
Issue No 6		26 March 1999

Sport

Ian Craig's Autumn Racing Preview

By Noel Hester

Bugger the hats - racing's about analysis

AJC advertising for their autumn carnival seems to be aimed at scatty, pea brained, North Shore corporate types who think racing is all about wacko hats and dilemmas about what coloured Zampatti uniform to wear to Randwick.

Workers Online, on the other hand, knows that the racing industry is built and sustained through the sweat of working people.

And from the strapper hitting the track - when the day is darkest before the dawn - to the weekend punter financing the whole shebang we approach racing with intellectual rigour, analysis and courage.

Workers Online enlisted Ian Craig - 2KY's race caller - to give us a few tips and help us get the analysis right. Here's how Ian calls the main races:

Golden Slipper

'The Golden Slipper puts Sydney racing on the map. It always attracts a massive crowd. Some astute judges only bet on 2 year olds. They race more consistently before they've learnt any bad habits.'

'I like Redoute's Choice - he could be something out of the box. He's drawn perfectly and he has the right race winning jockey in Shane Dye. I think if he is going to go down Shogun Lodge is the one that could do it.'

The Mercedes

'A very tricky race. The lack of pace in it will be a key factor. Intergaze is racing well but he likes the speed on. Darazari is in good form and Tie the Knot - he needs the pace on as well.'

'I'm going to stick with Tie the Knot. Arena, the three year old, will be hard to beat.'

The Doncaster

'A great race to watch and call. Sunline is the one here. The barrier's not so important in the Doncaster - you can draw wide and win. But I'd like to see her draw around 8 or 9. She was scintillating in the Moonee Valley Oaks. It's hard to compare horses from different eras but I think she is as good as Emancipation.'

'The danger - Referral. A horse on the way up as he showed with his win in the George Ryder.'

AJC Derby

'The depth in this race has been enormous in recent years. This year's no different with Sky Heights, Dignity Dancer, Lawyer and Arena.'

'I'm sticking with Dignity Dancer with Sky Heights the improver.'

Other horses Ian says to watch during the carnival

La Zagaletta from the Freedman stable. A real chance in the Carbine Club Stakes later in the carnival.

Allez Suez from the Cummings stable. He's being aimed at the Derby and isn't out of it. Follow Bart - his horses are coming to hand beautifully including Catalan Opening - winner of last year's Doncaster.

Twyla - beautifully bred by Danehill from Dancing Show, related to Hurricane Sky and also Dignity Dancer. Won easily the other day with J. Cassidy aboard.

Ian says there is nothing like the autunm carnival - a time when racing fans feel a frisson of excitement.

'The Autumn carnival is a race caller's delight. You have the best horses in the land. The top races like the Golden Slipper, the Mercedes and the Doncaster are a buzz to call. The adrenaline pumps harder,' he said.

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Issue 6 contents

Interview: Jeff Shaw - Keeping the Peace in NSW
We talk to the Carr Government's best minister about his plans and aspirations for a second term.

Unions: Labor's IR Promises
Read the full ALP Industrial Relations policy. Only on Workers Online!

History: A History of Struggle on the Wharves
As the first anniversary of the Reith-Corrigan assault on the waterfront approaches, we remember that it was only the latest in a long line of attacks on the union.

Review: Rats in the Ranks
This Australian political masterpiece about the battle for power in an inner-city council is well worth going back to.

Campaign Diary: It's Time For a Real Labor Government
A returned Carr Government must use its increased majority to promote a genuine Labor agenda rather than just clinging to power for another four years.

» '96 Revisited - Ditched Laws May Get Second Run

» Opposition IR - A Dogï¿½s Breakfast

» Union Plan To Give Mobile Workers Security

» Mergers Wave To Hit Insurance Industry

» AAP Pushes To Create Virtual Reporters

» Wharfies Help Out Aboriginal Kids

» ACTU Asks Workers: Howï¿½s Life?

» Bracks Gets Pallas Envoy

» South Coast Labor Council Battle Heads for Court