A Damp but Profitable afternoon at the races

Bletchingly Stakes heroine Thiamandi in winners rug

I’m glad I went to the races yesterday. I needed an outing, and the weather wasn’t too bad overall -  slightly chilly, with misty rain every so often – so spending a few hours trackside was pleasant.

Particularly gratifying was coming home with more money than I set out with. Jupiter in Leo brought me luck with three winners in succession.

I arrived at Caulfield about half an hour before Race 3 which was the MyPunter.Com Handicap, a race for three year olds over 2400 metres. After viewing the contenders in the mounting yard I decided to put my money on the second favourite Self Sense. Despite his weight impost of 60kg and wide barrier, he struck me as the likely winner. And win he did, at the last moment, overtaking race leader Pharrell  on the line.

Race 3 finish – Pharrell leads with Self Sense (lime silks) storming down the outside.

Race 4, the Chris Flavelle Handicap, was one for mares over 1200 metres. Sydney mare Kristy Lee started the favourite. I was tossing up between her and Sino Eagle and settled on the latter. I’m glad I did, as Kristy Lee finished second last and Sino Eagle won easily by 2 lengths from longshot Aces and Angels, with another longshot Forgeress running third.

Kristy Lee

Sino Eagle

Race 4 finish – Sino Eagle is comfortably ahead up the straight.

Feature race, the Bletchingly Stakes was next up and Lord of the Sky was the hot favourite as expected. I managed to get odds of $1.55 on him and placed a small wager each way. Something was nagging me to put money on the sole filly Thiamandi so fortunately I did so at really good odds of $13.00. I had a look at her in the mounting yard and she looked a big strapping girl.

Thiamandi in the mounting yard

 Lord of the Sky is a handsome young horse, but alas yesterday was not his day. He appeared to overrace and lacked his usual finishing sprint. His connections are scratching their heads as to his defeat.

Lord of the Sky in the mounting yard

Le Bonsir took the lead shortly after the start and maintained it until the turn into the straight. Lord of the Sky looked like he might challenge, but the filly Thiamandi sprinted past both them and took command of the race. She won by a couple of lengths from Gig, who came from last, with Nearest To Pin running third. Lord of the Sky finished in fourth spot. It was an upset, no doubt about it, so I was pleased I had caved into my hunch and put money on Thiamandi.

Bletchingly Stakes finish – Thiamandi shows a clean pair of heels to Lord of the Sky and Nearest To Pin  down the straight.

I stayed for the next race, the Champagne Pommery Masters Handicap for three year old fillies over 1200 metres. I had my money on Sydney filly Copper, but she ran out of the places. Long odds Jemerica led from start to finish, winning by 2½ lengths from Paddy’s Gem and Hot Mama.

Race 6 finish – Jemerica leads

As my luck appeared to have disappeared, I decided to head home while still in front; content and well pleased with my afternoon at the races. Thanks to Thiamandi and the other winners my pockets were full and the old body had got some exercise in the open air.