Racing this Saturday at Flemington for the Group 1 Lightning Stakes, but it is impossible not to firstly acknowledge the death of George Hanlon, one of the greatest trainers in the history of the sport. In a distinguished career George won three Melbourne Cups among countless other races, and he had a famous ‘curse’ in the Caulfield Cup, three times losing the race in a photo, until taking the prize with Diatribe in 2000. Although he never had big numbers in his stable, his record in the big races was still exceptional, as he had success in the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.
George was also brilliant with a one liner. “Horses are only human” was his explanation for a well fancied galloper of his getting beaten one day, while after he went down in a Caulfield Cup photo for a third time, he commented that “I don’t mind losing, I just hate getting beaten”.
The Flemington track will be rated a Good 3 for the majority of tomorrow’s program. Punters should also be aware that there is a $500,000 Jackpot in the SuperTAB Big 6 pool tomorrow. The first leg is race number 3.
We will look at two races – the first, race 3, an open handicap over 2600m, and the second, the Lightning Stakes.
Race 3 – Open Handicap Preview
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Horse
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Comment
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Apprehend ($3.70)
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Racing in terrific form and drops in weight after the claim. Obviously a major chance.
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Grand Destiny ($4.60)
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Drops from 59Kg to 57.5Kg so even though he doesn’t get weight off Apprehend, he still has to carry less which should be an advantage. Racing very well and the best value in the race.
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Macedonian ($2.60)
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I thought his last start win was decidedly unimpressive so leave me out of the short odds.
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Olympic Win ($8.50)
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Nice stayer in the making, should be somewhere in the finish.
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Arclace ($101)
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No.
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Wildly Excited ($6.50)
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Good effort last time out but prefer other form lines.
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Vindicating ($121)
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No.
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Maid Of The Mist ($201)
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No.
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I’d back Grand Destiny each way.
Race 6 – Lightning Stakes Preview
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Horse
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Comment
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Duporth ($15)
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Has never struck me as a 1000m horse and others here might be too speedy for him.
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Cannonball ($26)
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Don’t know much about him but my understanding is he will be better suited over a little further.
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Nicconi ($5.50)
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Terrific sprinter at his best, and the only question is what happened last time to cause such a poor performance? Definite winning chance.
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Burdekin Blues ($5.50)
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An incredibly fast horse and a winner down the straight in the past. Has race fitness on his side and shouldn’t have too tough a time out front. The one to beat.
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Seeking Attention ($101)
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Prefer others.
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Starspangledbanner ($4.20)
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Brilliant colt but worth remembering his 1000m wins were against the likes of No Comment and Tariks. He is a winning hope but he is also too short.
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Shellscrape ($9)
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Probably needs it wet to win against this class.
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Wanted ($13)
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Terrific effort last time out behind All Silent and 1000m should suit. Barrier 1 perhaps not ideal but the best value in the race.
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Governance ($41)
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Price looks about right.
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Honest Truth ($61)
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Ditto.
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Headway ($9)
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Terrific sprinting filly, but 1000m might just be a half furlong too short for her against this grade.
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Irish Lights ($9)
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Good filly but others have stronger claims for mine.
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Sister Madly ($17)
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Would have put the line straight through her but for a terrific trial run of hers – and I’m not normally a trial man. Still think some of the others here will have her measure.
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I’d back Burdekin Blues each way.
