The luck of the devil.
Tell's face it, to win at the casino you need a bit of luck. I have played the tables online and you can place one here if you fancy a flutter.
I've not been to many brick and mortar casinos. Visited a few here and there: Great Yarmouth, Nottingham & Luton. I've won money at all bar Nottingham. I don't think I lost much there, perhaps forty or fifty pounds.
They are all owned by Grosvenor who have many across the country. Readers will know I go to Great Yarmouth quite regular. This coastal town is like most - beyond the glitz of the Golden Mile is a community who are largely deprived. Seasonal work doesn't help but people live where they live. I love Yarmouth because I have fond memories of school holidays at Caister-on-sea. Who hasn't been to Regent Street for a wander? There is plenty of things to do. Sadly the old House Of Wax closed a few years back. It was featured in a few big publications as being something of a comedy show because the waxworks had melted a touch and they looked nothing like they were meant to. I went there a few times as a child and it was kind of funny if not spooky.
Anyway, let's get back to the casino action.
I've been to Great Yarmouth Grosvenor Casino plenty of times. Believe it or not, I'm actually winning money.
I love people watching. You see a diverse mix of punters. Some rich - some poor. Some, not being nasty, look and act as though they have crawled from under a rock.
Take these examples:
Graham is a regular. He bets big money. In fact, he is the only person I have seen there with the illusive £1000 chips. They aren't chip-shaped, more of a rectangle, so not sure what they call them. Anyway, he likes to bet. Always on the roulette table. Scattering chips across the table. I've seen him winning many thousand - losing too! Makes me smile, as sometimes his wife sits close by drinking a cup of tea. How can you win money at fixed odds? The fact of the matter is that if you play long and hard you are guaranteed to lose.
An example of someone who clearly has a gambling problem is a little Argentinian bloke who makes his living driving a taxi. He sits at the three-card poker table and vanishes every so often to take a fare before coming back to lose the fee. A cheery man with a smile. Someone who loves his football. But, sadly, someone who cannot stay away.
I guess there have been a few big spenders at this venue. If you bet big and often you need a lot of money because you can easily burn through a £100,000 over a year by betting relatively small sums.
The only time I went to Luton casino an Indian bloke was playing. He never took less than a £50 note out of his pocket. He must have had some money. His luck had gone for a burton. He lost £15,000 as I played at the roulette table. His £50+ bets sitting heavy next to my 50p chips. Like a skyscraper next to a bungalow! However, my money was lucky while he threw his wonga into a crock of shit. It seemed strange, but his face was expressionless. I wanted to see him win just to see if there was a light in his eyes. I very much doubt win, lose or draw it would have registered. I don't know what he did for a living but he wasn't short on money. Strangely, like Bryan, his wife sat nearby supping away at a cup of ''earl grey''.
Later, I went to cash in my £75 winning chips.
Low and behold, he was there at the counter cashing in more money. Clearly, the £50s had run dry and he used his card to get some chips. The whole counter was covered with £500 and £1000 rectangles. I really should have stayed longer just to conclude his story.
My cousins Danny and Paul were there, along with other members of family and friends. Paul had a bad night made all the worse when he gave up the ghost and Danny took his seat and won the next hand.
I'll be back at Great Yarmouth before Christmas. Let's hope lady luck is smiling. I wonder if I will see my familiar ''friends'' there?
No I've not fallen alseep. Although with the two-year-old racing slow to gain pace this season there is a chance many readers have given me a nudge. No point writing if there isn't much of interest. This new week seems relatively quiet but there will be a few posts along the way. I will be venturing to Great Yarmouth tomorrow to see one of Julia Feilden's horses The Ducking Stool compete on a windswept coast. I actually have apart share in four of their charges this season and been invited to the course and you may just see me in the paddock. Should be fun.
It's that time again: the annual pilgrimage to Great Yarmouth and the three-day Eastern Festival. I am crossing my fingers the weather improves else we could look like victims of a ship wrecking sooner rather than later. We have a good crowd including my brothers, cousins and friends. On Monday evening we will be going to the Grosvenor Casino, on the front, which will test if lady luck is on my side. I haven't frequented many casinos and usually have a few turns on the roulette table. I bet on single numbers so it is like watching paint dry. It's all very small stakes. My enjoyment comes from watching others and seeing how they go. Should be a good start to the week.
As always, I will have my eye on the two-year-old racing, which looks pretty thin on the ground at this coastal venue and soft ground thrown into the mix. Just six two-year-old races over the three days leaves little meat on the bone. No wonder those hamburgers are so expensive at the course! I'm not big on nursery races or plating class so just have to hope there is a chance in a maiden or two. I will be hoping Ian's Memory will be running in the 2:10 Yarmouth, Wednesday. It is a debutante of Jeremy Noseda's. I know this horse is held in very high regard and one of three entered for the stable. Whether connections will be keen to start him on soft ground is another matter. Time will tell. It is usually the case when I go to a meeting there is little betting of interest by the off. I don't bet on the horses for fun and I certainly have no idea about the other age groups. I find it just as enjoyable to watch people, horses and listen to the roar of the crowd. It is all too easy to just think about betting - winning & losing at the course. I like to look into the grandstand and remember those days when my dad, uncle Keith, Fred, Pete Miller plus many others would enjoy a day's racing. Sadly all of those good men have passed away and that - in truth - is the reason we go to the races to show our respect and make sure they are never forgotten.
