MY CALL - FIRST DEFEAT DOES NOT TAKE WICKED INTENT OUT OF MAGIC MILLIONS RECKONING

By David Fowler | Tuesday, December 30, 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.

For someone who sent out a warning signal, I wasn't disappointed in Wicked Intent's defeat at the Gold Coast last Saturday.

This blog commented a fortnight ago that Wicked Intent was "under the odds" in MM pre-post markets because he hadn't been tried at 1200m.

Well, he was tried at the 1200m in Saturday's Bruce McLachlan at the Gold Coast and had his colours lowered for the first time. His position as favourite has now wobbled.

Case closed? Can't win the MM?

I wouldn't be so sure.

Wicked Intent was given no peace in the lead, a situation he hasn't so far encountered in his brief but impressive career.

The sectional breakdown of 35.36 (1st 600m) and 36.45 (last 600m) on a track close to heavy is the evidential proof.

There is a natural hustle, bustle in the MM and I wouldn't be surprised if Chris Munce takes an option to ride with cover to achieve a better result.

Now that the hype has subsided and the jigsaw of the MM line-up is nearly complete, Wicked Intent is NOW becoming a backable commodity.

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Sydney will provide a strong MM contingent while Melbourne will rely on Claudia Jean.

Perignon shot into the market-place with an accomplished performance at Canterbury after a sound fourth in the MM lead up at Wyong.

But, like Wicked Intent, the sectionals of the 1200m race explain a lot.

Again, a heater skelter 34.9 was followed up by a significantly slower 36.5 so Perignon, a backpacker, was advantaged.

As highlighted here in a previous blog, the downside to the Sydney form profiles is that the overall times don't match favourably with corresponding distances on the day.

I'll watch Pepperano and Frequendly closely in the Toowoomba MM lead up on Wednesday.

The $15 fixed price of Pepperano currently has me very interested. I may launch before the barriers crash back at Clifford Park.

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Mywayorthehighway knocked me out of the Gold Coast quadrella but calling him home gave me a great thrill.

It was standard practice for me to stand in for the late Wayne Wilson and call a race when he had an ownership interest.

He hated calling his own horses. No ifs or buts.

Of course, Wayne's wife Sally and daughter Honny share in the ownership of Mywayorthehighway who took a quantum leap from a Sunshine Coast maiden to win the Group 3 Vo Rogue.

Remarkable stuff.

I actually called him at his first start at the Sunshine Coast in May and visited Wayne the next day. Coincidentally, Mick Mair happened to be there as well.

Mick has arranged a striking photo of Mywayorthehighway, expertly framed, and done at short notice.

Sadly, at that time, it was all too much for him to understand but I bet there was a cracking party "upstairs" on Saturday night.

This is his legacy after years of ownership.

And a big get-well to Mick who is recovering from a mild stroke.

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Like many, I ask the question how long can Hijack Hussy be ridden so cold and connections forced to watch a hard luck story unfold in front of their eyes?

She holds MM 3yo favouritism and deserves to.

I won't be surprised if there's a change of rider on Grand Final day.

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The Gold Coast track provided a "fast lane" down the centre on Saturday with the inside four metres barely marked,

But whether it's wet or dry, hard against the rail at the Gold Coast is generally poison.

Why is this?

I believe the rail will stay true for the next two meetings.

Let's hope that alleviates a bias which certainly does exist.

Happy New Year to all.

*Join you for the form preview at Doomben on New Year’s Day

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