Big Richie Callander’s weekend happenings

ATC EVEREST RUNNER IS……………………..?

 

The Australian Turf Club has received plenty of interest for the spot they purchased in the $10million Everest Race 1200m to run on October 14 at Randwick from here and abroad.

It’s now up to the board to decide who gets the nod and what deal the ATC does with the connections.

Do you think the club should reward the trainers and owners who race at their tracks year-round and generate turnover for the club or give an overseas visitor the slot to hopefully generate exposure overseas?

I’d go local but the betting according to my spies is $1.01 overseas horse and write your own ticket the locals getting the ATC slot.

As I wrote last week I think In Her Time would do everyone proud and would be a huge feel good story as would Spieth and Terravista and many others.

But then again if the club and RacingNSW are trying to make the Everest a world racing event it probably makes more sense to have an international runner.

Like everyone I am hoping the $10million Everest is a tremendous success.

 

QUEENSLAND CONFUSING

 

Like many punters a few happenings in Queensland Racing have raised my eyebrows of late one being the steward’s report for the beaten favourite in the Sunshine Coast Guineas.

‘Raced wide’.

That was all the stewards deemed fit to put in the stewards report for a headline horse such as Acatour who eased in betting alarmingly then received at best a ‘DUD’ ride and raced on paper well below his best.

Not saying anything untoward happened at all but surely your customers deserved a few more lines in the report from the jockey, trainer and or stewards.

With a backhander comes a rap this time for the stewards that handled the Wednesday meeting at Doomben.

Sneaky Glance was very heavily backed and started $2 at Doomben in race six ahead of second pick Prince Of Tie $3.7 who was travelling sweetly in front before Jim Byrne on a roughie decided to take off down the back straight and put pressure on. Jim’s ride finished well beaten as expected with the amount of work it did while Prince Of Tie was run down late by the well backed favourite. Punters went straight for the steward’s report and were pleasantly surprised the stewards asked Byrne as to what happened.

Stewards extract:

BOCAGE – When questioned regarding the reason he improved around the field in the back straight to settle outside the leader, PRINCE OF TIE, jockey J. Byrne explained that when the pace slowed approaching the first turn, his mount commenced to over race at the heels of SNEAKY GLANCE and for this reason he was obliged to shift out to a 3 wide position and rather than race 3 wide for the remainder of the event, he allowed BOCAGE to stride forward to settle outside of PRINCE OF TIE.  Stewards accepted jockey Byrne’s explanation. 

Job done.

HERE COMES THE BUS

 

While on Queensland Racing a few whispers that have been doing the rounds is that the Brisbane Racing Club haven’t been shy is laying the blame for the Eagle Farm track fiasco at the feet of others.

I’ve got a tip for the club- with the latest information being uncovered about the whole saga I wouldn’t be taking their eyes off the road as I hear the bus is heading straight at the BRC.

I hear part owner of WINX and horse lover Peter Tighe has been inundated with support from those in Queensland after he recently spoke out against the BRC.

That said what a super appointment last week by the BRC of Matt Rudolph to their racing department.

Rudolph is a horse person through and through and has plenty of experience and will be a huge plus for the club.

 

MORE RACING CHANNELS

 

I remember not so many years ago some individuals and corporations saying racing couldn’t afford nor does it need a standalone thoroughbred channel.

Sitting at home in front of two computers and two TVs I have to have all four up and running on a Saturday to make sure I don’t miss anything.

I feel for the average punter who cannot possibly keep up.

Having seen racing in different parts of the world I think the stay at home punter in Australia is very lucky with the service we receive from all broadcasters but like everyone I think with a few tweaks we could improve it even further.

One thing I would say and I think everyone would agree is considering racing survives off the back of the punter everyone that is on television or radio talking about racing should understand how betting works and if they don’t a quick lesson would benefit that person, wagering, the industry and the coverage.

 

HERE COMES HUGHIE

 

On Wednesday last week at Warwick Farm in race two Brenton Avdulla turned in a faultless display to win aboard the John Thompson trained Special Missile.

That took him to a lead of 10 ½ wins over Hugh Bowman as the former Victorian chases his first jockeys premiership.

There has been 14 city races since then which has left Avdulla empty handed and unfortunately for him Bowman has ridden 5 winners narrowing the lead to 5 ½ wins with eight meetings remaining.

Both lads have rides in all seven races at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Racing

 

TIME TO DIG DEEP AND HELP

 

www.walking2help.com.au that’s the website you can go to play your role in helping the National Jockeys Trust and the Mark Hughes Foundation.

Later this month Meyer Ambassador Kris Smith and jockeys Kathy O’Hara, Hugh Bowman, Stephen Baster and Corey Brown will be trekking throw the mountains of Papua New Guinea effectively known as ‘KOKODA’ hoping their deeds can make a difference to others.

 

“When I found out that of the 1,600 Australians diagnosed with brain cancer each year, that only 400 survive, it shocked and deeply saddened me.  If I can help increase the awareness for this awful disease and raise money for the wonderful work the Mark Hughes Foundation does, then I’ll do what it takes. No-one, especially little kids should have their life end early and I am training hard to walk the Kokoda trek for those who can’t,” says Walking2Help Ambassador, Kris Smith said.

And with the other charity partner being the National Jockeys Trust I just had to be part of the walk. I love racing and I want to show my support for the jockeys who put their lives on the line every ride so people like me can enjoy the sport,” Mr Smith.

“So, I am asking everyone to head to the website www.walking2help.com.au and donate as much as they can”. Smith added.

 

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