Every Thursday, News Corp Australia’s national racing editor Matt Williams and senior racing writer Ben Dorries chat all things horse racing.
Matty (left) and Benny are up and about after last week’s heroics.
MW: Benny, people hate when we trumpet, but that’s even more reason to do it! Last week, you tipped Pride Of Jenni. Tick. You said you’d swim with sharks if Jenni and Mr B didn’t run the quinella. Tick. I said barrier 11 was a big hurdle for Mr B, and tipped Pride Of Jenni. Tick. Zougotcha in the Coolmore. Tick. Lindermann will “smash them” in the Sky High, and Just Fine is about the most overrated horse in Australia. Tick. Democracy Manifest will win the Ajax. Tick. We get plenty wrong, but, wow. That was a tipping masterclass.
BD: Self praise is no recommendation, but I’ll concede we were seeing them like watermelons. But that’s yesterday’s news. Fish and chips wrapper.
MW: This is the best Golden Slipper I can remember. The market suggests there are only two serious winning chances — and that’s right — but the depth of the field is incredible. It’s so laced with quality that Blue Diamond favourite, Coleman, is $41, and three of the first four home in the Diamond are $8 (Lady Of Camelot), $17 (Hayasugi) and $101 (Eneeza).
Switzerland (right) runs down Straight Charge to win the Todman Stakes.
BD: It’s not even close to the best Golden Slipper I can remember, but there are two sensational colts who could be anything. Storm Boy and Switzerland are enormous talents, and it’s a race where bookies will be trembling. It’s hard to imagine one of the two faves not winning. A few bagmen might be selling their waterfront mansions and moving into caravan parks if this race goes as expected.
MW: This is up there with one of my biggest calls, but it’s game over in the Slipper. Storm Boy is an absolute freak. In the 35 years I’ve followed this game closely, he’s right up there with the best two-year-olds I’ve seen. If he jumps cleanly, and can settle in the first three or four from barrier 2, it’ll be lights out at the 200m. He’ll shoot two or three lengths clear, and there’s no horse who can run him down. As we saw in the Magic Millions, and what J-Mac has said, he’s even better in a high pressure race. It’s a sit and steer job for Ryan Moore. Storm Boy could be a once-in-a-generation Redoute’s Choice-type colt/stallion. He’ll win by between 1½ and 3½ lengths. Don’t be shocked if it’s a bigger margin — he’s that dominant. Only very special two-year-olds can win their first four races at four different tracks in two different states. It doesn’t matter the situation or venue, he just keeps winning easily, and that won’t change on Saturday.
Storm Boy is a brut of a colt.
BD: At the price, I’m with Switzerland. J-Mac will have a steely glint in his eye. It’s a once in a blue moon occasion when he gets bumped off a horse. He’ll be determined to get one over racing’s international FIFO jockey, Moore. I’m not certain barrier two is the best for Storm Boy. He’s not always quick into stride, and if there’s a hiccup at the start he could be buried away. Having said that, he might simply be too good. But it’s price dependent for me, and the rapidly improving Switzerland is the one I want. I’ll concede chances to Lady Of Camelot and Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi, who I thought had a good chance at tasty odds until she drew the carpark.
MW: The four other Group 1s at Rosehill create a lot of interest. Via Sistina is a proper horse. She could destroy them in the Ranvet Stakes if she runs up to her ratings, which is never guaranteed in their first runs in Australia. I was with Tom Kitten in the Randwick Guineas, and see no reason to jump off in the Rosehill Guineas out to 2000m. Nash rode him poorly last time, and Hugh Bowman returns from Hong Kong to ride. Barrier 2 means he shouldn’t settle too far back. He’s the one. Cap Ferrat is the value.
Nash Rawiller and Think It Over win the Verry Elleegant Stakes.
BD: Leave me out of Via Sistina sight unseen. I’d prefer to back her in the Queen Elizabeth. Think It Over and Nash Rawiller will pull their rivals’ pants down. Think It Over and Nash are like bread and butter, fish and chips and rum and coke – a perfect match. In the Guineas, I’m playing a couple of roughies. Cafe Millenium ran on well last start and the 2000m shouldn’t be an issue. Ceolwulf plugged away over 1600m but if he’s not a good stayer in the making, I’ll give it away.
MW: The George Ryder will be a great spectacle. My boy Kovalica has definitely done something to the computer nerd which randomly selects barriers. He’s come up with barrier 19 of 19. This is after drawing 14 of 14 in the King Charles and 14 of 17 in the Golden Eagle. He probably can’t win, but hopefully he runs a blinder with the Doncaster and Queen Elizabeth Stakes ahead of him. Everest champ Think About It has drawn barrier 17, making his task extremely difficult out to the 1500m. The Galaxy is sensational. I’ve counted 10 winning chances in the field of 14 (not including emergencies). It’s a no bet race for me. Too hard.
Passive Aggressive (right) storms home to win the Challenge Stakes.
BD: The Galaxy is the best race on the Sydney card outside the Slipper. Passive Aggressive might do something special and set herself up for a potential trip to Royal Ascot. But this race is harder to pick than a broken nose and, like you, I’ll be happy to sit back and watch.
MW: In Melbourne, we’ve got the William Reid at The Valley where Imperatriz excels. I don’t like her barrier, but settling off the speed and swooping will suit her. At the odds, I’ll have something on Bella Nipotina, who also loves The Valley, and save on the quinella with Imperatriz. Cylinder from gate 1 back to weight-for-age is a no from me.
BD: I’ve backed Bella Nipotina in The Quokka next month so I’ll be cheering for her to run a race. I’m heading over to the wild west for Quokka week, Matty. I’ll be sure to send pictures.
MW: If you get any more tips in the “private dining room” like last time, let me know. I hope you’ve taken annual leave for that junket because you won’t do much.