It's Week One of the new racing season and you just know Spring can't be too far away when a host of big names step out to blow off the cobwebs at the barrier trials.
Today at Randwick we saw the likes of Group 1 winning mares Appearance and Norzita, topline sprinters Hay List and Rain Affair (who was super impresssive) plus Cup hopefuls Fiorente, Julienas, Glencadam Gold, Michelangelo and their stablemate the Queen's horse Carlton House (who also looked great).
Also stepping out were emerging three-year-olds Sidestep, Drago, Sweet Idea and Scandiva but the highlight for me was the return of the eight-year-old war horse Metal Bender after almost 16 months off the scene.
But all that aside let's look for some winners... and I hope that 2013-2014 will be a successful season on the punt for one and all - myself included.
Today at Randwick we saw the likes of Group 1 winning mares Appearance and Norzita, topline sprinters Hay List and Rain Affair (who was super impresssive) plus Cup hopefuls Fiorente, Julienas, Glencadam Gold, Michelangelo and their stablemate the Queen's horse Carlton House (who also looked great).
Also stepping out were emerging three-year-olds Sidestep, Drago, Sweet Idea and Scandiva but the highlight for me was the return of the eight-year-old war horse Metal Bender after almost 16 months off the scene.
But all that aside let's look for some winners... and I hope that 2013-2014 will be a successful season on the punt for one and all - myself included.
THE SULTANS OF SPRING
It's Week Two 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 wrote last week 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.)
Peter Pan
Of the five horses to have won multiple Melbourne Cups, Peter Pan is the only one to have won them in non-consecutive years.
When you consider that the striking chestnut with the flaxen mane missed the 1933 race because he was battling a near-fatal viral illness, it makes the feat all the more extraordinary.
As a three-year-old in 1932 Peter Pan captured the Hill Stakes in his first weight-for-age start before claiming the AJC Derby. He then headed south to Melbourne to win the Mackinnon Stakes and the Melbourne Cup.
His 1932 Cup victory was miraculous. He clipped heels and fell to his knees mid-race. He was only saved by the fact that a horse following him cannoned into his hind quarters and pushed him back onto his feet. Reports of the day say that when he returned to the winner’s enclosure a grass stain was clearly visible on his face.
In 1934, after more than a year on the sidelines, he would claim another Mackinnon Stakes (beating Hall Mark and Chatham) before contesting his second Melbourne Cup. He drew the outside barrier on a bog track and was asked to carry 61.5kg and still won despite conceding a whopping 16kg to runner-up Sarcherie.
In 1935 he was struck down again by a recurrence of the illness that had nearly killed him two years earlier but was once again nursed back to health by trainer Frank McGrath. He was not his old self however although he did manage to collect the Hill Stakes, the AJC Spring Stakes and the Craven Plate in Sydney during the Spring before having a crack at a third Melbourne Cup. He finished 13th with 66kg and was immediately retired.
LOOKING FORWARD
Who's hot?
Peter Robl and David Vandyke have been in good touch recently with Robl riding four winners at Gosford yesterday and Vandyke saddling 10 winners and five placegetters from his last 24 runners. They have combined for 20 winners in the last 12 months from just 63 starters and they combine again tomorrow at Rosehill with Magic in the Mix (Race 4 No. 11), Breakfast in Bed (Race 5 No. 7) and Less is More (Race 6 No. 9).
Rosehill
Winter Challenge (Listed, 1500m, quality handicap)
Bayrir for mine here. This bloke looks to be a proper horse. A winner of four from eight including a Group 1 in the US. He's also finished second in a Group 2 in France, he's run in an Arc de Triomphe and was just a couple of lengths behind Red Cadeaux in the Hong Kong Vase at his last start.
If you want to knock him you could point to the weight but he's a quality animal just 5kg over the limit and let's face it the opposition aren't exactly world beaters. You could also point to the fact that he hasn't started for eight months, he's in a new stable and a new country and that he's never won at under 1800m but I'm happy to take the $4.60 because quite frankly I just think he's better than this lot.
Coup Ay Tee has been in solid if not scintillating form lately and made good ground late behind Under The Sun in the Winter Stakes off a muddling tempo and he does meet his conqueror from that day three kilos better off tomorrow.
Under the Sun can't be dismissed lightly though because he's also in rock solid form and has three goes at the Rosehill 1500m for two wins and a second. I'm just concerned that he is starting to creep up in the weights and that makes me wary of stepping into $3 but he is certainly a winning chance.
