MY CALL - SHAMUS SHAMES HIS DETRACTORS

By David Fowler | Tuesday, March 4, 2014

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.

There was a deafening silence from a certain quarter when Shamus Award scorched up the Flemington straight en route to his Australian Guineas win on Saturday.

Remember the “snobs” I mentioned in a blog last year after Shamus Award, as a maiden, won the Cox Plate.

The tut-tutting of such an occurrence and the hue and cry of changing the conditions etc etc bellowed from their “learned” mouths.

Yes, empty vessels certainly make the most sound!

And they can throw up sectional times to say that Shamus Award was gifted the Guineas but the Shamus Award honour roll now boasts a Cox Plate and Australian Guineas with a serious tilt at the Australian Cup as his next port of call.

Why don’t some racing enthusiasts think before they open their mouths?

It’s no point putting the “pot” on a race until seeing what unfolds in the six to twelve months subsequently.

Those who bagged the J. J. Atkins at our carnival last year then had to watch Zoustar dominate in the spring.

Take a deep breath boys and count to ten before espousing your knowledge.

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You can bet $1.01 Damian Browne won’t be doing time for his ride on Kingtantes at Eagle Farm last Wednesday.

I’ve watched the video plenty of times. Please.

Punters had every right to be more concerned with the stark form reversal of Flying Home who won at the Eagle Farm mile on February 8 before finishing with the ambulance at the same track and trip on Saturday.

Jockey Chris Munce said the track may have been too hard. That is drawing a long bow!

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Expect a significant change from Tattsbet in the calculation of dividends to happen sooner rather than later.

It’s a good PR exercise that is long overdue. It’s a case of “watch this space”.

Now if only we could get rid of substitutes in quadrellas, treble and doubles.

That’s for another day, I suppose.

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Recently heard Mitch Speers has hung up his saddle.

A mixture of health issues forced the premature retirement although I believe he will still be riding track-work.

And a possible jockey manager’s role is also on the cards.

A promising talent, gone too early. We wish him well.

Until next week.

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