Friday News Briefs: More chaos as Victoria extends COVID lockdown
It may be the off-season for much of the Australian racing industry, but there is always something that catches our eye. Victorians have done it again with their lockdown extending for another week, causing proper chaos in the jockey’s ranks. One of the favourites is under a big injury cloud heading into the Queensland Oaks, whilst Bob Peters has accepted a mega offer for Arcadia Queen. All that and much more as we look ahead to Oaks Day at Eagle Farm tomorrow.
Media Award in doubt for Queensland Oaks
The South Australian Oaks winner Media Award is under a massive injury cloud heading into tomorrow’s Queensland Oaks. She is a $9 chance to repeat her efforts from the SA Oaks, where she saluted at cricket-score odds, but she needs to pass a vet inspection (potentially two) before she fills her spot in the big field at Eagle Farm. Could she become the first filly since Egg Tart to claim the SA Oaks/Queensland Oaks double?
Williams opts for winter holiday in Queensland
In normal circumstances we certainly would not blame Craig Williams for heading to Queensland for the Winter Racing Carnival, but this time around he is forced to stay in the Sunshine State because of the good old COVID-induced lockdown in Victoria. That means Williams will hang around for the Stradbroke Handicap later this month.
Kah breaks Payne’s Group 1 record
Do not @ us when we say that Jamie Kah is on her way to being the best jockey ever, let alone the best female jockey. Kah’s win aboard Vega One in the Kingsford Smith Cup is one that needs to be seen to be believed. In the process, Kah broke Michelle Payne’s record of most Group 1 wins by a female jockey.
Peters accepts $3.2m offer for Arcadia Queen
After being passed in at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale last week, the well-known owner Bob Peters finally accepted an offer for his star mare Arcadia Queen. Peters wanted $4 million at the sales but had to settle for $3.2 million offer by Arrowfield Stud. Peters missed out on $200k after the mare reached a top of $3.4 million on the first day of the sales, but all is well that ends well.
Blowout in Wangaratta quaddie
If you opted to have a quaddie at Wangaratta on Thursday and you snared the dividend then fair play to you, and we want to see the winning ticket! Because the quaddie paid a whopping $317,000 on the local tote, now a Thursday afternoon on the punt is usually nice and relaxing (mostly). Throw in an $88 winner and a $41 winner in the final two legs and it was curtains for all the sane people.
A horse that doesn’t like racing other horses
We have deadset seen it all, the Kerang-based Jittery Jack hates racing against other horses. Last winter he put in two remarkable all the way wins at Flemington, but his jockey Madison Lloyd has revealed that he didn’t like racing inside other runners. So it’s simple, he is an anti-social bugger and wants it all his own way! We get it, nothing worse than unwanted company.