Over The Moon About Sunline <p>
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday February 20, 1999
On your knees and pay homage all you punting desperates - Sunline is back in Australia to save your sorry hides.
You won't pay off the mortgage if you back her in today's $380,000 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield, but little fishes, sweet was never a truer saying.
This superb Kiwi filly has had eight starts for eight wins - and if she doesn't make it nine from nine today I'll be a monkey's uncle. I watched her throughout her last Aussie campaign, and she's one right out of the box. She's the early joint favourite with Referral for the Doncaster Handicap at Randwick on Easter Saturday, and will pick up plenty down south in the meantime.
At her first Australian run, Sunline blew them away, sprinting hard at the start, then sprinting again in the straight, the stamp of a very good horse. She won the Flight Stakes with ridiculous ease at the Randwick autumn carnival, then went home for a spell before resuming over 1200m at Ellerslie three weeks ago with a half-length win over Delphic and Blue Veil.
Sunline is owned by Kiwi business mogul Eric Watson, whose other great filly, Grand Archway, won so well for us last Saturday. Don't be off her.
It's also Oakleigh Plate day at Caulfield, and what a hard race it is. Isca is a beauty, but she has drawn barrier 15 in this 1100m dash and that flashes bright red warning lights to me. I don't mind the consistent mare Magic Music at probably better than 10/1 from the rails barrier, and don't leave out Appoint at any old odds in your multiples.
It's Hobartville/Apollo Stakes day at Warwick Farm, and if the bookies offer you 10/1 about Kenworth in the three-year-old race, knock them down to get on each-way and have it all up General Nediym in the weight-for-age contest.
Going from rags to riches overnight
I am pleased to report that I survived the trip to Rosehill last Saturday - and Teddy Teapot's little overnight love nest. In fact, it was a most satisfactory weekend all-round (if you know what I mean). The comment I made in last Saturday's column about money following money was spot-on.
Teddy and I both won, which is a rare event in itself. We got the trifecta in the first at The 'Hill and didn't look back. As well, the tried and true combination of God's Gift To The Working Woman (cheering them home on his loungeroom TV) and Punting Pete scored when our Saturday trifecta ``lottery" numbers 5-7-2 came up in the second at Victoria Park. The appropriately named Mr Endurance was good enough to salute at around $40 the win, with the trifecta paying $1500.
My best bet, Grand Archway, proved her class by downing Bezeal Bay in the Orr Stakes at Caulfield, The Man For All Seasons' declared certainty, Wynciti, bolted in at Rosehill, and from there things generally went from good to excellent.
On Sunday I struggled down to headquarters to watch that titanic De la Hoya-Quartey title fight, and thought while I was there I should box a few near the top of the weights in a trifecta on the sixth at Flemington. Indian Blade ($12.40) led home Solid Wood ($3.60) and Endless Power ($11.70) for a 2-5-4 result which put the grand sum of $3494.80 straight into the Punting Pete kick.
Then Teddy Teapot put a few bucks into a pokie as we were walking out to sample the Cosa Nostra fine fare - and pulled out $600.
On top of all that, guess what happened Wednesday night? After an absence of more than a year, Teddy's flash filly Curvaceous Karen walked in the front door unannounced from a fogbound London Town for two weeks' R&R in the South Coast sunshine.
Bobby Claussen is now trying to find a new suit that might have some chance of cladding my very generous proportions. And Chook, Melon, Jeffrey poodle and Chuggie rottie got fed this week!
Love finds a wayin one fell swoop
Who is the dashing young punter-around-town who arrived back in the 'Gong earlier this week from a country sojourn (supposedly all in the name of work) to discover an enormous bunch of roses waiting for him? Attached was the message: ``Thanks for a good weekend. Happy Valentine's Day".
My very well placed spies suggest the sender of these beautiful blooms may be a leggy blonde filly who hails originally from around Cobargo way. The recipient has been known to punt with some success on the gee-gees, only to lose it all in one ``fell" swoop minutes after passing through the ``gate" to the nearest casino.
Looks like he backed another winner at the weekend!
You can set thepace at Corrimal
All roads will lead to Corrimal Leagues Club tomorrow week (Sunday, February 28) for an Inter-Dominion sports luncheon and calcutta before our boys head to Auckland to do battle against the Kiwis for this year's harness racing championship.
