Thursday 29 August 2013

30/08/13 - Ipswich Swich On Raceday

Well I have a special treat for followers of The Silk.  Normally I concentrate on Saturday racing but as I'll be going to the Swich On raceday (www.swichon.com.au) to help race money for White Cloud Foundation and Turn To Me, I thought why not put out a Silk to hopefully help find some winners.

The weather has been magic here all week with temperatures pushing 30 degrees.  We'll be blessed with a good track and with the rail out 8.5m, we'll be on the look out for horses that settle in the first 3 or 4.  Hopefully that's a winning strategy!

Race 1 - Swich On Maiden Handicap

The first race on the card sees 8 maiden horses engaged over 1000m.  We have 3 first starters to make things just that little bit harder.  Red Hot De Lago (1) and Wine By The Glass (2) will push forward from their wide barriers.  It's difficult to say what the unraced will do out of the barriers.  Having said that I think we can assume that Creditable (6) will take advantage of barrier 1 and hustle early to take up a nice position.  I'm taking it as a lead that Tim Bell would have had the choice of 2 Gillian Heinrich horses in this race and he chose this 1.  It has reasonable trial form leading into this.  She ran 6th to Miss Zizou in her 1st trial.  That horse won Wednesday in town.  She then ran a narrow 2nd in her 2nd trial last week.  They are applying blinkers for the 1st time so I think she's being prepared to fire here.  We're taking  a bit of a punt but in the spirit of the day, I think she's worth a bet.  Other hopes to Wine By The Glass (2), How Sweet (3) and Red Hot De Lago (1).

Race 2 - Savco Maiden Handicap

We're confronted with a maiden over 1700m in the 2nd race of the day.  Unlike the previous maiden there's no 1st starters.  In fact some of these have had quite a few starts and to be honest none have shown too much.  I really couldn't push people towards any of these but for the sake of involvement I'll get behind Grazio (5).  This guy's record is pretty poor with just the 1 second from 12 starts.  That 2nd was last start at this track over this distance.  I'm pinning quite a bit of weight to that effort.  He settled towards the tail end of the field and was 9th at the 400m before making his way along the fence for 2nd.  Korta (2) was just behind him in that race and looks the toughest to beat.  As I said earlier, Grazio's record isn't flash but it must be noted that it's earlier starts were in Sydney and Melbourne where it raced for Anthony Cummings.  Other hopes to Korta (2),  Million Kisses (7) and Ardrova (1).

Race 3 - Tru-Flow Maiden Plate

Another maiden here.  This time over 1350m.  Speed should be decent here with Dane Victory and Sundae Dreamin' pushing up from the inside and Royal Enchantress, Eternal Heart and Maravagi going forward from out wide.  That could play into the hands of Kelso Wood's horse Beautiful Sound (5).  This mare recently resumed recently after well over a year off the scene.  It wasn't the most spectacular return with the mare losing by 8 lengths.  However she lost ground on the turn and battled fairly under a big weight.  She drops 3kg here and should be able to park herself just behind the speed.  Kelso Wood also has established a great record since the new season started winning 40% of his horses winning here and 80% placing.  So he doesn't bring them to Ipswich for fun.  With added fitness from her 1st up effort she should race well.  Other hopes to Eternal Heart (6), Royal Enchantress (8) and Dane Victory (1).

Race 4 - Mayor Paul Pisasale Handicap

We take a step up here from the maidens and go into a Class 1 over 1700m.  Major Showdown (2) and Bianco Boy (6) will take up the running here with possibly Irishlady Millions from the wide gate.  Glenaroua (4) is having it's 1st run for the Kevin Kemp stable after racing in Victoria.  It enters this race on the back of a maiden win at Geelong over 1900m.  The 1700m will pose no problems, something that I'm not sure can be said about other horses in the race.  The horse appreciates a dry track which it will get here.  It's only been out of the placings once in 5 tries on good tracks.  Gets 2kg off for apprentice Tarrant and I can see him giving the horse a nice run.  Other hopes to Royal Reward (5), Major Showdown (2) and Samaxamia (1).  

