The Unlucky Runners - Royal Randwick
Published: 07 Sep 2014
The sodden turf presented some serious problems for horses and jockeys alike yesterday at Royal Randwick. There wasn't any obvious bias, but there were still a few gallopers that didn't get their fair share of luck.
The Bookie Battler loves to say it how it is and he compares notes with the Analyst team.
Race 5, Number 9 Royal Descent
Finishing position - 2nd at $4.60
Out-bobbed - Royal Descent (blue) was very unlucky not to win
Analyst Team comment - "Jumped nicely (3rd rails) (slow tempo), stayed to inside (leader drifted wider) and quickened to join lead 250m, fought on but out-bobbed"
Bookie Battler comment - "Sometimes you can read the race guide for two days straight, get some confidence up and have a crack on your pony, only to get beaten by a bob of the head. This girl was in-front an inch before, and an inch after, the winning post. I was on the winner, but I feel for you if you backed her. Lady luck owes you one."
Race 6, Number 8 Target In Sight
Finishing position - 7th at $3.10
Miles behind - Target In Sight (red and white furthest to right) made up a lot of ground late
Analyst Team comment - "Slowish jump, no early pace (8th 2W) (good tempo), 3L last 600m, urged along into straight and got going last 100m - hit the line"
Bookie Battler comment - "I don't reckon this guy knew he was in a race until he saw the crowd in the home straight. He looked like a Mudgee Class 1 horse for the first half and Phar Lap for the second. He can't go that bad twice in a row so you can get your cash back next time."
Race 8, Number 14 Spy Decoder and 1 Rock Sturdy
Finishing position - Spy Decoder 2nd at $6.50, Rock Sturdy 4th at $2.35
Not their day - Spy Decoder (green and white) and Rock Sturdy (red and black) couldn't catch the leader in the wet conditions
Analyst Team comment (Spy Decoder) - "Average jump, moved forward (3rd rails) (good tempo), keen early when restrained, travelled well into straight and chased hard to line"
Analyst Team comment (Rock Sturdy) - "Jumped ok (5th 2W) (good tempo), edged wider into straight and battled evenly under riding"
Bookie Battler comment - "Randwick was a dead-set goat track by the last and the better ponies were paddling. These two guys are top of my list as 'tough' horses that you can stick the mortgage on and I'll be loading up next time they head out. If you put the bank account on yesterday, then you just picked the wrong day for a crack."