Richard Callander will host the nosh-up which will bring together a who's who of the local pacing fraternity. Among the luminaries on hand will be Mark Tracey, Greg Bennett, Peter Morris, Billy Galway, Dave Wonson (on his very best behaviour), Peter Walsh and Dick Inskipp. The man himself - Brian Hancock - will be there if not prevented by any last-minute hitches in arrangements to leave for the Shaky Isles with Our Sir Vancelot and Qantum Lobell the next day.
Organiser Craig Armour tells me the first frothy one will be pulled at noon, with admission costing $30 (only the price of boxing five for a half in a trifecta) and covering a buffet luncheon, entertainment and prize giveaways. Calcutta tickets are $2 each, with a minimum pool of $1000 guaranteed (the pool at this show last year was $3000). The Inter-Dominion contenders will be grouped in lots of three, with 10 lots drawn and up for auction.
You can reserve your place, or book a table of eight or 10, by phoning Corrimal Leagues (42848222) or Craig Armour (0419625952).
Go Our Sir Vancelot (and rack off Christian Cullen)!
Cat among the doubles pigeons
Didn't last weekend's racing set a cat among the pigeons in Slipper-Doncaster doubles charts? Bookie Bill Hurley has stood his market on its head, with Commands crashing from favourite to the sixth line of Slipper betting, and write your own ticket about Northeast Sheila. Align now heads the quotes for the March 27 Slipper, with Referral and Sunline on top for the April 3 Doncaster. The main doubles now being offered this week are:
Align to win the Slipper with: Referral/Sunline 66/1, Bezeal Bay 80/1, Dracula/Greta Hall 100/1, Buster Jones/General Nediym/Tall Poppy 140/1, Dodge/Mossman160/1, Catalan Opening/Juggler/Lauries Lottery/Spend 200/1.
Charm Scene Land with: Referral/Sunline 80/1, Bezeal Bay 100/1, Dracula/Greta Hall 140/1, Buster Jones/General Nediym/Tall Poppy 160/1, Dodge/Mossman 200/1, Catalan Opening/Juggler/Lauries Lottery/Spend 250/1.
Catbird with: Referral/Sunline 100/1, Bezeal Bay 140/1, Dracula/Greta Hall 160/1, Buster Jones/General Nediym/Tall Poppy 200/1, Dodge/Mossman 250/1, Catalan Opening/Juggler/Lauries Lottery/Spend 330/1.
Passmore with: Referral/Sunline 140/1,Bezeal Bay 160/1, Dracula/Greta Hall 200/1, Buster Jones/General Nediym/Tall Poppy 250/1, Dodge/Mossman 330/1, Catalan Opening/Juggler/Lauries Lottery/Spend 400/1.
A sly old Foxhits the big 40
Attention all Aviary punters - I assume you know that flashy fleet-of-foot flier The Fox hit the big 40 yesterday? Don't let him up for air this afternoon. He has three alleged specials today - Lawyer (wouldn't back it with his money, SR3), My Halo Broke (one week too late, SR6) and Sandrunner (half a chance, SR7). The other Aviary specials are: Vivacious Vi - Rhythm 'N' Flow (SR6); Davo - Light Work (SR1), Countess Christie (SR2), Sandrunner (if Davo thinks it can win, that gives The Fox selection some credibility, SR7); Skirt - Alanor Lad (BR8), Lucy's Way (SR8); The Raging Bull - Celestial Abby (BR2); Dasher - As Vague As (SR7 e/w).
The Man For All Seasons has a family special today - Lucy's Way in the last at Warwick Farm. He also likes El Mirada in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield, Coup De Grace in the seventh and Aragon Prince in the Tattersalls Cup at Victoria Park.
Charlie Cheltenham did not perform frightfully well with his Albeen Park Bowlo specials last week, but reports are that he is still well above himself in condition and should strip fitter today. He likes Nevet (BR6), Montand (SR7) and City Kid (MR8). Speed The Flying Winger has three each-way specials - Lucy's Way (SR8), City Hall (MR5) and Raging Force MR7).
The Builders Bearded Burbler agrees with me that Kenworth is a most promising three-year-old who could be underrated in today's Hobartville Stakes at The Farm. He appeals at 10/1 overnight. The (now) Bald Builders Bathurst Burr like General Nediym in the Apollo Stakes.
Tips from The Eagle's Nest (read 'em and weep): Coach - Sash (SR6), Dantelah (MR5); Boxhead - Further Still SR4, Dodge (SR5); Cabby - Tie The Knot (SR5), Lawyer (SR3).
Teddy Teapot's She Who Must Be Obeyed special today is On Air in the Carlyon Cup at Caulfield.
Happy punting - see you next week.
© 1999 Illawarra Mercury
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