MY CALL - NOT THE BEST OF WEEKENDS
By David Fowler | Tuesday, September 27, 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.
I've had better weekends!
That's usually a healthy start to ensure you'll read on. It's a peculiar trait but we often like to read about the misfortune of others.
I have always felt privileged to have held a position in the media for 30 years, particularly with my race-calling duties, but the higher you are on the totem pole, the more magnified any crash will be.
As I said, I've had better weekends.
Our Saturday morning previews on Radio TAB involve an analysis of the race-day ahead and both Bart Sinclair and myself like to inject some light banter where applicable and usually at the expense of our race-day host Steven Hewlett.
Steve is one of the kindest and generous guys I've worked with, but when he mentioned earlier he was giving Rockdale a chance of winning the fourth race, my line was hooked and ready for a good catch.
So I made sure I weaved the Rockdale scenario into the end of the preview saying how could it win … no wins in 23 starts on good track and a winning stall absence of two-and-a-half years.
Surely the odds were in my favour, but as soon as I said it I knew the inevitable was going to happen.
It was like the old newspaper days when we were in charge of manually putting the scratching sign on runners in the formguide. As soon as you scratched one by mistake, it was a put-in, take-out proposition.
I'm not going to make a break for myself here and say Rockdale had the easiest of runs and was entitled to win with the tempo set … there I've said it … but it won, Rockdale actually won!
As I write this I'm yet to run into Steve but I copped plenty of ribbing at the track, including from my old boss Wayne Wilson who asked what flavour of humble pie I would like to eat.
And I reckon I'm lucky winning trainer John Morrisey rarely attends racedays in person because there might have been another spray come my way in the post-race interview.
Lesson learnt. Keep your mouth shut and understand any horse can win on the day!
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It didn't get any better after that.
I bagged Helmet here a fortnight ago and he demolished his rivals in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude.
Good to see though and what a clash if the quartet of Helmet, Smart Missile, Manawanui and Moment Of Change all line up fighting fit in the Guineas on October. That will be vintage stuff.
The ambulance nearly beat home Adnocon, the horse I part-own, in the Testa Rossa, but Craig Newitt reported he jarred up on the very firm surface.
Needless to say I haven't watched that replay too much since.
It was a losing day on the punt … and just when you think Sunday is a new day dawning, they announce Green Moon is out of the Metropolitan and my investment at $13 is gonski.
I've had better weekends.
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I mentioned Adnocon didn't appreciate the rock hard track at Caulfield and I believe Woorim was also a vicitim in the Sir Rupert Clarke.
That run was too bad to be true.
I hate blaming tracks, wet or dry, but those smarter than me will tell you that some of them just won't try if it's too hard or, I suppose, too wet.
And, locally, Doomben didn't go unnoticed and a few key jockeys I spoke with after the races felt the surface was too hard.
Funtantes and Miss Cutie, both well fancied in their respective races, pulled up lame.
Another lesson learnt. If your fancy went too badly to be true at either Caulfield or Doomben, it might pay to be a little forgiving.
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Great move by Brisbane Racing Club to give the young members their own hangout … The Lookout.
Perfect spot with an eye on the betting ring and eye on the enclosure.
These young members are racing's future and while they will dress swish and enjoy a nice drink, they actually LIKE the races so encouragement is so important. Full marks to the BRC.
Ownership is such an important thing in life and I'm sure The Lookout will be a popular attraction with the young members because they know it theirs to enjoy on racedays.
Now to find a spot at Eagle Farm!
Until next week.
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