I'll be back Thursday evening and the odd post or two will come rain or shine.
A Maiden Auction Stakes over 5f 34y on good to firm ground. In many ways this looks like the race where no one turned up! Perhaps that is a little unfair because horses always have the knack of surprising people. Sometimes the worse they look - the better they run. However, most with experience have not achieved a great deal. Although, even in the worst race there has to be a winner. Somewhere.
Richard Fahey is having a slow start to the season and yet to train a two-year-old winner. He must be frustrated by recent events as a number of their juveniles have been in need of the run which isn't the norm with this stable. Fahey has been quoted as saying they have a different type of horse this season and that does bring concerns. Jaga Time drifted markedly in the betting on debut at Southwell. It couldn't have helped that this colt was quoted as being nothing special. This son of Compton Place showed good pace before tiring in the final two furlongs. I don't think it was a strong race and Jaga Time was ridden as though fit, which probably illustrates his limitations. He is still one of the more pacey juveniles in this race if their debut efforts are to be believed. This chestnut colt could travel well but whether he has the ability to win is a matter for debate.
Stan Moore fields two and neither really caught the eye on debut. Cockney Bob cost £500 at the yearling sales and bred to enjoy a trip. This son of Cockney Rebel is a gelding who didn't look like he had come in his coat at Leicester. To be fair that was a decent race with the second and third running well since. He was very slow away from the stalls, which scuppered any real chance. Gannon [jockey] kept pushing and he ran on quite well in the closing stages. I just wonder if he ran in a different race and was flattered. He looked to be comprehensively outpaced for most. It might just be the case he needed the run because Moore's juveniles are much better on their second start. Horses can improve beyond recognition first to second start so it pays to give horses second chances. However, I would have fears he could be left standing if a couple with pace press on and may well touch bigger odds in running.
Aweebitowinker was rousted along when making his debut at Wolverhampton and wasn't helped in the least by running wide on this turning course. This gelding - £1,500 yearling purchase - done well to stay competitive for most but struggled in the final two furlongs. The first two were in a different class. Considering the second has since run at Selling class it sets the level.
Marilyn Marquessa was well backed on debut but disappointed. She then seemed to run a big race at Kempton although that was a difficult contest to judge because the majority of the field needed the experience. I think Hughes youngster made the most of her experience and running the rail. The complexion of that race changed dramatically in the closing stages and if the race had been over an extra half furlong she would have been beaten a good few lengths. Unless the latest run at Wolverhampton was a disappointment, it was no more than a limited effort. The winner and second have some ability but three runs suggest this daughter of Captain Gerrard is limited.
With so many of the form horses looking pretty average punters may look to the debutantes to lead the way.
Mick Quinn doesn't have many two-year-olds in training but Anfield, although a relatively cheap purchase at £5,000, is quite well bred being a half-sister to Dreamy Ciara who showed fair juvenile form with David Evans. The problem is assessing whether she will be fit and ready. I have little data about Quinn as a juvenile trainer so hard to have any strong views other than thinking he isn't really a two-year-old trainer.
George Baker has his first two-year-old runner with Der Blaue Reiter. This chestnut colt cost 20,000euros, which in the context of this race is fair money. The mare has bred a number of hugely expensive yearlings including Elite Dubai who cost over 500,000gns. If this chestnut colt has ability he could well win this race. However, the main stumbling block is that Baker's juveniles have a pretty poor strike rate on debut. It would be folly to say he couldn't win but I would like to see this May foal seriously backed to give greater confidence.
John Ryan's colt by Three Valleys is one of the more interesting although on breeding may benefit from a greater test of stamina. Applejack Lad cost 10,000gns and it's a positive to see Fallon in the saddle. Additionally, he has been entered for a Stakes race, which brings further hope of ability. Such entries can be red herrings or offer little significance but they are often a better sign than not.
Conclusion: This looks a mad race and difficult to assess. Those who have raced have shown no more than limited ability which detracts from their chances but in such an open race it doesn't dictate they cannot win. I wouldn't have the slightest interest in betting. The Stakes entry for Applejack Lad could well be a pointer but I would have to take a watching brief.
No blog post for a couple of days as I'm going to Great Yarmouth in search of candy floss. I mean winners. It's our annual amble to the Norfolk coast - a pilgrimage in the memory of my late father, Colin, who always loved the three day September meeting. This year there will be a gathering of friends and family. We will be stopping at Caister. I can't say I'm the biggest backer on course simply because there are rarely any horses of interest. Time will tell. I don't mind putting a big bet down if I see Pegasus with sand on his hooves. I will be looking up at the grandstand as saying: ''I hope you are watching, Dad.''
