Punt Drunk: Flights back on heading into Queensland Derby Day

Air Horse Transport

Happy Monday, punters! Hopefully you lot had a ripping weekend and found yourself in front on the punt. We have another big week to get through, with Arcadia Queen set to go under the hammer at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast before another Group 1 weekend up at Doomben as the Queensland Derby and BTC Cup take centre stage.


Third Australian Hurdle for the Professor

When we think of jumps racing in this country, the legendary Steven Pateman comes to mind almost straight away. On Sunday, he claimed a third Australian Hurdle when steering home Saunter Boy ($4.20) in a truly dominant display in one of the featured events on the Sandown Lakeside card. The eight-year-old gelding atoned for his defeat to The Statesman in the Galleywood at the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival by putting 10 lengths on his closest rival (which was ultimately The Statesmen) on Sunday. Pateman won the race back in 2010 and 2011, but it may just turn out that his win aboard Saunter Boy will go down as one of his more impressive steers in a stellar career.


Carnival saved as flights to Queensland resume

This time last week, the racing industry in Queensland was holding its collective breath with several flights being grounded due to COVID restrictions. The BTC Cup favourite Gytrash is one runner to benefit from the news that flights are set resume through Air Horse Transport, but not before several connections have made the decision to pop runners on a float and have them driven up to the Sunshine State. The likes of Goodwood winner Savatoxl and the Derby king that is Explosive Jack are just two runners that are set to head north on the road. With the green light given for a plane-load of horses to travel north, it came with the strict criteria of needing someone who had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be the ‘groom’ on board. It was almost like finding a needle in the haystack for the company responsible for getting the plane in the air. Oh, and a fair bit pricey too!


Monday racing tips – May 24, 2021


Punt Drunk’s best bet of the day

The Ron Weston & John Nisbet-trained Smuggler’s Bay broke his maiden on debut at Wagga when winning by 2.5 lengths as a well-backed prospect. He remains at the 1000m for this second start and retains the services of Kayla Nisbet, which will only help his chances. The three-year-old gelding goes up 1kg on his last start, and from the wide barrier we expect Nisbet to get him to the rail. He should prove hard to catch.

Albury – Race 2 – Class 1 Handicap (1000m)Smuggler’s Bay (#1) $2 with Sportsbet

Punt Drunk

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…

If you have any stories that you want our Punt Drunk Team to cover or just want to say G’day send us a message on:



Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments