‘Show me a man who can laugh when he loses and I’ll show you a clown (or whatever!)’ and this thought surfaced when defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory at Catterick, Saturday, as Lexington Liberty lost out in the last strides to fast-finishing Tequila Blaze, an Equiano filly which, a minute or so earlier had been extremely recalcitrant about going into starting stalls; wish she hadn’t!
Winning and losing are all part of the racing game and to all intents and purposes I’m able to withstand disappointment and enjoy success with a phlegmatic approach but sometimes, just sometimes, it’s different. It shouldn’t be.
In the light of such scenarios my first thoughts are for readers/punters and yet you must know the thrill of punting can’t be beaten; I’ve always loved the crack and still do!
We all have to take the rough with the smooth, knowing selections in this column are made in the belief they are certain future winners given time-figures achieved; I’ll be gobsmacked if Richard Hannon’s team doesn’t place Lexington Liberty to advantage.
Whenever possible I’m likely to randomly mention thoroughbreds which should be followed, monitored and backed; one was Bringsty a few weeks ago after a tremendous effort behind our Glentaneous and David Simcock’s charge duly obliged last week at tasty odds. Sincerely hope you made a note and profited.
It’s been a good month (again!) and I’m always at pains to guarantee this column isn’t about every day, winning-wise, but ultimately every four weeks or so.
Firm emphasis is placed on jockeyship and experience; Blowing Wind will hopefully prove a classic example in the Median Auction Maiden Stakes over six furlongs of ‘good’ ground Redcar today when Callum Rodriguez rides this Michael Dods-trained Markaz gelding, which is definitely ready to win at the eighth attempt.
Whereas others tire of vexing ‘failures’ I’m keen to take advantage of consistency especially if, like Blowing Wind, they are able to finish second three times in the last four outings. It stands to reason their day will always come eventually and how often do the prices cause surprises?
Incidentally as a punter, bookmaker, time-handicapper I’m convinced Blowing Wind should be a solid odds-on chance; his starting price therefore will be most interesting.
Hannon also runs consistent, hitherto luckless experienced Keep Right On in a Novice Stakes over six furlongs of ‘good to soft’ Windsor; this 73-rated Acclamation colt is the only realistic danger to Boomshalaa, unchallenged Kempton winner seven weeks and likely favourite. As ever my target will be one of three places to be played into an each-way trixie/daily patent with the potential of a surprise. I absolutely love surprises, like Chelsea in the Champions League final!
Selections, Huntinghdon, 1.00 Astroman (e.w); Redcar, 2.20 Blowing Wind; Windsor, 5.02 Keep Right On (e.w).
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019