Despite no Group 1 racing this weekend, the belligerent staff at Punk Drunk WILL 100% be having a bet this weekend.
First though, lets have a look at the week that was.
Young gun Wiremu Pinn has caught the headlines due to an admin error, New Zealand Racing finally comes to party in terms of Stakes money and all eyes will be on Royal Ascot next week for arguably one of the best Racing Carnivals in the world.
Buckle up and make sure to sledge your English friends throughout the next six weeks for The Ashes!
Firstly, here is a little something to get you in the mood for winning things in England.
Wiremu Pinned for incorrect claim
Racing Victoria Stewards, you had one job!
Wiremu Pinn, one of New Zealand’s best apprentices has been over here for the best part of a month, riding with an incorrect 3kg claim.
On Tuesday afternoon, less than 24 hours prior to the mid-week Sandown meeting, RV Stewards released a Stewards Report indicating Pinn’s claim had been reduced from 3kg to 2kg prior to the commencement of the meeting at Sandown.
It had been determined on the information available that the number of New Zealand wins currently attributed to Pinn’s metropolitan claim was incorrect.
Instead of taking blame themselves, Racing Victoria believes it was down to miscommunication between them and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.
Pinn would still go on to ride up a winner at Sandown, even as a 2kg claimer.
Who would have thought, a racing entity made a paperwork error?
Never heard of that before….
Is New Zealand Racing Relevant again?
It is not very often that New Zealand Racing is a discussion point in the Punt Drunk office, but it reared its head this week.
New Zealand Group 1 Races as of the 2023/24 racing season will now be worth $400,000 as a minimum and despite being well behind the $1 million Group 1 races in Australia, it shows that racing across the ditch is slowly getting back to where it should be.
With the progressive nature that NZ is clearly trying create, we might see a stop to some of the notable departures in recent times.
On the training front, Te Akau Racing has packed up and moved to Cranbourne, Andrew Forsman is already at Macedon Lodge and Jamie Richards is already off and running in Hong Kong.
In the jockey ranks, Wiremu Pinn is off to a great start as an apprentice in Victoria, Opie Bosson is seemingly riding here on a Saturday regularly throughout the NZ off-season and Michael McNab isn’t a stranger to success in Australia.
With a bit of luck, we can see NZ Racing back to it’s best and we can see the next Sunline, Melody Belle or Te Akau Shark grace these shores in the not too distant future.
Coolangatta and company to take on the world at Ascot
Can the likes of Coolangatta, Artorius and Cannonball join the likes of Black Caviar, Takeover Target and Nature Strip as Royal Ascot winners?
Reigning Black Caviar Lightning champion Coolangatta is seemingly the best chance for us Aussies when she lines up in Tuesday night’s / Wednesday morning’s Group 1 King Stand Stakes.
Online bookmakers have the two-time Group 1 winner as a $3.60 second favourite as she bids to complete an Australia double in the race, following Nature Strip’s jaw-dropping performance.
Cannonball is on the fourth line of betting in the same event and his chances cannot be underestimated, with Brett Prebble booked, and will certainly give James McDonald and Coolangatta a run for their money.
Artorius returns to Royal Ascot for a second straight year and is set to line up in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes on June 24 and is an all-in favourite with the bookies, following his stunning performances during the Sydney autumn.
Safe to say, all of Australia will be cheering this lot home and we will have free tips for every day of the Royal Ascot Carnival right here on horsebetting.com.au
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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