On The Money - Farnley Stakes

Matt Rigby | On The Money | Mon 5 September, 2011

The Good Things:

Like an Eagle was gunning for four in a row. His last start suggested he would just be winning again. Despite William Pike off and barrier one, he was backed from $1.85 to $1.70 and even shorter on some boards. Once again, he won with a leg in the air and thank god, he now goes for a spell!

Bontiara looked good on paper and only had one challenger, Kim Classic. When the latter was the first horse gone, and with Bontiara in the breeze, the race was beyond doubt. Bontiara got out to $2.30 before being heavily backed into odds on.

The Bookies Saviour:

Russell Road has had three wins this campaign and on each occasion has been the blowout for bookies. His winning prices in those starts have been $17, $19 and the latest at $21. Paddy Carbery and Lindsey Mansel would be due a few drinks from the bookies after he once again got a glorious run through the field to down the short priced favourite Grand Approach.

The Bolter:

Mega Steel had rarely shown any form at the short trips and certainly not in black type races. With Bridgestone ($3.40), Blacksmith ($3.50) and King Kool Kat ($5) all the rage in the Farnley, Mega Steel was sent out a $20 shot. His win was a welcome relief for the bookies who had copped a hammering in the first six races with five favourites and a heavily backed second favourite getting the money.

The Bloodbath:

Races one to five were won by Cohort ($2.60), Bontiara ($1.90), Amelia's Dancer ($3.60), Like an Eagle ($1.70) and Rafferty ($3.80). Coming to race six, the bagmen were wondering when it would all stop. It did stop, with Offer Me Jewels ($2.60) going down by just over a length to McTango. This offered no respite however as McTango was heavily backed from $4.80 to $3.80.

The Great Escape:

There were no winners in the ring coming to race seven but the feature race was still to be run. Thankfully, three shorties in Blacksmith, Bridgestone and King Kool Kat, allowed a big holding race and the result of Mega Steel ($21) gave bookies a chance of escaping on the day. When Russell Road ($19) won the last at big odds, most had miraculously escaped a horrid day on the books. Several bookies did not escape however, laying Russell Road at double figures.

Where There's Smoke:

Gum Nut Guru was well supported from $9 to $7 to beat the smart Like An Eagle. That there shows a bit of confidence about how the horse must be going. Stepping up to 1400m next start might see him close to getting the money.

As Cold As Ice:

One Cool Queen has been ever the pretender. Outside of her maiden, she has won a singular lowly midweeker. Despite this, they plunged her from $9 to $6 in a spirited "go". She did manage to run fourth, but was beaten a mile. Surely its time to give up on her?

Under the Odds:

Grand Approach started a $14 shot at his previous run against Like An Eagle. Arguably, he should have won that day, but to be sent out at even money this week was well under the odds. Despite this, punters wanted to get aboard, backing him from $2.70 in early makets, into a shade of odds on in most places.

The Wheels Have Fallen Off?

Buccellati - Its hard to see how this horse has won nearly a million dollars? Has looked terrible in two starts and a trial, going out a $26, he ran last.

Motion Pictures - theres normally a bit of money for her, but she was unwanted ($6 to $8.50) and ran accordingly. She's obviously still going no good.

Tolka Rock - not sure the wheels were ever on, but Tolka Rock has done nothing for the Mark Reed stable and it seems has been sacked despite some specking from $21 to $17.

Centrum - is such a shadow if its former self, can't even jump away from the barriers any more. Classy Nugget - has seen better days.

London - hasn't run a good race in 18 months and went out a $51 shot in the Farnley.