away at the end. Loved the way he savaged the winning post. Follow.
Locky's Selections
5 Eurozone (1st) $3.10 win / $1.50 place.
3 Bull Point (4th)
6 Good Job Bro (5th)
3 Bull Point (4th)
6 Good Job Bro (5th)
Other bets
Gangster's Choice (Randwick Race 8 No. 6) won a 1400m Benchmark 85 first-up at this meeting last year and yet he'll go around at double figure odds tomorrow - probably because of the wet track. Hoop James McDonald has ridden four winners for trainer John O'Shea in the last seven days and is coming off midweek trebles at Goulburn (Tuesday) and Hawkesbury (Thursday) and had just the one ride at Wyong today for yet another winner. 12th. Report from the jockey was he didn't handle the going and dipped at the 800m. Forgive?
Teronado (Eagle Farm Race 4 No. 2) was one I tipped two weeks ago and he went OK, coming from last on the turn to finish fourth beaten just under two lengths. I'll give him one more chance because I think his racing pattern suggests he'll be a better horse at Eagle Farm with the longer straight. Meets his last start conqueror two kilos better off. $6.50. 1st. $8.00 win / $2.40 place. Follow.
Temple of Boom (Flemington Race 7 No. 2) has average form on paper until you realise that in his last five starts he's chased home the likes of Mental, Snitzerland, Bel Sprinter, Buffering and Your Song. This is a much easier assignment and the wet track is a big plus because he has five wins and three seconds from 10 starts on slow or worse. He won this race two years ago and boasts another two wins down the Flemington straight and he's also won four times first-up. $4.20. 2nd. $2.00 place. Looked the winner but didn't dash quickly enough.
Teronado (Eagle Farm Race 4 No. 2) was one I tipped two weeks ago and he went OK, coming from last on the turn to finish fourth beaten just under two lengths. I'll give him one more chance because I think his racing pattern suggests he'll be a better horse at Eagle Farm with the longer straight. Meets his last start conqueror two kilos better off. $6.50. 1st. $8.00 win / $2.40 place. Follow.
Temple of Boom (Flemington Race 7 No. 2) has average form on paper until you realise that in his last five starts he's chased home the likes of Mental, Snitzerland, Bel Sprinter, Buffering and Your Song. This is a much easier assignment and the wet track is a big plus because he has five wins and three seconds from 10 starts on slow or worse. He won this race two years ago and boasts another two wins down the Flemington straight and he's also won four times first-up. $4.20. 2nd. $2.00 place. Looked the winner but didn't dash quickly enough.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
They really didn't think that through first.
- Sitting Bull, Little Bighorn, 26 June 1876
- Sitting Bull, Little Bighorn, 26 June 1876
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