Punt Drunk: It’s Wayne’s world and we’re just living in it
Today’s hump day edition of #PuntDrunk has us building at a solid rate of knots in excitement for Day 2 of The Championships.
The fields for the Group 1 races were released yesterday, and the quality is as good as we could have hoped for. The Queen Elizabeth Stakes field is stacked, as are the Australian Oaks and Sydney Cup fields, while the Queen Of The Turf Stakes sees the return of Probabeel.
Strap in, ladies and gents – it’s going to be a ripping weekend of racing!
Hawkes tees off at McEvoy over TJ Smith ride
"He ran super. Should he have won? Absolutely he should've won. A badly judged ride coming off the fence … Look at the way he finished. He was getting home three to Nature Strip's one. Very disappointing."
Wayne Hawkes on Masked Crusader in the TJ #WaynesWorld @ghall27
— RSN927am (@RSN927) April 13, 2021
Ah, Wayne Hawkes – you are truly one of a kind, aren’t you? The infamous trainer has been known to come out with some outlandish comments, but this one could take the cake. Hawkes is of the opinion that his runner Masked Crusader was all but a certainty beaten in the TJ Smith Stakes due to a shit ride from Kerrin McEvoy. First of all, imagine giving a clip to one of the best jockeys we have ever seen in this country. Secondly, imagine thinking you were a good thing beaten when the eventual winner, Nature Strip, was eased down over the final 50m with the race sewn up. Sure, Masked Crusader was charging home late, but as the saying goes, the horse had already bolted. Turn it up, Wayne!
Can anyone beat Anamoe in Champagne Stakes?
Simply amazing.
Anamoe is a STAR two-year-old. 😍
(🎥 via @7horseracing)pic.twitter.com/rSd9aeVxsP
— Racing.com (@Racing) April 10, 2021
Arguably the most consistent two-year-old we have seen this season is Anamoe. The Godolphin colt finally got his Group 1 win in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes on Saturday, following a runner-up finish in the Golden Slipper and third place in the Blue Diamond Stakes. His trainer, James Cummings, has told the racing world to “take it to the bank” that his star colt will be lining up in the Champagne Stakes next weekend. Could this be a chance to load up on a two-leg multi with Probabeel in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes this Saturday into Anamoe next weekend in the Champagne? Yes, please!
Wednesday racing tips – April 14, 2021
Punt Drunk’s best bet of the day
The Grant Allard-trained Majestic Shot comes to Hawkesbury with a career record of four wins from four starts at the provincials. The Shooting To Win filly has done all her racing at 1000m and steps up to 1100m for the first time in her career at BM72 level. Expect her to jump close to the lead and be too quick for this lot as she makes it five from five.
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…
