This will be the final post for 2013 as I take a much needed break following a busy Spring.
I won't return for over a month with the next instalment due prior to the Australia Day long weekend to take a look at the Blue Diamond Previews and the G2 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley.
There are a few good races in the meantime including the traditional Boxing Day and New Year's Day meetings not to mention the Magic Millions race-day in early January
I will also try to find some winners to send us out on a high note.
I won't return for over a month with the next instalment due prior to the Australia Day long weekend to take a look at the Blue Diamond Previews and the G2 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley.
There are a few good races in the meantime including the traditional Boxing Day and New Year's Day meetings not to mention the Magic Millions race-day in early January
I will also try to find some winners to send us out on a high note.
LOOKING FORWARD
Who's hot?
Phillip Stokes has appeared in this segment before but has muscled his way back in through sheer weight of winners.
In the last 28 days he has trained 14 winners from just 25 starters at the staggering strike rate of 56% including a double and three trebles.
He has four runners at Morphettville tomorrow - Tenere (Race 2 No. 1), Scarpeleeno (Race 2 No. 5), War Heights (Race 2 No. 6) and Chieftain Jack (Race 4 No. 4).
Villiers Stakes (Group 2, 1550m, quality handicap)
*** There are no early scratchings ***
This is a time honoured race with a history dating back to 1892 but I have to say this is not a vintage edition and the fact the bookies are going to bet around 5-1 the field emphasises that.
Pretty hard to get excited about a G2 race where a horse like Strike the Stars will start close to favourite, considering he broke through for just his second win in twenty something starts two months ago.
In a race where so many appear to have had their chances over the years it may pay to look for a young horse or a lightly raced type who is still on the way up and improving. It's hard to see many of these taking it to another level at this stage. If they were going to do something you'd think they would have done it by now. Where talking about a field comprised of horses who have won a combined total of nine races in their last 56 starts - and three of those belong to one horse (Absalon).
I don't like giving tips just for the sake of giving tips which is why I'm taking a break over this quiet period racing wise. So please don't sell the tractor, take out a second mortgage on the farm and put Grandma's old jewellery in hock to load up on my tips in this race.
But here they are simply for the record.
Locky's Selections
In the last 28 days he has trained 14 winners from just 25 starters at the staggering strike rate of 56% including a double and three trebles.
He has four runners at Morphettville tomorrow - Tenere (Race 2 No. 1), Scarpeleeno (Race 2 No. 5), War Heights (Race 2 No. 6) and Chieftain Jack (Race 4 No. 4).
Kensington
*** As of 4pm today the track was rated a Good 3. The forecast is for a cloudy day with the chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms. ***
*** There are no early scratchings ***
This is a time honoured race with a history dating back to 1892 but I have to say this is not a vintage edition and the fact the bookies are going to bet around 5-1 the field emphasises that.
Pretty hard to get excited about a G2 race where a horse like Strike the Stars will start close to favourite, considering he broke through for just his second win in twenty something starts two months ago.
In a race where so many appear to have had their chances over the years it may pay to look for a young horse or a lightly raced type who is still on the way up and improving. It's hard to see many of these taking it to another level at this stage. If they were going to do something you'd think they would have done it by now. Where talking about a field comprised of horses who have won a combined total of nine races in their last 56 starts - and three of those belong to one horse (Absalon).
I don't like giving tips just for the sake of giving tips which is why I'm taking a break over this quiet period racing wise. So please don't sell the tractor, take out a second mortgage on the farm and put Grandma's old jewellery in hock to load up on my tips in this race.
But here they are simply for the record.
Locky's Selections
12 Taxmeifyoucan
11 Sysmo
10 Listen Son
11 Sysmo
10 Listen Son
Other bets
Nothing stands out at the races but if you like the NFL I can't believe the Jacksonville Jaguars will start as underdogs this weekend against the Buffalo Bills.
Granted the Jags started the season poorly with eight straight losses but they've won four of their last five and it must be noted that in the first eight rounds they faced off against the Chiefs, Seahawks, Colts, Broncos and 49ers.
Meanwhile the Bills have lost five of their last six outings including consecutive defeats to lowly Atlanta (3-10) and Tampa Bay (4-9) in the last fortnight. They also have a woeful record on the road (1-5). Glad I'm not a Buffalo fan.
$2.05 looks attractive in a two horse race.
LOOKING BACK
Who's hot?
Since the start of this month Ascot based trainer Simon Miller has had just 18 runners but has produced six winners at a strike rate of one in three.
He has entrants in all three feature races tomorrow - Platinum Rocker in the Railway Stakes (Race 8 No. 13) 2nd $7.90 place, Power Princess in the Winterbottom Stakes (Race 7 No. 13) 6th plus two runners in the WA Guineas in Saint Bro (Race 6 No. 6) 3rd $2.80 place and Miss Rose De Lago (Race 6 No. 14) 2nd $1.90 place.
He has entrants in all three feature races tomorrow - Platinum Rocker in the Railway Stakes (Race 8 No. 13) 2nd $7.90 place, Power Princess in the Winterbottom Stakes (Race 7 No. 13) 6th plus two runners in the WA Guineas in Saint Bro (Race 6 No. 6) 3rd $2.80 place and Miss Rose De Lago (Race 6 No. 14) 2nd $1.90 place.
Ascot
Railway Stakes (Group 1, 1600m, quality handicap)
Locky's Selections
4 Smokin' Joey (15th)
9 Fire Up Fifi (3rd) $2.20 place
3 Conservatorium (8th)
7 Kerrific (4th)
9 Fire Up Fifi (3rd) $2.20 place
3 Conservatorium (8th)
7 Kerrific (4th)
Winterbottom Stakes (Group 1, 1200m, w-f-a)
Previously I wrote:
"Buffering really does pick himself here following successive Group 1 victories in the Manikato Stakes and VRC Sprint. As alluded to previously Heathcote and Browne have been in great touch these last few months and I really don't see barrier eight as a problem because they've got a 600m run before they have to negotiate the first and only turn."
Spirit of Boom should have finished closer but he got skittled on the home turn.
Locky's Selections
1 Buffering (1st) $2.10 win / $1.30 place
4 Barakey (9th)
2 Spirit of Boom (4th)
13 Power Princess (6th)
4 Barakey (9th)
2 Spirit of Boom (4th)
13 Power Princess (6th)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
What do you mean it doesn't look anything like her?
- Pablo Picasso, Spain, 1910
- Pablo Picasso, Spain, 1910
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