THE PREMIERSHIP THAT NEARLY DIDN’T HAPPEN
Hugh Bowman secured his fourth Sydney jockeys premiership on Saturday following a tight battle with Brenton Avdulla but it so nearly didn’t happen.
The champion jockey accepted an invitation to trek the Kokoda trail to raise funds and awareness for the National Jockeys Trust and Mark Hughes Foundation leaving Australia Sunday 23 July.
That’s right the 23rd of July a week before seasons end and when Bowman said yes he truly believed Avdulla was too far in front for him to catch.
Airline tickets and the trek were booked, and then came the phone call.
“I am doing it (Kokoda) either way but do you think it’s possible we could push it back one week.
“I understand if we can’t and that’s fine but I am just thinking if I get back after the Brisbane carnival and ride a few winners maybe I have a chance” Bowman asked me.
I rang the organizers of the fund-raising trek and with a few emails and a letter from the charities the Kokoda trek was moved back a week.
The lady (Helen) who arranged the walk told me Hugh seemed very grateful and happy with the new dates although he did tell her that it will probably be a waste of time switching the dates.
No it wasn’t Mr. Bowman.
Corey Brown apparently gave to him saying he was dreaming and the only reason he wanted it put back a week was to do more training and that he was nervous about the trek.
As the premiership entered its final month Bowman trailed Avdulla by 8 ½ wins but the margin had been far greater in the weeks prior and although Bowman failed to ride a winner at two meeting during that period he still booted home 16 winners in July.
Unfortunately for Avdulla he only managed to salute three times in the final month of the season giving Bowman his fourth title and a clear mind as he headed into the Owen Stanley Range of the Kokoda trail in Papua New Guinea.
To support Hugh and the team on the trek and to make a difference to two wonderful charities visit the dedicated website: www.walking2help.com.au
WEIR THE WONDERFUL
What an unbelievable season for the boy from Berriwillock we know as Darren Weir.
The no nonsense trainer more comfortable in the bar than a committee room prepared 449 winners across the nation amassing prizemoney just shy of $25 million.
413 of those winners came in his home state of Victoria with 137 of them in the city giving him the metropolitan premiership some 28 winners in front of the Hayes and Dabernig partnership.
The horseman has plans for further expansion in the coming year with another property so you never know but maybe he could one day crack the 500 mark.
I doubt his record of 445 will be beat by anyone other than himself.
TIME FOR CHANGE AS CHAUTAUQUA LEFT OUT
Ray McDowell is President of the NSW racehorse owners Association and has been around racing for many decades and is a good man but I think it’s now time he and his board have a review of the points system for how the association award the trophies for their end of season awards night.
Arguably the best performance anywhere in Australia over the past 12 months on a racetrack was at Randwick 1 April when Chautauqua came from an impossible position to win the group 1 T J Smith Stakes 1200m.
Chautauqua is currently rated equal best sprinter in the world.
In the NSW Sprinter of the Year category Chautauqua won’t win the top prize because he wasn’t even part of the nominees that included Le Romain, Redzel and Tycoon Tara.
The gala evening to award the past years achievements is also in aid of the Prince of Wales Foundation and instead of racing people talking about the wonderful night and funds donated to charity it will be the exclusion of Chautauqua that will dominate discussion.
VALUE OR NOT AT $1.5?
On social media last week it was reported a punter had placed a six figure sum on Winx to win her third Cox Plate at $1.5.
The knives were out almost immediately sledging the anonymous punter for backing the wonder mare some 12 weeks out from the race at such short odds.
I almost wrote one, I then thought better of it.
Winx’ reputation world wide I hear is making it difficult for Moonee Valley to attract any real challenge’s and with her having a furlong on the locals the $1.5 may just be value.
No matter who lines up against the mare it will be a special race as it’s the Cox Plate the race many racing people including me look forward to each and every year and having I believe the best racehorse in the world there only makes even more special.
GOTTA READ THE SMALL PRINT
Ever been caught out thinking you had backed a winner to discover it isn’t so.
I was informed by a punter yesterday whist watching my daughter play AFL that he enjoys taking a few multi’s every Saturday and being honest he said without much luck.
Last Saturday he decided to anchor D’argento who was able to win the opening race at Rosehill in 6 different multi’s.
The one that interests us is the D’argento, Kiwia and Wild ‘N’ Famous.
D’argento won as did Kiwia and Wild ‘N’ Famous was also able to salute the judge before the second horse fired in a protest.
The punter told me he didn’t care about the protest because of the protest payout safeguard believing his bet was successful no matter the outcome.
As we know the protest was upheld with Most Exalted taking his place as the winner and not Wild ‘N’ Famous.
Unfortunately for the punter the protest payout only covers individual win bets.
Multi’s are not covered under the protest payout promotion.
I thought he was geeing me up but I am assured he is spot on.
SHOW VIEWERS YOU ARE LOVING IT
Racing is facing a battle with many sports not just for eye-balls but wagering and if a TV host or so-called expert displays disappointment at being sent to a meeting or his dislike for the quality of horses at the meeting it drives the enthusiasm of our customers wanting to wager down.
It’s no surprise of all the presenters that are on racing television stations, channel seven use Jason Richardson for swimming and other sports as he shows a real love and enthusiasm for the sport he is hosting.
If you as a host show that you are enjoying being at the sport you are broadcasting your audience will have a far better chance of enjoying it as well.
And for racing maybe they just might have a bet.
TOPIC OF CONVERSATION ‘WINX’ –WIN TICKETS
She has only trialed once in preparation for her spring assault but all everyone wanted to talk about at my local hotel over the past week has been WINX and how she is progressing.
Courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au anyone that donates $5 or more to support the team walking Kokoda as they raise money for Brain Cancer research and the jockeys trust could be trackside at Moonee Valley as WINX chases her third Cox Plate in October and doing it in luxury.
You know the front lawn at Moonee Valley right where the horses go on and off the famous track, well that is where the party is on and you could be there.
To donate, head to www.walking2help.com.au.
Once donated, you will be automatically added to the draw.