TABradio Q&A

Posted on February 28, 2022February 28, 2022 | Posted by TABtouch

Digby Beacham and Taylor Courtland conduct an in-depth review of the weekend’s racing and sport action.

DB: Let’s cut to the chase. Who’s winning the WA Oaks and WA Derby?

TC: I think Henchard wins the WA Derby. He finished within a length of Trix Of The Trade in Saturday’s Lex Piper over the mile and has improvement to come. His breeding suggests the trip won’t be an issue, headgear is still an option and he’s trained by Adam Durrant.

DB: So you’re potting Trix Of The Trade?

TC: Yes.

DB: Why do you hate Trix Of The Trade?

TC: I don’t hate Trix Of The Trade. I’m skeptical about him over the 2400m.

TC: Are you confident about him at 2400m?

DB: No, I’m not, but in saying that he can’t do any more than what he has been doing. The 1800m of the JC Roberts will paint a clearer picture of his capabilities at a trip.

TC: Does he deserve his $4 quote as favourite with TABtouch?

DB: Yes he does, but you’re not getting me at that price. He has won seven of eight and is unbeaten this time in. He is clearly high class.

DB: What about the girls, TC?

TC: A race in two between Fine Romance and Constant Dreaming. There is also a bit of X-factor with Arcadia Gem.

DB: So, you are dismissing the rest of them?

TC: I would be shocked if anything turned the tables on the Ascot 1000 Guineas quinella.

TC: Let’s look interstate. It was a great day’s racing at Caulfield with three Group 1s. Did the way the track played put a dampener on the day?

DB: You could say yes. In saying that, the Caulfield track this time of the year is always regarded as a track that suits frontrunners. It wasn’t a shock those riding the speed and close to the fence were advantaged. Is that good for racing? That’s another matter entirely.

DB: You follow Sydney racing closer than Melbourne racing. I take it you felt the track was ordinary or have I read that wrong?

TC: Their last two Group 1 meetings, Orr Stakes day and Blue Diamond day, there’s been too much focus on the track as opposed to the athletes. Head north on Saturday and on a heavy 34 track, every runner got their chance if they had a snorkel and flippers and gills.

TC: Where do you stand on Espiona?

DB: For mine she didn’t look comfortable in the ground. She has an electric turn of foot and she was unable to show that in those conditions. We probably need to pump the brakes on her talent levels and comparisons to Winx. She is very good, but no Winx and that’s not a criticism.

TC: You’ll be happy to back her next start on a good or a soft track?

DB: Yes. I’d be happier on a good track, but you might not be seeing one of those for a while in Sydney.

DB: Let’s change tack. Footy was back on the weekend. I know you follow Collingwood, but if you supported West Coast, would you be worried?

TC: Worried about what?

DB: Being obliterated TC by Fremantle and having the mauling compounded by injuries to key players.

TC: The fact that there are more people in the doctor’s office than the changeroom is of major concern. In a practice match, the result I think is a little bit irrelevant.

TC: On TABtouch, the season win line with West Coast over-under is 10.5. I think that’s too high. Do you agree Diggers?

DB: Absolutely. They’re banged up and are going to be missing key personnel for several weeks to start the season and that is before you factor in Jack Darling’s anti-vax stance. Adam Simpson would need to pull a rabbit out of the hat if they’re to play finals you would think. And I don’t think there are any hats left on the hat rack.

DB: What’s the line re: wins with Fremantle, TC?

TC: They are 10.5 as well at $2 opposed to West Coast at $1.95. Take the $2 and run.

DB: You know my thoughts on Freo. Are you as bullish?

TC: It’s a put up or shut up season for the Dockers. List build good, depth good, coach good, star power good. Everything lines up for their first finals appearance since 2015. I’m confident it’s one of the best footy bets you can have this season.

TC: Are you tipping them to be the season’s biggest improvers?

DB: Well, yes because I’ve got them coming from outside the top eight into the finals. On that basis you’d have to say yes. They’re quick and have got weapons on all lines. They just need an even break with injuries.

DB: Now TC, each week in this blog we are going to do what we call the R & Rs … recruit, release and retain. Which horses out of the weekend are you recruiting, releasing and retaining if you went in with a blank canvass?

TC: I want to recruit Jacquinot for his three-year-old season, Henchard for the WA Derby and Dazzling Dane to back next start.

TC: What about you? Are you jumping on the Henchard bandwagon?

DB: No, I won’t. I want to recruit Greece before she makes her debut in the Reisling in the lead-up to the Slipper. She looks the real deal to my eye.

DB: Who are you releasing?

TC: Comes A Time. I’ve had enough of him. Yes, he was unlucky but my the hole in my wallet is too big to forgive.

TC: How about you? Are you releasing Colette?

DB: She was plain in conditions that suited her doubt, so yes she can go. I can’t have Mrs America … I just don’t think she’s much good.

DB: Who are you retaining mate?

TC: All right muscles. I’ll retain Fine Romance because Saturday’s 1000 Guineas wasn’t run to suit. She needed a drag into the race and didn’t get it. I’m happy to give her another chance.

TC: Who are you standing by? You have a love affair with Argentia. Are you holding your line with her?

DB: Yes, I will. I thought she was pretty good given she had to be used up from a low draw to hold a spot which is against her pattern. I’m also standing by He’s A Lucky Lad. The rise in distances will suit him.

DB: That’s week one down TC. Thanks for your efforts, enjoy the weekend upcoming. There’ll be plenty to chat about next Monday, you would think?

TC: Absolutely. A pleasure. I cannot wait to see how good this Amelia’s Jewel is in the Supremacy on Saturday if she gets a run.