Gidday Punters!
Well hopefully you enjoyed the Christmas cheer with family and friends, and imbibed responsibly of course.
Now it is on to a new year and all those fatuous resolutions will be thought about.
Punters – as you are – might even suggest it worth keeping a record of your investments (well at least for the first week or so of January) so as to know your profit/loss bottom line, even though your friendly corporate sends you an email of the like these days which no doubt you hesitate to open.
But then you also know the best present is a tip, so here for you as a late Christmas gift that hopefully you don't see the need to repackage is "Snowy's Blackbook" for 2023, a collection of investment advice from trainers around the country looking forward to what the new year may deliver.
I will keep it simple – Name, horse, background and possible goals – hopefully keep it handy and, hopefully, handy it will become. But no correspondence will be entered into with your correspondent.
So, in no particular order, and many thanks to all these trainers who chipped in for this "priceless" pressie. I didn't ask them for the obvious, just something perhaps a little left field that's exciting them into 2023.
Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott: JUST GLAMOUROUS – the $900k Justify-Global Glamour filly who debuted at a midweeker at Warwick Farm running 4th in a blanket finish but in typical Gai fashion "will figure in the Golden Slipper", she said.
John O'Shea: ZOU TIGER – the well-bred Zoustar colt already has runs on the board, a Kensington winner but last seen running third in the Golden Rose, always a strong form race. John says has come back much stronger and will be aimed at the Randwick Guineas.
Gerald Ryan/Sterling Alexiou: ELLSBERG – of course you know him well and a brilliant spring with the Epsom into the rich Five Diamonds but the stable believe there is more to come next year with options like an All-Star Mile in Melbourne and a George Ryder in Sydney just a couple of the options.
Tommy Berry returns to scale on Ellsberg after winning the Five Diamonds at Rosehill Gardens. Picture: Mark Evans–Getty Images
Lindsey Smith: KARALEE ROCKS and TRIPLE MISSILE – "Giddy-Up" indeed Lindsey with two nominated. Karalee Rocks is a new addition, (ex Col Webster), a winner of three from five in Perth but just a 67 rater that Smiths says will start off aiming low but believing the Flying Artie mare can land somewhere nice in 2023. Triple Mission is a 96 rated sprinter, winner of the Gold Topaz at Swan Hill in the winter and he had an abbreviated spring with an excellent second in the Rising Fast on Derby Day, the summer sprints will be his targets.
Ben and JD Hayes: RACKERMANN – still a maiden, runner-up both starts at Moonee Valley and Sandown but the Lindsay Park team believe the son of their former good race mare Catechuchu that carries the same colours (Col Mckenna) is an Australian Guineas contender.
Joe Pride: CINDERELLA DAYS – an Astern filly with three well placed (a Newcastle Saturday and two Sydney midweek) wins from four starts all on soft ground and with only a 69 rating. Joe is aiming her at the 3YO Sprint Series.
Trent Busuttin/Natalie Young: MURAMASA – a $500,000 Deep Impact colt out of the well performed Omei Sword. A Sale maiden winner on debut then straight into the Derby deep end but an enticing second, beaten an inch by Mister Maestro in the Norman Robinson Stakes getting there. Heading towards the Australian Guineas.
Muramasa (right) went down narrowly to Mr Maestro in the Caulfield Classic. Picture: Brett Holburt–Racing Photos via Getty Images
Rob Heathcote: (ROTHFIRE and STARTANTES) – "sticking with my proven stars at the moment, both will be targeted at the Brisbane winter carnival".
Michael Hickmott: MADE MAN, STORYTELLER – always glass half full Michael, two unraced gallopers, Made Man a $30,000 Tivaci gelding from New Zealand and Storyteller a $60,000 Adelaide Magic Millions buy who has had two trials, but both horses "could end up in Hong Kong".
Simon Miller: LIVE TO TELL – well of course he could have just propped up AMELIA'S JEWEL, but he has a huge opinion of this Territories filly that he paid $100,000 for as a weanling. Ran a $1.60 favourite at only start when narrowly beaten by Brave Halo who would also win its next two and is unbeaten from three. "Has a huge engine and a fantastic brain Simon said and he's targeting the better two-year-old races. (half-brother by Harry Angel is lot 227 at Magic Millions).
