Bag man makes ‘em pay!
Simon Nott at Salisbury and Newbury
conceded that “I need this one beaten”. That looked very much on the cards as the jolly briefly dropped out of the TV picture. A Tattersalls layer just uttered the words “The one in front’s a skinner” when the jolly flew to win a length going away. Luckily with an eight-race card all was not lost as far as those that stuck it up the short one were concerned, after all they’d copped on the first two races.
The trouble was the second division of the Smith & Williamson Maiden Fillies’ Stakes saw another short one in Shall We. Rather than clobbering the bookies with the grands backers dealt out the punting equivalent of Chinese water torture, drip feeding the layers, with bottles, (£200) carpets (£300) and rouf (£400) bets. The very early 6/4 soon dwindled into even money. Once again the money was justified but this time the result was rarely in doubt. Sir Michael Stoute’s filly was always prominent going on to win by an easy-looking three lengths.
There was a humorous interlude to proceedings when a member of the Press room entertained those of us present with a couple of photos and video clips.
A well-known and much-loved racing TV presenter and MC was filmed trying to evade the attentions of an apparently not only amorous but also extremely determined admirer. Sadly it seemed that the lady’s ardour was not reciprocated by the personality in question.Once he’d broken free from her grasp the story goes he sought refuge in a Gentleman’s only area awaiting rescue. The perils some of our presenters put themselves through for our viewing and racing pleasure really is over and above the call of duty in cases like that!
Things weren’t so funny for the bookies betting on the George Smith Horseboxes Claiming Stakes.It may have been a pleasure to work in the sun but they desperately needed a result to get them back in the game.
Unfortunately for them what they got was another well-backed favourite in 10/11 shot Broughtons Fancy which hosed in by a cosy six lengths.One bookie who’d been arranging to meet colleagues for a swanky meal at their hotel tonight prior to racing tomorrow was already backpeddling by making ovations toward the idea of grabbing a service station sandwich on the way instead. His excuse a commendable one,“because tonight I’m going to go through the card for tomorrow”. Back in my day a bad losing day for bookies meant their staff could still look forward to a‘fish supper’,it must be a little more frugal these days.
The race before the penultimate was the Bathwick Tyres Salisbury Handicap (Div 1) which saw 10 go to post after four defections.
Betting was much more open but it didn’t stop the bookies taking another pasting.Dancing Star was priced up at 4/1 on the rails and pounced on, a couple of punters waded in with monkeys (£500) and one with a rouf at the price.The judge called for a photo but there was little doubt that the gamble had been landed. When the result was formally given I was stood by my old mates Jack Bevan and Co (Est 1897) both startled by a roar from a very diminutive but delighted young lad.
Ian on the joint looked around and pointed to the roaring punter and told me that“He’s backed every winner with us”.I was delighted for the chap but then after his cries of celebration reached their crescendo and he caught his breath he informed us that he’d also backed them in a multiple in the betting shop. Always nice to hear about people having it spark off.
NEWBURY 13/05/16
Another eight races to get stuck into at Newbury ensured a healthy rail and ring. However,one well-known and rather flamboyant layer was missing, he’d sold his pitch and the new owner was eager to crack on and make it pay. He wouldn’t have got a lot from the opening Welcome To The Starlight Raceday Maiden Stakes (Div 1) when Medieval justified modest support from 5/1 into 9/2 under Jamie Spencer.
There was eager anticipation for the second division when the first offspring of Frankel to make it to the racecourse, Cunco, was expected to go off hot favourite.
The market went against the hype when Oceanus was supported (11/4 into 15/8) while Cunco took a real walk from 15/8