Punt Drunk is back once again in 2023 and following a brief spell in the paddock, we are here to have a bit of a no-nonsense, fun, look at the week that was in the racing world.
Buckle up and make sure the beers are chilled!
Nothing like a good raging pole
Mitchell Manners, we tip our lid to you.
At his first meeting since taking up the role as the official caller for the Gold Coast Turf Club, Manners left the racing world quite amused last Saturday when the Tony & Maddysen Sears-trained Raging Pole managed to take out race four.
Clearly Manners had been studying the names closely and knew he could have a bit of fun if Raging Pole was there or thereabouts with 100m to go.
Mitch Manners calls home Raging Pole
“Raging Pole, one last thrust got up and won!”
Straight in to the Race Callers’ Hall of Fame with that effort Mitch.
Zac Lloyd is one of us!
One of Sydney’s top jockey’s – Zac Lloyd – will be spending a bit of time on the sidelines having been suspended for betting and phone offences.
Now, we’re not here to pot Lloyd, because like many of us, all he did was get busted for having a punt while working (Editor’s note: It’s a constant battle in the horsebetting.com.au office).
The youngster popped a $6 multi on, which included a horse in Matamata early in 2022.
Now, we respect the fact this is frowned upon, but geez a $6 multi which included a horse no doubt running before lunchtime in NZ? How can we not be proud of that?
Lloyd also will be serving a brief suspension having been found guilty of texting his father (and manager) Jeff Lloyd while riding at several meetings.
You guessed it, we’ve also been there Zac; our dad texting us telling us we’ve blown a sure thing.
How’s this for a win?
Extraordinary scenes at @NewcastleRaces!
pic.twitter.com/3BhwdOJ6uX
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 31, 2023
Now when there is a 3270m event, you hardly want a $4.90 shot (with online bookmakers) that you’re on to be about 20 lengths clear soon after the jump.
However, John Reddington opted to take Jack Hyde to the front of the field and set up a massive lead in the opener at Newcastle on Tuesday night.
Despite taking small strides inside the final furlong, Jack Hyde would go on to win by an impressive 15 lengths ahead of Paddy Elvis in second.
It is one of those wins that has to be seen to be believed.
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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