MY CALL - RACING WILL BE MORE SANE IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR EYES RATHER THAN SPRUIK HARD LUCK STORIES
By David Fowler | Tuesday, September 13, 2011
David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB, taking the position upon Wayne Wilson's retirement last August. 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.
If it's not one thing, it's another!
Only a fortnight ago I was on the high horse about some in the mainstream media being too quick to tout nearly every winning performance as "magical" or "unbelievable" and labelling a new champion on the block.
Remember Smart Missile.
But today's whinge is at the other end of the scale. Why don't some of our media "experts" admit a horse turns in an average run rather than excusing it for one reason or another?
I'll name two horses who barely delivered pass marks on the weekend … Helmet in Sydney and Whobegotyou in Melbourne.
Yet all you hear is that Helmet is still a "problem child" and Whobegotyou was a "slaughter job" and a "good thing beaten".
Garbage.
Helmet is obviously still learning, but he's far from a betting proposition.
While the slow tempo of the Golden Rose didn't help his cause there was almost four lengths between Helmut and the winner at the end of proceedings.
He was average.
And Whobegotyou, admittedly in a traffic jam and got out late, was out in enough time to win. He one batted and for a horse of his reputation he also earns the "average" tag.
Our racing world would be lot saner if people simply believed their eyes rather than spruiking hard luck stories and salvaging questionable reputations.
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Here's two horses who definitely weren't average at Moonee Valley, Buffering and Woorim.
What a thrill for Rob Heathcote and connections of both horses … and that was only the starting point of their spring campaigns!
Bookmakers were liberal in the prices they offered on both as well. You could have secured $9 bucks about Buffering and $7 about Woorim.
Buffering is always a chance whatever he contests because he's fast and consistent at the top level.
Woorim relies on a firm track and genuine tempo, but there is no better finisher in the land. I'm convinced of that.
His win was outstanding considering he was knocked off balance at the turn by Stanzout, but then cleaned them up with ease.
A great result for Queensland as well and we'll follow their campaigns with keen
interest.
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I've made no secret of my high opinion of State Of Wealth who won at Doomben on Saturday.
My remark on Saturday morning radio that he was the best thing to come out of Brisbane for a long time meant he was carrying plenty of weight, but he beat them comprehensively albeit not brilliantly.
Ric McMahon has developed a great partnership with State Of Wealth. Not bustling him early is clearly at trainer Brian Smith's insistence and it will pay dividends in the long run.
I'm fairly certain Ric was keeping the lid on how good he is when interviewed post race last Saturday.
The 1500m Stan Fox at Rosehill on September 24 looms as an ideal target.
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Great to see Michael Hellyer ride a double at the Doomben meet.
Michael is a well mannered apprentice who had to go quiet during the Carnival, but the opportunities are now starting to roll in again.
He didn't panic on hotpot Belltone when he made an average beginning and he rated well-backed Paris Blu cleverly in front when completing the double. The punters are happy too!
Michael will never be a headline maker, but his attitude and ability will carry him a long way in the business.
Until next week.
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