……………………………….
Good grief, No!!! We hear that the great R.S.Dye is back in New Zealand and preparing for his comeback in the saddle. And, jeez, in his prime, how good was he and, over the years, what a brilliant battler he’s been?
The last time we saw ol’ “Come Back, Shane,” it was in Macau and he had ballooned to an almost moon-like shape and was busy doing “form” for a racing syndicate and also tackling- what else?- poker. If there’s something to bet on, “Dysey” would be there- especially when it came and comes to poker. At no time did he look like ever getting back to riding.
Frankly, the way he waddled into a casino in Macau, he would have given our great mate and barrister extraordinaire Kevin Egan a run- a slow run- for his money. But, yes, it’s true: Shane Dye has shed the pounds, he has been riding trackwork and is set to show those young ‘uns a thing or two about coming way off the pace and getting nutted.
Shane meets Dennis Rodman and one of the weirdest photographs we have seen.
We have to wonder if he’ll also be tugging at his saddle, chewing his whip and signaling his troops that his ride feels good and that he’s feeling lucky? We wish him the best and will no doubt see him back in Hong Kong and riding the occasional horse in a big race if one of his most loyal of owners has his way and has any runners. We won’t be backing them. That would be like backing Pierre Strydom and pissing one’s money away. But in a poker tournament? We’d back him all the way, baby.
“Got the signal?”
………………………….
There’s a big tip going around for the Ricky Yiu-trained first starter in Hong Kong named Elegance Frames to run a big race at Shatin on Sunday. By Exceed And Excel and running over 1000 metres and drawn a favourable barrier 10 down the Shatin straight, the horse had several trials last season and quite an eye-catching one this season which screamed, BACK ME. My problem is that the horse will be ridden by the wayward Weichong Marwing who has made it a habit of going 3-4 horses wide in race in quite a few races as he goes off in search for a Big Mac and Fries.
“Baby, where’s the nearest McDonald’s? I’m not meant to be here. Come with me?”
Meanwhile, many eyes this Sunday will again be on the first horse to run under Actor and mad punter and horse lover Aaron Kwok’s colours.
Named Calling With Love and trained by Caspar Fownes, I have been hearing about Aaron’s “new horse” for around a year. At one time, it was rumoured that the horse would go to the Tony Cruz stable and, say some, the celebrity’s second horse will be heading to the Cruz yard. As for Calling With Love which will be making its debut, can it win? I’m tipping, No. In fact, I’m tipping followers will be Calling With Love for quite some time before it ever ends up in the winners circle.
How long will dear Aaron be Calling With Love?
…………………………………………………………..
It’s been a very quiet start to the season for top jockey Brett Prebble and, I hear, has been sulking around quite a bit. Well, I would too if I had just one winner on the board and don’t even have rides in the first two races on Sunday. Are the rest of his eight rides any good? A couple but none I’d get too excited about. And though Prebble is getting support from Caspar Fownes and John Moore, there just seems something missing in the jockey’s bag of tricks and which now sees him riding for some local trainers whom he never did much riding for before. I also keep hearing that the jockey has been furiously calling up many for rides in Oz during the Spring Carnival, but there are not many calling back. Hmmmm.
“Me! Me! I’ll ride it!”
………………………………………………….
Comments