The Mug watched with interest (from the comfort of a web browser) on Saturday and continues to be amazed at the influence that the race commentator can have on the opinion of race horse performance.

Both Maybe Better and Blue Monday put in good runs in the Liston - no doubt.  They were at least holding ground and perhaps making ground on the leaders.  But given a relatively soft run by the Cat and a hardly inspiring run by Marasco, so they should’ve.  Marasco ran quick sectionals but seemed to give everything.  Caulfied track and running room were the excuses - still not quite sure I understand this?!

For the Mug, the run of the race was Pompeii Ruler, who was behind all but Sphenophyta at the 600 and took many lengths out of the leaders, at what looked like a track gallop.  Should be Cox Plate favourite.  Of other things around on the weekend, I liked the run of the beaten Mentality in Sydney.  Really had no chance the way the race was run and looks like it will be better over longer.

Who knows about Maldivian?  On face value, DJ’s $41 bet for the Caulfield Cup is looking good.

So at this stage, the Mug is attached to the following (not very exciting) Spring predictions:

Cox Plate - Pompeii Ruler, Mentality

Melbourne Cup - Maybe Better, Scriptwriter