MY CALL - DOOMBEN PRESENTED A DAY OF PURE THEATRE FOR THE RACING DIE-HARDS!
By David Fowler | Tuesday, July 17, 2012
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.
It was meant to be a mundane off-carnival Saturday meet at Doomben … the first since two months of spectacular Group racing.
With a heavy track and a truckload of scratchings, it was one for the die-hards.
The first glimpse of something better to come was when the sun peeped through early in the morning defying the Weather Bureau's droll forecast of "cloudy with rain periods"
At least the first two favourites won and there was plenty of hype about Rosie Myers and her riding expertise after she partnered Signified for trainer Kelso Wood who was a winner … again.
Anthony Allen steered the right course on Double Image in the second and BRCTV host Wayne Wilson made mention to Allen that it might not be the last time they would have a chat.
And then it started … Allen, Allen, Allen. He just kept on winning!
To the delight of the rusted-on race followers who turn up week in and week out, they were treated to something which was never expected.
And the stunning five win display by the 19-year-old was made even more memorable by Anthony's modesty in each post-race interview.
And so it came to the last race with the appearance of the unbeaten country filly Bradbury Chocolate which was supposed to be the highlight of the day.
Of course, Allen's winning spree had become the headline act of the day and with one ride to go, you guessed it, he was on Bradbury Chocolate.
Her trainer "Ducky" Baker was concerned about a range of issues, but foremost was that Allen would have to ride five winners.
I'm a punter. I don't like that sort of scenario either.
And there was the girl from the bush and the man of the moment turning in last position, a seemingly hopeless task.
But there is no certainty in anything in life. I don't know whether it was divine intervention or not, but the dynamic duo arrived in the last bound to keep her unbeaten record intact and see him riding into history.
Pure theatre. Couldn't have been scripted better.
I've never enjoyed a race-day more in a long time considering we started off on such a small base.
**********************************************************************************************
Something has to change at Grafton.
As a previous broadcaster of several Ramornies and Cups, it was so disappointing to see sub-standard fields line up in both features, in both quantity and quality.
Interestingly, the last time such a small field lined up in Ramornie was one I called in 1994 when Hareeba scared them all away, only to be scratched on race morning after overnight rain.
Nevada Lodge beat a tiny field that year.
Things have been pretty much the same at Grafton for a long time. Same time of year, same race dates and same prize-money.
Maybe it was a once off, but Racing NSW needs to at least visit the issue.
Anyone who has attended a Grafton carnival knows it’s too good to let slip.
*********************************************************************************************
Interesting to flick through the proposed race-dates in 2012-2013.
The first thing to strike me was that Beaudesert is back in the TAB fold with a scattering of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday dates.
Add to that the country clubs that are part of the recently-announced RQ's showcase series. They will have TAB status, Sky Racing coverage and, on most occasions, race on a public holiday.
One disturbing discovery is that the metropolitan area has lost another Saturday.
January 26 racing will be at the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
The BRC will host the Australia Day public holiday meeting on the Monday (Janaury 28) but why should the city lose a Saturday.
Maybe these dates are only in the "proposed" form.
Watch this space.
*********************************************************************************************
Geoff Livermore is one of the nice guys in the training ranks.
A fierce supporter of all things Ipswich, he is a regular supporter of the Friday meetings.
And the crowd went wild when he trained a double at Friday's rain-sodden meeting with Sir William and Trophy Hunter saluting.
Both were remarkably well backed into the bargain.
They say there is a race for every horse. It was Sir William's 39th start!
Until next week.
More articles
|