Punter’s prodigious profit from multi
ONE: Punter pulls off multi masterstroke
Well played to the punter who put a three leg multi together to return a massive profit at New Plymouth on Saturday.
The $20 investment returned a whopping $53,500. The easiest part of the three piece puzzle came in race three when Rosewood scored a two and a quarter length win at $4.80.
By the time Mangaroa Flo Jo ($31) won the Interprovincial Challenge by one and a quarter lengths, the more than $50,000 pay day rested solely on the shoulders of Call Doubt ($18) in race six.
It was a tight finish, as apprentice Holly Andrew guided Call Doubt up the middle of the track from near last, but how much do you think the savvy punter loved hearing commentator Tony Lee’s ‘‘$20 to $53,000 you’re home you legend’’?
TWO: Smokefree race day: A brave move for the better or another way to turn punters away?
Hawke’s Bay Racing’s decision to go smokefree on Saturday’s Tarzino Trophy day at Hastings is positive, but is it too brave and are we really ready for it?
The number of smokers in New Zealand has dropped dramatically in the last two decades but for more than a century having a puff on a cigarette at the races has been about as common as having a bet. Hawke’s Bay should be applauded for making a stand on their Daffodil Raceday that has raised more than $70,000 for the Cancer Society over the last three years.
In 2017 there are even more initiatives – including auctioning off each saddlecloth from the Tarzino Trophy that will be autographed by trainer and jockey – but are some of our biggest punters, who also happen to be smokers, ready for such change? On-course turnover will tell a story.
THREE: Racing tribute for Sir Colin Meads needs to be the right one
Sir Colin Meads’ passion and promotion of the thoroughbred industry needs to be recognised with a tribute race – but it needs to be the right one.
Some memorial races fail to retain their mana every time a new sponsor comes on board or programmes are changed, but the tribute to an All Blacks legend needs to be one that stands the test of time.
Meads was much more than an owner and breeder, he was an ambassador whose passion for the racing industry saw him promote the product to the sporting – especially rugby – public for decades. In addition to honouring Meeds, using the Sir Colin ‘‘Pinetree’’ Meads name in the right context will ensure the iconic sporting hero continues to promote racing long after his death.
FOUR: Horse skills through
Cambridge husband and wife David and Emma-Lee Browne shine have spent their lives with horses and it shows, David is an accomplished polo player, reaching the top level in New Zealand before several years as a professional player in England.
Emma-Lee (nee McVean) is from one of the country’s outstanding equestrian families and rode at the top level in showjumping before joining her father Jeff training thoroughbreds. Since David and Emma-Lee combined two years ago in a training partnership success has come quickly, with top class Group I-performed filly Belle Du Nord embarking on her 3-yearold career and outstanding unbeaten hurdler Monarch Chimes assuming Great Northern Hurdles favouritism after winning Saturday’s dress rehearsal at Ellerslie.
Ja Ja Binks and Blizzard are other top class horses they train, alongside some promising youngsters. Winning a Great Northern would be huge for the popular couple and they appear to have the horse to realise their dreams. FIVE: Age is just a number Ageless warrior Amanood Lad scored a deserving Pakuranga Hunt Cup victory on his fourth attempt at the age of 13. Amanood Lad has previously finished second (2014) and third (2015) before running seventh last year.
Formerly trained by Ben Foote, Amanood Lad was transferred to the Paul Nelson barn back in April when Foote decided to concentrate on his flat racing team.
His seventh steeplechase victory was his second win on the bounce following his Wellington Steeplechase success in July. Under Foote’s guidance, Amanood Lad won the Great Northern Steeplechase (2014) and two McGregor Grant Steeplechases (2014 and 2015) but also ran placings in the 2015 and 2016 Great Northern.