It should probably be renamed the Lloyd Williams Classic. How many times has he won it now? Today he has the favourite and last year’s winner The Taj Mahal. Out the back in the horse wash the horse is getting pretty aroused. And roaring! He must have an assignation in the breeding barn on his mind. As you may know I like my horses to be relaxed so high arousal is generally not a good sign. The traditional view is that too much testosterone means that the horse hasn’t got his mind on the job. But the trainer does a good job to dampen his ardour with a well directed hose. Let’s see how he looks in the yard.

In the yard The Taj is fine, all sweetness and light, with the usual two strappers. And Dal Harraild is a head in horse. I like that. And Libran looks good head down, salivating. I check my cheat sheet list of positive variables (page 140 of Volume 2) and note that head in is plus 25, sex signs plus 31, and head down salivating plus 51. So I go for Libran. In the straight The Taj is too good and noses out Dal Harraild.  A triumph for sexual energy!  Old Libran feels his age and compounds to finish last. Oh well.

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The heavens opened at about 7 am and didn’t stop until midday. 43 mm in my gauge! Wow! Too wet for a serious bet, but the track drained remarkably quickly to a Soft 6. My tram was held up by the floods and I didn’t get to the track and out the back until about an hour before the race. No time to see all the Cup runners and just a brief scan of the internationals.

My spot on the mounting yard fence was occupied by hats which made viewing conditions very difficult. The Cliffsofmoher was frothing on the bit, but it was pink froth! I quite like salivation, but blood in the mouth?! That’s a bad sign. A portent of doom, perhaps. I couldn’t have Cross Counter who I had marked as a head-up horse. The ear muffs were good but the bandages were bad, especially considering the interrupted preparation, and the wet track The horse was sweating freely which is a positive on a day of 100% humidity. With hindsight, maybe the bandages were a furphy!

I loved two cleanskins – Marmelo and Muntahaa. Muntahaa was probably the pick of the yard but either didn’t handle the going or the trip. Marmelo was just beautifully relaxed and looked the winner late. I backed them both for the place. I am always happy to win with my only bet for the day. Just think, Marmelo might have won if the jockey hadn’t weighed in a kilo overweight! I imagine that there were a few punters spitting chips when they heard that news!

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The greatest day of racing on earth. But I suggest it should be renamed Hotham Handicap Day.

Or maybe Prince of Arran day! After all, wouldn’t you rather bet on a seasoned stayer than a three-year-old having its first try at a distance?

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