Mick Price/Mick Kent Jnr: FRETTA – a three-year-old (by northern hemisphere time) Frankel filly who was impressive at a Sandown midweek on debut but will be back with ambitious targets next year.
One-for-one and Fretta has been labelled one to follow by the Mick Price/Michael Kent Jnr yard in 2023. Picture: Pat Scala–Racing Photos via Getty Images
Chris Bieg: DUBENENKO – a $100,000 Russian Revolution filly placed in the Ballarat Magic Millions and will head to the Blue Diamond series. "Has a huge amount of ability."
Tony Gollan: GOLDEN BOOM – a slick Spirit of Boom gelding with two Sunshine Coast wins before just beaten first time at 1200m in a black type race in Brisbane. Currently out spelling but will be back for the autumn.
Matt Laurie: Newzou – unraced three quarter sister to now stallion Zousain who will race in the Yulong colours aimed at the better two-year-old races.
Richard Jolly: SEE YOU IN HEAVEN – already a well performed daughter of Divine Prophet, spelled after winning the Sandown Guineas but back for the Australian Guineas as first major target of 2023.
Tony and Calvin McEvoy: SO UNUSUAL – late maturing ex Kiwi by former American horse Unusual Suspect (who ran in a Melbourne Cup), won a Class 1 at The Valley at third Australian start – "a nice young stayer in the making," said Tony.
See You In Heaven took her game to another level in the Sandown Guineas. Picture: Reg Ryan–Racing Photos via Getty Images
Richard and Will Freeman: RAIMUS – a Russian Revolution filly, yet to trial. Was withdrawn from last year's Magic Millions sales, has an Exceed And Excel half-brother entered (lot 286) in January.
Kris Lees: BELLATRIX BLACK – New Zealand mare carrying Australian Bloodstock colours, only six starts, won a Tauranga maiden last February then straight to a Group 3 win over a subsequent Group 1 winner. Been off the scene since March but highly rated by the stable as a quality staying prospect.
Phil Stokes: CLIMBING STAR – Zoustar filly always well touted by the stable, won a Cranbourne maiden on debut then straight to 1600m and black type, admirably placed at The Valley (heavy 8) and Flemington. Already back in work for the autumn.
Neville Parnham: BUSTLER – a Playing God gelding who won his first four then unfortunately ran into Amelia's Jewel twice but did test her in the WA Guineas. "Has the potential to go to the top level".
Dan Morton: SUPER SMINK – an unraced $45,000 Super One two-year-old. Hasn't even been to the trials. Dan is dreaming of a Karrakatta Plate.
Peter and Paul Snowden: TOURISTIC – imported Frankel galloper, recently seen on Christmas Eve at Randwick. Down in the ratings and stable says "has a future when he gets up in trip."
Peter Moody: ZOUSMIC – unraced Zoustar colt out of Nurse Kitchen (full brother made $750,000 at Easter last year). Has had a couple of preparations and shown talent in two jumpouts in each of those. In work now.
Steve O'Dea/ Matt Hoysted: UNCOMMON JAMES – talented sprinter on the way back for Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Handicap after a slight setback curtailed his spring campaign.
Steve O'Dea and Matt Hoysted are looking forward to the autumn with Uncommon James. Picture: Vince Caligiuri–Getty Images
Leon and Troy Corstens: GARACHICO – Northern Hemisphere Ribchester three-year-old who has raced in stakes company through much of his career to date in France. "I can't wait to get him here, should be perfect for Australian staying races," said Troy.
Adam Durrant: TRULY INSPIRED and MADE IN MEXICO. Truly Inspired is a lightly raced (10 starts) six-year-old owned by Bob Peters but had a terrific Perth Summer and won the ATA Cup on Christmas Eve.
"Hopefully a stayer on the way up in the next 18 months," said Adam. Made In Mexico is an unraced So You Think 2YO who made $320,000 at the Perth Magic Millions "that we have high hopes for."
And to round this off it is Mike Moroney, who nominates BIG WATCH – no that's its name! A Shamus Award colt that has raced once at Donald as a $17 chance. How appropriate for a horse in such a list!
Thank you to all the trainers who gave willingly of the inside info and I hope they all give us a big watch going forward.
Happy New Year and here's to plenty of winners for all of the Racenet family.
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