MY CALL - 'THE CUP' LOOKS LIKE A WINNER

By David Fowler | Tuesday, October 11, 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.

You will back a winner if you decide to see the movie "The Cup".

Winners are hard to come by at his time of year but the story of Damien Oliver and Media Puzzle's 2002 Melbourne Cup triumph is an emotional travel played out excellently on the big screen.

Naturally its release is opportunistic at this time of year, but it's still a strong positive for racing in general.

Black Caviar is playing her part in extending racing to a wider audience and this movie will as well.

Friday night's Brisbane preview was played to a tough audience ... people involved in racing 24/7.

By being racing people we were hardly not going to enjoy it but by being racing people we could cast a more critical eye than most on any imperfections that might lurk.

Yes there were one or two but, by and large, this has been an outstanding recreation of the Oliver family story.

Simply, it's a terrific advertisement for the racing industry. Enjoy it.

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We are now at the pointy end of the Spring Carnival with a few statements or questions to raise.

Will December Draw run a strong 2400m in the Caulfield Cup or will a lack of quality opposition compensate for that distance doubt?

The Cox Plate will be high on numbers with Helmet and Jimmy Choux dominating the market but is there a sleeper?

Sepoy is a moral in the Coolmore, but will connections take that big brave step of tackling Black Caviar in the Patinack Classic?

Is anyone wiser on who is going win the Melbourne Cup with the international invasion once again confusing the issue? Remember its only three weeks away.

More questions than statements there but that's what the spring is all about.

Like the movie, enjoy it.

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No enjoyment if you backed Kelbenjar in the first at Eagle Farm last Saturday (insert David Fowler at $6 fixed odds each-way here).

I suppose it hurt more because I was also on Free Wheeling in the Sires when a similar thing happened.

Who says lightning can’t strike twice?

It's unpalatable that you don't get a run for your money, but the evidence was conclusive that Kelbenjar put on his turn when the starter hit the button. It was his fault and his fault alone.

Declaring him a non-runner would be unfair to those who had winning bets on the race with deductions coming into play.

Make no mistake about it, Kelbenjar would have won with a clean getaway.

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And further no enjoyment if you backed hotpot Valentine Miss at Caulfield on Saturday.

We often assume horses are "good things beaten" when they are held up for runs. I prefer to put the run down as inconclusive.

But in this case, she was in a bad traffic jam and when she got out absolutely flew to the line.

As Greg Miles said in the call "should have trotted in".

I want to be on her next start.

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I thought I was back calling the trots at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

No, I haven't lost my senses, but the stipes' panel comprised Norm Torpey, Martin Knibbs and John Hackett.

John is presently acting Chief Stipe at the trots with Norm and Martin his predecessors.

Long odds about that trio comprising a thoroughbred panel


Until next week.

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