A Day at the Races

[Macca 17,049]

Not really into omen bets so I had 'Rossman' picked out with a genuine chance today at Mornington (Race 7 No.6) ... paying $8

[Gorgoroth 13,055]

1 hour ago, Macca said:

Not really into omen bets so I had 'Rossman' picked out with a genuine chance today at Mornington (Race 7 No.6) ... paying $8

I’m on, thanks for the heads up.

[Macca 17,049]

From Racenet.com

10-to-1 top Aussie horses of 2020

Here's the horses rated 6 - 10 (you'll need to click on the above link for the top 5)

 

Racing in Australia was the one sport to continue virtually unimpeded throughout the 2020 COVID pandemic and there was excitement aplenty with a host of younger gallopers rising through the ranks with a couple who were good enough to be elevated into the Top-10 after turning in spectacular performances.

Overseas gallopers landed a few majors with Addeybb taking out the Ranvet Stakes-Queen Elizabeth Group 1 double and of course Twilight Payment in the Melbourne Cup but the National Racing Newsroom team have cast their votes for 2020 based on the best Aussie-trained gallopers of the year and this is how it landed.

10 - SEPTEMBER RUN (Trainer - Chris Waller)

It’s virtually impossible to believe where this filly came from to make the top ten and rank as one of only two three-year-olds on the star studded list. She won a maiden in May then came from nowhere during the spring to become a Group 1 winning star. Beaten out of the placings at Randwick when resuming in the Silver Shadow she excelled at Flemington winning three-in-a-row down the straight course culminating in a sizzling win in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
2020 record: 7 starts - 5 wins
Group 1 wins: Coolmore Stud Stakes.

September Run ridden by Craig Williams wins the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington. Photo: George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos via Getty Images

 

9 - NATURE STRIP (Trainer - Chris Waller)

It was a massive fall from grace for the horse rated world’s best sprinter after brilliantly winning the TJ Smith Stakes in the autumn. Nature Strip started the spring as a raging hot favourite for The Everest after trialling sensationally but come grand final time the chestnut was nothing more than a spectator. He was beaten first-up at odds on and two runs later finished seventh in The Everest. Nature Strip closed out the year with a much better performance finishing second in the VRC Sprint Classic, but he was beaten 3¼ lengths by Bivouac.
2020 record: 7 starts - 2 wins - 2 placings
Group 1 wins: TJ Smith Stakes

Nature Strip clears out with the T J Smith Stakes at Randwick. Photo: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

 

8 - RUSSIAN CAMELOT (Trainer - Danny O’Brien)
As a lightly raced three-year-old Russian Camelot only won his maiden in April but an emphatic win in the South Australian Derby had him elevated to Melbourne Cup favouritism as soon as weights were released. Only won once during the spring taking out the Underwood Stakes but was placed in three other Group 1 races and closed off with an eighth in the Melbourne Cup when he lost little caste. He’s still one of Australia’s best.
2020 record: 8 starts - 3 wins - 3 placings
Group 1 - SA Derby, Underwood Stakes

Russian Camelot wins the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield in front of an empty grandstand. Photo: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

 

7 - SIR DRAGONET (Trainer - Ciaron Maher & David Eustace)
Australia only got to see son of Camelot twice after he arrived in Australia following solid form in Europe earlier in the year. Sir Dragonet charged through the line to give Glen Boss his fourth Cox Plate, emphatically beating fellow invader Armory. He then went to the Melbourne Cup and was far from disgraced finishing sixth beaten 3½ lengths. Look out for him in the autumn.
2020 record: 6 starts (2 Aus) - 1 win - 4 placings
Group 1 wins: Cox Plate

Sir Dragonet was brilliant winning the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. Photo: George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos via Getty Images

 

6 - OLE KIRK (Trainer - John, Michael & Wayne Hawkes)
The Hawkes Racing-trained Ole Kirk was a shooting star late in the year, coming from nowhere to become the most valuable racehorse in the land. He’s closely related to champion mare Black Caviar so it was no surprise he was sold for $675,000 at the sales. After winning the Group 1 double of the Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas he’s now worth $50m-plus and heads to Vinery Stud at the conclusion of his racing career - but the autumn comes first.
2020 record: 8 starts - 3 wins - 4 placings
Group 1 wins: Golden Rose, Caulfield Guineas