Best of the rest is probably Less Is More because as I've previously mentioned the trainer and jockey are a formiddable combination and he is another import who has shown ability but I think he needs more ground and his first-up run last prep was average.
Locky's Selections
If you want to knock him you could point to the weight but he's a quality animal just 5kg over the limit and let's face it the opposition aren't exactly world beaters. You could also point to the fact that he hasn't started for eight months, he's in a new stable and a new country and that he's never won at under 1800m but I'm happy to take the $4.60 because quite frankly I just think he's better than this lot.
Coup Ay Tee has been in solid if not scintillating form lately and made good ground late behind Under The Sun in the Winter Stakes off a muddling tempo and he does meet his conqueror from that day three kilos better off tomorrow.
Under the Sun can't be dismissed lightly though because he's also in rock solid form and has three goes at the Rosehill 1500m for two wins and a second. I'm just concerned that he is starting to creep up in the weights and that makes me wary of stepping into $3 but he is certainly a winning chance.
Best of the rest is probably Less Is More because as I've previously mentioned the trainer and jockey are a formiddable combination and he is another import who has shown ability but I think he needs more ground and his first-up run last prep was average.
Locky's Selections
1 Bayrir
8 Coup Ay Tee
2 Under The Sun
8 Coup Ay Tee
2 Under The Sun
Other bets
Aroused (Doomben Race 1 No. 8) has won four from six and I don't think Allan Denham made the trip from Wyong on a whim. Punters obviously agree because he opened $4.80 but that has been snapped up and he is now $3.10. Stable is flying with three winners last Saturday plus another at Wyong on Wednesday. Denham's only runner tomorrow at any track.
Love for Ransom (Moonee Valley Race 4 No. 5) caught the eye with her flashing last start effort and it obviously impressed jockey Dwayne Dunn because he's staying solid even though he also rode last start winner and what appears the biggest threat in Ominous Quality. Another that has been well found but hopefully we can still get $4.
Breakfast in Bed (Rosehill Race 5 No.7) is another that's been tried in early markets, possibly because of the Vandyke/Robl combo but also possibly because he was a dual acceptor. If they choose to bypass the easier race at Kembla Grange to contest this event in town beware. She's a winner of four from nine who is in consistent form and in a race lacking any real superstars I think she's a good each-way bet at around the $7 mark.
Love for Ransom (Moonee Valley Race 4 No. 5) caught the eye with her flashing last start effort and it obviously impressed jockey Dwayne Dunn because he's staying solid even though he also rode last start winner and what appears the biggest threat in Ominous Quality. Another that has been well found but hopefully we can still get $4.
Breakfast in Bed (Rosehill Race 5 No.7) is another that's been tried in early markets, possibly because of the Vandyke/Robl combo but also possibly because he was a dual acceptor. If they choose to bypass the easier race at Kembla Grange to contest this event in town beware. She's a winner of four from nine who is in consistent form and in a race lacking any real superstars I think she's a good each-way bet at around the $7 mark.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Plenty of news in the jockey ranks with Nash Rawiller edging out Hugh Bowman for the Sydney premiership while his brother Brad has claimed the national title.
Meantime little known 17-y-o apprentice Jamie Kah has claimed the South Australian senior premiership in her first full season of riding.
Some better known names return to action this weekend after some time-off with Craig Williams set to resume at Moonee Valley while Jim Cassidy is back in the saddle at Rosehill, as is Kerrin McEvoy for the Darley team.
Brenton Avdulla will also be riding at Rosehill tomorrow but after that he'll be out of the saddle until August 15.
Stewards slapped him with a five meeting ban for careless riding and stripped his mount Loch Leven of victory for shifting in at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Luke Nolen however will not be riding at Moonee Valley tomorrow. He's been forced to rule himself out after putting on a few kilos during his two-week break from riding but he will return at Sandown on Wednesday.
Lastly the breeding industry is in mourning following the sudden death of emerging young stallion Northern Meteor (below) from a colic attack at Widden Stud in the Hunter Valley on Tuesday night.
He had just claimed champion first-season sire honours and had only just recently provided the quinella in the Group 1 J. J. Atkins (1600m) for two-year-olds at Eagle Farm with Romantic Touch and Zoustar.
LOOKING BACK
Who's hot?
