While it hasn’t been an overly eventful week in the racing world, there is plenty to talk about. The Punt Drunk team dissects some of the more interesting stories to crop up in the past few days, including the early crow at Mackay on Tuesday, the latest on the Alligator Blood saga, and Verry Elleegant’s much-anticipated jockey booking.
THE EARLY CROW STRIKES AGAIN
One of the first rules of the racing industry is to never go the early crow, whether that is as a punter, trainer, owner or race caller. Victorian caller Terry Bailey is arguably the king of the premature declaration, but the voice of Central Queensland, Russell ‘Brolga’ Leonard, gave him a run for his money on Tuesday at Mackay.
The opening race of the afternoon, a Benchmark 60 over 1800m, had joint favourites – Tennessee Whiskey and Fortified. After opening odds-on, Fortified drifted out to $2.70, while Tennessee Whiskey was backed off the map late to start the same quote. In the straight, the well-supported commodity was seemingly off and gone while Fortified only whacked away.
That was until Brolga said the following: “Here’s one they wanted to back and here’s one that’s going to land the money.”
That sentence came at the 100m. You know how this ends…
The early crow strikes again
pic.twitter.com/T3QZPraR1N
— TAB (@tabcomau) August 9, 2022
HELLO GERRY?
The talk around town last week centred on Alligator Blood being banned from racing in Victoria while owner Allan Endresz holds the majority share. Punters want to see the Group 1 winner race, his fellow owners want to see him race and, quite clearly, Endresz wants to see his horse race too. After offering 15% to Living Legends and having that knocked back by Racing Victoria, the call has gone out to leviathan owner Gerry Harvey.
Harvey owns Magic Millions – where Alligator Blood was purchased – and it appears Queensland is the only state where the Stradbroke Handicap winner can race, so it would be logical to see him compete under Harvey’s famous blue and white silks. Maybe they can raffle him off.
Alligator Blood Update! Racing Victoria did not respond to the proposal by 5:00 pm that would have allowed
to run in Vic Spring Racing Carnival where a 15% free interest in AB would have been donated to Living Legends. Lawyers have been instructed to proceed with Plan B.
— Allan Endresz (@EndreszAllan) August 7, 2022
KING AND QUEEN UNITE IN FRANCE
Australian racing fans will be keeping a close eye on French racing over the next few months as 11-time Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant nears a return. The 2021 Melbourne Cup winner was originally going to race at the beginning of the month, but her new trainer wasn’t confident that she was ready to go. With the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet on August 21 her new target, trainer Francis-Henri Graffard announced during the week that he has found a jockey for her.
For a special mare comes a special jockey. Frankie Dettori has been given the nod to ride the champion stayer this preparation, which is likely to culminate with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 3. Dettori has won the race six times before, with two of those coming on champion mare Enable in recent years.
Verry Elleegant is right on song for her big assignment!
@GraffardRacing pic.twitter.com/I62HZorfNK
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 11, 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…
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