3 minute read

Chris Scholtz reviews racing around Australia on May 27 including TAB betting report.

THE STARS

CLEARLY INNOCENT/KRIS LEES: What a win! Another G1 triumph for Kris Lees with the boom horse from Scone. Reasonable to say horses don’t win weight-for-age races with such ease and then get beaten in a handicap next time out when carrying less weight. The Stradbroke looks his for the taking.

DARREN WEIR: Keeps re-writing the record books, this time equalling the Melbourne metropolitan record of 115 wins set by Lee Freedman with a treble of wins at Sandown. By the end of the season he will set standards that maybe only he can beat!

TIM CLARK: Racks up 100 winners for the season with another treble at Randwick. Riding in career best form.

JOHN ALLEN: The Irish jock seems to be a weekly inclusion with good reason. Few riders can win a feature jumps event and a flat race on the same program. Darren Weir’s go to jockey of the moment.

NICK HEYWOOD: Rising apprentice star rode five winners at Newcastle on Saturday to cap a big week for the former Wagga rider. Will be a popular winter rider with trainers with his city allowance.

TRIPLE TREATS: Honourable mentions to the usual suspects who racked up winning trebles including Darren Weir at Sandown, Chris Waller at Randwick, Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas at Morphettville and Darren Beadman with a two-state trio in Sydney and Melbourne.

Clearly Innocent busts clear of the pack with 200 to go and chases down Jungle Edge to win the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup at #EagleFarm. pic.twitter.com/PvJVordvdY

— TAB (@tabcomau) May 27, 2017

KIngsford Smith Cup - Clearly Innocent

THEY SAID IT!

“I have tears in my eyes not because I am crying but because they are tears of relief. When you get to my age you treasure getting a good horse." – 76-year-old trainer Brian Smith reflects on the Grand Prix winner Order Again.

“This track will kill our industry unless they do something about it.” – Liam Birchley pulls no punches about the state of the Eagle Farm track.

“I’m sick of coming to the races and telling owners their horse is going good, but having no idea how they are going to run. I’m horrified I have to come here and keep throwing darts wondering how they will go.” – more from Liam Birchley.

“Hopefully Greg got a big kick out of this win. He was very well looked after early in his career and I’m now getting the benefit of that.” – Kris Lees thanks Cleary Innocent’s former trainer Greg Bennett.

“I decided not to sell him because you’ve got to have a reason to get out of bed. Even though the money would pay a lot of bills I turned them all down.” – Steve Tregea, trainer of Fred Best Classic winner Nicconova.

“Maybe it's pie in the sky to run him in the Brisbane Cup but the extra 200 metres next time will suit him.” – Robert Heathcote on plans for his Premier's Cup winner Kaiser Franz.

“She’s too smart for her own good. When I hit the front I didn’t want to get into her too much because I was worried she was going to tuck up underneath me.” - Corey Brown, rider of Glenlogan Park Stakes winner Eckstein.n

“He’s an absolute stable favourite. We love him and he’s got a home for life when he’s finished racing.” - Trainer Symon Wilde’s love for his Australian Steeplechase winner Gold Medals.

RIDE OF THE DAY

TIM CLARK: His three Randwick wins were gems, even when he had to sit three wide on the favourite In Times Of War. Noi panic, just nursed her until it was time to pull the trigger.

CHAD LEVER: Made the most of a Saturday opportunity in the city to land the money on Monasterio, taking full advantage of the inside running before the track pattern swung to horses finishing wider on the track.

Successful day @royalrandwick bagging a treble, & bringing up the 100 winners for the season Aussie wide. #goodseason #thankseveryone

— Tim Clark (@clarkyhk) May 27, 2017

TALKING POINTS

EAGLE FARM: The furore over the track condition was deafening. No rain for a week and it’s a Heavy 8!!! What have they done to what was once a great racdetrack?

THE LEES FAMILY: What a record Kris Lees is building to compliment the deeds of his late father Max. Noted they have won all the major Group One races at the Brisbane carnival between with the exception of the Stradbroke – Clearly Innocent can take care of that!

CLIFF’S EDGE: What’s that you say about Darren Weir’s horses can run through brick walls? This Sandown winner over 1200m is the fastest by a 2YO at the track in 10 years – now let’s see how the form stands up!

