MY CALL - MISSY LONGSTOCKING IS DOING EVERYTHING ASKED OF HER. STILL RIGHT ON TRACK FOR THE MILLIONS

By David Fowler | Tuesday, January 1, 2013

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.

"How much did you have on Missy Longstocking?"

That was the thundering question with a hearty slap on the back when I dropped into my regular watering hole on Saturday night.

"Nothing. Didn't have a bet in the race," I replied honestly.

"Yeah, sure. You called it like you had a stack on it," he laughed and drifted into the crowd.

There are two conclusions to draw from this encounter and they are intertwined.

Firstly, people don't want to believe what they hear on occasions and, secondly, why was I a little more "upbeat" in the broadcast.

Missy Longstocking's trainer Liam Birchley has been telling anyone who wanted to listen that the filly wasn't at her peak in the Calaway Gal and it was a deliberate path he plotted, albeit with risks attached.

The more he explained it the more they pooh poohed it. Slower time than Sir Luminar meant curtains for "Missy", they argued. The Magic Millions dream was over they declared.

I'm a great advocate of times. Always have been. But thoroughbreds aren't machines and can't produce the same figures all the time.

As I outlined on Radio TAB on Saturday, I would be more guarded about Missy Longstocking’s prospects if I hadn't seen her already carve out impressive figures which she did in her 57.18 romp on November 3.

In other words, I knew what she could do. So did Birchley.

When I wrote on this blog several weeks ago that I thought Missy Longstocking was close to a good thing in the Magic Millions, it wasn't off the cuff stuff.

I knew the rap on Assail but I will concede I hadn't seen Clevadude in action and he's got me worried.

Nevertheless, I'm happy to hitch my wagon to a filly who has won four from four including one at Listed level and one at Group Three.

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There may be a giant X factor with Clevadude.

Two 1000m wins in small fields without running brilliant times don't send me into raptures but you just get that "sixth sense" there are more gears in his makeup.

Would it surprise you if he won the Magic Million by five lengths, pulling up? Not me.

And Rick Hore-Lacy is another "factor" worth considering.

He could very well tell you he rates Clevadude the equal of Redoute's Choice at identical stages of their preparations or he might not.

But one thing is guaranteed, he knows one way or the other.

Price assessors have reacted to the X factor theory in making Clevadude $3.70 equal favourite with Wyong Magic Millions winner Assail.

I'm not necessarily arguing with the quote but should there be as a large a gap between the two favourites and Missy Longstocking at $12?

Missy Longstocking showed her versatility on Saturday coming off the speed to win and it's worth pointing out Damian Browne has been as kind as possible to her in each of her city victories, happy to ride hands and heels.

I couldn't think of a youngster who has had a better preparation for a big race, win, lose or draw.

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I started to think I might be the only one banging on about public holiday racing and the lack of desire by clubs to promote it.

Not so. Let me quote Chris Waller on his thoughts about Summer Cup raceday at Rosehill last
Wednesday.

"I'm not whingeing at all but we have to promote these types of days.

"This is the feature Boxing Day meeting here in Sydney and we have to get people to the races. After a big family day yesterday (Christmas), people are looking for something to do.

“We need to create an atmosphere and have a short, sharp program to get people back to the track.

“I've got a family and I want them to come if there is some atmosphere. Racing has got to compete with whatever is out there."

Hear hear!

Clubs complain no one comes to the races on public holidays but what do they offer?

But let's put aside the on-track argument. What was delivered to the punting public at Eagle Farm last Wednesday was a disgrace.

Why did Racing Queensland offer midweek prize-money for a traditional metropolitan program?

Boxing Day is an ideal day for people to have a bet. Isn't TAB turnover paramount, so "they" keep telling us?

Sometimes, metropolitan clubs should shoulder the responsibility their reputations afford them. Be the leaders in their field.

If it's financially awkward, consult with the controlling body and work together. Last Wednesday simply wasn't good enough.

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