Sydney's tracks are simply not up to Group 1 standard
Sydney racing has a major problem and something needs to be done quickly to address the issue.
Matt Nicholls
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Joined June 2018
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Nature Strip to blitz his rivals, and five more racing tips for Saturday
Punters get to take a slight breath this weekend with no Group 1 races scheduled. That doesn’t mean there isn’t some top flight racing, though, with some exceptional fields scheduled in Melbourne and Sydney.
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Spring is in the air – a look at Saturday's biggest races
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Racing Victoria joins the 21st century, plus five tips for Saturday
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Winx reminds us why she's the greatest of all time
Winx will win 29 races in a row, culminating in a fourth-straight Cox Plate, and go down in history as Australia’s greatest racehorse.
2018 Winx Stakes: Racing live blog, result
Race result: Winx has extended her record-breaking winning streak out to 26 consecutive races with victory in a race named for her, at the 2018 Winx Stakes at Royal Randwick Racecourse.
Saturday preview: Winx could be vulnerable in race named in her honour
Winx fever returns to the racetrack on Saturday when the champion mare lines up in a race named in her honour, the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m).
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It can be hard to get motivated if you are a punter at this time of year. The racing is a little bit flat. We are in that small window where the spring horses are not quite back yet, but we are seeing them at the trials.
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I agree. I only said “worst” because it was the first time out of the placings. Should run a big race tomorrow at better than each-way odds.
Spring is in the air – a look at Saturday's biggest races
Grunt is a good horse, but even Mick Price thinks he’s better suited at Flemington. He’s got class on his side and might be able to power over the top.
Tom Melbourne is a nice horse but couldn’t have him tomorrow.
Keen on Oohood. Looks a nice price.
Spring is in the air – a look at Saturday's biggest races
It’s on too late for me these days, Kanga.
Racing Victoria joins the 21st century, plus five tips for Saturday
Buttery, if you actually go back and look at Phar Lap’s record you’ll find that in his last 23 runs in Australia, 21 of them were at WFA level. The only two handicap races he competed in that period were the 1930 Melbourne Cup (which he won) and the 1931 Melbourne Cup (where he finished 8th, carrying the grandstand).
All trainers avoid handicap races with the best horses because handicappers have no choice but to hammer them with weight.
Winx reminds us why she's the greatest of all time
Still have chills. An amazing horse. A great ride by Hugh Bowman. Made sure Kementari couldn’t get a break on her, but when the whips were cracking the Godolphin horse was left standing and Winx simply gave him windburn. To win 26 races in a row and most of them at the top level is something we will probably never see again in Australia. Amazingly, we could see her win 30 in a row by October as she tackles a Cox Plate campaign.
Punters, we’ve been truly blessed to see an equine champion in the flesh. If you get the chance to see her live, make sure you get to a track and see her so you can tell your kids and grandkids about her. Don’t forget we’ve previewed five races throughout today’s programs at Randwick and Caulfield so jump on here and hopefully find a winner.
That’s it for me today. I’ll go to bed dreaming about Winx.
2018 Winx Stakes: Racing live blog, result
If they didn’t beat her today they won’t beat her again this preparation. What an amazing achievement. To beat Black Caviar’s record on Black Caviar’s birthday was incredible. I still think she’s the best we’ve ever seen.
2018 Winx Stakes: Racing live blog, result
How good is Winx! What a champion. What a freak. 26 wins in a row.
2018 Winx Stakes: Racing live blog, result
Kementari has found an amazing spot in transit. Winx stalking.
2018 Winx Stakes: Racing live blog, result
Slight delay here due to a saddle adjustment to one of the runners. A massive $164,000 in the NSW tote pool. The punters can’t wait to see Winx run.
2018 Winx Stakes: Racing live blog, result
This strong breeze at Randwick will probably do Winx no harm. She should get cover for most of the race. Expect the leaders to flop in the straight. Kementari could still be the knockout horse. He’s firm in betting at around $6 but better odds if you take BetEasy’s top tote product.
