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THE FORECAST: DON’T SLEEP ON COLEMAN Well, we kind of predicted the future in this column last week when I suggested Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside would be turned over by a party-spiling villain, just not sure that anyone could put Enver “Everybody’s Mate” Jusufovic into the villain category. But Saturday is another day,… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Coleman

 Weekend Wrap Star Performer of the week Caulfield Race 2 – won by Craig Date: 31/08/24 Race Overview – They ran this race before the wind took ahold of the day so I wouldn’t be comparing times to laaater in the day but this race has gone well regardless. Out pretty quick and ran home… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Craig – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: VILLAINOUS TIMES As excited as racing fans will be to see PRIDE OF JENNI and MR BRIGHTSIDE back on track in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, I’m wondering if anyone else is secretly hoping for a villain to spoil the party. Sure, we all love to watch great horses, but we… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Villainous Times

Weekend Wrap Spring is in the air. Star Performer of the week Randwick Race 7 – won by Joliestar. Date: 24/08/24 Race Overview – Only moderate early tempo but late sectionals were amazing. This is potent. Joliestar – Although she is already a G1 winner it looks like her time has arrived. Potentially in the… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Jolie Star – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: HAVIN’ A CAPTAIN COOK You wouldn’t believe it. While meandering my way down the Queensland coast I found myself in 1770 this morning looking for a rock to throw a line off. The normally sleepy coastal hamlet was frothing with grey haired tourists, mad keen and single minded and heading for the Captain… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Havin’ a Capt Cook

 Weekend Wrap The sun is out and the good horses are back! Star Performer of the week Rosehill Race 1 – won by Autumn Glow. Date: 17/08/24 Race Overview – They went out really quick and came home well. Overall time good, margins, good late sectionals, this race ticks all the boxes. Autumn Glow –… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Autumn Glow – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: MORE THAN A GAME How bloody good were video games in the 1980s? Mario Brothers, Legend of Zelda, Dig Dug, Punch Out, the list goes on. Wonder Boy fits snuggly into this category, and while there are some dubious story lines across the field, Wonder Boy was particularly thin. The premise (for those… Continue reading THE FORECAST: More Than A Game

  Weekend Wrap Bit of a down week before the good horses step out next week but still plenty of horses to follow. Star Performer of the week Randwick Race 5- won by Our Kobison Date: 10/08/24 Race Overview – They went out only moderately but scooted home quickly. Our Kobison – Is building a… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Our Kobison – Ben Clifton

Weekend Wrap Feels like the calm before storm with the good horses set to be returning in the next few weeks. Star Performer of the week Flemington Race 4 – won by Maotai Date: 03/08/24 Race Overview – A real struggle to identify a race of the week so I picked the best rating race… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Maotai – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: DIGITAL LOVE It’s probably never been easier to buy a winner than it is in 2024. Buying a share in a racehorse always comes with an element of risk, but the massive rise of online sales platforms like Inglis Digital mean that the average Joe or Joanne punter, can bid to buy all… Continue reading THE FORECAST: Digital Love

  Weekend Wrap Sprinkling of horses that have Spring aspirations and some maiden winners to follow. Star Performer of the week Caulfield Race 1 – won by I Am Velvet Date: 27/07/24 Race Overview – Hard to compare times to the races later in the day due to the deteriorating track, but there was plenty… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – I am Velvet – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: WHEN WINTER IS SPRING (SORT OF)   Have a look at the weather forecast for the next week – in Melbourne anyway. it’s fair dinkum polar. If I see a couple penguins and some elk wandering down the street or some Jamaicans in a bobsled next week on a morning run, I won’t… Continue reading THE FORECAST: WHEN WINTER IS SPRING (SORT OF)

  Weekend Wrap Some horses to follow from this column delivered over the weekend. Star Performer of the week Belmont Race 1 – won by Jokers Grin. Date: 20/07/24 Race Overview – What I love about this race is the late sectionals and the style of the winner, Jokers Grin. Last 400m in 22.04 is… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Jokers Grin – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: BELIEVE!   There’s patience, and then there is absolute steadfast one-eyed unwavering belief.   I reckon the owners of BARAQIEL fit into the latter category when you think about how long they waited to see their horse get to the race track. Bought for $150,000 at the Magic Millions in January of 2020,… Continue reading THE FORECAST: BELIEVE!

  Weekend Wrap A bit of a lull before the good horses are back but still plenty of horses to follow from this weekend’s racing.   Star Performer of the week Caulfield Race 3 – won by Manolo Bling Date: 06/07/24 Race Overview – 2yo’s not normally my go but this race has rated really… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Show the Bling – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: GROUNDHOG DAY   What about Bill Murray. Consider the body of work he has produced over the journey.   Caddyshack. Ghostbusters. Lost In Translation. Stripes. The Life Aquatic. Kingpin. The man is a genius. 73-years old. Absolute genuine bloody American national treasure.   Don’t forget Groundhog Day. What a flick. Anyone who can… Continue reading THE FORECAST: THE GUESSING GAME

  Weekend Wrap There were a few promising horses running over the weekend. Some enhanced their reputation whilst others had their bubble burst.   Star Performer of the week Flemington Race 2 – won by Berkshire Breeze Date: 06/07/24 Race Overview – They went out at a strong tempo but came home well for the… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: PHAAAAAAR OUT   Way back when I was in Year 11, I knew a girl named Nicole who was someone connected to a horse called Pharein.   I can’t exactly remember how Nicole was connected to Pharein, might have been through her boyfriend’s family or something like that, but I do remember that… Continue reading THE FORECAST: THE GUESSING GAME

Weekend Wrap There was a proven G1 star in action on the weekend and plenty of promising young horses to showcase.   Group 1 Racing – Tatts Tiara Eagle Farm Race 8 – Won by Bella Nipotina Date: 29/06/24 Race Overview – As you would expect in a Group 1 they went out at a… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Ben Clifton

THE FORECAST: THE GUESSING GAME   I’m a fan of Jane Bunn. It’s an art to deliver relatively banal – yet important – content with just the right intonation that keeps the viewer hooked, absorbed and intrigued, but without eliciting any emotion at all other than a want to hang on and endure for a… Continue reading THE FORECAST: THE GUESSING GAME

 The Weekend Wrap There was no Group 1 racing over the weekend but lets have a look back at some of the best performances. Morphettville Race 2 – Won by Riche D’Amour. Date: 22/06/24 Race Overview – They went out quick in this race but, more importantly, they also came home quick. Well inside standard with… Continue reading THE WEEKEND WRAP – Ben Clifton