22/02/13
Adelaide’s 29-year-old apprentice Lauren Stojakovic has just one sleep left before she has the chance of a lifetime, in a lifetime of chance to become the toast of Australian racing via her winning the 2013 Blue Diamond Stakes aboard the Daniel Clarken trained aptly named 2YO – Miracles of Life.
I have absolutely no doubt that Miracles of Life is the best horse potentially in the race and so it all boils down to luck on the day, for as we know the best horse doesn’t always win each race that is ever run.
For her part, Miracles of Life has drawn barrier one, so the apprentice doesn’t have to do anything special except 1) rate her filly in front if she leads, or 2) get her mount into clear galloping room on straightening if she decides to take a sit. Throughout the 69 or 70 seconds of madness that is a Blue Diamond Stakes, the most important thing is that she “remains calm and doesn’t panic”, which is good advice for us all as we go through life. I for one hope the young woman can win the race as it is unlikely that in her lifetime that she’ll ever get another ride with a winning chance in a Group 1 race, unless it’s with this filly.
I must also say that the trainer, Daniel Clarken and the owners have stayed wonderfully loyal to the young lady through the whole saga. Put it this way – if Miracles of Life doesn’t win the Blue Diamond I’ll know in my heart of hearts the best horse in the race didn’t win.
The other main feature on the Caulfield nine-race card is the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate and it’s a nigh on impossible race for punters to sort out as eight of the 14 acceptors (57.15% of the field) are resuming from a spell and as per a stack of recent Justracing stories only 10.8% of horses resuming actually win first up, meaning almost 90% get rolled, so the Oakleigh Plate is a top race again this year. Wouldn’t be dead for quids.
Racing Queensland Chief Handicapper Lester Grimmett has sent the scaled weights through for Eagle Farm tomorrow and they are: Race 6 – 2.5kgs and Race 8 + 3kgs.
Brisbane Racing Club Track Manager Bill Shuck advised the website late today that the Eagle Farm track is currently a slow 7. Bill added “I’m quite pleased with the track and feel that it will be back to a slow 6 by the morning if we get no overnight showers. I’d think it might race a bit better than that slow 6 rating, but a slow 6/dead5 range track is what I expect for tomorrow afternoon provided there’s no further rain”. (Editor’s footnote: The Weather Channel this afternoon is saying “there’s a storm possible in Brisbane tomorrow afternoon”, however it’s up to you whether you take any notice of what they say.)
The apprentice jockey weights for Eagle Farm tomorrow should be:
JOCKEY
WEIGHT
Tegan Harrison
50 claims 2 kgs.
Kirk Matheson
51 claims 2 kgs.
Anthony Allen
50 claims 2 kgs.
Priscilla Schmidt
51 claims 3 kgs.
Maija Vance
54 claims 2 kgs.
Ashley Butler
52 claims 2 kgs.
Alisha Taylor
51 claims 3 kgs.
Today on www.brisbaneracing.com.au I preview Eagle Farm Race 1, on www.sydneyracing.com.au I preview Caulfield Race 2, whilst on www.melbourneracing.com.au Matt Nicholls also looks at Caulfield.
You may recall that The Postman was tipping horses every Friday here late last year then I fancy a few angry husbands where hunting him down, so I understand that he needed to flee the country for a while. He apparently headed to the Greek Isles for a break to let tensions settle down – as you do. Anyway he’s back for the Autumn Carnivals and sent this report through for tomorrow’s meeting:
It’s great to be back in 2013 & I think we can pick up where we left off last year with a winner @ Caulfield tomorrow. I’m keen on the David Hayes trained Red Fez in race 3. This 3YO filly has shown great promise in her short career, and I think she can measure up in this Gr2 event. Red Fez rounded up a maiden field in January from last, recording slick sectionals in the process. The second horse subsequently won next start. Red Fez was then bought to Sandown on the 6th Feb, where she pretty much sat 3 wide the trip and still ran over You’re So Good who was heavily backed last week, and nearly won the Vanity. Once again her closing sectionals were very impressive & she showed me she really had a turn of foot, & was very game. I can see Red Fez parking outside the leader Meliora tomorrow, and assuming control in the straight. If this scenario plays out, I think it will be very hard for the likes of Members Joy to run her down, and she may pinch the race. The David Hayes stable has really started to come alive again after a few barren seasons, and jockey Chad Schofield is really growing into a very polished young rider. There is a sense of timing about this race I feel, for the horse, the jockey, & the stable. Red Fez opened around the $3.75 mark with the bookmakers, and I’ve seen over $4 on the exchanges. I rate her a 9/4 or $3.25 chance.