Future guest tipster: Liz Truss

So the Caulfield Cup Carnival is done, Verry Elleegant has been mercifully retired after the worst trip across Europe since Napoleon went to Russia, the driving rains have gone and come back again, and in the meantime it’s time for Australia’s greatest race, the W.S. Cox Plate, and of course this year is the Centenary edition of the WFA Classic of Australasia, although the 100th edition of the race was back in 2020, given the 1946 race was run in 2 divisions.

Amazing to think that this year is 40 years since Bill Collins, so often The Accurate One, uttered four words that would haunt him forever…

KINGSTON TOWN CAN’T WIN.

Turned out The King could win, and became the first horse to win 3 Cox Plates, and just 10 days later, Miracle Malcolm Johnston got back aboard in place of Peter Cook, and shot his bolt on the King at the corner of Flemington to lose the Melbourne Cup to Gurner’s Lane.

Of course, the day before the Cox Plate is the Group 1 Manikato Stakes under the Friday night lights, and it’s appropriate I mention Manikato and Kingston Town within 2 paragraphs, because they were the first Australian horses to win $1,000,000 in stakes.

The other highlights of Cox Plate Day include the last Group 1 of the year in Sydney being the Spring Champion Stakes, and how many horses out of that end up in the Victoria Derby next week remains to be seen, plus a revamped card featuring the inaugural running of the Tapp/Craig Stakes, named after Johnny Tapp and Ian Craig, and the inaugural running of The Invitational.

For god’s sake, I’ve made this point before, but why on earth do Racing NSW name races like Seinfeld episodes?

Until there’s a race called The Contest, I won’t be a fan.

And, on the Country Cup front, there’s Collie, Laverton in Central WA (Only 10 hours drive from Perth), and St Arnaud, named after the patron saint of punters who will do their arse on the country gallops.

So it’s on to Crazy Craig, and last week he was right around the mark with 3 placings from 3 attempts, and this week he’s been on the phone to our good friend Mr Alfonse letting our Spanish friend know he’s donated a heap of scratchies and he’s ready to pluck out a winner once more, especially with his Good Luck Charm of Elvis Presley!

Pick of the Day: Bacchanalia (No.5, Barrier 1) in Race 10 at Randwick (SR10), 6:10pm AEDT

1200m BM88 Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap

Trainer: James Cummings, Jockey: Blake Shinn, 58.5kg

Hello hello everyone it’s Craaazy Craig TBFB, Scratchie King of Bairnsdale, and last week was frustrating in the extreme, as I got 3 placings from 3 picks, and I bought 20 scratchies for the down on their luck drenched folk of Bairnsdale, and I only got about $20.70 in return!

I could’ve made more money if I DIDN’T buy any scratchies, but where’s the good karma in that!

Anyway, this weekend is a fabulous weekend for racing in every sense except the bloody weather, and this Cox Plate Day I’m picking a horse trained by James Cummings to win a race…

BUT IT’S NOT ANAMOE!

That’s right, I’m going straight to the last on the card at Randwick, bypassing the Spring Champion and the like, and picking Bacchanalia, who could be named after that duo who sang that very annoying disco song…

Yes Sir, I Can Boogie, all night long!

Hang on, that was Baccara.

Anyway, last start Bacchanalia was a beaten favourite by Remarque, who was a winning machine at the time, and I think 3rd Up at the $5 range, he looks damn good odds to boogie all night long.

Bacchanalia – MY PICK OF THE DAY.

Craaaazy Cox Plate Pick (Moonee Valley Race 9, 5:10pm AEDT): No.1 Zaaki, Barrier 1

2040m WFA Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate

Trainer: Annabel Neasham, Jockey: Jamie Kah, 59kg

Now knackers, when it comes to the great race that is the Cox Plate, I know Anamoe is the best horse in the race and you simply have to put him on top because of form after his Caulfield Stakes/Might And Power win, but I’d point out one thing that makes me take Annabel Neasham’s second-favourite purely on value.

Zaaki has had 3 runs 4th Up in Australia…

He’s won all of them.

2021 Group 1 Doomben Cup, 2021 Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (He would’ve been 4th Up in the Cox Plate but he got scratched on raceday), and the 2022 Group 2 Hollindale Stakes.

And he has Barrier 1, and if there’s any bit of that old Death Valley leaders bias, I say we’re in for a SHOW!

Value Pick: Great Barrier Reef (No.9, Barrier 8) E/W in Race 3 at Moonee Valley (MR3), 1:25pm AEDT

1200m 3YO Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes

Trainer: Chris Waller, Jockey: James McDonald, 57kg

Got held up behind Giga Kick last start in the Danehill, and that form’s looking pretty darn good right now, but on another note, here’s Australiana.

Well Bill said he’d like a smoke, nobody knew where the dope was stashed.

I said, “I think Marie knows”, But I was just spinning a bit of a yarn.

Barry pulls a joint out of his pocket, Bill says…

Great, Barry, a reefer! What is it mate?”

Noosa Heads of course. Me mate Ada laid ’em on me.

Enjoy your Saturday folks, STAY DRY, stay safe, stay negative, KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD, and remember, I’m Crazy Craig, and that’s why they call me Craaaaaazy Craig!