BORDERING ON THE SUICIDALAfter the QTC Cup on Saturday last, I was convinced of two things.1. Border Rebel can run out a strong 1400 metres, and2. He should have won that race comfortably.Tim Bell tried everything to extricate his mount over the final three hundred metres. He tried to get around four horses, then switched back, back, until he was on the inside again, and then made a belated rush... too late.I've seen few as obvious as this one, yet he will be at excellent odds should he make the
BORDERING ON THE SUICIDAL
After the QTC Cup on Saturday last, I was convinced of two things.
1. Border Rebel can run out a strong 1400 metres, and
2. He should have won that race comfortably.
Tim Bell tried everything to extricate his mount over the final three hundred metres. He tried to get around four horses, then switched back, back, until he was on the inside again, and then made a belated rush... too late.
I've seen few as obvious as this one, yet he will be at excellent odds should he make the final cut for the Stradbroke. That's in the lap of the gods as he is 21st. He will make the emergencies but will he make the final 18?
As you see, prepost betting at this stage would be foolhardy. Same for Graceful Anna if you fancied her, since she needs one horse above her to stay at home. Incidentally, her run on Saturday was also superb from a Stradbroke point of view, so I suggest that you should wait and watch, and see how the marble drops. The prices on offer won't change much; all that will happen is that you'll be assured of a run* on whatever you fancy.
Hoofnote: Almost "assured of a run", anyway...I guess those who said a certain horse was the lay of the day were right... but what a way to lose! I wonder how it feels to see your horse, as the stalls open, with its head stuck over the side rail of the barrier. Not so bad, I suppose, as it feels when you find out you were on a starter!
Well, I've had mine bash his head on some idiot's radio/tv gadget in the stalls on Caulfield Cup day, so anything's possible. At least I got my money back though.
Hoofnote 2: (Wed evening) Well Border Rebel would not have made the 18, and he's not running. Graceful Anna is the last into the 18. Let's see what we learn from all this! - T.O.