FINALLY we’re away from Flemington for Saturday’s racing in Victoria.
The only problem is Caulfield is back with the rail out seven metres after the geniuses decided to race there on Wednesday (with the rail out 14m).
I don’t think there’ll be too much track bias, though.
Speaking of tracks, if you think Flemington isn’t racing that well, get some vision of yesterday’s Werribee meeting.
Considering it doesn’t see a lot of racing, it looked and raced disgracefully yesterday.
It’s no surprise it was built by the same people that built the Flemington track.
Meanwhile, the racing industry is today mourning the loss of Caulfield trainer Kel Chapman, who died in his sleep on Wednesday night, aged 83.
Chapman, who gained his trainer’s license in 1954, maintained Nilarco was the best horse he'd saddled during his stellar career.
Nilarco's most notable victories were the Herbert Power Stakes (1961), the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1962) and the Craven Plate (1961).
Other stars to have passed through Chapman's stable's included Chicola (1958 VRC Oaks and Wakeful Stakes), Gossiper (1972 AJC Oaks and Craiglee Stakes), What's The Verdict (1971 Thousand Guineas) and Cendrillon (1966 Thousand Guineas and 1967 Futurity Stakes).
Chapman is also the father of former leading jockey Jenny Chapman, best known for her role as mounting yard analyst for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
This is a preview of race four at Caulfield tomorrow. Odds courtesy TAB Sportsbet.
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1. PADDY O’REILLY
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Second-up over 2000m after a mediocre performance over 1400m. Pass.
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$6.50
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2. TURNITUP
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Hasn’t won in more than a year and has had plenty of chances to win since. This is a big drop in class, though.
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$2.60
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3. EXCEPTIONALLY
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Not really a middle distance horse. Goes OK over the staying journeys but he doesn’t have the class to be a big player in the spring. Will be hitting the line strongly but might be a bit behind the winner.
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$21
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4. LANGRIDGE STREET
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Tracked Turnitup’s every move last start and beat him home, although the enigma that is My Bentley trumped them both. Has claims again.
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$4.80
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5. LETHAL ARROW
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Scratched.
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N/A
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6. NIPTIOUS
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Too hard here.
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$41
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7. CRAFTY CRUISER
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Drops back in distance and that’s always a move hard to gauge. I won’t rule him out but I won’t be backing him.
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$10
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8. YOU THINK SO
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Has had a 13-week spell and goes straight into a 2000m race. I’d like to see him parade on the day before ruling a line through his name, because he has some ability, especially first-up, but for the purpose of this preview I’ll leave him out.
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$4.80
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9. FAINEANT
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Scratched.
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N/A
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10. QUICK BOND
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Has been running on some heavy tracks of late and will find the going much easier tomorrow. Has a decent 2000m record and he’s worth including in multiples.
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$17
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This is not a strong race and with just eight runners I can’t see any records being broken on the clock. To be honest I think I’m going to have two bets – backing Turnitup straight out and having a quinella with him and Langridge Street. I can’t see the topweight winning and it’s hard to tip You Think So without having seen him in the ring.
