With the major races kicking off there is always a lot of news doing the rounds and it is hard for punters to keep up with it all, so I thought it would be worth just noting a few things in case people haven’t caught up with the latest news.
**The comeback stayer LITTORIO who blew away his rivals first up over 1600m has been retired. It was a great return after around 70 weeks off the scene, but he was found to have a few issues in a leg and in the best interest of the horse the connections have finished his racing career.
**Trainer Rob Heathcote has WOORIM peaking for his main assignment the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke at Caulfield 1400m in a fortnights time. The talented sprinter should then head to the Toorak 1600m and a shot at the Cox Plate 2040m is a slight possibility. He has by no means locked it in, but is not puitting a line through it either.
**Interesting to note that SMART MISSILE is a chance to run in the Sir Rupert Clarke against Woorim and co. The original plan was to go the obvious guineas prelude, but the temptation of a Group 1 against the older horses may just swing their decision.
**On the ‘raceday’ show on 4tab 1008am with Steve Hewlett today he notified us of the passing of one of Queensland’s best race mares- ZIPPY LOU. We have done interviews and articles on the mare and I send our thoughts to her connections. It has been a tough time of late with DELAGO LAD, CEDERBERG and Tasmanian CONQUERING also passing away suddenly, and another classy mare in BELLETRIST breaking down after winning in Brisbane a fortnight ago.
This week I will have the very successful blackbookers up as soon as I can get all the replays done. I will also re-hash the article I wrote in regards to punting and things that may help you do your form as it may help over the big carnivals and save you some time. And of course we will catch up with some trainers leading into the weekend. (And possibly have a tip or two for the midweek races)
