Punt Drunk: Mr Brightside owners need to pull their heads in
Golden Slipper Day is this Saturday, but before we get to the best edition of the race in years, we must go back and take a shot at the owners of Mr Brightside.
Buckle up — this is bound to be a cracking edition of Punt Drunk.
Mr Brightside owners drink their own bathwater
OK, not all of Mr Brightside’s owners have lost the plot.
But when news hit that a ‘vote’ was to be held over whether Craig Williams retains the ride following his second in the All-Star Mile, we could only laugh.
Williams has partnered Mr Brightside to four Group 1 victories since the start of September 2023 and has finished no further back than second in four other races in that time.
One of those runner-up efforts came in the Cox Plate behind Romantic Warrior, but it was his second-place finish in last weekend’s All-Star Mile that had some of his owner’s losing their minds.
The discussion was over the ride, with Mr Brightside settling some 12 lengths off a breakneck speed before rattling home to finish behind Pride Of Jenni.
All-Star Mile 2024 replay
A vote between all the owners was held to decide who would partner Mr B in the Australian Cup (2000m), whether it be Williams or Hong Kong-based superstar Zac Purton.
Thankfully, sanity prevailed, and Willow keeps the ride for the time being.
Let’s hope they took a lesson from the Giga Kick debacle with Williams in the spring.
One can only hope the veteran hoop boots Mr Brightside to victory in the Australian Cup on March 30, and knowing Willow, he will be as humble as ever.
Concentration is key, Frosty!
Fresh from booting home Farag as a winner at Sandown on Wednesday, Damian Lane was deadset yeeted from his saddle on the way back to the mounting yard.
Whoops! 😅 @LaneDamian https://t.co/zelc6naDSt pic.twitter.com/4J0aJHilNS
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 20, 2024
Thankfully for both horse and rider, it was as friendly a dismount as you could hope for.
It just was a little reminder for Frosty to keep his mind on the job at all times.
Live TV never fails to amaze
We’ve all been there, especially after a few too many lemonades…
Sound up 🔊
Poor old @eaglepunt has whacked his bonce on the window 😂 pic.twitter.com/spGnXekclL
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 20, 2024
SA’s own John Kelton managed to walk into a window at Murray Bridge on Wednesday.
What a shame actual vision of the incident wasn’t recorded. Sad times.
Is Golden Slipper Day 2024 the best day of racing?
An argument can be made that Golden Slipper Day 2024 is the best day of this racing season so far.
Five Group 1 races in Sydney, headlined by the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m), will be accompanied by the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley, with superstar Kiwi mare Imperatriz set to start as a long odds-on favourite.
In Sydney, the Slipper is ably supported by the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m), The Galaxy (1100m), Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
It may not eclipse The Championships in a fortnight, but Saturday’s racing is sure to produce plenty of jaw-dropping action.
For what it’s worth, Switzerland is on top for us in the Slipper.
About Punt Drunk
Welcome to Punt Drunk – our weekly 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…
