This week the fictional Wizard of Odds made a comeback, and my pathetic Weekend Chalk Eater’s Backing Guide returns to form!

And in a change of pace, it appears I’ve received a comment on this week’s tipping guide ad, from a Mr ‘Alan Hunt’ of Brisbane:

“Tipped all at tomato sauce odds,don’t how you found them.”

Thanks for your feedback Alan, and may I say well done on figuring out my usual weekly shtick!

With that out of the way, let’s find out how poorly I went, yet again.

Madison County in Race 3 at Rosehill in the G2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m)- 2nd

Madison County drifted out to $2.80 by the jump, and in the run Tommy Berry had the Kiwi comfortable in second last, but still looking set for a huge run home.

He did savage the line, and at the 200m I was in the queue as he ranged up to Angel of Truth, but the Kiwi seemed to hit a flat spot and Gwenda Markwell’s horse eeked out enough to score a big win, with Madison County putting in one of the runs of the day.

Angel of Truth became the third leader from three races to win, while Madison County was very good, but in the end the track probably did him in.

Bloody cow paddocks.

Tonsor in Race 5 at Doomben (1350m)- WON

It was a heart stopping moment when my WiFi at the house i’m staying at dropped out the 300, only to come back on as Port Macquarie had horses behind the barriers, while Andrew Martin and Tony Brassell were discussing the Bendigo tips.

So I checked back, and all I’d missed out on was Tonsor being opened up by The Fraddster and bulldozing the field by 4 lengths. Nice type, 8 starts now for 5 wins.

Verry Elleegant in Race 6 at Rosehill in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m)- WON

Despite there being plenty of threats from the likes of Group 1 winners Nakeeta Jane, Arista and Seabrook, the Chris Waller filly would start as the $2.10 favourite, and in an effort to control her fiery temperament, the master trainer put the ear muffs on.

Settling midfield, James McDonald fired up the filly on the turn with a crack of the whip and she responded superbly, going away from the decaying inner part of the track, and despite putting on her usual antics by running like a pissed chook after hitting the lead, her natural talent was so good that she still ran away with it, beating a very good Frankely Awesome and Aristia.

Apparently that’s now 98 Group 1 victories for Chris Waller, and the filly is now a dominant $3 for the Australian Oaks!

Avilius in Race 7 at Rosehill in the G1 Tancred Stakes (2400m)- WON

There were question marks about how Avilius would win again on the one week back-up, how good he was going back to the staying distance, the potential leader biased track (Especially earlier in the day), and at the very primitive odds of $1.60 (I think he jumped even shorter), there were plenty of reasons not to back the Godolphin star.

But despite a slow speed and no rider wanting to lead (Which Darren Flindell made a note of in his call), a patient ride from McDonald allowed the gelding to win back-to-back Group 1 races, and by gee by jingo by crikey, he absolutely smashed them, in fact, I don’t think McDonald needed the whip in the end.

Another weekend in Sydney where Waller & Cummings plunder the Group 1 riches and leave the seagulls fighting for the leftover chips.

Crazy Craig’s Lay of the Day

Bendigo Race 2 No. 2 Secret Blaze- WON

Crazy Craig has proven that his lay of Redzel in The Galaxy was nothing more than a blip on his usual low quality performances, as Secret Blaze came from off the speed to narrowly beat Budd Fox thanks to some late heavy lifting from Luke Currie, who gave the favourite the ride of the race, and possibly of the day.

You can look at Crazy Craig in two ways:

A) He’s crap at laying horses, which is the most likely answer

B) He’s a master of reverse psychology in his Crazy universe