Met Day is a challenge between the 88 place accumulator runners carded and myself – that is 90 minus a few scratchings. Yes, and of course, I feel invincible bar a few mishaps, writes reader William Milkovitch.
For those racing enthusiasts who watch panel talks, study the form back to front and listen to every whimper and streetwise tip, here’s a few things that didn’t go to plan on past Met days.
Last year, Ilha Bella couldn’t overcome the huge disadvantage of draw 17 out of 17 in the J& B Jet Stayers.
Captain America – is back this year again but carries weight
Captain America, heavy odd-on, was also well beaten by Legislate in the Cape Derby, starting at 28/1!
Anton Marcus casually takes Hill Fifty Four to the front in the Met from a bad draw and keeps rolling to win at a marvelous 15/1. The quartet pays a lovely R137 066!
In 2013, The Plunderer wins the first leg of the PA at 25/1, sticking down the inside of the track while the rest go down the outside …..nice! The favourite, Barbosa doesn’t finish in the first four.
In Race 4, the first leg of the P6, the first 5 past the post starting prices are : 28/1,16/1,11/1, 80/1 and 20/1.
Martial Eagle, who I thought was retired, wins The Met at 80/1.
Solo Traveller
In 2011, Solo Traveller from the best of the draw and a strong favourite at 5/10 runs unplaced in the Cape Derby, whereas Top Seller with a poor draw of 14 and unfancied (22/1), comes from off the pace and swoops down to win in the last stride.
Despite a lack of pace, Past Master gets a positive ride and keeps going bravely to win the Met at a very generous starting price of 16/1.
On Met Day 2010, the Cape Derby has some interesting entrants that run unplaced : Lizarre, Bold Silvano, Ancestral Fore and Irish Flame.
Best bet on the card, Sparkling Gem at 11/20 get beaten in the Majorca and Pocket Power’s stranglehold on the Met is ended when ‘Queen’ River Jetez wins carrying 53,5kgs (weight not to be seen again?).
Pas De Quoi winning the J&B Met
In 2009, poor Dancer’s Daughter, who only receives 2,5kgs from big shot Pocket Pocket, just fails to beat him.
Damn race conditions, a joke for me!
Red hot favourite La Drakkar starting at 6/10 in the Cape Derby, gets caned by Big City Life and manages to finish 3rd.
Many favourites win on Met day in 2008, including Pocket Power, Dancer’s Daughter in the Majorca and Russian Sage in the Cape Derby.
However, Whistle For Joy with Raymond Danielson up, wins the first leg of the jackpot, returning R58 a win on the tote, resulting in a Quartet payout of R148 000 !
Bookies get a let-off in the last race of the day, the J&B Reserve Stayers when Desert Links at 8/10 with Anton Marcus up, only manages 4th place.
Futura – my choice to win
I’m looking forward to see if Arion can keep improving in the Met ! I do hope that Futura wins though.
Secondly, I hardly ever get excited with a maiden winner, so I hope that St Tropez will raise his game in the ninth race. I feel he might be a big player in the Durban season to come.
I hope I don’t get Kill Bill’ed!
Happy place accumulating everybody.
