Today’s edition of Punt Drunk focuses on post-race jockey antics today. Whether it’s saluting the crowd after a major race victory, or a cheeky look over the shoulder at the runner-up, this weekend of racing had it all. Once again, James McDonald proved he knows best as he won yet another Group 1, Jason Collett gave William Pike a reminder of where he was, and Justin Huxtable got a bit carried away at Kangaroo Island.
J-MAC KNOWS BEST
It was controversial when Chris Waller announced that James McDonald would be partnering Home Affairs over Nature Strip in the Lightning Stakes, and while a number of racing experts thought the jockey made the wrong move, McDonald got the last laugh. Home Affairs led from barrier to box in the Group 1 sprint, holding off a challenge from the race favourite, stablemate, and The Everest winner, Nature Strip. Whether or not the tongue poke was intentional from McDonald as he lifted Home Affairs across the line, it certainly makes for a great photo.
WHAT A PHOTO FINISH!
HOME AFFAIRS GETS UP!! pic.twitter.com/Wh5oSU0QUF
— 7HorseRacing
(@7horseracing) February 19, 2022
A LITTLE REMINDER…
It was a nail-biting finish to the opener at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday as Golden Point and Shelby Sixtysix battled it out in a ding-dong finish to the Highway. Golden Point got his nose down when it mattered under Jason Collett to defeat William Pike’s mount. Photographer Ashlea Brennan captured the moment as Collett looked over his shoulder at the ex-Western Australian with a cheeky grin on his face as if to say, ‘got ya, Pikey!’ Pike’s manager, Dale Verhagen, cleared the air on Sunday afternoon, saying that there was zero malice, just some good old-fashioned banter.
Got ya Pikey! Jason Collett starts the day on a winning note taking out the @tabcomau Highway with GOLDEN POINT (#BullPoint) for Stirling Osland! pic.twitter.com/D9zN0ONO0k
— Ashlea Brennan (@ashbrennanphoto) February 19, 2022
I asked William about this, as they crossed the line William shouted a s profanity starting with F and ending with K.
Collett turned around and said “got ya”.
William said it was pretty funny with zero malice.
He has also told me he has been well received by all jockeys— Dale Verhagen (@DaleVerhagen) February 20, 2022
HOLD ON, JUSTIN!
We are sure that winning a feature race as a jockey would be a career highlight, especially a local cup. That’s what Justin Huxtable did on Saturday as he partnered the odds-on Splash Some Cash to a good win in the Kangaroo Island Cup. Huxtable celebrated accordingly, standing high up in the irons and waving his whip around like Brenton Avdulla did when he won the VRC Oaks. The difference between Avdulla and Huxtable, however, was that Avdulla actually pulled it off. Shortly after the post, Huxtable fell off the winner as he attempted to sit back down in the saddle. We can confirm that he walked away from it all, so it’s OK to laugh! It could explain why jockeys get sanctioned for over-celebrating, though…
“When you win in the last but are down a stack for the day” pic.twitter.com/6fHHx190SK
— Mugspunting (@mugspunting) February 19, 2022
About Punt Drunk
Welcome to Punt Drunk – our daily column covering all the latest horse racing and punting controversies, dramas and headline news. Have a story or gripe or issue that just grinds your gears? Just hit us up in the comments or contact us page and our jaded, punt hardened Punt Drunk staff will give it the Punt Drunk treatment it deserves. Don’t expect pleasantries or typical racing media fanboy gloss from Punt Drunk – we’re on the punt and we don’t have time to bullshit; the next is about to jump…