Ole Kirk under Tommy Berry wins the Golden Rose at Rosehill Gardens. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images

[Macca 17,049]

Jamie Kah has ridden 3 winners at Flemington today and is on the 4-1 shot Quantum Mechanic in the last

Race time 6.55pm

[Gorgoroth 13,055]

12 hours ago, Macca said:

Jamie Kah has ridden 3 winners at Flemington today and is on the 4-1 shot Quantum Mechanic in the last

Race time 6.55pm

Missed the post, see it ran 3rd. 
 

Perth Cup is insteresting, I’m a massive fan of the fav truly great and 2.15 is value for it until I saw it’s carrying 60. No idea what that means for it, might go another if I have a punt on the race.

[Macca 17,049]

3 hours ago, Gorgoroth said:

Missed the post, see it ran 3rd. 
 

Perth Cup is insteresting, I’m a massive fan of the fav truly great and 2.15 is value for it until I saw it’s carrying 60. No idea what that means for it, might go another if I have a punt on the race.

Quantum Mechanic held up at the top of the straight for 3/4 of a furlong.  Being a backmarker that can happen but is definitely one to watch as it still nearly won and was flying home

And I've gone for some value in the Perth Cup with another horse carrying the Bob Peters cerise colours

Perth Cup R8 No.13 Midnight Blue (10.00/2.50)  ... a lightweight chance and drawn nicely

Truly Great too short for my liking although it is the horse to beat

Edited January 2, 2021 by Macca

[Gorgoroth 13,055]

5 hours ago, Macca said:

Quantum Mechanic held up at the top of the straight for 3/4 of a furlong.  Being a backmarker that can happen but is definitely one to watch as it still nearly won and was flying home

And I've gone for some value in the Perth Cup with another horse carrying the Bob Peters cerise colours

Perth Cup R8 No.13 Midnight Blue (10.00/2.50)  ... a lightweight chance and drawn nicely

Truly Great too short for my liking although it is the horse to beat

I’ll give it a look, had a good win on evening glory and miss Albania 

[Macca 17,049]

52 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

I’ll give it a look, had a good win on evening glory and miss Albania 

That's the shot Gorg.  Good stuff!

I've picked up a few winners myself ...Bella Tiara,  Dickin Medal & De Grawin up at Rosehill

Got Boyles up early in the day as well so well in front   You only need a few winners when the each-way chances get up

It's a known fact that 70% of all favourites don't win but I will back a favourite if there is some value attached (7-2,  4-1 etc)

I steer clear of the real shorties unless in a multi or in Stakes races

[Gorgoroth 13,055]

I nearly went Bella but dropped on sensationalism, been on it a few times.

[Macca 17,049]

37 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

I nearly went Bella but dropped on sensationalism, been on it a few times.

Got Athiri & Li'l Hank up late with a couple at Ascot to come.  Been a good day

By the way, if I lose you won't be hearing from me!  haha

[Macca 17,049]

Neufbosc wins the Perth Cup!

'Truly Great' 3 wide throughout carrying 60 kgs.  Had cover for the most part but nonetheless, a big ask

Beaten by a nose

Midnight Blue ran ok for 3rd but not in the class of the first 2

But Truly Great has a big future as a stayer/middle distance horse.  It will be brought over to the East you'd imagine as we have a dearth of decent middle distance horses from 1800m up to a mile and a half

Neufbosc will win more races as well.  Started 3.60 so the money came for it today.  Had 6kgs on Truly Great though

[Gorgoroth 13,055]

I had the first three in a first 4, had Jenni as the fourth horse. Should have just done a tri?

[Macca 17,049]

Racing related?

