Daily Earner

Admiral Light has been withrawn from the Maiden Stakes over five furlongs of Kempton polytrack today, it was a ‘classic special!’ but The Strig is an even better betting proposition.
The Strig comes out clear ‘best-in’ on the time-handicap and I’ll devasteted if Stuart Williams’ charge doesn’t oblige, without any fuss whatsoever!
A brave shout? probably but one has to trust oft-used successful methods which have constantly brought reward(s).
Obviously I’m looking forward to this fascinating opener and the prospect of a solid each-way bet on Megasue in the Novices’ Hurdle over two and a quarter miles at Plumpton.
Megasue is a on a retrieving mission having ‘left it behind’ five weeks ago at Wincanton which might have been too sharp!
Philip Hide rides this course really well, there again Tom Scudamore is an ace on any track and his mount, Sure Josie Sure, simply can’t be discounted. The others can but the jumping debut of Good Faloue will be informative.
Hide also partners stable-companion of Megasue in the Juvenile Hurdle over two miles, what beats Alhaque will surely win!

We’ll see on what promises to be another exciting day. Aren’t they all?

Selections, Plumpton, 1.45 Alhaque; 2.45 Megasue; Hereford, Kempton, 2.25 The Strig (nap).

There’s a fine line between brilliant and useless when it comes to jockeyship, Hayley Turner strode it on Purple Gallery at Lingfield yesterday!
Critics in our great sport seldom take into account the complexities of race-riding or horse(wo)manship; they are completely influenced by results, unsympathetic punters are absolutely merciless and so, thankfully, ‘Daily Earner’ achieved a miracle when landing the Maiden Stakes over a mile of the Surrey polytrack.
Talk about a ‘hanging gate’ Purple Gallery resembled a heavy door being held together by a single tack as Hayley suddenly found her mount extremely recaltricant as they challenged for the lead approaching the long final bend; at no point was it possible to ‘ride’ Purple Gallery and Hayley ‘keyed in’ patience and balance as the Whipper colt threatened to visit the press room!
The antics eventually determined that Purple Gallery would come the complete width of this track which has the shortest run-in; 300 yards out Hayley, having lost the lead and at least a length down, finally managed to get Purple Gallery balanced and under a strong, rhythmic drive headed Darshonin close home to win by half a length.
Amazingly Purple Gallery showed splendid resolution to gain the spoils and could prove half-decent.
I’ve seen all the greats through forty years or so as a racing writer but NEVER witnessed a better exhibition from any of them; Hayley should be extremely proud of her ‘job done!’and isn’t it just wonderful to see an emerging talent carry through all the hard work that becoming successful involves?*
The harder you work, the luckier you become!
Incidentally it was my intention to vote for ultra-consistent and much-imnproved Catherine Gannon to wrest the Lady Jockeys’ Award (which Hayley has won six succesive times!) at ‘The Lesters’ but now I’ll abstain; nowt between them and let’s hope they both survive the night and enjoy a wonderful 2010 turf flat season.
Why aren’t they in Dubai?

* I’ve been constantly ridiculed for my bias toward Hayley Turner; believe me I’m totally convinced my readers have benefitted to a tremendous degree.
Not only can they enjoy her career but back a few good-priced winners and they are my priority, readers!

Lingfield kicks off with two maiden races, over a mile and a half and eight furlongs, respectively; Sushitan and Purple Gallery will form my lunchtime each-way double.
Both are obviously certain to be placed, judged on my time-handicap and with so much ‘dead-wood’ in opposition it’s to be hoped both jockeys, George Baker and Hayley Turner are intent on forcing the pace(s) throughout.
Front-running in maiden races often brings tasty reward (they are my ‘meal-ticket!’) and this duo makes for a splendid aperitif on a wonderful menu, another tremendous Saturday with a clutch of profile jumpers in action.
Unfortunately Denman doesn’t take his chance in the grade two, £100000 Cotswold chase over three miles at Cheltenham*, why?
Two very good reasons, Paul Nicholls has, reportedly, been dissuaded by the owners to wait for the Aon Chase at Newbury next month and Inchdaly Rock looks a solid alternative under Ruby Walsh.
Indeed course and distance winner Inchdaly Rock is an emerging ‘class act’ judged on successive unchallenged victories, pre-Xmas, and a TH ’special’ with weight allowances.
The same trainer/jockey combination expects to land the £27000 Juvenile Hurdle with Pistolet Noir, one of the leading ‘Triumph’ fancies. What beats them will win!

Selections, Chetenham, 12.55 Pistolet Noir; 2.35 Inchdaly Rock; Lingfield, 1.05 Sushitan; 1.40 Purple Gallery.

will you, and so many other jockeys, realise that making the running in handicaps seldom works out.

all horses are handicapped to dead-heat, it stands to reason only an extremely well-handicapped thoroughbred can win from such tactics as it is nigh impossible for the jockey to judge the pace throughout. occasionally it works but, in the overall scheme of things, not enough.

conversely it usually pays off to ‘front run’ in maiden races because the majority is usually ‘out with the washing’ due to a strong pace; it’s called sorting out the wheat from the chaff.

the ride on Royal Bet left me disappointed, hopefully ‘daily earner’ is able to accept constructive criticism.