Sunday, March 01, 2009

Autumn Racing Carnival – Week 5

Racing is never dull.

Witness yesterday, where not one, but two odds on favourites totally ruined their chances in the race they were contesting by putting on a bucking display shortly after jumping from the gates. Essaouira at Caulfield was the first. She started hot favourite in the second race, then More Joyous did the same thing at Rosehill. It is unbelievable that such behavior occurred twice in the same day.

Then just before the Futurity Stakes – the feature Group 1 race at Caulfield – was scheduled to start, Craig Newitt the rider of Light Fantastic, was informed of his father's death in a car accident. The race was delayed by half an hour as Craig made up his mind to take the ride, eventually mounting up with commendable self control. He decided to ride in honour of his father, and everyone on course, as well as those of us watching from home, wished him the best of luck and hoped that he could pull off the win. Alas, he was denied that at the very last minute by Niconero pipping Light Fantastic at the post.

Such is racing…

Next weekend is the Australia Cup – always an interesting race.

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