Marwong, according to all reports, is about 33. Three decades ago, when he was just three, he caused a sensation by upsetting subsequent Cox Plate Winner and place getter Our Poetic Prince in the in the 1987 Caulfield Guineas at odds of about 100-1.
The race was decided on protest after Our Poetic Prince was first past the post by about a length eased down. Marwong was trained locally by Caulfield Mentor Geoff Murphy and Our Poetic Prince was from across the ditch under the guidance of John Wheeler.
It is said that the decision upset Trans Tasman relations more than the Greg Chappell underarm bowling incident. Bookies did n’t pay for first past the post back then so favourite punters did their money cold.
Our Poetic Prince went on to an illustrious career as one of the legends of the Australian turf winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Tancred stakes. Marwong continued to torment punters winning just four of his 39 starts, most of them in which he started favourite except for the ones he won.
Expect the unexpected in the Guineas no more so then the win of Gods Own (after being checked about eight times) which cost Toby his career in Real Estate. I would be staying clear of Hungry Heart who has been defeated as favourite in her last three starts and is attempting Caulfield for the first time
PREMIUM TIPSThe Second Up syndrome
The second up syndrome was on display last Saturday with case studies being provided by Classique Legend and Nature Strip. At Flemington both Verry Elegant and Riddle Me That won after running poorly at their second start previously. Is it a thing or is just another way to get beat?
Theme Bet
Our theme bet at Caulfield this week is a European one Race 1 Naples (13)(placed 3.70) Race 3 Phaistos (7) Race 8 Poland (14) Race 9 Reykjavic (8). If these four horses win on Saturday the estimated dividend on the basis of current prices would be $56,598 (for a parlay 23 &4) Yankee but you would n’t be able to spend it on either a European holiday or even a trip to Melbourne to go to your favourite Italian restaurant.
Caulfield
Race 7 Personal (4)(placed @3.50) Instant Celebrity (3) Hungry Heart (1) Vangelic (5) & Odeum (9)(won@10.00)
Race 8 Poland (14) Ole Kirk (3)(won@4.20) Kings Legacy (2) Crosshaven (6) Amish Boy (7)) (Running Double @46.80)
Race 9 Junipal (13) Buffalo River (15) So Si Bon (3) I am Superman (4) & Achernar Star (9)
Randwick
Race 4 Quintessa*(12) (1) Race 7 Montefillia (13) (won@2.70)
Toby’s Titanic (Lay of the Day)
Race 7 Caulfield Hungry Heart (1) (lost giving a profit of 30% but I felt that she finished the race of very well and is obviously looking for further.