A Maiden Stakes over 6f 3y on good to firm ground.
A tricky affair.
The form horses have limited appeal on what has been seen so far. Santo Prince is quite fancied on the betting exchanges and whether this son of Henrythenavigator remains at the forefront of the betting is very much dependent upon the regard in which the debutantes are held. It is fair to say that Bell's two-year-old has been in a couple of decent maidens defeated by Richard Hannon victors in the shape of Jalaa & the potentially high class Toronado. Unless this race is weak, I would have to look to others. However, there would be one exception to this statement: if Santo Prince started favourite. It is unlikely, but if that scenario is played out he will run well.
Of the other horses with experience, Plexolini ran at Bath on debut over 5f. Jo Hughes' youngster wasn't beaten that far but it should be noted that was a very restrictive auction maiden and by all accounts a moderate race.
Whitford is a breeze-up purchase and trained by Chris Dwyer. He is a fair-looking juvenile but was awkward leaving the stalls, veering to his right, and then showing inexperience before being comprehensively outpaced. Much more is needed today and best watched.
Mrs Christine Dunnett does well at Yarmouth, training in her home county of Norfolk. Marvellous Miss, a daughter of Captain Marvellous, needs something of a transformation after showing little ability at Lingfield.
The raced juveniles either need to improve considerably or for this to be a poor race. The debutantes make more appeal.
Mark Tompkins is another trainer who often goes well at this venue. Likelikelikelikeit is one of two fillies, a cheap daughter of Avonbridge. The trainer's juveniles are best on their second start and feature poor strike rate on their racecourse bow.
It is interesting to see Stuart Williams is represented by The Obvious Choice, owned by Qatar Racing Ltd who paid a king's ransom for a string of two-year-old representatives at Royal Ascot. This breeze-up purchase cost 65,000gns. he is half-brother to the talented Auld Burns, who won on debut for Richard Hannon, group-placed at three. Williams features a poor win rate on debut unless his juveniles are strongly fancied in the betting.
The four debutantes most likely to go well are from leading stables.
Marco Botti fields Echo Of Silence. The betting is probably the best indicator although the stable seem to struggle to send out debutantes winner. They feature fair place claims when priced 10/1 & less but I would take a watching brief.
In a race which is difficult to assess, the winner will most likely come from A Certain Romance, Rocky Ground or Bartack.
Peter Chapple-Hyam is a supreme trainer of debutantes to a point his fancied juveniles have a better win rate than similarly fancied two-year-olds on their second start. This is a very unusual characteristic and proves why he is a force to be reckoned. A Certain Romance cost 40,000gns at the yearling sales and is fancied on the betting exchanges. The stable have sent out a couple of substantially backed debut winners with Maxentius and Agent Allison. Owned by Joseph Barton, connections like a gamble and if substantially backed will go very well.
Roger Varian is a gifted trainer. His two-year-old debuatntes have been on fire this season and I would fear opposing Rocky Ground unless he is particularly weak in the betting. This son of Acclamation cost £105,000gns at the yearling sales and purchased by Clipper Logistics who are no strangers to talented juveniles. With three from five of the stables juveniles winning on debut, a second placing beaten in a photo and fast-finishing fourth, it would take a brave person to say this bay colt, an early January foal, will not take some beating.
Last but not least is Bartack trained by Luca Cumani. This son of Acclamation cost £78,000 at the yearling sales. Cumani is intriguing and often difficult to assess on debut. However, he has a liking for Yarmouth and a number of his two-year-olds have run huge races here on their racecourse bow. In general, the stable feature fair win and place claims with juveniles priced in single figures. They can win at the first time of asking and if fancied this horse could be a surprise package.
Conclusion: On paper this looks a difficult race to assess but it could pay to focus on four juveniles. Santo Prince hasn't achieved a great deal in his two starts to date. However, he is the litmus test for this race. If he made favourite it would suggest the opposition is poor and I would give this colt a leading chance. It isn't impossible for this to happen, but I am pretty sure at least one or two of the debutantes will be stronger in the market. Bartack may hold fair win and place claims if fancied in the betting although Cumani is never the easiest to assess on debut. He does have a fondness of Yarmouth which makes me give his two-year-olds a second glance. Few trainers are more capable of winning on debut than Peter Chapple-Hyam & Roger Varian. They have a good line with their juveniles and simply know what is required to win. The betting is key for A Certain Romance. If substantially backed, it will take a good horse to beat him. Similarly Rocky Ground cost a pretty penny and hails from a stable that has an exceptional record with two-year-old debutantes this season. I wouldn't like to choose between these three. Each has strength in its own way. All have fair win and place claims if prices allow.