Race 5 - XXXX Class 1 Handicap

This scamper over 1100m is a bit of a head scratcher.  It is with little confidence that I'm going with Nobody's Boy (2) here.  It really concerns me that this guy has made a habit of bombing starts and generally being slow away.  However I still remember his 6 length win on debut.  The horse has potential and I'm putting a LOT of faith in that here.  He gets 3kg's off for apprentice Schmidt which will come in handy.  Basically if he jumps then he'll be in the finish.  Other hopes to Grandin (7), Masakari (1) and Navy Chic (5).

Race 6 - AQ Labour Hire Class 2 Handicap

This class 2 race over 1350m looks a very nice affair.  I'm going with Rock Beauty (4) who drops in class here.  This mare has been highly competitive in class 3 races in it's most recent starts.  It steps up in trip but she has shown a real fight in her finishing.  She draws the peg and I expect Tim Bell to take full advantage of that by leading or box seating.  She has a good record at the track which is an advantage.  Other hopes to Substation (1), Don't Tell Cyril (7) and Banchory Lass (6).

Race 7 - Nugrow Landscaping & Supplies Class 4 Handicap

Many of the leading hopes have drawn wide which isn't ideal from this start over 1540m.  Nuits St George (2) has drawn nicely in barrier 5 and I think this old boy will be right in the finish.  He enters this race on the back of a 6th to Heart Of Many at Doomben and the start prior a win here over this trip.  The day he won here he carried 59kg in the same class as this race.  This time he'll carry 56kg after the claim for Wolfgram.  Has won 2 from 4 at the track.  Other hopes to Magic Shuffle (3), A Shade Better (5) and Wonderful Jester (1).

***With the scratching of Magic Shuffle, I'll promote O'Grady (6) to the other hopes***


Best Bets

Race 6  - Rock Beauty (4)

Quadrella

Leg 1 - 1, 2, 4, 5
Leg 2 - 1, 2, 7
Leg 3 - 1, 2, 4, 6, 7
Leg 4 - 1, 2, 5

Get Involved!                 

Friday 16 August 2013

17/08/13 - Doomben

Once again we've been blessed with sensational weather this week.  There's a very small chance of a late storm Saturday but I'm fairly certain that we'll be racing on a good track all day at Doomben.  
 
Last week wasn't anything to write home about.  Two of our three best bets got across the line.  Meatloaf might think 2 out of 3 ain't bad but the Silk's a tougher marker than that and won't be copping it.  The beauty of racing is that there's always another chance.  Let's smack 'em!
 
Race 1
 
Only 6 horses nominated here so tread warily.  Strange things can happen in small fields but I feel Ferment (3) will bring up a hattrick of wins.  His past 2 starts have been very good where he's run on strongly to take the winner's cheque.  Both starts were over this distance so there's no doubts over his ability at the trip.  He should box seat here and prove hard to hold out.  He drops in weight from last start.  Exotic players should look at Grey Assignment (1) and Double Impact (2).
 
Race 2
 
Half this field raced each other 2 weeks ago and it's very hard to see any of those turning the tables on Secret Harmony (1).  He ran 2nd that day but Treasure Map was the closest and he was 2.3 lengths away.  Secret Harmony meets that horse 2.5kg better after the claim for apprentice Holt.  He'll be able to control the tempo and as reluctant I am to make bold statements, he just wins.  Hardest to beat Treasure Map (2) and Grawlix (5).
 
Race 3
 
Yet another small field.  Just 6 horses currently engaged after the 2 early scratchings of the Treloar runners.  To make it less enticing to bet here, it's a 2120m race!  I like to get involved but even I can't entertain taking this race on.  For those who can't resist then Mukaddamah Son (1), Raeburn (3) and Escoffier (7) are the leading hopes.    
 
Race 4

Cuddlesome (4) looks well placed here.  She's had a month off but enters this race on the back of some nice efforts.  She narrowly lost to Next The Universe last start and previous to that wasn't far off the likes of Peron, Kneeling and Doubtfilly.  Those races were on wet tracks and I suspect Cuddlesome will really appreciate getting back on a dry track.  I think she's a class above the opposition here and will get a great run from Munce.  Other hopes to Jacquetta (7), Flying Fuji (5) and My Shabella (8).