BLACKBOOK

SUNCRAZE: Has the talent. Obviously looking for longer.

MANDALAY BAY: Unlucky. Hope they bring this one back to Sydney for a similar race.

HIGH MIST: Strong efforts since resuming. Ready to step up in distance.

LADY LEE: Looks capable in mares company.

BENZINI: On track for a second Brisbane Cup.

SYLPHEED: Just missed after hard run on the testing track. Going well.

TAB BETTING REPORT

EAGLE FARM - KINGSFORD SMITH CUP

Clearly Innocent ($7.50-$11-$10) was an impressive winner. He attracted each-way punters but the money came close to jump time when double figures were being offered. Clearly Innocent ran down the heavily tried Jungle Edge ($9.50-$5.50) with Counterattack ($5-$6), which had good support right throughout the week, third. Jungle Edge displaced Black Heart Bart ($3.70-$6) as favouritewith Darren Weir's runner a big drifter. Derryn ($5.50) shared equal top billing with Jungle Edge after seeing good money when opening at $8 earlier in the week.

BETS: Clearly Innocent $1,000 @ $9 TWICE; Counterattack $2,000 x $2,500 e/w @ $5.590/$2.02; Black Heart Bart $2,000 @ $5; Under The Louvre $2,000 @ $26; Music Magnate $6,000 @ $4.20 place.

RANDWICK

RACE 1: Kementari ($6-$4.60-$5) landed some good bets. TAB originally put up $8 during the week when most of the early support had been for Easy Go Easy Win. Easy Go Easy Win ($4.80) was the best supported runner in terms of money held and was six times as popular as the winner.

RACE 2: The money was spot on here with Clipper. Opening at $3.50, punters backed her into $2.90 favourite where she displaced Suncraze which drifted from $2.80 favourite to start at $4.60. Major Sharpe ($21-$19-$21) filled the minor end of the prize.

BETS: Clipper $2000 @ $2.90

RACE 3: Punters were on the canvas after Monasterio ($13-$26) defied a big betting drift to get the cash. Cross Stitch ($14) looked the winner after hitting the front. Lord Kingsley ($26-$41) rounded out the big divis by snaring third. Sizzling Bullet ($4.80) went out as the best supported runner and looked to have every chance. He was twice as popular as the next best supported Prometheus ($5.50) who was $8 when markets first opened.

BETS: Sizzling Bullet $5,000 @ $4.80; Prometheus $2000 @ $8 (taken Wednesday)

RACE 4: So Willie ($5.50) went around as the popular pick, being responsible for around a quarter of all bets on the race. So Willie was almost twice as popular as the next best backed runner Supply And Demand ($3.50-$3.10). Kingsguard ($8-$12) was third.

BETS: So Willie $1000 @ $5; Supply And Demand $2000 @ $3.10

RACE 5: My True Love ($5-$4.40-$5) delivered a six-figure blow when leading throughout. Easily the best supported runner in terms of money taken, responsible for just over 30 percent of the total investment in the race. Our Belisa ($26-$17) was second while Nettoyer ($51) added value to the exotics when third. The disappointments in the race were Brulee ($8-$7.50) and Istria ($9) who both attracted good each-way support.

BETS: My True Love $2,000 @ $5

RACE 6: A popular start to the Quaddie with In Times Of War saluting. The filly was crunched into $2.60 and commanded 65 percent of the total investment. Punters were still able to secure $3.50 Friday after TAB initially went up $3.80 on Wednesday. She beat Love's A Fantasy ($31) and Feelin The Love ($26-$17). Nudierudie ($12) attracted good each-way money while Sisken ($5-$6) was best tried to beat the fav but attracted only 20 percent of the money to that of the winner.

BETS: In Times Of War $5000 @ $2.60, $2500 @ $2.60 MULTIPLE TIMES; Yuma Desert $3000 @ $10

RACE 7: Allergic defied a big betting drift to land the McKell Cup. Opening at $3.40 and ended $4.80 second favourite behind Broadside ($2.80-$2.60). Soviet Courage ($26-$31) ran third. The first pair commanded nearly 60 percent of all bets on the race. Big Blue ($13-$8) firmed up significantly while Richard Of Yorke ($9) had admirers.

