MY CALL: THE LACK OF RESPECT FOR OURS TO KEEP IN THE MM BETTING MARKET CONTINUES TO AMAZE ME

By David Fowler | Tuesday, January 10, 2017

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.

The disrespect in the Magic Millions market for Ours To Keep has amazed me for several weeks.

I like to think my race broadcast comments are considered. In other words, I don't shoot my mouth off.

So when I said, "there's your Magic Millions favourite" after Ours to Keep put them away in the Phelan Ready, I thought I stood on fairly solid ground.

But we have seen knee jerk reactions to the betting order on two occasions with From Within then Houtzen being promoted to favourite.

I'm not doubting their talent but the respective hype was overblown, evidenced in their leapfrogging of the market.

Yet, at the same time, Ours To Keep drifted loosely to $9 and $9.5 in places. Genuinely amazing.

We know he is a winner. Three from three.

We know he can run time. Every time.

We know he is well trained.

We know he is and will be well ridden.

And now he draws the perfect barrier, mapping to boxseat.

Yet still From Within and Houtzen sit ahead in the betting!

Genuinely amazing.

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You can't put a question mark on Ours To Keep.

He may not be the best horse in the race but that barrier draw is a fantastic ace to carry.

The CV is bulletproof.

"They" have told us how much better From Within will be after the Canterbury win in lack lustre time. OK.

"They" have told us how good Invincible Star is despite a strange lead-up of barrier trials rather than solid racing. Certainly strange from a Gai Waterhouse point of view who trains this filly. OK.

I believe in Houtzen. Seeing is believing. But the outside gate at her first 1200m run is not going to be any stroll in the park.

Madeenaty has the form and the barrier but does she have the strength to run the 1200m in a speed charged affair?

I keep coming back to Ours To Keep and am fairly happy to do so.

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Reputation and presence can be powerful weapons to use.

Winning Rupert has dominated and humiliated his rivals in the last month with sheer speed.

His good barrier will see an all the way win attempted again.

And such is his reputation, what jockey would go near to apply any mid race pressure?

They will almost certainly come off second best.

It's "times and margins" and the $1:60 quote now looks a tad generous.

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There are three clear annual highlights in my race broadcasting schedule.

Stradbroke Day, the Cairns Amateurs Carnival and, of course, Magic Millions day.

While they all offer something different, they also present one thing in common.

A day that will test the broadcasters craft to the limit.

A good day, devoid of error, leaves you floating on cloud nine.

Conversely, a slip up is magnified ten-fold in your mind.

Regardless of the report card, it's a special date on any broadcasters calendar.

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This is the last My Call column before a short break.

We will swing into action again on February 7.

My selections for Saturday's meeting will appear this Friday.

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