The Dakar Rally starts today with a highlights program (30 mins) shown every day on SBS at 5.30pm

This year we're in Saudi Arabia after being stationed in South America for the last 10 years

It's a well put together highlights program

[Macca 17,049]

Magic Millions tomorrow ... high stakes with very competitive fields

Full Fields, Odds & Form - Gold Coast

 

[Gorgoroth 13,055]

5 hours ago, Macca said:

Magic Millions tomorrow ... high stakes with very competitive fields

Full Fields, Odds & Form - Gold Coast

 

Bella Vella is one I’ve been on last few  snd it’s saluted, I’ll back her again. But some good racing across the day.

[Macca 17,049]

20 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

Bella Vella is one I’ve been on last few  snd it’s saluted, I’ll back her again. But some good racing across the day.

The Sprint race I found to be the toughest to find a winner but Bella Vella is a real chance Gorg

Swift Witness in the 2yo Classic,  Isotope in the Guineas & Athiri in the F&M feature should all get into the finish

Every year this particular meeting becomes more appealing ... not long after (Aust Day this year) we're into the Blue Diamond previews

Then we're into the Autumn features before you know it

[Gorgoroth 13,055]

7 hours ago, Macca said:

The Sprint race I found to be the toughest to find a winner but Bella Vella is a real chance Gorg

Swift Witness in the 2yo Classic,  Isotope in the Guineas & Athiri in the F&M feature should all get into the finish

Every year this particular meeting becomes more appealing ... not long after (Aust Day this year) we're into the Blue Diamond previews

Then we're into the Autumn features before you know it

TBH Macca I’ve found the races at Glen and GC tough. I like #12 Miss Damita in the 8th at Flem and got a tip for the same race for #14 Coolth. 

[Macca 17,049]

Another fine win to Streets of Avalon in the G2 Australia Stakes.  Seems to improve every season

Next up is the Futurity Stakes (which the horse won last year)

 

[Macca 17,049]

Nice card at Caulfield tomorrow with the 2 Blue Diamond Previews along with a couple of listed Stakes races on later in the day

Full Fields, Odds & Form - Caulfield (Tuesday)

[Gorgoroth 13,055]

Dosh is running in the 4th, was on that when it was paying $20. I’ll have to look at it tomorrow.

[Macca 17,049]

On 1/16/2021 at 5:12 AM, Gorgoroth said:

TBH Macca I’ve found the races at Glen and GC tough. I like #12 Miss Damita in the 8th at Flem and got a tip for the same race for #14 Coolth. 

Forget to mention that Coolth won that race Gorg ... $7 or $8 was available from memory

A horse on the way up and knows how to get into the finish.  Record 7:3-0-2 with a 4th & 5th

Worth following up on ... ADATR Blackbooker

[Gorgoroth 13,055]

1 hour ago, Macca said:

Forget to mention that Coolth won that race Gorg ... $7 or $8 was available from memory

A horse on the way up and knows how to get into the finish.  Record 7:3-0-2 with a 4th & 5th

Worth following up on ... ADATR Blackbooker

Yeah Coolth was a good get. Came right in.

has good wins on 1st of May and Galactacus (spelling?) last weekend and a exacta which was nice.

Just missed out on a few today, hope for some winners tomorrow if I jump on.

[Macca 17,049]

13 hours ago, Gorgoroth said:

Yeah Coolth was a good get. Came right in.

has good wins on 1st of May and Galactacus (spelling?) last weekend and a exacta which was nice.

Just missed out on a few today, hope for some winners tomorrow if I jump on.

Got 'Diamonds in the Sky' up in the first race ... double winnings with Laddies as well (gotta love that!)

Very good start!

[Gorgoroth 13,055]

7 minutes ago, Macca said:

Got 'Diamonds in the Sky' up in the first race ... double winnings with Laddies as well (gotta love that!)

Very good start!

Nice get, I’ve been out in the shed fixing the ride on mower no missed the first. Liking Doroza in the 2nd. 7.50 is very good, hasn’t liked Caulfield but that can always change.

[Macca 17,049]

'Viral' gets a good pull in the weights in the Dillon Stakes (R6 No.6) ... I got $4 but it is now into 2.60

It is a very competitive race though with about 6 chances in an 8 horse field ... Never Again is out to $9 which seems overs.  Savour wager!