YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE FAVOURITE BACKING GUIDE

The Queen Mother might claim she made the phrase “That’s racing!” famous after Devon Loch inexplicably lost the 1956 Grand National on the final hurdle, but it was definitely Big Gaz as far back as 1949.

Only a month to go for the 2018-19 season, and coming up this Saturday, there’s Finals Day at Flemington, with the Winter Championship and the Vic Sprint Series, the Aquanita and the Belmont Oaks at Belmont, some entertainment up in Rocky with the Rockhampton Cup, and what a shock, Mr Huge Bowman is back at Randwick after a two month break!

So, better get started!

Sir Elton (No.8) in Race 3 at Randwick, 12:40pm AEST

1100m 3YO BM70 Handicap

Trainer: Adam Duggan, Hoop: Hugh Bowman

Hughie is back and firing after his 2 month break following Winx’s retirement, and he slots straight back in aboard the Rocket Man- Sir Elton.

Adam Duggan’s boom horse has won his only two starts at the Provincials of Gosford and Wyong quite easily, and according to the weirdos with a fetish for speed figures, on both occasions, he apparently produced times that would be enough to win a 3YO city race.

The most likely runner to beat everyone’s favourite English Queen is the equally talented Embracer, who seems to be the classic Waterhouse ‘Sit and bore everyone to tears’ horse, which apparently worked last start at Canterbury to very good effect.

The chances are that Sir Elton (With a clean jump) will try and sit alongside in the lead, or something along those lines.

At the end of the day, only hope is that if he can win again, Darren Flindell whips out several Elton gags like “Sir Elton, He’s still standing” and “He went like Rocket Man” in his call, like last month, at Wyong.

Milwaukee (No.3) in Race 7 at Flemington, 3:30pm AEST

1200m All Victorian Sprint Series Final

Trainer: Michael Moroney, Hoop: Damien Oliver

This time of year is when Craig Williams gets the blood in the nostrils and rides like hell to win the Jockey’s Premiership, but as you can tell above, I haven’t picked Craig Williams, I’ve gone for Milwaukee, which Alice Cooper informed us is pronounced “mill-e-wah-que”, which is Algonquin for “the good land.”

He’s a rare example of a Flemington Straight Six Specialist, with 4 starts for 3 wins and a 2nd placing in the Listed Straight Six to Order of Command by 3/4.

Backtracking further and looking at his Flemington record in general, it’s still very good- 7 starts for 4 wins and 2 placings, including last start over the 1100.

He’ll be right there when the whips are cracking.

Dr Drill (No.2) in Race 6 at Randwick, 2:30pm AEST

1800m BM88 Handicap

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David ‘Useless’, Hoop: Kathy O’Hara

Kathy O’Hara is one of the favourite hoops of Waterford TAB character ‘The Gabster’, after she rode White Moss to victory back in February at around $60, which caused the Gabster to scream out “You ***kin’ beauty!” at the top of his lungs, to the mirth of everyone in the building.

Anyway, Dr Drill, who most likely does not have a license to practice medicine on drills, comes up from Victoria 5th Up after terrorising Flemington with an easy go to whoa victory.

With Kathy aboard, they’ll probably try and lead again, although I do note that his record on Heavy tracks is N/A- Just one start on the Soft (Last start), which was obviously a win.

As Gaz would say, the Favourite is the Favourite for a reason!

Great Again (No.1) in Race 8 at Belmont, 4:55pm AEST (6:55pm)

1300m 76+ Rating Crown Perth Handicap

Trainer: Lindsey Smith, Hoop: Jarrad Noske

Lindsey Smith is off burning a trail through Victoria with his new Warrnambool stable (Formerly owned by the Milkshake Man), and even though he’ll be at Flemington with Reykjavik in the Winter Championship, Linds has left plenty of gunpowder in store for Belmont, book-ended by Great Again, 3rd Up off a win and a second.

Last start at the 1400m he had help from the visiting Patty Scorse (Son of Johnny Scorse), who gave him every hope of winning, only to get run down by bloody War God.

Oddly enough, he’s unbeaten at the Belmont 1300- 2 starts for 2 wins- BUT-Can he claim another win under the 60 kilos on a soft track?

Hopefully, because I wouldn’t have thrown him in otherwise.

Crazy Craig’s Tip Of The Day

LAYING Chouxting The Mob (No.1) in Race 4 at Flemington, 1:30pm AEST

2600m Banjo Patterson Series Final

Trainer: Simon Morrish, Jockey: Damien Oliver

G’day folks, it’s your mysterious mate Crazy Craig, back for another week after Chris Waller outsmarted me and scratched England from Rosehill!

Imagine that! Outsmarting a crazy bugger like me!

Actually, it’s not that hard.

Anyway, I’m venturing to sunny Melbourne tomorrow, and I’ve got my Laying Gun locked onto Chouxting The Mob, a flying galloper that’s won his last four starts over the staying journeys!

Trying to lay a horse who’s claimed FOUR wins in a row? That’s Craaaaaazy!

But there’s a reason I’m in this sort of mood- The jump in weight- He’s rising from 54.5kg at his last win a fortnight ago, to the topweight of 60 kilos!

That means he’s giving away at least 3 kilos to Beau Balmain, and a whopping 6 to Future Score, who I think has now jumped him for favouritism!

60 kilos- That fact alone ladies and gents, makes him my LAY. OF. THE. DAY.

I’m Crazy Craig, and that’s why they call me, Craaaaaazy Craig!