Race 5

D'Jet (1) looks well placed here.  Yes that's the comment in the last race but again it's fitting of this runner.  He resumed 2 weeks ago after a long spell and raced well for 2nd.  His 2nd up record is excellent, only being out of the placings once in 5 2nd up runs.  He has a good record at the track and distance and should take a nice up position in running.  He gets in very well at the weights after the claim for apprentice Holt.  Looks a class above.  Other hopes to Trilione (11), Bush Aviator (2) and Royal Shout (9).

Race 6

I really like the look of Mishani Warrior (3) here.  This guy has put together an impressive record in his 15 race career.  He's won 6 of those and placed in 5 others.  He loves this track and distance.  He gets the services of Anthony Allen who claims 2kg but importantly has won 3 of 4 on him.  The speed looks to be a solid one with many horse pushing forward.  That will play right into this guy's hands.  Other hopes to Regular (12), Epic Terra (1) and Volkhere (8).

Race 7

This race is considerably harder than the previous races to pick.  Who knows, I could be way off the mark with them.  Stranger things have happened haha!  Anyway getting back to the task at hand, I'm going with Got Unders (10).  Let's be frank, this is an open race so luck will play a part.   Unders has drawn wide but I think Colless can get the horse into a reasonable position.  He rode the horse in the Grafton Guineas where it drew wide and the horse showed incredible resilience to finish a narrow 3rd.  Kurtley won that race and it showed last week that's good form.  It also has form around Casino Card.  I was swayed to Got Unders as I feel it has better good track form than the other key runners.  At the end of the day we want to be on something that is consistent and this guy fits that bill with only 2 unplaced runs in 12 races.  Let's just hope we don't get unders with the bookies!  Other hopes to Mr Testa (2), Heart Of Many (13) and Jack's Back (1).

Race 8

Well they lulled us into a false sense of security and then unleashed these final 2 races on us.  The get out stakes, like the previous race is an open affair.  I'm going with the resuming Congo (11).  This guy has raced well at this track and distance and has a great fresh record.  Although only a class 1, last time he resumed he brained them with a big weight.  He raced in competitive 3 year old races last season and I'm hoping that gives him a bit of a class edge here.  All he needs is a decent speed set and he'll be winding up well in the straight.  Other hopes to Deb's Hope (9), Manicero (2) and The Storeman (6).

Best Bets

Race 2 - Secret Harmony (1)

Race 5 - D'Jet (1)

Race 6 - Mishani Warrior (3) e/w

The Silk will also be throwing an all up including Ferment, Secret Harmony, Cuddlesome and D'jet.  Only costs money to find out! 


Friday 9 August 2013

10/08/13 - Eagle Farm

The weather has been sensational in South East Queensland this week with blue skies and temperatures around the 25 degree celsius mark.  The only downside has been the westerlies that true to form have blown in for the Ekka.  Brace yourself, we'lll be racing on a GOOD track at Eagle Farm! 
 
Race 1
 
I won't be pushing people out of the way to get a bet on in the opening event over 1000m with just the 7 starters engaged.  I know Adebisi (1) was average and that's being kind 1st up in the Ramornie.  However I simply have to respect this guy's class.  If he's anywhere near right, he'll blow these away.  He has a good record at the track and distance and the drop back to 1000m will suit.  Draws wide but I can't see that being a problem with Cahill being able to get him across to lead or box seat.  Other hopes to Delago Bolt (2) and Funtantes (3).
 
Race 2
 
Surely today's the day for Flying Home (10).  If it's not then well forget about it.  He has threatened to win each of his 3 starts since winning on Ipswich Cup day back in June.  Last start he finished well to narrowly go down over 2100m.  A fair chunk of this field were also in that race and he meets them significantly better at the weights.  He drops from 59kg to 54.5kg.  Surely that alone is enough to get this bloke over the line.  Is undefeated in his only start over this distance at the track.  Back on top of the ground will suit.  Other hopes to Awesome Ransom (7), Fifth Column (9) and Retune (2).
 
