Punt Drunk: Almond Eye finishes on a high with Japan Cup win
Welcome to Punt Drunk – our new daily column covering all the latest horse racing and punting controversies, dramas and headline news. Have a story or gripe or issue that just grinds your gears? Just hit us up in the comments or contact us page and our jaded, punt hardened Punt Drunk staff will give it the Punt Drunk treatment it deserves. Don’t expect pleasantries or typical racing media fanboy gloss from Punt Drunk – we’re on the punt and we don’t have time to bullshit; the next is about to jump…
Well, that was some weekend, wasn’t it? We hope you had plenty of winners, and if you didn’t, we hope those two-minute noodles went down a treat. Oh, and not to toot our own horn or anything, but both of our best bets of the weekend saluted.
In the news, Almond Eye ended her career in fine style, Luke Williams quickly became an idol within the Punt Drunk team, a world-renowned jockey has been suspended due to a positive drug test, and a local star is being primed for the All Star Mile.
Almond Eye bows out in style
What a ride by @christo68914587. He talks through his second Japan Cup win aboard Almond Eye. ?
(? via @WHR) #アーモンドアイ #騎手 #競馬 #ジャパンカップ pic.twitter.com/t1Djc9CZvR
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 30, 2020
Can you name a more perfect way for the superstar mare Almond Eye to bring the curtain down on her career? The superstar galloper took out her second Japan Cup on Sunday after getting the better of her two rivals in the market. Despite a capacity field in the Group 1 event over 2400m, it appeared to be a match race in three. Almond Eyes was the tearaway leader in her final race as she added her ninth career Group 1 win.
All hail Stumpy Williams
Punt Drunk has found its new king, and his name is Luke “Stumpy” Williams. Check out this interview with Racing.com after he partnered with Count Zero to take out the Jericho Cup, Australia’s longest flat race. The victory in the $300,000 race is without doubt the biggest in Williams’ 30-plus years of riding. But seriously, how good would a beer go down over a few stories with Stumpy! Count Zero’s win is another highlight in the breeding career of the legend Zed, who has foaled a plethora of elite gallopers that don’t know how to give up over long distances.
Winning Jericho Cup jockey Stumpy Williams might just be one of the new #puntdrunk icons
"Fucking awesome to win it!" & told McCarthy to "Piss off" mid race ? pic.twitter.com/ozKf8epXEK
— Horse Betting (@HorseBettingAU) November 29, 2020
Murphy banned over drug test
Apparently having sex as a jockey can be most detrimental to one’s career. Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been sanctioned by the French stewards after his urine showed traces of cocaine. Murphy swears it came from having sex with a woman who later admitted she is a user. His suspension ends in the middle of March next year. If there’s one thing we’re certain about, the Irish hoop will be a lot more careful next time round.
Official statement from Oisín Murphy pic.twitter.com/8damOw4zdh
— Oisín Murphy (@oismurphy) November 27, 2020
Behemoth eyes All Star Mile
The Memsie Stakes and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes have been accomplished, and now the richest race over 1600m is the target for Behemoth. The All Star Mile, set for Moonee Valley in February next year, will be the star gelding’s prime objective during his autumn carnival campaign, which may also feature a trip to Sydney. Boy, you’d love to have a share in the bloke – he’s just an absolute ripper of a horse.
Monday racing tips
Best bet for Monday, November 30
We’re aiming for three in a row!