ODT racing writer Matt Smith with his weekly take on the racing scene.
Coded message ...
One of the Otago Daily Times' racing sub-editors is prone to sending out excitable text messages after watching very good horses win races in style. So, it was no surprise to get a text from him on Saturday saying: ''AJ best since the King! Better than Sunline, Crusher, M+P, BLU, Oct.''
Just in case you're wondering: AJ - Atlantic Jewel, King - Kingston Town, Crusher - Bonecrusher, M+ P - Might And Power, BLU - Better Loosen Up, Oct - Octagonal.
Ignoring his unique form of shorthand, the esteemed sub-editor raises an interesting point. We just bade farewell to Black Caviar earlier this year and now we have the pleasure of seeing another wonder mare, who lines up tomorrow in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield
.... but it's becoming clear
Of course, comparisons have already been made in Australia between Black Caviar and Atlantic Jewel, but the exciting thing about the latter is her ability to feature in the middle-distance spring classics - she is already the favourite for the Cox Plate in late October.
Her performance to win the Memsie Stakes fresh up after a year and-a-half away from racing was mind-blowing, and I can't wait to see what she can produce when all the best gallopers are on their game at Moonee Valley on October 26. I wouldn't be quite putting ''AJ'' above all those gallopers just yet, but let's reassess at the end of the season.
Rinse and repeat
Wondering where the results are for the Rangiora Harness Racing Club meeting at Addington last night? There aren't any - yet. A burst water main at Addington yesterday has forced the club to move its meeting back to Rangiora this afternoon.
Battle for the battlers
Abandonments - we seem to hit this same problem at this time of year every season in the harness racing game. Forbury Park was the unlucky club this year as trainers with horses in the lower grades were spoilt for choice this week. They could have sent their battling horses to one of three venues - Rangiora's meeting at Addington yesterday (now today), Forbury Park tonight, or Timaru on Sunday. Considering most 2yr-olds are still a long way from making it to the races, and others are taking a break after racing deep into the winter, it was always going to be a big ask to get enough horses to justify one of the three meetings. Let's hope this clash of dates is looked at for next season.
Lazy Fiver
Sixth for Lavros Is King at Addington last Friday. We should get good nice each-way money on Quintessential in the Naturalism Stakes (race 8) at Melbourne tomorrow, especially if you have a crack on the tote against the Australian money.
