Punt Drunk: Can Kilcruit become Ireland’s next big thing?
Punt Drunk racing news – February 10, 2021
Good morning, punters, and welcome to the hump day edition of #PuntDrunk.
With plenty of top class racing waiting for us at the end of the week, we have to dig in, build a bank and get there. The team at HorseBetting.com.au have plenty of good things going around today as we look ahead to Bivouac’s run in the Black Caviar Lightning on Saturday.
Anyway, let’s crack on!
A star is born in Ireland
? What have we just seen at Leopardstown
? An incredible performance from Kilcruit who absolutely dots up to capture Grade Two honours to remain unbeaten for Patrick & @WillieMullinsNH at @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/lBKVxdmdlw
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 6, 2021
Leopardstown – February 6, 2021. Remember the date, as it could the day we saw racing’s next big thing make a big statement. The Willie Mullins-trained Kilcruit absolutely pissed in a two-mile Grade 2 by 12 lengths. Genuinely, how does that even happen? We are in shock, as is the entirety of the Irish racing scene, and online bookmakers have responded by making him favourite in the prestigious Champion Bumper during the 2021 Cheltenham Festival in March. If you are a casual international racing fan, a performance like this is hard to ignore. Sit back, press play and be amazed.
Time to make a Fierce Impact in the barn
A third Group One for Fierce Impact.?
Makybe Diva Stakes ?
Cantala Handicap ?
Toorak Handicap ?????
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) September 12, 2020
Fierce Impact has three Groups 1 wins to his name, with the chance to add another couple of Group 1 titles to his resume during the Sydney Autumn Carnival. However, when that comes to a close, so will the racing career of Fierce Impact. A deal has been struck for the son of Deep Impact to head to Leneva Park ahead of the 2021 breeding season. It is clear to see the stallion has the pedigree behind him to be a damn good sire in his own right. If he is to add another Group 1 to his name, you would assume the stud fee would be a pretty penny for connections. Fierce Impact is set to resume in the George Ryder Stakes next month at Rosehill, and it will be the first time we see the Matthew Smith-trained galloper since his sixth in the Cox Plate last year.
No Melody Belle in the All Star Mile
Another Group 1 for Melody Belle with the star mare taking out the Thorndon Mile! pic.twitter.com/4U116zRSk5
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 30, 2021
She is New Zealand’s queen of racing, but Melody Belle will not be gracing the turf at Moonee Valley next month for the 2021 All Star Mile. However, the 13-time Group 1 winner will run in the Group 1 Herbie Van Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa this weekend, before connections opt to either head to Sydney or stay in New Zealand. Trainer Jamie Richards will still have Probabeel in the richest turf race over a mile, with that horse sitting pretty at fifth place in the public vote. We hope we get to see Melody Belle on our shores this campaign, because she is proper class.
Wednesday’s Racing Tips – February 10, 2021
Punt Drunk’s best bet of the day
About Punt Drunk
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…
