Last year I was left out in the cold, but this year I have the invite to the Members’ Christmas Cocktail Party. And so with a belly full of party pies and wine I’m pumped and primed – ready to look at the two-year-olds. The favourite Starchine has one white sock. Isn’t there a ditty: “If a horse has one white sock, buy him, two white socks try him, three white socks, be shy of him, four white socks …..?” Leg markings probably have little impact on performance, but the punters obviously like him, even though he’s one of three or four colts who are behaving outrageously in the mounting yard. The filly Catalonia is the only cool customer. Two of the fractious colts, Ferment and Henia grab first and third, but sandwiched in between is the relaxed Catalonia at $2.70 for the place.
Starchine
In the second Her Diamond Rock is a standout and wins like a good thing. I had a rare bet with the books at $3.50 for the place when the tote was showing $2.80, although the final dividend eased out to $3.30. Two out of two and on fire! In the fourth I had Mayneda Strategy on top but squibbed the bet as I was still smarting from when I backed her last start at Sandown in a mid-weeker and she came fifth of five runners. I did wince when she returned $2.80 for third. In the mares I liked Inablitz who charged home from last to miss by a nostril and then bled from both of them. $1.80 for the place.
And the get out stakes had some of my favourites in it. Gandalf’s horse, Shadowfax, the American Cannonball, and my pet miscreant, Jungle Ruler. The Ruler is a no show, and Cannonball has changed trainers after a holiday in Sydney and is now with Pat Carey. Maybe that will settle him down a bit. Shadowfax looks magnificent, but is too short at $1.50 the place, so I just watch. Why are the horses with good names overbet? Cannonball takes off like a shot out of a gun but explodes on the turn and finishes tailed off 12 lengths last. Gandalf’s horse, all class, works home stylishly, but just fails to peg back the winner Alpha Proxima.
Still, three out of three. Not a bad day.