MY CALL - PROVOCATIVE ON HER WAY TO BIGGER THINGS

By David Fowler | Tuesday, June 14, 2016

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 touch of "the Ethereal" when Provocative easily won Saturday's Queensland Oaks.

It might be 15 years ago and their racing styles somewhat different but I have the same gut feeling about this filly as I did about her.

Provocative has mighty big shoes to fill if she is to vindicate my judgement. Ethereal later in the year captured the 2001 Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double.

Provocative impressed me before arriving in Australia for two significant reasons.

Firstly, she could match it with the boys and, secondly, she had displayed stamina and speed in her handful of homeland starts.

Stayers often have the strength but not the "whip" but this girl has ample of both.

She was authoritative in the Oaks, clearly outpointing Ambience who has served as a reasonable benchmark for the three-year-old fillies this season.

It's been sometime since a young female stayer has taken centre stage. Provocative might be about to change all that.

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J.J. Atkins winner Sacred Elixir is also assured of a bright future.

Is he a Caulfield Guineas prospect? Will he develop into a Derby contender?

Each are relevant questions after the ever widening margin on Saturday.

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A lot of nonsense has been spoken in the assessment of the Eagle Farm track.

There seemed to be a ripple of criticism that horses and jockeys sought wider paths in the last few races.

Why wouldn't they?

You've had heavy traffic near the fence for the major part of the day so seeking fresher ground out wider is a no brainer.

Pull out any video of a big Carnival day with big fields if you doubt me.

The newly cambered track also amply demonstrated that travelling wider is not as big a disadvantage as it may have been previously.

Surely that is a plus for the punter.

The outstanding drainage has already been given a test and passed with flying colours.

Australia's best jockeys resoundingly gave it the "thumbs up" in post-race comments.

But still some of these "twits" on the twittersphere maintained a rage that the track had fallen below expectations.

Leave it to the experts, boys.

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The Eagle Farm complex underwent a "baptism of fire" on the weekend.

The huge infield screen is a clear winner with the public.

But here's a free tip to the BRC.

In this day and age with the technology available, the official placings must be flashed quicker than they were on the weekend.

There is no excuse for this and the sooner there is no cause for dispute with the timing system the better.

The BRC are recognised as leaders. They must fulfill that role on all fronts.

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Last week's story regarding Alan Thomas and the commercial board attracted plenty of discussion.

Thomas has privately denied the story is true and he has no interest in taking such a position as the thoroughbred rep.

The story wasn't suggesting Thomas was seeking the spot. The story was suggesting Thomas was being headhunted for it.

Two different things.

Time will tell.

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