Halloween is on Monday, so here’s the story of…. THE HORSE TURNED INTO A MAN.

Every year, he roams Flemington as the Cup Carnival comes alive… although this year he drowned during the flooding because he was on the other side of the Flemington flood bank.

On that note, once again hello everyone, including the people who have wondered what on earth they’ve stumbled on to, it’s time for Derby Day, what used to be the greatest day of the racing season, and while Melbourne Cup Day traditionally has the most meetings across the nation, Derby Day is eternally the higher quality day, by virtue of the entire card being Group races, capped off by what is now 3 Group 1s after the Cantala Stakes was moved to Stakes Day; The Coolmore Stud Stakes, the redrawn Empire Rose Stakes, and the 167th running of the Victoria Derby, plus the Archer Stakes (Formally the Hotham Handicap) to decide the 24th and final spot in the Melbourne Cup, before the Racing Victoria vets randomly scratch 4 horses on race eve due to failed CT scans…

They’ve already nailed Caulfield Cup winner Durston, and today they got Loft and Makram, so I suppose there’s only 1 to go.

Then there’s the alternative big race north of Wodonga on Derby Day, the Golden Eagle for the 4YOs at Rosehill worth a few kajillion dollars, plus a couple of other sprint races for the horses not good enough to win the Everest (The Nature Strip Stakes for one) and much to my disappointment, Racing NSW can’t be arsed using the Steve Miller Band to promote a race named after an Eagle.

Sort it out V’Landys.

Then there’s the John Letts Cup at Morphetville, named after the one and only Lettsy, himself a 2-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey to go with his long career as the mounted interviewer aboard Banjo for Channel 10 & 7, and finishing the day at Ascot, which is in Belmont, it’s the Group 3 double of the Prince Of Wales Stakes and the Asian Beau Stakes, and not many people know that Asian Beau has held the Australian record over 1450m since December of 1978…

The obvious reason being that no sane race club will run a race over 1450m when 1400m will do.

So it’s on to Crazy Craig, and being Derby Day and such an unholy day of days, the Macedon Madman has agreed to provide more than his standard 2 picks, although as for what picks he’ll provide I don’t know, because just before I finished my sentence, he told me to get ‘farked’ and threw his phone in the Mitchell River….

For now, let’s just hope he’s got his Good Luck Charm.

Chic Musical Pick of the Day: La Crique (No.14, Barrier 10) in the G1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington (MR8), Saturday 5pm AEDT

1600m Fillies & Mares Group 1

Trainers: Simon & Katrina Alexander, Jockey: James McDonald, 56.5kg

Hello hello everyone, it’s Craaaazy Craig TBFB, back for the annual event of PUNTING CHRISTMAS, and let’s be honest, last week for me was deadset shithouse…

I had TWO value picks, and the buggers both ran 4th!

How shithouse is that!

Anyway, I’ve had a look at the Derby Day card for headquarters, and I came to a conclusion on my brain.

We’re a bit OVERDUE for a Kiwi raider scoring a big Group 1 win this Spring, so I think we can hand it over to the ladies of Chic for a song to bring up my Pick of the Day.

THAT’S RIGHT FOLKS… AHHHHH, CRIQUE OUT!

Have you heard about the new horse craze?
Listen to us, I’m sure you’ll be amazed,
BIG FUN, to be had by everyone
It’s up to you, it surely can be done
Young and old are doing it, I’m told
Just one try, and you too will be sold
It’s called La Crique, they’re doing it night and day
Allow us, we’ll show you the way

Ahhhhh, Crique out!
La Crique, c’est chic
Crique out!

LA CRIQUE – MY PICK OF THE DAY

Value Pick: Nerodio (No.4, Barrier 1) E/W in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Ascot (PR7), 4:25pm AWST (7:25pm)

1000m Group 3 SWFA

Trainer: Stephanie Bakranich, Jockey: Laqdar Ramoly, 58.5kg

Well knackers, I’ll go outside the box out of all available options tomorrow, because I picked Nerodio last start when he ran 3rd behind Miss Conteki and This’ll Testya last start in the Crawford Stakes, and this time around:

– He’s picked up 1kg on This’ll Testya, and he’s level on weights with Miss Conteki,

– He once again draws a good barrier (Barrier 1 to be exact), so he can sit just off the hot speed set by Wilchino, Indian Pacific and Money Matters,

– Laqdar Ramoly, the Mauritian from Mauritius, stays aboard once more

Of course, he’s never won at Ascot, with 7 placings from 8 runs, but I couldn’t give a rat’s arse, because if he runs Top 3, that’s as good as a win for me!

Major Craaaaazy Race Picks from Crazy Craig

Coolmore Stud Stakes Pick: Jacquinot (No.1, Barrier 16) E/W, Race 6 at Flemington, 3:40pm AEDT

Trainers: Mick Price & Mick Kent Jnr, Jockey: Damian Lane, 57kg

VRC Derby Pick: Berkely Square (No.2, Barrier 5), Race 7 at Flemington, 4:20pm AEDT

Trainer: Dan O’Sullivan, Jockey: Craig Williams, 57kg

Golden Eagle: Chain of Lightning (No.16, Barrier 2) E/W, Race 8 at Rosehill, 4:45pm AEDT

Trainers: Peter Moody, Jockey: Jamie Kah, 55.5kg

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!

I just noticed, there’s a horse called Tijuana in Race 1…. could be a tribute to Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass!