Headturner's run in the Derby
 

What did we think? Should he have won?

Yep, Got a nasty check when looking to squeeze through a gap at the start of the straight. Had to go around and made up good ground to finish third. Unlucky i thought.

Thought it was one of the bad rides of the day - should have won if ridden properly. He wouldn't have been inconvenienced if placed properly in the run by the jockey.

Yep should have won, got held up and had every chance.

Is this let's all become armchair jockeys week???First it was Callow,now Beadman!I could be harsh too,as I had a substantial bet on Headturner.He was meeting Pendragon 2.5 kgs worse at the weights,but he only got beat a half head and IMO I think he is the better stayer of the 2 and was quite pleased that all the mugs were plonking Pendragon.As it turned out I did my dough,but by following this horse I know it wont be long before I get it all back,and then some.I think he will mature into a Cups horse next year.Again I take nothing away from the winner,thought Darren got out a bit late,but also think he had his chance but just couldn't accelerate quickly enough as the winner already had the momentum in its favour.
P.S.
When I said he only got beat a half head I was referring to its previous start when Pendragon beat him.That was the run that made me think all things being equal,Pendragon will never beat him again.

Gday Chrome

be careful mate.... U will leave yourself open to question from the Jockey Protectors... Yeah the ride was a shocker ( I said much the same in the other thread) But it seems, that according to some, it is ok for professionals to turn in amatuerish performaces,, and we are sposed to forgive them... Not me.. I am a professional in what I do, and if I make an error i certainly am not forgiven.. The 2 bad rides on Saturday were dished up by allegedly the best in the business... Both rides were rubbish.. Had apprentices dished up rides like that, they probably would have had to front stewards to explain their tactics, or in QOTH case the lack of tactics.. At the very least they would have been muckking out a few more stables than usual...

Be a while before the bloke who rode Headturner gets my cash in Melbourne again... I guess the trainer of a couple of runners in the Melbourne Cup feels much the same.. Childs on Railings the other bloke on Dizelle.. one at 9/2 the other at 33's.. say's a lot i think.. considering Dizelle's rider rode Railings the 4 starts before the CC win... that trainer knows his jockeys...

I find it very hard to knock "The Dazzler". Has to be the best rider in Australia, it was a poor ride in the Derby, but I believe that his mistake was far less than Callow's. As far as the Dizelle/Railings thing goes, I doubt that Hawkes has chosen Childs over Beadman because of ability, considering what a phenomenal partnership Hawkes and Beadman have forged. I could only speculate the reason for Beadman riding Dizelle.

Gday merc

I am talking about Melbourne... "Dazz" has little clue down there... and I am sure Hawkes knows that... I will even put it to you that the great win of Lohnro in the Aussie Cup was all the better because of the dud ride that was dished up that day...I don't think "Dazz" saves his best for down there. He has plenty of Melbourne convictions

I am sure if the race was in Sydney the allotment of jockeys may well have been reversed.. Up here he is miles ahead.. tho a couple of the kids are riding very well

Fair enough point then. By the way xpt, who do you rate, overall, to be the best in the business? Personally, apart from Beadman, I would say Corey Brown, Hugh Bowman and maybe Nicholas Ryan (can't believe he hasn't got a Group 1 yet though). Peter Mertens maybe the best in the bush.

Gday merc

I always liked Corey.. tho I am biased as he is a local boy from the Mid North Coast.. Of those still riding here (and fit enough to ride) I think you cant go past Paul Harvey... he is amazing.. Of the Sydney Brigade I like Beadman up here, Greg Ryan, Robbo is in great form, but about to go on a 2 month holiday for his ride in the Coffs Cup.. Kathy O'hara could be anything, I am never afraid to put the hard earned on if she is steering.. Ollie is great, but in Victoria it seems no one is willing to hold him accountable for anything...