Race 3
 
Vintage Moss (1) looks the business here back on top of the ground.  This guy has an excellent record winning 6 from 15.  He has done his best racing at this track where he has won 4 from 9.  He's drawn badly and has a fair weight to carry but in my mind he's clearly the best horse in the race so I think he can overcome that.  He gets 2kg relief for apprenctice Matheson who has saluted the judge 2 out of the 3 times he's ridden the horse.  Warmed up for this with a nice trial run against Someday and Whiskey Allround.  Other hopes to Tail And All (2), Starstreamed (5) and Sezwho (8).
 
Race 4
 
The leading chances here raced each other last start.  I'm going with Prussian Heart (4) who narrowly lost to Voodoo Blue Magic in that race.  Prussian Heart meets that horse 4.5kg better off for going down by a nostril.  I think Prussian Heart can get the run of the race here.  There doesn't look a great deal of speed and Jimmy Byrne should be able to either lead or put the horse in the box seat.  If he shows the same toughness as last start when he was 3 wide then he'll be awfully hard to run down.  Other hopes to Teronado (2), Voodoo Blue Magic (1) and Canisbay (3).
 
Race 5
 
Kurtley (8) hasn't made his way up from Tamworth for a hair cut.  That's what I'm hoping anyway!  This guy is low flying at the moment.  He enters this race on the back of 2 fast finishing wins.  His record over this trip is excellent with 2 wins and 2 2nds from 4 starts.  He came to this circuit earlier in the year and nearly pulled off a win.  He's drawn awkwardly but his form is simply too good to ignore.  He also gets the services of Paul Hammersley who can make things happen.  Other hopes to Ferment (4), Rock Home Late (7) and Extreme Mover (11).
 
Race 6
 
The only thing I see beating Avaladyluck (6) is bad luck.  This mare has been racing in great form behind the likes of Discreet, Regular and General Exhibit.  She's always hitting the line hard and if she can get a clear passage into the straight, they will find it hard to hold her out.  She races well at this track and distance.  Other hopes to Divine City (3), Don't Get Me Rong (11) and Lady Colours (7).
 
Race 7
 
This is a tricky race to find a clear cut winner.  I've gone with the Heathcote trained Gotitallwrong (6).  Unlike a lot of these she's consistent and has only been out of the placings 4 times in 13 starts.  She has raced well on heavy tracks recently but will appreciate the dry surface.  She has a good record at the track and her work was quality during the week.  All in all, I think she'll go well.  Other hopes to Ellawisdom (9), Dane Princess (5) and Danyme (12).

***With the scratching of Dane Princess, I'll promote Baroness Zena (7) to the other hopes***
 
Race 8
 
We have a competitive race to finish the day.  A number of the better hopes have drawn wide which I think will ensure a decent speed.  I've gone with Sir Knox (12).  This guy has always shown promise and based on his 1st up run, I think he's ready to show what he's made of.  He wound up 1st up but it was clear that the 1200m was far too short.  He gets out to 1500m here which will suit him well 2nd up.  He'll get back but a strong speed will help him come home.  Chris Munce in the saddle is no disadvantage!  Other hopes to Little Long Horn (2), St Andrews (9) and Swingin' Dazzler (11).

**With the scratching of Swingin' Dazzler, I'll promote Casting Stones (5) to the other hopes**
 
Best Bets
 
Race 2 - Flying Home (10)
 
Race 3 - Vintage Moss (1)
 
Race 6 - Avaladyluck (6)
    

Saturday 3 August 2013

03/08/13 - Doomben and Rosehill

Doomben
 
Race 1 - My Shabella (6)
 
Race 2 - Topping (2)
 
Race 3 - Viking Heart (3)
 
Race 4 - Outstrip (8)
 
Race 5 - Keep It Moist (5)
 
Race 6 - La Tikka Rosa (15)
 
Race 7 - Gundy Son (2)
 
Race 8 - All My Angels (15)
 
 
Rosehill
 
Race 2 - Champagne Cath (4)
 
Race 3 - Dee 'N' Gee (1)
 
Race 4 - Magic In The Mix (11)
 
Race 5 - Omniscient (4)
 
Race 6 - Under The Sun (2)
 
Race 7 - Sacred Flyer (4)
 
Race 8 - Princess Layla (11)