Getting me onto the couch to fill-in for a holidaying Armchair Punter was an easy gig – getting me off the couch won't be so simple – I'm loving it.
PUNTATHON
Filing news from the racetrack is a fun way to spend a Saturday, but it's also time consuming.
Chasing trainers, jockeys, administrators, ducking into the stewards' room, ploughing into an array of sandwiches and scones whilst also filing copy really distracts me from why I took the job in the first place – to have a punt.
But as The Armchair Punter (1st emergency), the only thing that keeps me busy now on a Saturday is getting a bet on in the next.
Two TV's solved the Sydney V Melbourne problem of last week and with the aid of social media and various bookmaker apps, I don't miss a thing.
Bookmaker promotions are also something the sit at home punter can really take advantage of. Sportsbet's current money back in bonus bets for second or third on the first four races is an absolute must.
If you find an early winner, you're in front. But if you get nutted, no worries, you've got some bonus bets to play anyway you like.
I like to put on my quaddies later in the day knowing that it's 'free' money.
And don't fall into the trap of thinking it's a promotion just for the novices. If you had bet the first four races at Randwick and Flemington on Saturday – you've outlayed $400 – and it's only 1.35pm.
My advice after two weeks on the couch is check out the offers from all of your bookmakers and take advantage of them – it can help put the odds back in your favour.
KING IS A REAL TRUMP CARD
Apprentice Rachel King bagged a double at Randwick on Saturday, taking her tally of NSW winners this season to a staggering 85.
She's going to bolt in the state-wide apprentices' title and seems to be getting better every week.
Claiming 1.5kg in town, she not only led throughout on Memes in the third race, but arguably produced the ride of the day aboard the heavily-backed Kris Lees-trained Sound Proposition to take out race six.
Sound Proposition drew the outside gate from a tricky 1800m starting point, but lobbed into a gun trailing position fourth one out.
This season has unveiled some up-and-coming apprentices which are destined to make it as seniors – and King is certainly one of them.
SUPER TOO NOT SO SUPER
The Marc Conners-trained three-year-old filly Super Too was backed as if unbeatable leading into her first-up run over 1000m at Randwick on Saturday.
Sent out at $2.05, it all went to plan early but the speedy filly was collared 150m from home before fading to finish fifth.
Whilst conceding she came into the race with solid formlines, the majority of the confidence came from a blistering 11-3/4 lengths trial victory at Warwick Farm eight days ago.
But as a punter that spends plenty of time analysing trials, I can never understand the need to win trials so convincingly.
They don't pay prizemoney and you can't bet on them – so I just don't get it.
What I look for in a trial is a horse which has a great action, shows good race sense and most importantly – works through the line, preferably under minimal pressure.
After avoiding falling into the Super Too hype on Saturday – I'll stick to what works for me and steer clear of the trial 'superstars'.
'MOODS' MAKING THE MOST OF HIS FREE TIME
Former champion Melbourne trainer Peter Moody wasn't going through the motions at a chilly Flemington racecourse on Saturday as the Melbourne racing season winds down for another year.
The retired trainer was instead posting his amazing accomplishment of successfully conquering the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea on his Twitter account.
"Great to complete Kokoda track yesterday. What unbelievable courage shown by our diggers for our lifestyle of today" – Moody tweeted.
Moody has certainly been showing everyone in the industry that there is more to life than racing 364 days a year.
And Moody's path will shortly be followed by jockeys Hugh Bowman, Corey Brown, Stephen Baster and Kathy O'Hara when the riders venture to Kokoda in early August.
The trek will raise funds and awareness for the National Jockeys Trust as well as the Mark Hughes Foundation.
CLICK HERE to find out more and/or donate.
GRAND ARMEE MEMORIES
It's always sad when a champion racehorse passes away and it was Grand Armee which left us during the week.
I'll admit he wasn't one of mine back in the day, but he was certainly a champion galloper and his record speaks for itself.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse, Grand Armee won 13 races – seven of them at Group I level and amassed prizemoney of over $5 million.
A Doncaster and back-to-back Queen Elizabeth Stakes successes were perhaps his most memorable achievements, but for me, I'll never forget his effort in the 2005 BMW Stakes.
Attempting to lead throughout, Grand Armee looked all over the winner when runners straightened, but an absolute freak of a mare was building momentum back in the field and when Makybe Diva launched, Grand Armee simply had no answer.
But he sure made the race and helped shape one of my favourite racing memories. RIP.
HE'S GONE WHERE?
I don't mind backing the French jockeys when they come down under – whilst their style may be very different to what we're used to, they tend to get results and often big-priced results.
Johan Victoire had been booting home some provincial winners out here for Gai Waterhouse and James Cummings whilst also landing a couple of recent winners for Goulburn based, French-bred conditioner Jean Dubois.
So I had to do a double-take when my Twitter feed displayed Victoire booting home a winner on Saturday.
I was expecting Kembla Grange but it was a touch further afield than that. Victoire scored a victory with his first ride in Seoul – South Korea.
Taking up a four-month contract in the emerging Asian racing nation, I will have to keep an eye on Victoire – a collect out of Seoul looks just as good in my account as a collect out of Kembla.
FORGET ME
Muraqaba will be permanently penned after a disappointing first-up effort at Randwick.
This Anthony and Edward Cummings-trained galloper won his first three starts and looked a potential topliner, but has only managed one win from his subsequent seven attempts and even the addition of blinkers first time wasn't enough to find any improvement on Saturday.
Muraqaba finished last beaten nine lengths behind Pelethronius in the final event on the program after having every chance.
FOLLOW ME
I'm following Pelethronius .
David Pfieffer's four-year-old gelding made it four wins from four starts this campaign when swamping rivals in the last at Randwick.
The son of Artie Schiller has now won seven of 13 yet punters continue to under-estimate him.
This campaign he kicked-off with a Kembla BM65 win paying $17 then won a Warwick Farm BM72 at $7.50 before taking out a BM78 at Randwick starting at $9.
On Saturday he tackled a BM85 and was again attractive odds – winning at $7.50. A $10 all-up this campaign, taking his SP, would currently be worth a whopping $86,062.50.
I wonder what price he will start at next time?
