It has been a massive spring so far and some would say we are only just getting started as we head to the Cox Plate Carnival beginning with Manikato Stakes night tonight from The Valley!
Today’s Punt Drunk takes a look back at the week that was, which saw King Charles quickly wind down the Queen’s stable, an owner losing his cool with Racing Victoria, whilst camera’s were conveniently located at Caulfield last weekend when Giga Kick won The Everest!
Buckle up legends, this weekend is going to be a corker!
Auction House open at Buckingham Palace
King Charles wasted no time in closing up shop in regards to the late Queen Elizabeth II horse racing stable.
King Charles is set to sell 12 of the Queen’s favourite racehorses as he begins “winding down” of his mother’s racing operation as part of his big Royal shake-up.
Queen Elizabeth II owned 37 horses, but now a source close to the Royal Sandringham stud in Norfolk claimed there are talks of “winding down” her breeding operation.
Now, we are all for change, but come on Charlie! Surely you love a punt on the nags in your spare time?
Love Affairs, the Queen’s horse who won at Goodwood only two days before her death, is one of those horses up for sale.
While it is normal to sell several horses as part of running the collection, the Queen tended to only sell seven per year.
At present, Charles has 60 racehorses and 38 brood mares at Sandringham, with 30 new foals expected next year.
Let’s hope we see those infamous silks grace our shores for a few more years, but the King may have other plans in store!
Nathan Bennett throws his toys out of the cot
Leading Victorian owner Nathan Bennett says he will race all his future European imports in New South Wales after Racing Victoria (RV) banned his Melbourne Cup entry from entering the Werribee quarantine facility.
It comes as Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace-trained French import Night Endeavor, barred from Werribee, prepares to trial at Rosehill on Friday before potentially being deployed in the $750,000 Rosehill Gold Cup on Golden Eagle day.
The drama happened last month when RV vets deemed Night Endeavor unfit to enter Werribee after showing signs of soreness in a trot-up at the UK quarantine facility just before leaving for Australia.
Bennett Racing boss Nathan Bennett was furious.
He concedes the French import was showing signs of soreness when inspected but said that was simply because he had a hard track gallop the day before.
He insists there was no injury history or ongoing concerns, despite RV deciding at the last minute that Night Endeavor must head to the Australian Government’s Mickleham facility.
Seems a bit strange to kick up a stink if your horse was knocked back prior to leaving the UK…
A Giga Kick in the guts for J.Kah
WHEN YOU REALISED YOU STUFFED UP pic.twitter.com/YJDnTDuYmd
— RODS RACING (@RodsRacing1) October 15, 2022
Now, we love Jamie Kah as much as anyone but the Channel 7 cameras at Caulfield added a little extra spice to Giga Kick winning The Everest.
There’s no hiding from the fact the Kah is the ex-fiancee of Clayton Douglas, the trainer of Giga Kick.
It is hard to tell just how enthusiastic Kah was for Douglas and Giga Kick immediately, but we’re sure there was plenty of excitement for her ex-partner.
The Group 1 winning hoop actually rode Giga Kick to his maiden victory at Sale earlier this year and now just four starts later he has conquered the richest sprint race on turf!
Fair rise to fame for Clayton Douglas and his superstar three-year-old.
Kah has a strong book of rides at The Valley this week and there would be no shock if she guides Coolangatta to Group 1 glory in the Manikato Stakes or Zaaki to Cox Plate glory and silence some of the critics who came at her on Racing Twitter.
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…
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