Okay, so it’s not the best day of racing on Saturday, but it is that time of year. There’s light at the end of the tunnel, however, with spring just around the corner (amen). The good horses will be returning shortly, and that’s when we’ll really be up and about. Anyway, there’s still meetings all over the place and plenty of winners to be found...and, stacks of SportChamps racing tournaments to play.
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CHIPS IN
Anchor Bid (Flemington Race 3 No.4)
Yeah, yeah, I know it’s a $1.70 shot, but she does look a moral, and as the old saying goes, ‘you don’t go broke backing winners’. This filly was solid on debut when third behind the very smart Levendi, before chasing home Royal Symphony, who could be anything, at her past two. There’s no Royal Symphony to worry about here and the step up to 1800m will be right up her (Kirsty) alley.
BIG BET
Spending To Win (Randwick Race 5 No.2)
The name says it all - that’s exactly what we’re trying to do. This colt has won just once in eight starts, but he has run some very good races in better company. This race suits. He drops 2.5kg on his last start second to the talented Kings Of Leon (who is favourite in Race 8), and Hugh Bowman sticks with him. Should start at about $4.
WORTH A THROW AT THE STUMPS
Heir To The Throne (Morphettville Parks Race 5 No.8)
A brother to 2015 Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance, this colt ran well on debut over an unsuitable trip (1108m) at Echuca earlier this month. The step up to 1400m is ideal, and it’s not the strongest Listed race I’ve seen, so at around the $16 mark, it may pay to have something small on him.
NAME GAME
Gretzky (Randwick Race 1 No.5)
This youngster’s dam (mum) is There’s Only One, so presumably the colt is named after the greatest (arguably) ice hockey player of all-time, Wayne Gretzky. Nicknamed ‘The Great One’, Gretzky leads the NHL (all-time) in goals, assists, points, holds 61 League records, and won four Stanley Cup titles with Oilers. He also has a smokin’ hot daughter, Paulina Gretzky, who is married to golfing star, world No.1, Dustin Johnson. Gretzky (the horse), faces a tough task on debut and should start at around $10.
Swipe Me Right (Morphettville Parks Race 3 No.3)
Possibly the best-named horse going around on Saturday. It’s a belter. The gelding is out of a mare called Love Online, and was named by part-owner Brett Bogarts, son of trainer and co-owner Bill Bogarts. Swipe Me Right is derived from the online dating app Tinder, where, if you swipe right when checking someone out, you indicate that you’re keen to hook up with them (so they tell me… I’m a happily married man). “I’m 60 years old and I didn’t even know what Tinder was – I had to get Brett to explain it to me,” Bill Bogarts said. “His stable name is Tinder and all of the jockeys reckon it’s a great name.” Swipe Me Right doesn’t appear too popular this week, quoted at $13.
Enzo The Barber (Morphettville Parks Race 4 No.8)
Here’s one for the Seinfeld fans. The four-year-old is a son of Snippetson, and is named after the barber from the hit TV Series starring Jerry Seinfeld. Jerry’s barber for 12 years, Enza had limited ability when it came to cutting hair. He’s a $9 hope on Saturday, but I’m not sure he can cut it against this lot.
La Vida Loca (Doomben Race 3 No.13)
Trainer Tony Gollan and connections of this two-year-old will be hoping the filly is a smash hit, just like the song Livin' la Vida Loca, which went no.1 for Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin way back in 1999. She’s well in the market at $5.50.