Randwick Guineas: Columnists against Aft Cabin
Aft Cabin wins the Eskimo Prince Stakes. Photo: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images.
Every Thursday, News Corp's editorial director of racing and wagering Matt Williams and senior racing writer Ben Dorries chat all things horse racing.
Matty and Benny love the sound of their own voice.
MW: Gee, Benny, we did well last week tipping the $80 quinella in the Surround! Ruthless Dame was a tragedy beaten but kudos for steering the punters into Sunshine In Paris.
BD: Just goes to show that even a broken clock is right twice a day! I was thrilled for Ryan Maloney who scored his second Group 1 – three years after his first when Alligator Blood won the 2020 Australian Guineas. I've never seen Ryan so focused and determined to ride winners and to stay in tip-top shape.
MW: What about the ‘Gator. He pantsed them in the Futurity. My old mate Thunder can't run past them even when he's ridden closer. I doubt he'll turn the tables on ‘Gator and Mr Brightside in the All-Star Mile, which is shaping up to be a cracking race.
BD: They won't beat ‘Gator in the All-Star Mile. They should make a movie about the ‘Gator one day given his story's had more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie novel. I remember standing in the Gold Coast mounting yard in 2021 when he ran a dusty fourth in the Listed Goldmarket. I thought he was finished and wouldn't add to his Group 1 win as a three-year-old. Keep an eye out for another incredible twist in the ‘Gator tale — a story I'm working on for this weekend.
MW: One day I might start backing Anamoe. He's never been one of mine but he was electric in the Chipping Norton and he's without doubt a champion racehorse. Bruce McAvaney compared him to So You Think but I reckon SYT would've eaten Anamoe for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
BD: It's an utterly ridiculous debate about whether he's a champion or not. Eight Group 1 wins. Enough said. I can't wait for his probable Australian swansong in the Queen Elizabeth, the race where we also saw the farewell runs of the likes of Winx, Octagonal and Lonhro.
Zac Purton after winning The Galaxy on In Her Time in 2018.
MW: How good to see Zac Purton riding in Australia again. He'll be the star attraction at Randwick on Saturday. Zac will enhance his hero status if he can get Artorius over the line. He's only won two from 14 and is winless in his past 11 starts! Maybe Zac on, blinkers off, visors on will do the trick.
BD: I'm cheering for his feud with new Hong Kong chief steward Marc Van Gestel to continue. I really like both men. But if this blue goes up a notch, perhaps there's a chance Zac could make a permanent move back to Aussie shores? Now wouldn't that be grouse.
MW: Can't wait to see this doco with Jamie Kah and others. Racing needs to do a lot more behind the scenes stuff like this to engage new audiences. The greenies, far lefties and naysayers get far too much airtime knocking racing on media outlets such as the ABC so the sport needs to promote these great stories. Hopefully, it's just the tip of the iceberg.
BD: I love the concept. Anything that can open up our sport to new audiences with a fly-on-the-wall look at some of racing's biggest names simply has to be a winner.
MW: Great racing again on Saturday. Two Group 1 1600m three-year-old Guineas races on the same day in different states. You just have to shake your head.
BD: Doesn't make any sense does it. But that won't stop punters from trying to pick the winners of both.
MW: I'm keen on Osipenko in the Randwick Guineas. Attrition will run a big race in the Australian Guineas given he's drawn well and Kah's on. I've got a mate who got $17 Imperatiz in the Canterbury Stakes a few days ago to win five figures so I'll be cheering the Kiwi raider to spoil Zac's party.
BD: I'm on the Osipenko train as well. I'll be having a saver on Zou Tiger and taking those two in the quinella. Happy to take on Aft Cabin. I haven't dug very deep in the Australian Guineas because surely Jacquinot is the class and just wins.
MW: Famous last words but … Aft Cabin won't win. The first three across the line in the Hobartville are all better winning chances and better suited at the mile. Jacquinot's not over the line either. He's drawn a sticky gate and won't get all the favours like he did last time.
