Here are a few things you might have missed from the wide world of racing over the past week.
OVER & UNDER: Worth runners and horses to avoid in the spring futures markets
Whimsical (from abroad)
Question mark over ride to raise eyebrows (US)
Authorities who manage the US Assiniboia Downs racetrack have called for a full review after jockey Sheldon Chickeness’ eyebrow-raising ride on Wednesday.
Chickeness rode 3-year-old gelding King Witt in a 1500m Maid and extended a healthy lead in the run as they headed home.
But here the horse raised an eyebrow on his 10th start as his rider, Chickeness, seemed to be looking out for the chasing pack and waiting for them before pressing the button on his horse.
Mucho Express ($6.65) charged over the top to take the win, albeit by a hair’s breadth over King Witt ($4.75), who reacted when Chickeness finally pressured him.
$1.70 favorite Zuri Risasi finished sixth of eight.
Given the nature of the run/ride, a “complete and complete review” of Chickeness’ ride was requested by state regulators.
Chickeness has not ridden since, with his next rides back in Assiniboia on Monday (local time).
He had one of his better seasons in Thoroughbreds in 2021 with 50 winners from 285 rides (18 percent) and has registered 11 Thoroughbred winners from 115 rides (10 percent) in 2022.
@AssiniboiaDowns authorities are investigating jockey Sheldon Chickeness on KING WITT who had a huge lead entering the final leg of Race 5 on Wednesday 20th July. pic.twitter.com/WnigFMsuCm
— The Riding School (@LaEscHipica) July 22, 2022
Assiniboia is asking provincial regulators to conduct a “full and complete review” of the July 5, 20 race, when King Witt finished second under jockey Sheldon Chickeness after taking a big lead at the end. pic.twitter.com/GYSgeEDWua
— Ray Paulick (@raypaulick) July 21, 2022
Mega margins when hitting wet track (NZ)
Sunday’s Oamaru Cup meeting in New Zealand raised some real gap jobs and none of the winners were remotely hopeless.
They rode a Heavy 10 and some horses conceded cleanly once and made some big margins.
Most notable was Eavesdrop ($10.50), who earned his second career win in start #21 by 11.5L in a 2200m race.
Five-year-old mare Midnight Jane ($6.50) broke her dam at start #9 with a whopping 8.8 x 4.5L over 1200m.
Then there was Sympathique ($15.20) banker win #3 at start 32 with 3.8L.
Also, 7-year-old gelding Midnight Runner ($4.80) won by a 5.5L margin, while 2-year-old filly Shazza ($13.60) broke her maiden by a 3.5Lx 11L margin.
EAVESDROP got in touch and said see you later! to score by 11.5 lengths in the hands of Corey Campbell.
The Ghibelline daughter is trained by Brian & Shane Anderton from Wingatui. pic.twitter.com/Jmfwl8Ek9D
— TAB Racing (@TAB_Racing) July 24, 2022
QUIRKY (from Australia)
Virgin Lands crash at Bordertown
The four-year-old mare Giallo found her right breed on Friday – and the fall certainly recognized that.
The Stephen Lenehan-trained galloper opened $51 on TAB, a price she’s familiar with having started in triple digits in her last five starts (and $81 and $31 on the other two).
But she started with an $18 chance on Friday, and the money kept coming as she jumped to the official $7.50 SP.
READ: Five follow from Caulfield
Apprentice Nichola Yuen was assigned to ride the mare and she duly won with 0.4L.
A little fist pump on the line suggests there was a bit of extra pressure to get it done!
Giallo absolutely screwed in âš¡ï¸Â @RacingSA pic.twitter.com/LKlN7erXK3
– Racing.com (@Racing) July 22, 2022
Rising 10-year banks win in a row
He’ll be 10 in a week, but Billy Bent Ear is still attacking the line like a young man.
Trained by Connie Greig, the 9-year-old gelding won the Wean Picnics in early July and backed that up last Monday in Wellington with a BM58 win at TAB level.
That win was his first on soft ground (in 25 attempts) and his 118th career start overall (and 11th win).
Get her, Billy.
Shorties are rolled in quick succession
Even last Monday, this wasn’t a great advert for tucking into your shorts to start your week.
Both Media Scandal ($1.30) and Uno Artie ($1.24) went down in Warwick and Wellington, respectively, within short periods of time.
There is no certificate in The Great Game and both hotpots took second place.
Media Scandal has now been beaten by less than a length in four of their six cracks.
Uno Artie has also knocked on the door – three placings in a row now – but was denied after the short quote from Shades Of Magic.
Uno Artie has to make amends in Bathurst on Tuesday while Media Scandal holds two nominations on Friday.
The winner of the unique missions extends the drought victory
Imported from France as a Stakes winner, he started out promising enough Down Under, but shares in Radipole have fallen significantly since then.
It has now been over five years since Radipole last won a race at Caulfield in July 2017.
On Sunday he ran the non-TAB meeting at Roma in Queensland – but could only manage third place, beating 9.5 litres.
He started that season in Sydney, where he was beaten just over 4L midway in September, but his last seven starts have been on the Queensland circuit.
Comments are closed.