9/2/2001 edition

Trainers' Tips

Here is what Shane Templeton wrote in his excellent column "The Pocket Talking" in Melbourne's Herald Sun, February 5, 2001

"Observant Sky Channel watchers got one of the best tips ever on Saturday.
After trainer Gordon Yorke won the first at Randwick with promising two-year-old Pimpala Warrior, he was asked about the prospects of the seven-year-old Pimpala Prince.
Yorke, an astute trainer, said that he came to the track giving the older sprinter just as good a chance of winning as the young colt, if not better."
Pimpala Prince won and paid $34.40 on SuperTab.

In our opinion "observant punters" should not be waiting for a trainer to declare his horse a good thing on national television. They should have their possible day's betting ready before the races start, not betting on the run, relying on the latest tip from a jockey, trainer or owner on national television. That is hardly the recipe from punting success.

The race Pimpala Prince won was the Group 2 Challenge Stakes, a Weight For Age sprint over 1000 metres. Of course, 1000 metres races are notorious for upset results. That is exactly what Pimpala Prince's win was. He did not have the best chance of winning the race. He certainly did not deserve to be a favourite. Gordon Yorke's earlier winner, the two year old Pimpala Warrior started second favourite at $3.50.

Prior to the race Pimpala Prince had 10 wins and only four placings from 37 starts. He had never even raced over 1000 metres. Here he was, having his first start over the distance as a seven year old. His best form was over 1200 metres with five wins.

Pimpala Prince was beaten by seven lengths at his previous start when first up on January 13, in a 1200 metres open run at weight for age at the Gold Coast. Through his career he has been a good handicapper, but not a weight for age performer. However he did come into Saturday's race with a solid second up record - two wins from five starts.

There was also a key run very much worth noting. On March 4, 2000 he won a Group 3 Handicap at Rosehill over 1200 metres starting at $17.00. He only carried 54.5 kg. but that was two kilos more than the very smart Iglesia who won the Standish Handicap at Flemington on New Year's Day this year. You can't really claim this is a valid formline nine months after they clashed but what it does show is that Pimpala Prince can pull out a good run. Those are the sort of clues you look for when backing bolters.

The Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick was only a seven horse field. It was not a particularly strong race. The short priced favourite was three year old filly Ateates. Last time in she won two Group 2 set weights races for fillies over 1200 metres. She resumed from a four months spell and finished second at $2.25.

It was because the Challenge Stakes was a weak race with only seven starters that Pimpala Prince came into calculations, not as "good thing" but as a bolter who did not deserve to be $34.40. Gordon Yorke's comment that Pimpala Prince had just as good a chance of winning as his $3.50 winner earlier, if not better, is really an exaggeration.

Many trainers talk up every one of their runners without any concern for the quality of the opposition. Of course occasionally they are going to fluke a big priced winner. No different to asking Gai Waterhouse how her horses will go. They'll probably win every race. But that's just Gai Waterhouses's natural confidence.

Next: Punt to Win 2/2/2001

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