The Horse Racing Thread

[WideWally]

I think we should have a horse racing thread.

After all there is a thread on this forum called " 450,000 on FB Cricket Forum - achievable in May 2010?" & another called "Spanky on Sooky". If rubbish topics like that can be posted here, then surely we could have a thread on the sport of kings. Most normal people follow the horses particularly cricketers. Mark Waugh & Colin Cowdrey are/were both married to horse trainers & the likes of Keith Miller & Richie Benaud were both keen punters.

So yes, we should have a horse racing thread.

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[WideWally]

..... and one of the world's leading trainers is named Criquette Head so there is cricket reference.

Criquette has been involved in a bit of controversy today but more on that later.

[WideWally]

The Saffies have reason to celebrate as Lizard's Desire won the Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji a few hours ago. He defeated Gloria de Campeao to exact revenge on that horse who narrowly defeated him in the Dubai World Cup recently. There is obviously not much between the two horses so it was fitting they should both pick up an International Group 1.

The other highlight in Singapore was the running of the Krisflyer International Sprint. The local superstar, Rocketman was a red hot favourite but was unable to hold off the finish of Hong Kong visitor Green Birdie.

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[WideWally]

There was a big meeting at Longchamp in France with the running of two classics over the mile.

The first was the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French Thousand Guineas). First past the post was Liliside from the fast finishing Special Duty. However, when starting her run, Liliside flattened the two fillies on her outside. Straight after the race stewards held an inquiry & relegated Liliside to 6th. Special Duty, trained by Criquette Head-Maarek, was awarded the classic. This was a remarkable co-incidence as a fortnight earlier Special Duty was also awarded the English Thousand Guineas when the original winner was ruled to have caused interference.

The colts classic, Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) was won by Lope De Vega who defeated Dick Turpin.

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[WideWally]

A couple of other Group races were also held & both were won by greys. Prix de Saint-Georges (Gp 3) was won by the brilliant sprinter, Marchand d'Or who just got up on the line to defeat Benbaun. Had he not won, he would have been a certainty beaten as he appeared to receive a chequered passage as he burst through the field from near the tail. From 2006 to 2008 Marchand d'Or won 5 Group Ones but had a quiet 2009 so it was great to see him back in such good form.

Prix Hocquart (Gp 2) was won by Silver Pond who may be a good chance in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby). This is a picky of his sire, Act One.

[WideWally]

Could someone tell me more about Emily Jones? I believe she is an amateur jockey. One of the best things about watching races from England is listening to her talk. Does she like Australians?

Probably not. Nobody does.

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[embee]

One of my mates backed Hermosa Corona in the 6th at Belmont on Saturday ...paid $16.50 for the win and $4.90 for the place

He picked up almost $11000

Bastard!!!!

[Zat]

Yeah, had a mate back Albert the Fat on the weekend who didn't tell me about it until it was too late to get on. Romped home at $25.90 the win. Qunt.

[Bradman]

Sh!t he only paid $21.00 up here.

[Merlin]

In this part of the world ....

Henry Cecil has finally re-emerged from the shadows of Stoute, Hannon and Noseda these past 10 years, following prolonged marital and health (cancer) problems to now have favourites in this years Oaks, Derby (possibly) and Ascot Gold Cup, following a great start to this season.

Good to see him back ... Manifest for the Ascot Cup is worth a few bob ... with Timepiece and Aviate (both his/Abdullahs) in the Oaks ... Abdullah being the one big owner to have retained faith in Cecil throughout all his tribulations ...

[WideWally]

A couple of Listed Races at Goodwood today. Rewilding won the Cocked Hat Stakes by panels of fencing. His opposition mightn't have been too classy but Emily was quite impressed. He is a half brother to the Group One winning mare Dar Re Mi & possibly warrants paying a late entry fee into the Derby.

The other Listed Race was the Height Of Fashion Stakes, an Oaks trial. It was won by Snow Fairy. The cricket relevance for today - Snow Fairy was sired by Intikhab.



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[vilkrang]

I'm not a gambling man, and as such watching horses run is one of the most boring sports I can possibly think of. I'd rather watch golf.

I can see the appeal if you have money on it though.

[WideWally]

Ooooh

I just embedded Emily

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[vilkrang]

Great tune. Have been getting into Barrett era Floyd a lot recently, I'd previously only listened to their later stuff but I'm loving what I've heard so far (pretty much just Relics and Piper so far).

[WideWally]

I'm not a gambling man, and as such watching horses run is one of the most boring sports I can possibly think of. I'd rather watch golf.

I can see the appeal if you have money on it though.

You say you're not a gambling man but surely you must realise that every time you post on this forum you are taking a massive gamble. All that is required is for one of Smerky's crew to take offence at your posts & you could easily end up swimming with the fishes. There are a lot of our old regulars who haven't posted recently. What do you think happened to them?