CONCENTRATE WHEN THE RIGHT MAN SPEAKS! A THOUGHT FOR NEXT WEEKEND.I was going to report on last Saturday's Black Caviar Day, but I'm making it fairly extensive, and probably controversial, so I'm saving it for my main regular series ( Educating the Punter) in PPM. That way I can let it all come together in my head, before I pitch in.Now, today.(1) I was very keen on Shamrocker in the Derby for a number of reasons, amongst them having been lucky enough to detect a filly winner in Research several

CONCENTRATE WHEN THE RIGHT MAN SPEAKS!

A THOUGHT FOR NEXT WEEKEND.

I was going to report on last Saturday's Black Caviar Day, but I'm making it fairly extensive, and probably controversial, so I'm saving it for my main regular series ( Educating the Punter) in PPM. That way I can let it all come together in my head, before I pitch in.

Now, today.

(1) I was very keen on Shamrocker in the Derby for a number of reasons, amongst them having been lucky enough to detect a filly winner in Research several years ago, and confident that I was going to repeat the dose here. But the point of my message today is something that Glen Boss, perhaps the most perceptive of all our riders at the elite level, said late last week. And something else too.

Glen commented that if the pace were on, and he expected it to be, the favourite would be a BIG risk of getting the distance. However, if the race became a dawdle (as distance races can be in Sydney), nothing could live with the favourite in a sprint home.

I felt vindicated, as it matched my thinking (that's always nice); but even more so because this fine Group One performer had said it. Glen is fast becoming a guide for me on Matters Group One, and I'll be sorry to see him leave the country. On the other hand, the time he's away won't affect the Spring racing.

So what did he say re the Doncaster that pricked my ears up?

Well, he said it last October!

I kid you not.

Here's what he said then about a young Sydney three year old that had been most unlucky at big odds in a big race, not once, but twice:

Boss Puts Big Wraps On Ilovethiscity

Wednesday, 15 September 2010

Ilovethiscity won Wednesday's Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle.
Glen Boss branded Ilovethiscity one of the most exciting horses he has ridden and a future Group One winner after his dominant win in the Group Three Spring Stakes at Newcastle on Wednesday.
That initial Group One win could come as soon as the three-year-old's next start in the Caulfield Guineas on October 9.
And Boss, who has already been booked for the ride, told trainer Grahame Begg he would win the Guineas.
"This a very serious racehorse," Boss said.
"I had to go earlier than I wanted because they were stacking up in front of me.
"However this horse showed incredible acceleration.
"He has the most wonderful action and just seems to float over the ground."
Ilovethiscity came from well back early to circle the field on the turn then go on to win by a length from Giresun with Heartsareforlove a further 1-3/4-lengths away third.
Begg said Ilovethiscity would not have another run before the Guineas.
"Toorak Toff will be the measuring stick because he is trained down there and this horse is going to Melbourne for the first time," Begg said.
"We should have beaten Toorak Toff in the Golden Rose so they deserve to be joint favourites."

I leave the decisions to you. I made mine at $15 each way yesterday, but of course I could be wrong. I just feel better having Glen in my corner.