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Punting

Mummify the Memory

This Saturday is Caulfield Cup day - one of the great days of the Australian turf.  In this year’s race I’ve narrowed the chances down to three horses: Sphenophyta, Our Smoking Joe, and Activation (Pop Rock the Japanese runner could also be considered, but heck how do you compare Japanese form with Australian form).  For a range of reasons I’ll be having some money on the favourite, Sphenophyta.  Its form is strong, but it really pulls at the heart strings as it is raced by the same interests that won the Cup in 2003 with Mummify.

Mummify was one of my favourite horses, both from the punt and because of its courage.  In 2003 it led from whoa to go to win the Cup in superfast time.  Then in 2005 it tried to do the same thing and just got swamped on the line, finishing third.  Unfortunately, that brave effort told on the old warhorse which snapped a sesamoid near the finishing line and despite attempts to save the horse, Mummify was destroyed the following day.  I shed a tear immediately after the race and also the next day on hearing the news that Mummify could not be saved.  Sphenophyta races in the same colours as Mummify, the Freedman colours of red, purple sash and white sleeves. 

One year on and we will see whether there is room in racing for sentiment, for the memory of Mummify I hope there is.

Mummify returns to scale after winning the 2004 Yalumba Stakes - photo: Melbourne Racing Club

Post Script:  Yes there is no room in racing for sentiment, Sphenophyta had every chance but could only finish fifth.  All in all a very dirty day at the punting office, a loss equivalent to 8% of our bank...ouch.  It does not make me feel better that nearly every professional form analyst in the country had a shocker as well.