Its that time of the year again, as all who share an interest in horse racing watch the lead ups to the Melbourne Cup. Saturday 4 October presents feature races, the Epsom Handicap at Randwick, and the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. These will be the races of most interest, and looking at the fields, the multiples payouts may be quite decent if you can pick them.
Epsom Handicap 3YO+ Group1 1600m
A huge field with many good chances, there is one classy runner finding his peak, and worthy of a bet, Mentality. Mentality, has been running well and looks the goods, down in weight, and should finish off strongly. Other good chances are Theseo, a big down in weight, but may find the wide barrier a disadvantage, and at huge odds Spy Zaim($51W) may make an appearance.
G Network Racing Selection – Epsom Handicap 2008
MENTALITY
TAB NSW FIXED ODDS $9.00Win $3.00Place
- G Network: Selection
- Race: Randwick Epsom Handicap
- Time: 4.00pm
- Code: SR08
- Track: Randwick
- Cond: Good Slow
- Dist: 1600m
- Number: 2
- Horse: MENTALITY
- Jockey: RM Quinn
- GV:8
- Posn:?
- Tote: TAB NSW FIXED ODDS
- $Win: 9.00
- $Plc: 3.00
- Invest-w-p: -2-10
- Return:0
Turnbull Stakes 4YO+ 2000m
Another runner worthy of a bet is Pompeii Ruler. This horse has proven time and again in these conditions, is running at his peak of fitness, and has won 3 from 3 races at Flemington. Pompeii Ruler could embarass this lot if he runs to his best form, very hard to beat. Weekend Hussler the odds on favourite, starts from a wide barrier, has yet to run this distance, but was staying just in front of Pompeii Ruler last start, in the Caulfield Underwood Stakes 1800m. I’ve a feeling the last 200m of this race may tell another story. Other chances Zarita($26W), Efficient($35W), and Zipping($61W) all represent excellent value, and all have a decent chance at upsetting favourite backers in the Turnbull Stakes.
G Network Racing Selection – Turnbull Stakes 2008
POMPEII RULER
TAB NSW FIXED ODDS $8.00Win $2.16Place
- G Network: Selection
- Race: Flemington Turnbull Stakes
- Time: 4.20pm
- Code: MR08
- Track: Flemington
- Cond: Dead
- Dist: 2000m
- Number: 2
- Horse: POMPEII RULER
- Jockey: C Newitt
- GV:7
- Posn:4
- Tote: TAB NSW FIXED ODDS
- $Win: 8.00
- $Plc: 2.16
- Invest-w-p: -2-10
- Return:0
Results:
Epsom Handicap 2008
10 Theseo $10.60W $3.90P
7 Bank Robber $3.00P
4 Gallant Tess $4.20P
Q$40.90 Ex$99.00 Tri 10-7-4 $1379.30 F4 10-7-4-11 $15,041.30
The downgraded Slow track conditions made a difference to the run of the race. Theseo, tipped as a chance, overcame the wide barrier 18, as Zac Purton got him across immediately, and stayed near front all the way. The light weight of 51.5kg and slow track also helped this 5YO gelding by Danewin. Mentality stayed in touch with the leaders but made no exceptional run today.
Turnbull Stakes 2008
13 Littorio $9.70W $2.30P
5 Master O’Reilly $10.10P
3 Zipping $12.50P
2 Pompeii Ruler 4th (in a photo for 3rd)
Q$360.20 Ex$402.60 Tri 13-5-3 $10,638.20 F4 13-5-3-2 $110,086.90
Weekend Hussler today’s strong favourite made no show. Pompeii Ruler sat midfield with the favourite most of the race, made his run in the straight, but didn’t seem to give his normal explosive finish, in a photo for 3rd, came in 4th. Zipping one of 3 longshots tipped, and last year’s selection for the Turnbull Stakes, stole 3rd at $12.50 the place.