Oh to be in England now

that the Craven's there. Apologies to Robert Browning but the Craven meeting at Newmarket always lifts my heart.

As I have got older I have taken more of an interest in flat racing, and even have tentatively started learning more about breeding and pedigrees. That Galileo seems quite good, and Frankel is not doing bad in his second career!

For me the Craven signals spring has arrived (even when it is snowing) and it is also the true beginning of the flat turf season (with due apologies to the Lincoln and Brocklesby). 

The quality of the racing is pretty good, even if the big stables do give more prep runs for their better horses on the all weather these days. I have been lucky enough to attend as a 'guest' member on 4 occasions, enduring tropical heat, electronic storms forcing all the power to go down during a race and bitterly cold winds arriving direct and uninterrupted from the Ukranian Steppes.

Despite the Craven itself not being the Derby trial it used to be - after all the Rowley Mile at Newmarket is nothing like Epsom - and the viewing being a long way from the on track action, it is still one of my favourite meetings. It is probably the anticipation, the potential, which elevates the attraction.

My personal highlight was watching Masar win the Craven by 9 lengths in 2018. Younger members of  Sheikh Mohammed's family celebrated with gusto and 'V' for victory signs on the podium when presented with the trophy.

Afterwards - on the way to the toilet as it happens (I was a guest member after all) - I bumped into one of the celebrants who I took to be a grandson of the ruler of the Dubai (he does have many). I said "Well done" and then just like an interviewer on Racing TV added "What next?"

He smiled broadly and said "The Derby."

I proceeded to back Masar in the 2000 Guineas 3 weeks later where he was a disappointing 3rd. That meant I did not follow up in the Derby, which Masar duly won at 16/1.

The text I received 2 minutes after Masar passed the post on Epsom Downs came from the friend whose 'guest' I was at Newmarket - "Masar wow. Knew he was something special after the Craven. Hope you were on as well." 

I did not reply.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 for tomorrow - Grooveur has given me too much confidence!

2.05 Uttoxeter - Oski  is an utter dodge pot but is surely an each way bet to nothing? Maybe put in the forecast with Beaufort West? 2.40 Uttoxeter - Barney Bateleur is going to win over fences and this is a hurdle race so small stake only but I think Stormy Flight is handicapped to win it. Again maybe dutch them and a small dual forecast. 3.10 Uttoxeter- Susy Smith has gone all the way to the (north) midlands to run Animal. I think this horse will win again one day. Currently 6/1. 5.10 Ffos Las- Saddlers Quest. Came 5th at 100/1 under a "quiet" ride at the same track on 4 February. Should be of interest in a handicap (which this is). Sorry some of them are in the same races.
Read more

Restricting - Sorry Sir we do not want your business

Last year - before 'lockdown' obviously - I was invited by Racing UK (Racing TV as it is now) to a kind of focus group. We probably did not meet the usual diversity criteria. Basically we were all white men aged in our 50's and 60's, which I suspect makes up a considerable portion of the Racing TV subscribers. We were asked to introduce ourselves and detail our interests in racing and betting. What then followed was each of us in turn describing how we watch and bet - followed by tales of how various bookmakers restrict us. To be honest there may have been a small bit of boasting going on - "I've been banned by more bookmakers than you" - but there is little doubt that our collective experience was that if a punter shows a degree of skill in his wagering then the bookies do not want your business. I thought it might be interesting to report my experience of being restricted. My local Ladbrokes betting shop were promoting their Grid card (similar to a super...
Read more

How to bet on freemasons with sticks

Ok golf is not exactly my favourite sport - better than motor racing and ice skating maybe but apart from the Open and the Masters I struggle to take much interest. Those clothes, the saloon bar image, the rather old fashioned attitudes to women, shorts and wearing jeans, and now players and clubs which enable the top players to hit the ball so far that the best courses are no longer a challenge. In my previous job there were always a significant number of keen golfers who took every opportunity to play the sport which us non-participants called 'freemasons with sticks' (as it happens with some justification. I do though occasionally have a bet on it though. It is one of the few sports where there are regular 100/1 winners and even Tiger Woods in his pomp would go off 3/1 plus. Obviously at those prices picking the winner is difficult but there are some factors which can help. Golf is very much a form game with players having hot (and cold) streaks). The trick is to spot the pl...
Read more