SELECTIONS - 20 September 2006

POOMA selections:

Sandown 1-3 Ashkadaad

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Belmont 2-1, 3-3, 8-5
Doomben 6-1, 6-8
Strathalbyn 1-3, 1-4

I've just been watching the Steve Irwin Memorial; a tribute to a wonderful person whose legacy will live for a long time. John Williamson's Hey True Blue struck just the right chord for the occasion. If you didn't shed a tear when you heard the news of his passing then you're not much of an Australian. If you didn't get a lump in your throat today when you saw Bindi stride purposefully out on stage and deliver a terrific speech then you have ice in your veins. Steve attracted people to him because of the huge passion for what he did that was underpinned by strong Australian values. He was the genuine article. Crikey, mate, we'll miss you.

Today: Another jumps race POOMA today in the form of Sandown 1-3 Ashkadaad who, like yesterday's POOMA, has two As in its name. This is a pretty even field and we should be getting each way odds about a horse that's ha 5 jumps starts for 2 wins, 2 2nds and a 3rd, all with today's hoop, Tom Logan, on board. Old stager, Pantani, is first up from a spell at 3000m today, which you'd think would be a test until you realise that he won the Listed Duke Of Norfolk Stakes first up last time in at 2 miles. Bondy ran 2nd in that race so maybe they can run the quinella again today. The Cameron Handicap at Newcastle only has 7 runners but they all have a chance due to the handicap conditions. I reckon that Mac's Tune has a sneaky chance in the race and he'll probably be the rank outsider in the field.

Yesterday: Not much of note at the Warrnambool meeting though Jerrymac's Maiden win was nice and he seems to have some scope to go on. Campaspe River notched up his 4th win from 5 goes at Warrnambool. Given that his record at other tracks is 2/15 you'd have to think that backing him there is a good plan. At Rockhampton, Giggling Boy again failed to show much dash even though he finished 3rd. They'll probably step him up in distance and he'll be in the market because he runs placings but I'm not too sure he has much scope for improvement at all.

POOMAs: I was very happy with the way our POOMA selection yesterday, Waaria, was travelling in the run. He was nice and handy and jumping particularly well. Before the corner he raced up to share the lead and still had a lot to offer. Just before straightening you see him change stride, as if something has gone wrong, and he dropped off quickly, failing to complete the course. I hope the horse is OK.