SA SA LADIES PURSE DAY IS NO SO SO EVENT!
When Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Day rolls on, the popular Hong Kong cosmetics brand doesn’t exactly hold back on the on-course glamour. Models, skin care demonstrations, boutiques, fashionistas, and, of course, Sa Sa branding will be all over the place, in one of the best examples of sponsored racing event where everyone gets more bangs for their bucks. After the races, and depending on whether you’re up or down, more banging can be the order of the day.
Still with fashion and style and horse racing, Oaks Day at Flemington yesterday brought out the Melbourne glam squad led by the extremely pretty- but rather skinny looking-Jenny Hawkins and other fashionistas.
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THE BEAUTY OF HORSE POWER
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THE INSIDE TRACK
He’s been in Macau for the past few days opening some new sports bar, but don’t be surprised to see David Beckham at the races today along with his extremely savvy manager Simon Fuller who also looks after the careers of Mrs Becks, Lewis Hamilton and Andy Murray.
WHO’S GOT THE MOODY BLUES THEN?
“Aren’t you glad he never came to train in Hong Kong?” The question was about trainer Peter Moody when rumours swirled that he was being wooed to take up a job in Hong Kong. This was during those days when Moody could walk on water, build an arc in a day and beat Ben Hur in a chariot race- those days when the great Black Caviar ruled the turf.
These days, Peter Moody has had to take a very much backseat role to Darren Weir and a host of new names coming up the ranks, and the “mail” from Melbourne is that he does not like it one diddley bit.
In fact, those who have to deal with him call it “The Moody Blues” and brought on through a serious drought in Group 1 winners and with the racing media not exactly breaking down his door for any pearls of wisdom.
On the subject of trainers, one new name we’d be keeping an eye out on is Ballarat-based Englishman Archie Alexander- young- 27, talented, with a top pedigree- his old man is Hamish Alexander, he worked for Criquette Head for four years- and support from the very powerful OTI Racing Syndicate and whom we met at Adrenaline. Very nice bloke who’ll go far. Needs to learn how not to have such big tie knots, however.
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THE FAST TRACKER GOES AFTER THE $1.7 MILLION SIX UP JACKPOT
R1
I’ll be way too busy raiding the buffet tables and then checking out the Sa Sa models who are always a cracking sort to bother with first race, where if I were to have a bet, it would be Monsieur Mosse on Secret Agent.
SELECTIONS: 2-9-3-1
R2
I really like Karis Teetan’s ride Thunder Flyer here on a win line whereas anything Neil Callan rides for Ricky Yiu should be included in all tierce bets. Here he’s on Yiu’s newcomer Best Fighter (10).
SELECTIONS: 1-10-8-4
R3
One of those 1000 metre races where last week we saw Matthew Chadwick come from almost last, and like a Hong Kong taxi driver in a rush to get off duty before 4pm, stormed home to win on Imperial Fighter.
So, the old “system” of thinking outside barriers being an advantage and leading and holding on isn’t really working this season. It certainly wasn’t working last Sunday. Here, the main chances look to be Glory Horsie and first starter Planet Choice. But with five other debutants in the race, there could be surprises without surprising.
SELECTIONS: 7-11-13-9
R4
The first leg of the Triple Trio and without any jackpot, this race looks framed to ensure no one gets past this first hurdle. It’s a race where a blowout looks ready to happen.
Selections: 4-3-6-5
R5
A very tough start to the Six Up where some weak conveyances line up to see which is the best of the lot. Forget form and barriers and speed maps and riding engagements. Close your eyes and see where the pin lands though I do like Street Cat as a roughie.
Selections: 6-7-9-13-4
*R6
The debut run by Secret Command was too good not to put it on top here.
Tony Millard has bought some good horses for owner David Tsui and if that last run was no fluke, it should take this out with the magic of Moreira compensating for being drawn barrier ten of this 1200 metre race.
SELECTIONS: 6-12-7-9
*R7
The Group 3 Ladies Purse is a fascinating race to watch and see how some of the up-and-coming gallopers fare, especially Khaya and Packing Llaregyb, which had a very hard run at its last start to give Zac Purton a five-timer that day. Racing up a class and with Mirco Demuro on it for the first time, one has to wonder if that last run might have flattened in.
Tony Cruz has two runners entered with Willie Cazals, which ran a blinder at its last start when not even fit, looking the stable elect though Helene Super Star also has a great chance.
Khaya is definitely worth another chance after botching the start the last time out. If it gets away cleanly, this is the one to beat and looks like heading for the big International Cup races. And who doesn’t like big cups, Batman?
*SELECTIONS: 5-4-13-11
R8
Big Four and Brilliant Dream, which was totally hammered out of its last race by a wayward and drunk looking Master Sommelier seem the logical choices, but since when has logic had anything to do with horse racing?
Take these two out of this race, and last-start winner Ishvara comes into play along with John Moore’s Too Fast.
SELECTIONS: 11-5-12-2
R9
A tricky race over 1800 metres as this is a pretty even looking field where Faster More might start favourite again purely because of The Moreira Factor- and, again, disappoint. Wrath Of Fire is racing over its favourite distance and enjoys being drawn out wide, while Lucky Omens, Best Show- if there’s rain about- Cartoon Fay Fay and Industrialist Way, all have chances. If I had to pick one, it would be Industrialist Way, and the booking by trainer Dennis Yip of the in-form Monsieur Mosse, who can have them three and four wide and still win, gives me added confidence. It seems to have been set for this race.
For value to tierces, perhaps add the very enigmatic Backbench Blues.
SELECTIONS: 7-3-9-11
*R10
The Tony Cruz yard always strikes on SaSa Ladies Day as, after all, two of his most loyal owners are Mr and Mrs Sa Sa- Thomas and Eleanor Kwok. This last race is almost scripted as Eleanor Kwok’s Beauty Only takes its place here and should easily win this based on the breathtaking debut by this exciting Italian import. Neil Callan sticks to it like glue and Beauty Only should win like a good thing.
Caspar Fownes’ Gun Pit might give it the most to do by making its run from off the pace together with the Cruz runner, but his Derby contender looks extra special.
*Betting races
SELECTIONS: 3-2-1-8
BEST BET: RACE 8 BRILLIANT DREAM (11) NEXT BEST: RACE 9 INDUSTRIALIST WAY (7) VALUE BET: 3×1 ALL UP WIN: RACE 6 SECRET COMMAND (6), RACE 8 BRILLIANT DREAM (11), RACE 10 BEAUTY ONLY (3)
SIX UP R5: 1-4-6-7-9-12-13 R6: 6 R7: 4-5-13 R8: 11 R9: 3-7-9-13 R10: 2-3 TOTAL: $960 for a full Six Up ticket
RACING EXPERT SARIKA’S SIX UP
R5: 4-6-7-9 R6: 6-7-12 R7: 4-5 R8: 11 R9: 3-7-9-13 R10: 3
PARTING SHOT
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