What a big week it has been in the racing world, and the team at Punt Drunk are ready to sink our teeth into a jam-packed weekend of racing, headlined by the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
With plenty of eye-catching news locally, this is sure to be a cracking edition of Punt Drunk.
Storm Boy sells for an eye-watering price
Coolmore, a prominent player in the global racing and breeding industry, has made a swift move to acquire Storm Boy, the current favourite for the Golden Slipper, in a deal that could be worth as much as $50 million.
Storm Boy, who had previously been paraded at a pub by Gai Waterhouse, gained fame after his impressive win at the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast.
With this sale announced by Coolmore on Wednesday night, Storm Boy’s future as a stallion is now secured.
For the deal to reach $50 million, Storm Boy will need to complete the two-year-old triple crown — which means defying history and claiming the Golden Slipper, ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes throughout the Sydney autumn.
The frontrunning juvenile is undefeated through three starts and hasn’t looked like getting beaten.
From being a pub merchant to one of the most sought-after breeding prospects… the great game!
Dubai Moon does it again
Remember the horse Dubai Moon, who won three times in a week? Well, he is back in the winner’s circle once again.
Fresh off a seven-day spell, the Frankie Stockdale-trained frontrunner was at his dashing best at Pakenham on Thursday night when smashing his rivals in another dominant all-the-way victory.
A step up to 2500m at Moonee Valley on February 16 is next for the in-form galloper.
From being purchased for $35,000 in 2019 to now earning over $200,000 for connections, Dubai Moon is certainly taking the racing world on one hell of an adventure.
They don’t come much TOUGHER
4⃣ wins in 1⃣4⃣ days for hardy Australian horse DUBAI MOON
pic.twitter.com/LbjmpZJxYH
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) February 8, 2024
JMac chooses big money over recovery
Before the James McDonald fans come at us with pitchforks, let it be known that we’d call out anyone who pulled off what JMac did during the week.
McDonald was a mid-card scratching at Rosehill last Saturday, with Godolphin debutant Celerity stomping on his foot.
JMac didn’t take any further rides at Rosehill on that day due to injury, but he still managed to jump on a plane and ride at Sha Tin the next day to take his ride on Howdeepisyourlove in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m).
Upon his return to Australia, McDonald was ruled out of midweek action at Warwick Farm before also pulling out of the Canterbury Friday night card and thus being out of action at Randwick on Saturday.
We’re not saying the travel caused him to miss this weekend’s racing, but we’re confident Racing NSW stakeholders are not too impressed their go-to guy is missing from Inglis Millennium day at Randwick.
One to ponder…
About Punt Drunk
Welcome to Punt Drunk – our weekly 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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