Perth - NZ and the Irish.
I've returned to Oz just in time for Perth. I'm flying over on Thursday for a couple of weeks. The series has fallen away a little with scratchings and the Kiwi's are too precious. They've become so accustomed to NSW and VIC virtually gifting them entry into our big races that the thought of earning it just isn't palatable.
I don't know whether WA chipped in to get the Irish horse here, I assume so ? A lot of the advertising is around the series being "International". Firstly, connections have been sold a wrist watch if they're on the hook. The form in Ireland was OK, I think the ID qualifier was the first win in a while so he's not exactly Jarvsofaks.
How does an Interdominion horse go around in a CO @ Northam get beaten 50m and not have to trial ? The Twitter page which was in overdrive leading up to the race is mute and I notice on the Perth ID page there's a number of queries from peeps asking about the horse without any reply. They also bypassed a C2 @ Gloucester Park on Monday and a race @ Narrogin where it was suggested he'd go around to prove his "readiness" for series.
I'm a big fan of WA racing but they've gone to ground and speaking of which, I watched the Brennan Memorial last night. There were a couple in that mildly supported to beat Frith who were driven dead with a view to the next week. I didn't have any skin in it but when you go to the races such instances should be dealt with by Stewards. What about the punters ?
I'm still looking forward to the series : )
Geez my Old Fav Smokey The Bandit is on the outside looking in. Freyberg a bit stiff not to be in there also.
Big advantage to have a horse in a leading barn.
Classic American, Crusader Banner and Northview Punter ahead of the two mentioned above is a joke.
I'll take that further, sure rank them earlier on but as you get closer to the big dance, current form has to be taken into consideration. I can see a dozen horses at least that should be ranked below Bandit, Frey and Norvic.
As a consequence we have out of form horses in leading barns going around that offer naught to the series other than keep a few in form horses on the pine.
Great to see it back in the proper format but they need to adjust.