Shelby Sixtysix, the greatest story for a country horse since Takeover Target

Fair dinkum, I had no idea who won the Golden Slipper until 7pm this evening, probably because I didn’t see the race due to getting an emergency call-up to play 2nd Division bowls today (Won our rink and lost the aggregate on the last shot of the day), and the fact that cult hero Shelby Sixtysix managed to win the Group 1 Galaxy a full 9 races into a prep, having not had a break since New Year’s, completely blowing everything that anyone else achieved today out of the water.

Wasn’t it hilarious that the moment the Rosehill track copped a heap of overnight rain and got downgraded to a Heavy 9, the Shelbster, who had grown 2 legs on Heavy tracks, was absolutely truckloaded from $10 to $5.50… Absolutely spot on as it turned out, and I think another hilarious facet to this all is that Robbie Dolan, the Irishman from Ireland, rode a Group 1 winner 2 days after St Patrick’s Day – Quite literally the Luck of the Irish.

Continuing on, it’s also amazing to think this has happened in the space of six weeks for Danny Williams’ gelding:

January 30 – Can’t even with a Class 2 at the Sapphire Coast

February 26 – Class 2 Highway Winner at Randwick.

March 5 – Defeated the World’s Best Sprinter in Nature Strip head to head, despite their ratings being 128 and 66 respectively.

March 12 – Group 2 Winner

March 19 – Group 1 Winner

Ah, it’s a positive story in a sea of negative bullshit.

Shelby’s triumph also helps you forget the fact that Anamoe won the Rosehill Guineas by half the straight:

Forbidden Love delivered like a favourite should in the George Ryder, while Verry Elleegant got shat on by Montefilia after starting at $1.28….

Now, who actually won the Golden Slipper?

Fireburn, bloody hell, what a fantastic run and ride from Brenton Avdulla to win the race.

Speaking of winners, after once again giving away a few scratchies and confirming that karma exists, Crazy Craig actually picked a winner and had a good result with his Value pick this week!

Random Australiana Pick of the Day: Mazu in the Darby Munro Stakes at Rosehill = WINNER

Where can Mazu pee, Al?

How about ALL OVER THE ENTIRE FIELD.

Value Pick: I’m Thunderstruck in the All-Star Mile at Flemington = 2nd ($2.75p)

I was a bit worried that I’m Thunderstruck was nothing short of rooted when he wound up 4 pairs back on the fence after a dodgy getaway from Barrier 1, combined with a pretty moderate speed up front (Which probably cost him any hope of winning), but it worked out superbly in the straight when Jye McNeil picked the gaps and ensured he’d saved ground without losing momentum at any stage, and the end result is I’m Thunderstruck has beaten everyone home bar an outstanding winner in Zaaki, who didn’t let the chalk eaters of Australia down….

Unlike Verry Elleegant.

No complaints at all, a very good run, the best of a well-beaten brigade, and the words from Mick Kent Jnr tell the story….

“He’s spot on for the Doncaster.”

Value Pick No.2: Away Game in the Group 1 Galaxy at Rosehill = 7th

How to sum up Away Game’s performance in 5 words, courtesy of Linda Meech:

“She was OK without winning.”

Actually, I think you could cut two words out of that:

“She was OK.”