MY CALL - OAKLEIGH GIRL AND ENQUARE CAN MAKE IT A QUEENSLAND DOUBLE IN MAGIC MILLIONS FEATURES
By David Fowler | Tuesday, January 7, 2014
David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.
My strong belief in sectional times leads me back to Oakleigh Girl in Saturday's Magic Millions.
And barrier six, drawn today, is a plus.
Oakleigh Girl looked super in two 1000m wins at Flemington and Doomben before the wheels fell off in the Bruce McLachlan when she ran fourth to MM favourite Unencumbered.
But did they really?
As outlined in an earlier blog, Oakleigh Girl was "gassed" in a brilliant 34.33 first 600m by rival Echo Gal.
Oakleigh Girl was beaten just over two lengths while Echo Gal dropped off 16 lengths in arrears. On reflection, her run was sound.
Her natural pattern is leading but maybe it’s time to pull a switch and ride her with cover with several genuine go-forward horses engaged.
I'm prepared to forgive and forget.
The best longshot is Ruby Soho, priced $21 in some quarters.
She mightn't be the best juvenile in the race but she is in-form with a good barrier and M.Rodd to ride. I'll be saving on her.
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It's hard not to be confident about Enquare in the Magic Millions Guineas.
She arrived at the barrier draw with impeccable form and alley two is tailor-made.
We initially saw her as a big finisher but her wins in the Mode and Gold Edition saw a more forward pattern of racing. Whatever style has seen her in winning touch.
I'd mark her close to a good thing and $4.6 seems value.
There is a real bolter that deserves a small wager.
Tinto has been crying out for 1400m as her three runs this campaign have clearly indicated. She drew a good marble (4) and Tim Bell is riding.
The $81 on offer is exciting.
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The decision to race at Ipswich on Sunday rather than Monday was the wrong one.
Apart from the inconvenience with the Sunshine Coast and Murwillumbah meets, turnover was not allowed to be maximised by being slotted on Sky 2 Sunday rather than Sky 1 Monday.
But two points should be made.
Firstly, it's not a super huge issue in the whole scheme of things.
Secondly, if the real truth be known, blame should be shared between Racing Queensland and the Ipswich Turf Club but that's a story for another day.
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My mail is there a light number of nominations for the RQ thoroughbred chief steward position which closed on Friday.
Expect an announcement towards the end of the month.
The hype of a Sydney steward landing the gig might be astray or, better put, it may not be the one that many are thinking.
Watch this space.
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