Punt Drunk: Two stars retired as whip debate continues
The Tuesday blues aren’t so dark and gloomy this week, probably because we have spent the last 72 hours with a beer in hand and filling in the time that would have been filled by the rest of the first Test. We’re three days out from the standard Christmas lunch coma, and there has been plenty going on in the racing industry since we last convened.
Santa hangs it up just before Xmas
Santa Ana Lane has blitzed a star-studded field to win the G1 TJ Smith Stakes at The @Championshipsrr @royalrandwick @atc_races. pic.twitter.com/dIynTfx7yZ
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 6, 2019
The Group 1 star Santa Ana Lane has been retired following a remarkable career. The Freedman-trained galloper gave his connections one hell of an entertaining ride throughout his career and will always be remembered as one of the best sprinters of the past decade. Having been purchased for a mere $40,000 as a yearling, connections managed to snare more than $8,000,000 in prize money which included wins in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, VRC Classic and TJ Smith Stakes. We hope he finds himself some nice cookies and milk (Santa pun intended) this week because the big fella deserves it!
Te Akau Shark calls it a day
In more major retirement news, the New Zealand star Te Akau Shark is also headed to the paddock for good. If you combined his and Santa Ana Lane’s prize money, one trailer would not be nearly enough. It was a shock decision to retire the Chipping Norton Stakes winner, but having had some terrible luck with injuries over the past nine months, it seemed to be an easy decision for connections. He’s one of the most popular runners in the industry, but we still haven’t forgiven him for the close second in the Epsom Handicap last year.
ATA want unified whip rules
We’re sure you are sick of hearing about all the crap hanging around the rules about the use of whips in races. Jockeys are insisting they need them for safety reasons, given how quickly a horse’s mood can change. Now, the Australian Trainers’ Association have put their hand up to end the confusion. There are different rules about whip usage from state to state, and the trainers have asked Racing Australia to find their manly parts and make a decision to help unify the rules around the country. We advise all punters to not hold their breath.
Melham pleads guilty to gambling charges
Penalty submissions will be heard by the Victorian Racing Tribunal on Tuesday after leading jockey Ben Melham pleaded guilty to four betting charges.https://t.co/3f2o9n1LH1
— Racing.com (@Racing) December 21, 2020
Ben Melham was charged for having a punt or three on several meetings when he was not riding during 2019. He has since pleaded guilty to backing horses at Sandown and the Sunshine Coast, as well as a big Saturday on the punt which totalled nearly $15,000 in bets. Imagine getting caught having a punt… can’t relate at all, hasn’t happened to us…