Punt Drunk : FU Monday mornings edition
Good morning punters, boy where did that weekend ago?! Didn’t it feel like Friday was just smacking us in the face and now our 5am alarm to get up and go to work is scaring the shit out of us. It was another ripping version of The Championships and has made the build up to the Adelaide and Brisbane carnivals coming up even more tantalising.
Not Exactly Worth Popping The Cork In The Champagne
The Champagne Stakes has long been the “easy” Group 1 connections launched for those beneath the upper tier two-year-old’s in a season. This year, it is even more apparent, with the withdrawals of Sires Produce Stakes winner Anamoe, and the impressive Saif and Captivant. It leaves us with a potential field that would most likely stack up as a BM84 if they held this race 12 months later when they are all three year olds.
It is worth noting though that the Hawkes team have booted Kerrin McEvoy off race favourite Hilal, must have something to do with Wayne Hawkes’ opinion on the ride McEvoy gave Masked Crusader in the TJ Smith Stakes.
Speaking Of Masked Crusader
Let's hope we see more of this from Masked Crusader come Saturday 🤩 pic.twitter.com/lm2gT9VSB7
— Racing.com (@Racing) April 18, 2021
The William Reid Stakes winning Masked Crusader is set to go around in the final Group 1 of the Sydney season, the All Aged Stakes. It comes as no surprise to anyone with a brain that the Hawkes team have given Kerrin McEvoy the flick from their star sprinter as well. Tommy Berry will take the steer on the rising star, in a field that is set to be stacked with past Group 1 winners.
We wonder what Wayne Hawkes’ post race commentary will be like if Masked Crusader gets caught up in traffic this time round? Will he blame the jockey yet again? Or will he realise that backmarkers over sprint races literally need every bit of luck to go their way if they wish to be successful in Group 1 events? Ah the Great Game, you have to love it don’t you?!
Monday Racing Tips
Monday Racing Tips – April 19, 2021
Punt Drunk Best Bet Of The Day
This may puzzle some of you, but the former Dabernig & Hayes-trained Luz Long looks well placed at Coffs Harbour today. Sure, the query is whether he can handle the Heavy going, but that will be the same for plenty of his rivals. The El Roca gelding comes out of a maiden race at Ballarat which has seen two subsequent winners, as has his other two career starts. If he handles the going, expect the Melbourne form to stand up for new trainer Graham Payne.
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…
