MY CALL - A STORY TO MAKE RACING PROUD
By David Fowler | Tuesday, February 26, 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.
"Mate I was bawling my eyes out. Didn't know if I could call race six."
That wasn't me … but a text message I received after Miracles Of Life, Lauren Stojakovic and Dan Clarken grabbed at the Australian racegoers' hearts by winning the Blue Diamond.
This was an episode worth beholding but totally different to what we treated to a week earlier with Black Caviar.
That was about the dominance and beauty of an immortal. Unconquered. She WOULD win.
But in the minds of most, Miracles Of Life HAD to win. Anything less wouldn't be a fair return.
The biggest buzz I got was that the pint sized filly won because of Lauren's ride and not in spite of it. It was patience and poise personified from go to whoa …
I was at Morphettville when Miracles Of Life won her lead up at Caulfield and the excitement in the crowd was palpable.
I can only imagine the euphoria that erupted when she shot clear in the home running.
We know racing has a dark side that can't be ignored but only attacked … but it's days like this that you make you proud to be part of the business.
By the way I don't want to give my colleague too big a rap. He cries at a sad movie!
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Something exciting was happening in our own neck of the woods when Better Than Ready cleaned them up good and proper in the Listed Falvelon.
It also gave the green light to a Newmarket start at Flemington on Saturday week, a race he in which he must be a live chance with a postage stamp 50kg.
I've called plenty of horses in the last fortnight and it becomes so clear time and time again how many below average horses race day in and day out.
That's no disrespect to owners but simply a fact of life.
So there's an extra spring in your step when you can call a Better Than Ready
He's the real little man too behind the barrier. Full of importance and coltish cheek.
He sure can run and, most importantly, run time as he displayed in his 1:8.19 Randwick triumph last October.
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The new method of sending out prices from Brisbane tracks on Saturday received a big shot in the arm when Mr Favulous won.
While on track operators were offering $7 bucks, the overall betting landscape showed that Mr Favulous was being heavily backed in other areas, firming from $8 to $5 at one point before running at $5.5.
"The other areas" inclusion now offers a true appraisal of the betting landscape.
It can only benefit punters in general.
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Many know I'm a political junkie but my thoughts rarely cross these pages unless there is a direct link with betting.
The biggest surprise market shift is who will lead Labour to the September Federal election. Kevin Rudd is now at $1.8 and Julia Gillard at $2.5 in some quarters.
But just another comment. I wonder what many racing enthusiasts thought when they saw ex Racing Queensland member Bill Ludwig hold Ms Gillard's arm aloft at last week's AWU convention at the Gold Coast.
I just wonder!
Until next week.
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