A Sydney Cup re-run & Pikey dominates Ascot in the Twitter wrap
WHAT a weekend of horse racing we had.
The re-running of the Sydney Cup was the headline act of the weekend, and many believe justice was served after Godolphin stayer Polarisation took the event out after winning the original no-race.
Not only that, but punters were greeted to a terrific card of racing in the west, and while he is normally a social media darling, it was not all rosy for superstar jockey William Pike, who had a mixed day at the office at Ascot.
Second time’s a charm for Polarisation in the Sydney Cup
Call it preparedness or maybe it was divine interventing, but Polarisation’s win in the re-running of the Sydney Cup on Saturday was well received on social media.
Many punters thought it was fair that the “winner” of the no-race on day two of The Championships
#ICYMI Polarisation won the #SydneyCup… AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/VhK1t1BjC3
— easyodds_au (@easyodds_au) April 22, 2017
The general consensus around the race was the feeling that justice was served on Saturday.
Somehow there was a sense of fairness about Polarisation winning the Sydney cup for all involved,funny how racing throws that up #SydneyCup
— Bryan Martin OAM (@bmracingclub) April 22, 2017
One particular Twitter user was happy that jockey Corey Brown was able to win his “second” Sydney Cup in as many weeks.
Justice for @Coreyjockey wins his 2nd #SydneyCup in two weeks! #Polarisation
— Cameron Williams (@camjwilliams) April 22, 2017
The race was an interesting one tactically after Lasqueti Spirit sprinted away early in the race to establish a sizeable lead.
The horse was eventually run down and headed by nearly every runner in the field, leading one social media user to question the mindset of the horse’s team.
Hasnt the trainer of Lasqueti Spirit learned anything from past tactics?..It’s not working!! #SydneyCup
— sidekick simee (@simon_jetsboy) April 22, 2017
The race also saw the return to form of popular Kiwi runner Who Shot Thebarman, which claimed second.
The New Zealand import loomed large but could not overtake Polarisation in the latter stages of the race, leading Twitter users were nevertheless overjoyed at the horse’s gallant effort.
Gee WhoShotTheBarman is a ripper horse in the big handicaps
— Jess Hopkins (@hopkins_11) April 22, 2017
William Pike’s a delight for punters at Ascot – unless you were on Dark Alert
He may not have rode as many winners as predicted on WA Cup day at Ascot on Saturday, but one thing is for certain; champion jockey William Pike is a favourite of punters everywhere.
After all these years I finally have a punting system……very simple….follow @LeverChad and Willie Pike.
— Tommy Campbelltown (@wpasterfield) April 22, 2017
The gun hoop rode two winners on the card, Bollywood Blitz and Profit Street (both of which were tipped by us just quietly) and punters were happy to be aboard the great man’s steads.
Willie Pike #thatisall ???
— CamboDonut (@CamboDonut) April 22, 2017
The day was not without drama for Pike however.
The shortest price favourite of the day was Dark Alert in the WA Cup, which Pike took the ride on, and the $1.50 pop looked set to walk it in before hitting a brick wall entering the straight.
Many punters questioned the tactics the jockey, who normally is as unflappable as they come.
Seriously good ride @Aaronmitch69M . The most patient jockey wins. Tactics on Dark Alert very unPikelike.
— Terry Leighton (@PerthRacingGuru) April 22, 2017
Profit Street rounded out the day for Pike in fashion, saluting at $5.50, and one punter was happy the great man could atone after botching the WA Cup.
@TAB_touch Redemption for a sh! t ride on dark alert
— paythemtogoaway (@paythemtogoaway) April 22, 2017