Punt Drunk: Bring on Zaaki v Anamoe at Randwick
Spring is well and truly in the air and the fields for the weekend of racing has us raring to go for a big weekend on the punt. Throw in the AFL & NRL Finals, a few coldies and it is a genuinely elite weekend coming up.
On Friday’s edition of Punt Drunk, we look back at one of the all-time clashes in the George Main Stakes, before current day superstars Anamoe and Zaaki go toe-too-toe. Whilst punters have dipped into to help a jockey recovery from a serious injury and could we see the silks of the Queen make an appearance on the first Tuesday of November at Flemington?
Anamoe and Zaaki battle sparks George Main memories
While we might be accused of only talking about this race because of the huge sum of cash one of the Punt Drunk scribes won on it, the expected heavyweight battle between Zaaki and Anamoe in the George Main Stakes at Randwick sparked memories of 1999.
Who can really forget the always unlucky Shogun Lodge finally having his day when he chased down Sunline in the shadows of the post in the 1999 feature. The champion Kiwi Sunline looked to have the race shot to bits, before Shane Dye guided Shogun Lodge down the outside for a famous victory.
Shogun Lodge went on to finish his career with 12 minor places in features races, but did win the Epsom Handicap and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, before tragically dying in the running of the 2003 Emirates Stakes.
You can relive Shogun Lodge’s famous tussle with Sunline at about the 17 minute mark here:
Fundraiser for Elissa Meredith raises $25,000
A fundraiser for injured apprentice jockey Elissa Meredith has raised $25,000 after eight items were auctioned off via Inglis Digital on Wednesday.
Meredith, 27, was involved in a fall at Gunnedah in early July, suffering two contusions to her brain and facing a long recovery.
While Meredith has continued to heal from the fall, the racing world has rallied around the young jockey.
Items that went under the hammer included signed Anamoe silks that were worn by James McDonald in their Group 1 Winx Stakes victory, an Epsom Raceday Experience and a Test cricket shirt signed by Mark and Steve Waugh.
Racing royalty invited to the Queen’s funeral
The Queen is long rumoured to have wanted to win the Melbourne Cup.
The legendary monarch has been a prominent racehorse owner her entire reign and many racing people have spoke fondly of her, since her passing on September 8.
So it was no great surprise that several Australian racing royalty were invited to her funeral, although one has notably declined.
Chris Waller, who has a long association with the Queen after training several of her horses, was forced to withdraw from the trip after a family member tested positive for covid.
Gai and Robert Waterhouse have accepted their invitation and will fly with other prominent Aussies for the event.
Waterhouse trained Carlton House and Bold Sniper for the Queen.
Queen Elizabeth II has previously had Arabian Story run in the Melbourne Cup, with it finishing sixth behind the great Might and Power in 1997.
Racing Victoria released the Melbourne Cup order of entry earlier this week.
About Punt Drunk
Welcome to Punt Drunk – our 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…
