Luck of the Draw?

Just read Jack Milner's article on Variety Club's draw, and Joey Ramsden reckons he can overcome it:

“It is a big ask and it’s going to be extremely tough to overcome. Having said that, he is very well and one must remember that Winter Solstice (who Ramsden also trained) won his two Queen’s Plates from wide draws."

After watching Pomodoro destroy any thought of the effect of the draw when he won the Durban July from the widest gate, what are your thoughts on Variety Club repeating the same feat? I know there's the distance difference (2200m v 1600m), and a different course (Greyville v Kenilworth), but this is SA's champion miler! So is his 17/20 pricing up justified?

Much depends of the connections of the others thinking the draw is in their advantage and to try and make sure VC has to run from the draw..

what will probably happen is all these sporting trainers will play cat and mouse run for places with the hope VC gets a bad trip..

The draw is a concern in a 1400m handicap so why not the plate?

VC is priced up with the draw taking into the matter

NO !!!

5/2 would be FAIR

And Champion or not, it will definately be difficult:(

johnnycomelately Wrote:

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> NO !!!
>
> 5/2 would be FAIR
>
> And Champion or not, it will definately be
> difficult:(


heyJCL ...where you on HB buds ? You behind me ?? ....

Took some 7/1 a fixed place (4 places) on Bulsara this morning (doubled onto Frequent Flyer fixed place) ... These kind of honest horses always finish close up without winning.... Straight line trifecta many times... VC / Pom / Jackson ...... I only put Pom in front of Jackson due to the Striker factor.

Who rode Gimmethegreenlight last year to pip VC ???? just curious..........

The Madji Wrote:

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> johnnycomelately Wrote:
>

---

>

---

> > NO !!!
> >
> > 5/2 would be FAIR
> >
> > And Champion or not, it will definately be
> > difficult:(
>
>
> heyJCL ...where you on HB buds ? You behind me
> ?? ....
>
> Took some 7/1 a fixed place (4 places) on Bulsara
> this morning (doubled onto Frequent Flyer fixed
> place) ... These kind of honest horses always
> finish close up without winning.... Straight line
> trifecta many times... VC / Pom / Jackson ......
> I only put Pom in front of Jackson due to the
> Striker factor.
>
> Who rode Gimmethegreenlight last year to pip VC
> ???? just curious..........


You really wanna tell me you don't know it's Striker?:S
I think his Q/Plate record is as good [or better ]than the great P/power:D

Way behind I think 32nd,I missed the Bush Racing on Monday [ too many dogs there]:X

I got Jackson / VC / POM

Lets see what goes tomorrow
It should be a very exiting race!(tu)

Of course I know it was Striker.... making a point, that 's all

The draw is of concern but don't be too worried about it. Looking at the course configuration and the way they raced on the weekday, it seemed that very few were able to quicken from off the pace because those sitting handy off the bend just quickened and stole a march, catching others flat-footed. Lancelin was an example.

Coupled with the Cape Crawl and that means Jackson and co running for the minors, but remember Variety Club did bleed in the Gold Challenge.

Its MENEER Striker to you all!.....................()

Variety Club over 1600m at level weights and with Anton in the saddle... it is going to take more than a poor draw to beat him...
Just in case anyone forgot his last start:-
stsp.co.za/tir/contentplayer.aspx?raceid...blished%2f142596.3gp

If a horse is a natural front runner, as Variety Club is, a so-called bad draw at Kenilworth, in races from 1600-2000m is not really much of a disadvantage. There is a long, straight stretch for them to work their way in towards the rails and both VC and Beach Beauty managed it with ease. It's the tardy starters, drawn nearer the rails who are at the bigger disadvantage. Once they're cut off and shuffled to the back it's difficult to make up the ground in the home straight.