MY CALL - CONTRARY TO SOME OPINION, RIVER LAD WAS NO SURPRISE WINNER IN THE STRADBROKE

By David Fowler | Tuesday, June 10, 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.

Lazy kids always hate homework and so do lazy adults.

The bemoanings after the Stradbroke centred on River Lad winning the race and the casual tempo that panned out.

Many of these naysayers were talking up the Straddy only 24 hours earlier. The end result didn't suit them so the dummy gets spat out.

Was River Lad winning or the casual tempo set, a surprise? Certainly not!

This isn't after the ball stuff, either. I thought Srikandi was a good thing as last week's blog outlined and tipped River Lad third on RadioTAB as my best outsider.

Simple homework on the race demonstrated a lack of high speed as was pinpointed here seven days earlier. Backmarkers would be in pain.

River Lad would always go forward. He is one of Queensland's best sprinter-milers and will rarely lose in a two horse war. D. Oliver wasn't a lead-weight either.

All the guff about the "battling trainer" and "beaten at Eidsvold" is good fodder for the post-race theatrics but there is more than ample proof that River Lad was a better than middle of the road prospect.

The 2014 Stradbroke yet again delivered a full field and an outstanding betting race, brimful of live chances.

And a Queensland quinella topped it off.

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Racing's snobs also had a field day with the Queensland Derby.

After the race, of course.

As this blog has championed on numerous occasions in the past, accept the stature of the race (Group 1, Group 2 etc) but assess it's worth in 12 months time not 24 hours after the result.

Connections of Derby winner Sonntag are a realistic bunch and aren't looking bug-eyed at the spring riches.

But, hey, they won a Derby and isn't that great.

I'm always interested how the racing snobs would react if they won a Derby with just an above-average three-year-old.

But it rarely happens. They don't buy horses but just holler from the sidelines.

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If I had the pick to take one horse home from Eagle Farm last Saturday it would be Almalad, the J.J.Atkins winner.

Still immature in his racing style, he stepped up in distance and weight and backed-up in seven days, yet fought back brilliantly after being headed in the early part of the straight.

Let's hope he becomes a Spring force to consolidate the Group 1 standing of the J.J.Atkins.

I'm sure he will

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Carnival time is exciting for everyone, including the race broadcaster.

The BRC has delivered an outstanding product for the last five Saturdays and were rewarded with a Stradbroke attendance of the best type last weekend.

Special mention to the "engine room" of Dave Whimpey, Bart Sinclair, Scott Steele, Matt Rafton and Jessica Best who all worked tirelessly to make it all work. Personally, a big thanks.

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I was super keen on Srikandi in the Stradbroke but I'll oppose her in the Tatts Tiara on Saturday week.

The Stradbroke was supposed to be the Grand Final but now there's another step up Mount Everest.

It's always a dangerous game when the game-plan is changed.

How long can she maintain this excellent form?

I have my reservations.

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