Was never my strong point…
Apart from when it came to knowing the difference between 11/8, 6/4 and 13/8…
Today, we have a bit of maths that implies that we are ahead of the game. “Implies’ being the most pertinent word, as 80/1 and “ahead of the game” does not really ring true…
Here goes. Gooloogong was given an entry for today’s Cesarewitch off a mark of 78. He then bolted up in the Goodwood mud, and the handicapper reacted (some might say “over reacted”..) by sticking him up to a mark of 89. But for the purposes of the Cesarewitch, he only gets a 4lb penalty…
Still with me ?? Keep up at the back….
Meaning that he gets into today’s race off 82 as opposed to his official mark of 88 (he was dropped a pound for his latest run on firm ground that was, for some reason, described as “Good”). Isobelle Chalmers, who gave our boy a lovely ride at “Glorious” when he was 3rd at 100/1, is back on board today, and claims 7 pounds…
Meaning that we effectively run off 75 – which is 13 pounds lower than his official mark…
Got there. Got it ?? This is no way written to suggest that we have a horse who is miles ahead of the handicapper this afternoon – but I hope that Sir Mark would be impressed…
We shall see. Two and a quarter miles. Racing across two counties. 29 runners. Willie and Emmet and Joseph over from Ireland. The Home Team stacked good and full of proper chances. Our lad 80/1 in early exchanges…
Actually, just checked – and 50/1 is the biggest around right now. Somebody else done the maths….??
Huge ask. But Gooloogong deserves his chance at this level. He is an absolute legend of a horse, and dual purpose options await in the weeks ahead…
One other runner today. Lilly Lux to Southwell tonight for another running of the “Way Past My Bedtime Handicap” – due off at 8.30pm. She won well last time out under Callum Shepherd who is back in the plate this evening…
Marsh Benham out running his 33/1 starting price to finish an excellent 3rd at Kempton last night, and Longlai going well from a wide draw…
Horses to gallop. Off we go into the darkness of pre-dawn autumn….
VINTAGE CROP. What a horse. The 1992 running of The Cesarewitch…
