Nothing Screams the Howling Dark of Winter Racing Like The Ipswich Cup

Running Score: 66 runners, 28 winners, 15 seconds, 9 thirds

Crazy Craig: 15 runners: 6 ‘wins’, 1 place wins, 4 Lays of the Day

Well of course, the big news in the Australian thoroughbred ranks is the return of the Hendra Virus in the Hunter Valley, quite appropriately, on the 25th anniversary of the virus striking down Vo Rogue’s trainer Vic Rail.

Of course, scientists named it Hendra, since it was discovered in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra.

Imagine if they’d discovered it in a place like Woop Woop or Iron Knob.

Anyway, befitting of the winter, it’s a fairly quiet Saturday, as the Queensland carnival rolls on to Ipswich for the Ipswich Cup, Rosehill has the Winter Cup for the Stayers, the only Group race is the G3 Hyperion at Belmont, featuring Galaxy Star.

And with Terry McAuliffe announcing he’s stepping down from race-calling, here’s the time when Tezza told us about something he did as a teenager.

Pacodali (No.1) in Race 5 at Sandown , 2:05pm AEST

2100m Handicap

Trainer(s): Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace, Hoop: Teo Nugent (a3)

I went against Pacodali a few weeks ago for the Chalk Eaters, but the expat Irish gelding proved too good for Live and Free on the Soft track at Caulfield, the exact same conditions that await us at the Lakeside track at Sandown tomorrow.

It’s also a rematch against Beau Balmain, who made his Australian debut in the aforementioned race, making up good ground to finish 3rd, so watch out for him, and also interestingly, despite having some 27 starts, Pacodali, has never raced at either Sandown course.

Fancy that, despite formerly being trained by Mr Milkshake Darren Weir, he’s had more starts at joints like NEWCASTLE.

With his 3 kilo claim dropping Pacodali down to 58.5kg, can Teo Nugent do the impossible, and become the first apprentice to boot home a winner for the Chalk Eaters?

Well, if the St Louis Blues can win the Stanley Cup, anything’s possible.

Sylvia’s Mother (No.12) in Race 8 at Rosehill, 3:45pm AEST

1100m Benchmark 88 Handicap

Trainer: Team Hawkes, Hoop: Tommy Berry

Sylvia’s Mother was a smash hit for Dr Hook & the Medicine Show in 1972, cracking No.1 in Australia and the Top 5 in pretty much every other country of note.

Couldn’t give a rat’s about the horse though, who’s won 4/6 starts, and based on finishing 2 lengths off Nakeeta Jane back in February, the rest of the field might want to hurry, because Sylvia’s packing, and she’s gonna be leaving today.

Organza (No.6) in Race 9 at Ipswich, 4:32pm AEST

1350m F&M Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic

Trainer: James Cummings, Hoop: Larry Cassidy

Good to see the Ipswich Turf Club doing something the ATC won’t.

Name a race after Gai Waterhouse.

Anyway, forget about Gai, Godolphin’s Organza is turning into a professional place getter-erer, with a pair of seconds in January, and then since coming back from a spell, she’s finished 3rd in the Dark Jewel at Scone, and then run 2nd at Randwick to the half-decent Renewal.

With the chalk eating nation prepared to roar for a hero and end the afternoon on a good note, surely Organza will be fit and firing 3rd Up from Barrier 5, with Larry Caissdy ready to fly over the top of them at the end for yet another 2nd placing.

If she doesn’t win, I’ll do what I always do in hindsight, and say non-winners don’t win.

CRAZY CRAIG’S CRAZY TIP

LAY Asterius (No.4) in Race 3 at Rosehill, 12:40pm AEST

1300m Benchmark 94 Handicap

Trainer: Chris Waller, Hoop: Jason Collett

G’day folks, Crazy Craig the Boy from Bairnsdale, bringing you my CRAAAAZY pick for another Saturday, and I’m back to doing what I do best, and that’s laying horses like Wilt Chamberlain laid mistresses.

Did you know Wilt The Stilt slept with approximately 20,000 women before he died in 1999? That’s CRAAAAAAAZY stuff, and so is Asterius being an even money favourite for Race 3.

Sure, his last start was a monster confidence boosting win at the 1500m at Rosehill, in which he put his rivals away with a flick of his hoof, but back in distance and up in grade, against the likes of Passage of Time?

Stuff that, those two factors only mean you’re in the barrel for old mate Craig’s LAY OF THE DAY!

I’m Crazy Craig, and that’s why they call me, Craaaaazy Craig.

Well on that note, I’d like to send out a preemptive congratulations to Chris Waller.