Opinion
The dreaded duck returned last week across a tricky day at HQ, thankfully I have a solid gap this year in favour of the good guys, which I’ll be looking to extend across an attractive card this Saturday.
While we’re still lounge-bound, the main Sydney meeting heads south to Kembla Grange this week, which will give Randwick a bit of a breather considering Rosehill is out of action (it is within a restricted LGA).
I was trying to think of the times I’ve been to Kembla, and was struggling to recollect if it was one bucks party or two separate events. Yep, lovely place from what I can remember.
We’re greeted by a good track and it normally races fairly down there.
Dixie’s 2021 tally
Outlay: 326 units
Return: 410.90 units
Stats are based on one unit being equal to a $1 win bet, New South Wales dividends. See the comments for any changes based on scratchings or track condition.
Race 2 – 3 Mamaragan (one unit)
I am kicking off in Race 2 with 3. Mamaragan, who comes back in benchmark grade as a four-year-old after racing at the big end of town (Golden Rose/Caulfield Guineas) as a junior. He’s been gelded in his latest break and won a trial win, both positive signs that he’ll go well fresh. I’m very happy to leave short-priced favourite 2. All Time Legend, who’s blowing in the market up 7.5 kilos on his latest run. Of the rest, I had 5. Animate as big overs at around 50/1 if you’re a spicy player.
Race 3 – 7 Criminal Code (three units)
Yes please with 7. Criminal Code, who rates well on top for me stepping up in class but dropping right down to a delicious 52 kilos. He’s beautifully placed in a small field, meaning he won’t be too far from them to pounce. Another Team Waller runner 6. Mubariz rated next best, he’s having a great prep as well.
Race 4 – 7 Tocomah (one unit)
I’m hoping 7. Tocomah runs here rather than the Midway, where he’s second emergency at time of writing. To be fair, he’s competitive in both, but the smaller field could be favourable in this. Garry Frazer can train a good one, and this fella’s win at Gosford was very promising – he spent petrol at the start, pulled and sat wide the trip and then bolted away running around the place in the straight, winning by five. If he doesn’t run here I’ll nibble at 9. Starman, who was similarly good winning the last metro two-year-old race of the season. James McDonald riding elsewhere is a query, and potentially a tick from the Snowden-trained 5. King of Sparta.
Race 5
I am backing 16. Tocomah if he runs here.
Race 6 – 9 Accountability (one unit)
My old fave 9. Accountability finally gets the conditions and trip that saw his PBs in November last year, 2000 metres and the dry track are both ticks. Coach Waller will have him back to his best for this, and grabbing McDonald for the ride suggests as much. He’s been crunched from his $14 opening price so let’s hope the money’s right. 10. Bethencourt was brave with our money last start, wide all the way and just getting done. For speculators, 5. Oakfield Missile will improve on a dry surface and is a rough (very rough) chance at about 50/1. Good race.
Race 7 – 9 Oscar Zulu (one unit)
9. Oscar Zulu dominated the stewards report last start, he begun awkwardly and was squeezed, didn’t like the tempo and apparently might have been on tired legs with all the heavy tracks. He’s been freshened for this and wins if he can match his prior runs. He’ll be chasing 5. Frosty Rocks, who is as honest as he is white, but tends to be best on soft and has not run as well second-up.
Race 8 – 6 Picarones (one unit)
My ears always prick a little when Godolphin runners go around at double-figure odds, and I have both 6. Picarone and 8. Brigatine running well here at a price. I’ll take Picarone on the basis that she was looked at as a top-liner as a juvenile, trialled well and then could be forgiven fresh. Brigatine comes up from maiden grade but will be better having ticked that off now.
Race 9 – 9 Glorious Dream (two units)
Luke Pepper has placed 9. Glorious Dream beautifully here, not only is she flying (won three of last five), but she drops right down to carry only 50.5 kilos here. That’s enough for me, even with a mark down for being on good going. She may prefer it wet being by Mossman. 6. Steel Diamond (ex-Rick Worthington) is one of my favourites and should be at peak fitness now, while 1. Bring the Ransom rates well stepping back in distance.
Race 10 – 13 Olympic Legend (one unit)
I stayed away from Bon Ho’s other legend running earlier today, but am taking 13. Olympic Legend (timely!) stepping up to Saturday grade. I like the 1400-metre trip, I like the dry track, and he’s been good behind Saturday-standard Nyami and Kinloch most recently, which stands up. 12. Charretera has been praying for the rain to stop and is a chance at odds. 14. Wild Chap is another one at a big price who could bob up. 3. Blondeau is flying and is the lock for quaddie and exotic players.
Good luck one and all, stay safe and enjoy the racing. Caulfield particularly looks like a ripper, with some big types back in the Lawrence Stakes. Please hit me up with where and what you’re backing across the day.
Have you ever tried your skills in a Racing daily fantasy competition? Put your best picks to the test for one day and see if you can scoop the pot with Draftstars. Looking for great odds on racing and sport? PlayUp is your best bet. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Without a Fight completed the rare Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double on Tuesday as star jockey Mark Zahra went back-to-back in the big one after…
The race that stops the nation is upon us again. Every horse in the Melbourne Cup has reasons they can win, and reasons they…
Those who want to have a really big collect on Australia’s greatest race, without risking too much, have to look at the exotic bets.
While most of the attention is on Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's Gold Trip, there's no reason why stablemate Future History cannot upstage him.
Champion jockey Damien Oliver is quietly confident his Melbourne Cup mount Alenquer will be passed fit to give him a farewell ride in the…
Melbourne Cup day is here again, and it’s never anything less than exciting. The Cup itself will of course be full of drama and…
