Six spring racing predictions

Nothing says spring racing like fresh cut grass, fast horses, and well-dressed fillies! The champagne is bubbly and the best stayers and sprinters are about to embark on Group 1 glory.

With the Memsie Stakes set to kick off the official spring racing carnival this weekend without further ado here are my predictions for the spring.

1. A horse named after a state or country will win a big race
There are three main chances here Australia, United States and Adelaide. I particularly like Australia who I rate as the best chance of the three to bring home some silverware. Australia’s recent preparation has been awesome.

Australia has won five times from his seven starts and became the first horse since Sea the Stars to complete the Derby double, showed some great late speed in his last start to take out the International Stakes against a quality field.

For Adelaide he has been confirmed as a definite starter for the Cox Plate so will be one to keep your eyes on.

2. Tommy Berry and The Offer to be the feel good story of the spring
I’ll admit I’m a bit biased with Tommy Berry being my favourite jockey, but this has all the makings of a feel good story of the spring. We will have to see how The Offer goes this preparation but it was a great preparation last time winning the Sydney Cup.

I couldn’t think of a better story than Berry claiming his first Melbourne Cup on The Offer.

3. Celebrities will think they are superstar tipsters
We’ve all seen the cringe worthy cross to some Aussie soap celebrity who thinks they are giving ‘informed’ tipping advice before tipping you the horse that doesn’t even make it to the post.

My advice is to just go with your gut because it’s often the tip that will get you over the line.

4. We will see plenty of Francesca Cumani and Tom Waterhouse
Their parents are superstar trainers and they both love the spotlight. Francesca is actually not a bad analyst and provides quite a good amount of professionalism when she has been part of the spring racing telecasts.

She’s very easy on the eye so she will make plenty of appearances throughout the spring.

Then there’s Tom. You either love him or hate him. I for one don’t mind him but that’s just personal preference, made headlines last year when he was denied a $1 million bet on his mum’s Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente. If there’s one thing we can be sure of this spring it’s that Australia’s best self-promoter will be prominent.

5. Boban to be the horse of the spring
Had an eye catching run last start in the Missile Stakes before being scratched from the Warwick Stakes. That run in the Missile wasn’t suited for Boban and he will be one to watch this spring, I’m predicting him to take out the Memsie Stakes this weekend and take out those before him much like last spring.

6. An apprentice is going to have a breakout spring
We’ve seen plenty of apprentices recently show their worth across tracks all around Australia and Chad Schofield was the standout performer in the spring last year. He has recently been slapped with a lengthy ban, but he looks like the main apprentice who can crack the big races.

I’m also keen to keep an eye on Tegan Harrison who is going gangbusters in Queensland, Taylor Marshall and Katelyn Mallyon.

So Roarers they are my predictions for the spring. Did I get them right? I’m interested to hear everyone’s opinions so go ahead and put your neck on the line.