BETS: Broadside $6,000 @ $2.25’; Allergic $1000 @ $4.60, $1000 @ $4.40

RACE 8: Kudero ($26-$17) had some support but still provided a surprise result in the third leg of the Quaddie. He swept past the frontrunners in the shadows of the post to beat the well-tried favourite Badajoz ($3.20-$4). The Monstar ($21-$10) attracted good each-way money.Badajoz held three times as much money as the next best backed runners which were Machinegun Jubs ($4.60-$6.50) and Upscale ($6-$4.60).

BETS: Badajoz $3,000 @ $4, $3,000 @ $3.50

RACE 9: Magical Stance ($17-$14-$16) didn't have any real support and went around as one of the least fancied horses. He was simply too good in beating Imperator Augustus ($12-$10-$12) and Level Eight ($13-$7.50) which was the best firmer. Wayanka ($4.20-$6.50) went out the gate but still went around carrying the most money.

BETS: Wayanka $1000 @ $5, $1000 @ $6

SANDOWN

RACE 1: Cliffs Edge led throughout to land some big bets. Backed into $3.80 favouritism after $4.20 was on offer Friday. He beat Lone Eagle ($7-$5-$4.60) and Josephine Sea ($7-$4.80-$5.50) who was a good firmer late. Cliffs Edge held more than double the amount of money than any other runner. Bets on the winner accounted for 33 percent of the market.

BETS: Cliffs Edge $9,000 @ $4, $5,000 @ $4

RACE 2: Rillito ($5.50) was an impressive winner. Nikitas ($6.50-$7.50) had his fair share of support. Roughie Kalashani Lad ($31-$81-$71) wound up third. Most of the money sat with Galaxy Raider ($4.80) who was responsible for 31 percent of all bets. Nikitas was next best while The Card Players had good specking (9.50 to $7.50).

BETS: Nikitas $5,000 e/w @ $7/$2.52

RACE 3: Punters had it down to a race in two and were spot on. Gold Medals and Zed Em were the two best supported runners late in betting and the pair finished one-two. Gold Medals ($4-$2.80-$3.20) proved too tough for the popular elect Zed Em ($3.10-$2.70) with the latter responsible for 60 percent of the money. Marlo Man ($14) grabbed third.

BETS: Gold Medals $5,000 @ $3.10; Zed Em $3,000 @ $2.70

RACE 4: Renew went out as one of the day’s best supported runners. Backed in from $2.25 to as low as $2.10, Renew jumped a $2.30 favourite with 77 percent of all bets riding with him. Arch Fire ($6.50-$10), the defending champ, was a significant drifter.

BETS: Renew $4000 @ $2.20, $3000 @ $2.15

RACE 5: Grand Dreamer caused a minor upset when flashing home. Although best backed to knock off the hot favourite Goathland, Grand Dreamer only held 10 percent of all investments when compared with Goathland's 70 percent. Transfer Allowance ($31-$21) was second in front of Goathland ($2.20-$2.10) who had every chance but couldn't sprint.

BETS: Grand Dreamer $1,500 @ $5; Goathland $4,000 @ $2.25, $3,000 @ $2.25

RACE 6: Plein Ciel went out as the only horse with any serious support here and won accordingly. Hovered around $2-$2.10 and accounted for 65 percent of the market and also very popular with multi players. Plein Ciel defeated Petrology ($7-$10) while Coldstone ($10-$14) held third.

BETS: Plein Ciel $6,000 @ $2.25

RACE 7: Soho Ruby ($4-$6) defied the drift to win. Most of the money was with Pedrena who was smashed late from $3.20 into $2.65 at the jump with the Mossman filly around four times as popular as anything else. Lady Lee ($9) ran on from last to grab third.

BETS: Pedrena $4,969 @ $2.80

RACE 8: Widgee Turf went around as the popular pick despite getting the blows late. Bottoming out at $2.65, punters were able to secure $3.50 at the jump. Held off the fast-finishing Barbies Boy ($11-$7.50) and Valliano ($9.50).

BETS: Widgee Turf $1,900 @ $2.90

RACE 9: Cannyescent landed some big bets when crunched from $6 into $4.40 beating the fast-finishing favourite Data Point ($4.40-$3.70). Thelburg ($4.40) was third in what was a favourable trifecta. Cannyescent and Data Point held 60 percent of all bets.

BETS: Cannyescent $5,500 e/w @ $5/$1.88; Thelburg $3,000 @ $4.40