IT’S A LETHAL WEEKEND FOR TRL

Mar 31, 2023

It’s a busy time for owners in The Racing League, The Big Freeze gets the ball rolling at Cranbourne tonight, Lethal Thoughts contests the Bendigo Guineas on their big standalone meeting while it’s Day 1 of The Championships at Randwick. 

 

TRL UPCOMING RUNNERS : 

The Big Freeze: March 31 –  Cranbourne 

Luna Rocks: March 31- Warwick Farm (Heat 22 Barrier Trial)

Lethal Thoughts: April 1 – Bendigo or April 8 Flemington 

Cool Jakey: April 8 – Royal Randwick

Hot Spring Gold – April 8, Doomben 

Larrikin Rogue – April 8, Doomben 

 

Good luck to all owners now let’s check out the major chances for your TRL Trainers this Saturday.

 

THE BIG FREEZE TO CRANBOURNE

The Big Freeze starts his campaign at Cranbourne tonight in Race 8 over 1200m, barrier 9.

Trainer Peter Moody has warned that whatever happens Friday night, The Big Freeze should improve dramatically in the fitness stakes. But he often races much better than his trackwork indicates. 

At Bendigo, I’m pretty keen on Life Lessons from the Moody yard, she had a tough run last start and was trapped wide. 

While at Randwick in the TJ Smith, Moods has I Wish I Win, which will probably be last on the corner but can storm over the top of them all. 

BET: The Big Freeze – Each Way (Cranbourne Race 8)

BET: Life Lessons – Each Way (Bendigo Race 5)

BET: I Wish I Win – Each Way (Randwick Race 7)

 

LETHAL THOUGHTS TO BENDIGO

Lethal Thoughts is due to line-up in the Bendigo Guineas over 1400m on Saturday. There was a thought he may miss the Guineas and head to Flemington next week over the mile but at this stage it’s Bendigo. 

He was pretty good first-up and has worked well since, I guess the only concern is if the 1400m is too short. 

At Randwick, pretty keen on a couple at big odds for Ciaron’s stable, Zoe’s Promise in Race 2 and then High Emocean in Race 3, who are both at double figures but will run boldly. 

BET: Lethal Thoughts –  Each Way (Bendigo Race 7)

BET: Zoe’s Promise – Each Way (Randwick Race 2)

BET: High Emocean – Each Way (Randwick Race 3)

 

HAYES LOOKING FOR BACK-TO-BACK DONCASTERS! 

Ben and JD Hayes stable is on fire and head to Randwick on Saturday with Mr Brightside looking for back-to-back Doncaster Handicap victories. 

He jumps a massive 5kgs on his win from last year, but is in career best form and is coming off a win in the All Star Mile.

At Bendigo, keep an eye on Croatian Belle in Race 3. She failed in the Magic Millions but has been good in two trials since. 

BET: Mr Brightside – Each Way (Race 8 Randwick)

BET: Croatian Belle – Each Way (Race 3 Bendigo)

 

PRICE IS TIGHT BUT ILLATION SHOULD WIN

I never like taking short odds about a horse coming back from an injury lay-off but Illation looks to be a special horse and has trialed well in the lead-up to Bendigo Race 1 yesterday. 

BET: Illation – Win (Bendigo Race 1)

 

TONY GOLLAN WITH ANOTHER STRONG HAND

Tony Gollan heads to Doomben with a strong chance of a back-to-back race double. 

Putontheredlight (Race 4) has been well supported in early markets and hasn’t been out of the placings in its last 6 starts.

Tenzing (Race 9) is coming off a good 3rd last start and is now third-up and fully fit. 

BET: Putontheredlight  – Each Way (Doomben Race 4)

BET: Tenzing – Win (Doomben Race 9)

 

JUST ONE FOR MUNCE

I’ve singled out just one from the Chris Munce yard for Doomben in the shape of Valley of Dreams who’s a $10 chance in Race 6. 

She’s a consistent mare who will benefit from the 3kg claim. 

BET: Valley Of Dreams – Each Way (Doomben Race 6)

 

SPIRIT QUEEN TO REIGN AT DOOMBEN

You’ll need to be a little patient, but the O’Dea/Hoysted stable has Spirit Queen stepping out in Race 7 and I reckon it will be worth the wait. 

She has a good gate and will be hard to beat after a good second a fortnight ago. 

BET: Spirit Queen – Win (Doomben Race 7)

 

Good luck and good punting!

TK

BOUNCE BACK FACTOR 

As Tycoons were made aware of, there’s a theory in racing that when a horse suffers from cardiac arrhythmia, “you must back it next start” and they win. 

And that was certainly the message after Cool Jakey suffered cardiac arrhythmia the previous start at Randwick, with Joe Pride telling Tycoons in the pre-race late mail, “Don’t worry about what happened last start, the horse is fine and he looks great,” how right Joe was with Cool Jakey leading all the way.

COOL JAKEY THE KING OF WARWICK FARM 050325

Cool Jakey battling to the line with Emmadella

Cool Jakey trainer Joe Pride, Brave Pride, Jockey Adam Hyeronimus and TK

Trainer Joe Pride and son Brave Pride, Jockey Adam Hyeronimus and TRL Rep TK

HIPPO FROM BARRIER TO BOX

Adam Hyeronimus was having his first sit on Cool Jakey and he rode him a treat. We joked before the race “just go to the front and improve your position” and that’s exactly what he did. 

“He jumped well and found a nice rhythm straight away, he had a nice time so I let him slide early into it at the 600metres so we did go a bit early. 

“He felt fantastic throughout the run and was doing it easily, so I did get a bit of a surprise how quickly he stopped. 

“So maybe I did go too early, but in saying that, maybe seven furlongs is his upper limit. On that effort he’ll be winning again” Jockey Adam Hyeronimus said.

JOE DELIGHTED

“That was good guys” trainer Joe Pride said, with a big smile to a large contingent of NSW Tycoons on Cool Jakey returning to scale. 

“Look it was nice to see him win on a track that wasn’t bottomless wet, it opens up a lot more opportunities for him. 

“In saying that if there was a 1400m for him in a fortnight on a Good track I would probably be reluctant to start him. We need to nurse him through it and the next month – six weeks isn’t going to be easy because it’s carnival time. 

Cool Jakey the king of Warwick Farm with NSW Tycoons

Cool Jakey in the winners circle with NSW Tycoons’ owners

WHATS NEXT – PACK YOUR BAGS

The Tycoons have been very patient with Cool Jakey and their patience has been rewarded. He is building a very nice career record which stands at only 13 starts for 5 wins and a minor placing and is now pushing the $200,000 in prize money. 

‘Jakey’ has initially pulled up well, but we all know that he is a delicate soul and has to be treated with kindness and Joe is reluctant to push him too hard too quickly. Which is fair enough. 

“We might even consider travelling him maybe to Melbourne or Brisbane for a wet track, we just need to look after him.

“He’s been a good horse for us, we will look after him and his best opportunities will come in the Winter,” Joe concluded. 

Congratulations to all NSW Tycoons and winning connections.

Go you good thing!