Winter carnival capers: Ben Dorries and Trenton Akers take a lighthearted look at the week that was
Racing experts Ben Dorries and Trenton Akers take a lighthearted look at Group 1 Queensland Oaks week and the lead-up to next week’s Stradbroke Handicap.
The lads survived a marathon Super Saturday at Eagle Farm and have been up and about during Queensland Oaks week.
With the Stradbroke Handicap also just around the corner next week, Ben Dorries and Trenton Akers have been in the thick of the action.
BD: Trenton, I feel like we have had a strong week but not nearly as good as Stephanie Thornton who not only had a surprise wedding to Ben Thompson but has also jagged a Stradbroke ride with Godolphin colt Vilana at 50.5kg.
TA: If Stephanie can win, it will be a rich slice of Stradbroke history with no female rider ever winning the race. Jamie Kah is also looking to be the first when she rides favourite Ayrton. Female riders have certainly made their presence felt over the last decade.
Most amazing day yesterday when my gorgeous boy @BenThompson2102 married my beautiful daughter in law @smthornton99 â¤ï¸â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/yegUjbv66J
— Seona Thompson (@ElGaloSaints) May 30, 2022
BD: Well I’m still basking in the afterglow of Apache Chase’s win in the Kingsford-Smith and wasn’t it great to visit Desleigh Forster’s Eagle Farm stables on Tuesday morning and congratulate her on scoring her first Group 1.
TA: While Desleigh was happy to see you Ben, the stable dog was less than impressed. It’s obviously a good judge as it seemed to take a set against you. And Eddie the goat seemed more interested in trying to mount a tree to eat leaves than getting a pat from you.
BD: It was great to meet Eddie but I’m hoping Queensland Oaks filly Aravene can be the GOAT (greatest of all time) for at least one day on Saturday. I’ve backed her until my nose has bled for the last month as I think she’s the one on a real upwards spiral and it wouldn’t surprise me if she won this by lengths.
TA: You’ve got a strange infatuation with this filly. I couldn’t find a spot for her in my top three. I thought the work of Robbie Dolan on The Voice was outstanding but I’ll be singing from the rooftops myself if he can get Gin Martini to win on Saturday.
BD: We aren’t far out from the Stradbroke next week, what are you putting the mock on there?
TA: Ayrton put in a shocker against Zaaki on the Gold Coast but this horse has class in spades and if anyone can mastermind an unconventional Stradbroke preparation, it’s Mick Price. Ayrton trialled well to my eye on the Sunshine Coast and will be finishing like a steam train in the Stradbroke.
BD: You would hardly see a better run in defeat than Alligator Blood last Saturday, he was wide the trip and only just went down and will plunge four kilograms in weight in the Stradbroke. I might have bitten off more than I can chew, but I think the headline horse is back to near his best and will give the Straddy a mighty shake.
Originally published as Winter carnival capers: Ben Dorries and Trenton Akers take a lighthearted look at the week that was
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