Punt Drunk: The Championships are here… and it’s wet again!
For racing fans, Saturday is one of the best days on the racing calendar, with Day 1 of The Championships taking centre stage at Royal Randwick.
However, it wouldn’t be a big Sydney sporting event without torrential rain.
The rains are here, Marge!
If there is ever a major sporting event on in Sydney, just pack a brolly and every bit of wet weather gear you own.
It can be the Pink Test at the SCG in January, or more importantly, Day 1 of The Championships at the start of April each year.
Upwards of 300mm of rain has been forecast to fall at the track from Thursday-Saturday, and it would be more suitable to see Noah’s ark hitting top speed in the final furlong of the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) rather than Imperatriz or I Wish I Win.
If we have learned anything throughout the years with Peter V’Landys in charge, Racing NSW will spare no expense to get their premium raceday going ahead without a hitch.
We’ve seen helicopters flown close to the ground to help dry out tracks, but unless there is a miracle, Day 1 of The Championships looks destined to be washed out, and the remainder of the Autumn Carnival will be pushed back a week.
“Relatively unknown commentator”
Now, the team at Punt Drunk are certainly not a bunch of sensitive Sallys; however, when the great Matt Hill is declared a “relatively unknown commentator”, we spit chips.
Sure, for the uneducated (non-racing fans), Hill’s dulcet tones may be a bit of a new experience for AFL fans, but within the space of a month, he has skyrocketed to one of the best callers in the AFL.
Who would’ve thought that a caller who calls what is happening, rather than having a chat about pizza toppings, would be well-received?
More of Matt Hill is always a positive!
Racing NSW having a completely normal one
When you think of some of the great racing names you think of Winx, Makybe Diva, Black Caviar, Phar Lap and Kingston Town.
Throw in trainers like Bart Cummings and TJ Smith and you would think they have races deservingly named in their honour, with the prizemoney to match.
Prizemoney of races named after Australian turf figures:
Winx – $1m
Makybe Diva – $750k
Black Caviar (Lightning) – $1m
Phar Lap – $300k
Kingston Town – $250k
Bart Cummings – $500k
TJ Smith – $3m
Russell Balding – $3m— Bren O'Brien (@streetruffian) April 1, 2024
In the case of Winx, Makybe Diva and Black Caviar, at least they have Group 1 races named in their honours, as does legendary trainer TJ Smith.
That luxury isn’t afforded to Phar Lap, Kingston Town and the greatest trainer of all time, Bart Cummings.
However, former Racing NSW chairman Ruseell Balding received an unlikely “honour” during the week.
The Winners Stakes (1300m) has traditionally been named after the reinging Everest champion, example being the Giga Kick Stakes.
However, from 2024 and beyond, the race will be known as the Russell Balding Stakes and will be run for $3 million!
Turn it up. Let’s name a BM70 after the bloke and not bring to shame some true legends of the turf.
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…