In the month of July Gold Coast trainer Helen Page has taken 18 horses to the races for six winners and four placegetters (Win 33.3% / Place 55.5%). Love Stories looks her best tomorrow. (Gold Coast Race 4 No. 13) 3rd. $1.60 place. Powerful Jet (Gold Coast Race 5 No. 4) won at $4.00 win / $2.00 place.
Caulfield
Funny race. The horse with only one second-up victory and just the one win on dead or better got the money. Elite Elle who normally leads was hooked back (thanks to connections for the heads up - not!) and Pago Rock didn't fire a shot after having every possible. Just another way to do your coin. Glad I've scaled back my wagering in line with the ordinary racing.
Locky's Selections
Locky's Selections
5 Pago Rock (5th)
11 Elite Elle (7th)
2 Launay (3rd) $2.00 place.
11 Elite Elle (7th)
2 Launay (3rd) $2.00 place.
Other bets
Last week I wrote:
Koe (Caulfield Race 8 No. 11) got us the chocolates last start and was scratched last weekend when tipped here, after the track underwent a series of downgrades due to the inclement weather. I'll stick solid even though this is a tougher assignment here up against the boys but on the plus side of the ledger she does get some weight relief - dropping to 54kg after lumping 60kg to victory in fillies and mares grade last start. Has won four from five this prep including her last three in a row, all at the 1400m. A mare who is in-form in a race where a lot of these boys aren't. As much as $7 was bet. 4th. Might be a better horse on bigger tracks like Flemington.
Octavia (Caulfield Race 5 No. 9) did all the hard work out in front last start on a track where quite frankly you didn't want to be anywhere near lead and the rail. Another in-form mare who finds herself down on the minimum weight. They bet more than $4 early but that has since disappeared as the smarties tumbled into her. Get on quick! 1st. $1.95 win / $1.20 place. Backed off the map!
Yulalona (Randwick Race 7 No. 2) just missed in the Grafton Cup behind a horse of whom I have a high opinion in Mr O'Ceirin. Loomed up to win but just died on his run. That should top him off nicely for this and Hugh Bowman needs all the winners he can get to stave off the challenge from Nash Rawiller for the Jockey's Premiership. Backable at $7.50. 3rd. $2.40 place. SACKED. Had the run of the race and offered nothing.
Teronado (Doomben Race 2 No. 2) showed promise in his only campaign to date with two wins by good margins and a second on a bog track in his first three starts. Has since been gelded and has been tuned up for this with a trial win two and a half weeks ago. Looks a good each-way bet at $9. 4th. OK. Don't dismiss.
Koe (Caulfield Race 8 No. 11) got us the chocolates last start and was scratched last weekend when tipped here, after the track underwent a series of downgrades due to the inclement weather. I'll stick solid even though this is a tougher assignment here up against the boys but on the plus side of the ledger she does get some weight relief - dropping to 54kg after lumping 60kg to victory in fillies and mares grade last start. Has won four from five this prep including her last three in a row, all at the 1400m. A mare who is in-form in a race where a lot of these boys aren't. As much as $7 was bet. 4th. Might be a better horse on bigger tracks like Flemington.
Octavia (Caulfield Race 5 No. 9) did all the hard work out in front last start on a track where quite frankly you didn't want to be anywhere near lead and the rail. Another in-form mare who finds herself down on the minimum weight. They bet more than $4 early but that has since disappeared as the smarties tumbled into her. Get on quick! 1st. $1.95 win / $1.20 place. Backed off the map!
Yulalona (Randwick Race 7 No. 2) just missed in the Grafton Cup behind a horse of whom I have a high opinion in Mr O'Ceirin. Loomed up to win but just died on his run. That should top him off nicely for this and Hugh Bowman needs all the winners he can get to stave off the challenge from Nash Rawiller for the Jockey's Premiership. Backable at $7.50. 3rd. $2.40 place. SACKED. Had the run of the race and offered nothing.
Teronado (Doomben Race 2 No. 2) showed promise in his only campaign to date with two wins by good margins and a second on a bog track in his first three starts. Has since been gelded and has been tuned up for this with a trial win two and a half weeks ago. Looks a good each-way bet at $9. 4th. OK. Don't dismiss.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
I'll serve her... but you've got to catch her for me first.
- Exceed & Excel, Darley, Spring 2013.
- Exceed & Excel, Darley, Spring 2013.
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