It’s an emotional time for us racing nuts here at SportChamps after the 3 days of the best week in world sport. Derby Day left us as scattered as a patients insides after Michael J Fox has performed open heart surgery. The big two miles of the Melbourne Cup has left us as physically exhausted as the horse that rogue jockey Dylan Caboche punched at Port Lincoln. And let’s be honest, Aloisia getting rolled in the Oaks has left us fiscally hog-tied. But I’m pleading with you, Champs. Give me one more effort!
Our ‘4 Days of Flemington’ Tournament is still open with leader SillyBilly47 very catchable and no doubt sleeping about as well as one of Pablo Escobar’s quality control officers. There’s more than $20k up for grabs so you’d have to be madder than a midget with a yoyo not to throw your hat in the ring for this one!
After a frustrating Oaks day with not much luck, here’s my thoughts on Saturday’s two big ones:
EMIRATES STAKES
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. On the final day of the carnival, in GINGERNUTS we trust!” For a horse that sounds like he was named by a 5 year old with Tourette’s syndrome, this bloke has quite a story to tell. After slashing group 1 wins in the NZ Derby and Rosehill Guineas in 2016, owners were offered a reported $3m to sell to Asia and knocked it back. Today we may get to see why. He looks suited by getting back off what will be a strong speed and I can picture him thundering down the outside along the Flemington to the roar of millions of redheads worldwide.
I’m forgiving TOSEN STARDOM for his derby day run where the pattern was against him and ground away like a horse looking for 2000m. FOLKSWOOD was excellent in the Cox Plate and is right in the mix for a race of this quality. CLIFF’S EDGE is the x-factor here with 51kg. Saved from the derby, if he can have an easy time in front don’t be surprised to see him skip away at the top of the straight. In what is possibly the biggest coup of the carnival, the VRC have been able to lure martial arts megastar Steven Seagal who will be handing out free uppercuts to those who dare to back TOM MELBOURNE.
DARLEY CLASSIC
So, I hear the racing fatcats in Sydney have added a bit of prizemoney to some swish sprint race up there next year? It’s a pity that they won’t get a better field than this! IMPENDING is the fresh horse on the scene after a blinding first up run in Sydney and trialling as crisply as that first beer in the Flemington nursery since crossing the border. He’s been aimed at one race for a very long time and will be peaking here, whereas others may have had their Grand Final. He’s a cracking each way chance. REDZEL is the bloke in high school that wasn’t overly cool but now lives in a luxury penthouse and has money fights with supermodels. He’s the obvious one having taken all before him this year and deserves the favourite tag. IN HER TIME has been extraordinary this preparation and is knocking on the door to win her Group 1. VEGA MAGIC can atone without the backbreaking burden of having C Williams on his back and it certainly doesn’t end there with old stagers CHAUTAUQUA and TERRAVISTA out to show the young bucks they’re not done with yet!
Punt responsibly Champs!