Just love this time of year. Green Moon's win in the Newcastle Cup today suddenly makes the December Draw form, well, even better. And it makes the point again that we've probably still got no idea how good some of these imports will be when they finally get to the distances they need.
So that's the theme for this weekend. Astonished to see December Draw open at $1.75. Even after he has won, that still won't look like value. Especially against a quality field at Caulfield. We won't be betting against him, but we are taking a good hard look at another import, Robert Hickmott's AT FIRST SIGHT.
This is a horse that also has to win this race to qualify for the Caulfield Cup. Not so long ago, he ran 2nd over 2400m as a three year old IN THE ENGLISH DERBY! Now a rising four year old and in a very shrewd stable, he's very interesting at $11. We may have a very silly bet all-upping him into the Caulfield Cup, if you follow my logic. Even at half the combined odds, it's an investment at 140/1. Will look very nice if he wins the first leg. We will play the quinella too.
On the same theme, but without December Draw as an opponent, we really, really like the $12 on offer about MIDAS TOUCH. We will turn a blind eye to the fact that he was $21 for a few minutes on Wednesday. Doh!
MIDAS TOUCH ran a great race over 1600 two weeks ago, going head for head with Glass Harmonium, with the jockey choosing to dive at the line on the rails. He almost got there (although sadly Littorio was flying home up the stand side) and there's no doubt on breeding that he wants further. A win here will do his big race chances no harm and again, this is a horse who has been placed in the Irish Derby, Voltigeur and St Leger before comng to Aus. He was entered into the Naturalism as well, so it's intriguing that he has chosen the shorter race.
Looked very good in the run last week and he's our new "horse to follow" for the spring.
Can't help but pick a few outsiders. JESSICA ROSE was widely tipped before running into trouble at Flemington. Now she's $41? Similarly, Bart Cummings has left SHUSWAP in a 1500 metre Group 1 that she appears to have no chance of winning. Except that she has flashed home in her first race and then showed signs of needing further. Trained by B Cummings and available at $61 in places. Small each way doubles the order of the day.
Love this time of year. And Wales are finally finding their form. Happy days...
