Report for Woolamai 7th December 2008
Small fields were the order of the day at Woolamai but we had some good racing with tight finishes. Race 1 saw a change in tactics for Waratah Pirate being taken to the lead instead of the expected leader Ripsnorter Ridge. The tactics nearly payed off for Kane Harris who was just caught in the shadows of the post where Ripsnorter Ridge at $2-20 got the photo. Ridden by Leigh Taylor and trained by Lil Anderson this horse has now won its last two starts at Woolamai.
  
Race 2 went to Ivor Strategy ($4-00) ridden by Ben Wade and trained by John Kilgower. This horse ran at the Balanarring meeting on Saturday and was 3rd when favourite but made amends today for those that followed up at the bigger odds.
The consistent Seto Sapphire jumped well and led all the way in the 3rd and despite lugging 72.5kg had the race in its keeping a long way out and has now won 7 races from 13 starts at this track and distance. Drifting late in the betting out to $2-30 the horse was once again well ridden out in front by Adam Bodey to give the Anthony Bolden trained galloper another victory.
Race 4 saw the jockey and trainer combination of Adam Bodey / Anthony Bolden land a double with Majestic Lion. This horse won easily last start at Woolamai after being caught wide on the track and won comfortably to give favourite backers another winner at $2-10 after $2-30 was bet.
Race 5 was an open affair with the track specialist Leica Reason being sent out $3-30 fav but the well tried Just Kurrupt who got the run of the race on the pace beat Blackbook with Leica Reason finishing a close 3rd. Backed from $4-00 into $3-30 John Fiztgerald got the Shea Eden trained galloper home for a good win.
The final event went to the improving 3yo filly Caratime at $4-60 ridden by Kane Harris and trained by Mark Stephenson. Only lightly raced this filly ran a fair 3rd last start at Yea but seemed to improve further since that run and came home strongly down the outside to get up in a photo from the heavily backed Sheza Ranga.
Full results and stewards report available. Visit the Picture Gallery for the days events.
Report for Balnarring 6th December 2008
There was a big crowd in attendance with many people having early Xmas celebrations. The new betting ring cover worked a treat, providing shade during the day and them some cover for when the rain came at the end of the meeting. All we need now is for Healesville to bring their betting ring up to an equivalent standard and patrons and bookmakers will be able to attend picnic racing in some level of comfort.
  
Nothing of significance happened in the betting ring for the whole day, which is unusual for Balnarring as there is generally some very heavily backed horses. Probably the best backed runner for the day was the Bodey ridden You'rejokingme who was solid in the betting at $2-10 and won the fourth race. An interesting runner, who was trained by David Hayes at its previous 6 starts before changing trainer and presenting itself at the picnics.
Tomorrow is the second leg of the weekend double at Woolamai. Fields are average and on paper it looks like a difficult day for the bookies. Hope you can make it and get an early Xmas prize.
Good luck on the punt,
Peter Bon
Race 1 betting was thrown into confusion when the short priced favourite was scratched halfway through the betting, leaving Ivor Strategy as the popular elect. The winner was the rank outsider of the field High Czarmonty at 20/1 who had three previous dismal performances on heavy tracks. With new trainer Tracey Josephs and ridden by Michael Fitzgerald this horse showed another side of racing to win easily.
Race 2 went to the improving Dame Melba who won its second race on end at the picnics. Ridden by John Fitzgerald and trained by Terry Carson Dame Melba came down the outside to score well.
The $2-20Fav Megaton continued on its winning way by taking out the third race. Leading all the way this improving galloper held off the fast finishing Gunnagetit to win its fourth straight race at the picnics.
Race 4 went to another short priced favourite You'rejokingme ridden by Adam Bodey and trained by Bridget Flynn. |