2018 Winx Stakes: Racing live blog, result
The champion mare is $1.20 across the board with all three totes. $1.24 around fixed for her with BetEasy. We are about 90 seconds from race time.
2018 Winx Stakes: Racing live blog, result
Currently logged in from the Duke of Wellington in sunny Melbourne. Well at least it’s sunny for now. Winx looks a real treat. Waller looks nervous, but he always looks a tad nervous when she races. Good chance he’ll shed a tear if she wins today, breaking Black Caviar’s record of 25 wins in a row.
2018 Winx Stakes: Racing live blog, result
Winx looks an absolute treat in the mounting yard. No excuses today. I think she should win, but obviously needs a few things today. Remember, she will likely be running last or second last for most of the race. Look for her to start working into the race around the 500m mark and hitting the front in the final 100m.
2018 Winx Stakes: Racing live blog, result
All right punters, here we go. Just 10 minutes out until the mighty mare races. She’s drifted to $1.24 with BetEasy while Kementari is still around $6. Anyone tipping an upset?
2018 Winx Stakes: Racing live blog, result
There will be a live blog in regards to Winx’s race tomorrow. Be good if you jumped on. She should just win, but having a fit 1400m horse in Kementari in the race does make it interesting.
We just have to hope Schofield shows some initiative and makes Winx really work for it. Can’t wait!
Saturday preview: Winx could be vulnerable in race named in her honour
It’s great Rachel King is getting a run. But let’s see if Godolphin put her on in a big race. That was what the Meech story was about. It’s one thing for women to get a ride in town, but when the biggest races are being run, the trainers and owners go to men.
Saturday racing tips and preview: Be wary of betting at this time of the year
Deon, I said that Gaff didn’t show any remorse at the time. He punched Brayshaw in the face and then ran away, like the coward he is.
If he meant to punch him in the chest and got him in the face, his initial reaction should have been to apologise to him and check on his welfare. He was visibly upset later because he got caught on camera and the consequences of his actions became apparent.
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Jukebox didn’t quicken well enough last time and even though he was first-up in about nine months he is usually best when fresh. He might improve off that run, but you couldn’t back him based on that.
Vega Magic should really be about $1.70 in this race providing he’s near his best. Think he is back and we’ll see that on Saturday.
Saturday preview: Vega Magic to return to form
Thanks Johny. Yes, it’s important to show the figures. Gambling/punting is supposed to be recreational and it’s very hard to turn a profit over a long period of time. Of course I try and find a winner in every race, but we all know that’s impossible. At least the transparency shows how we go!
Saturday preview: Racing to put a bad week behind it
He’s not in the same company as Hayes, Cumming etc – yet. Give him time. Won’t be long until he starts taking aim at these juvenile races. When he does… look out.
Jamaican Rain could be a Group 1 contender
I think for a country-based trainer, Darren Weir has proven to be up their with the best. He’s not a stable that has yet made a concerted effort with 2YO and 3YO races. If he went down that path he’d prove to be just as good as any other big name trainer.
Jamaican Rain could be a Group 1 contender
Point well made, Geoff. The headline was more about highlighting this was the race Winx won to commence her winning streak. There’s no way The Bostonian will be able to replicate her in any way.
Saturday preview: The Bostonian can follow in footsteps of Winx
Bias is one thing, but have tracks fall apart is another.
In regards to Moonee Valley a few weeks ago, at least it was put on the record that the track wasn’t going to be 100 per cent due to the fact it was still needing time from its winter maintenance schedule. As per usual, it raced perfectly on the weekend when the rail was in the true position.
The problem with Sydney tracks is that they don’t have an even coverage of grass and appear to be sticky, even when it doesn’t rain. It was a warmish winter so I can’t see what the excuse is except they are perhaps in need of a decent break.
Sydney's tracks are simply not up to Group 1 standard