3 reasons to return from punter hibernation

If you are one of those punters who tucked away the betting goggles after the Winter Carnival in waiting for the Spring then here are three reasons to open your betting apps and return to the punt for this Saturday's racing.

Jockey Celebration Day

Punters, jockeys, trainers and racing industry groups across the country will stop to think about the courageous sports men and women of racing on Saturday as part of Jockey Celebration Day. Pound-for-pound jockeys are recognised as the fittest and toughest sports people in the world. Without their resilient dedication to their craft, we wouldn't have the great sport that we all treasure and love. While visions of victorious jockey's kissing cups and pumping fists tend to saturate the media to give us the glamorous side of a jockey's life, there is less known about the challenge that many riders face throughout their careers. Consider these facts:

• Since the mid 19th century 880 Aussie jockeys have died in the line of duty;
• Approximately 200 riders are injured each year on race tracks in Australia; and
• Only 11% of jockeys are lucky enough to avoid falls that require medical assistance in their careers.

A minutes silence will be observed at 20 racecourses across the country on Saturday and the top weight in each race will wear the colours of the National Jockey Trust.

Racecourses across the country have special function areas for their members and the public to celebrate this important day on the racing calendar.

Group 2 Missile Stakes at Royal Randwick

Punters are being treated to a great contest between quality sprinters at Randwick on Saturday. The Group 2 Missile Stakes includes no less than three proven Group 1 race horses and sees the return of Canterbury BMW Stakes winner Le Romain from his winter spell.

Tycoon Tara looks to make it back-to-back titles after winning the G1 Tatt's Tiara last year and shapes-up as a genuine contender in a race that is over-subscribed with front-runners. Punters who watched this race last year witnessed a great form race for some of the biggest sprint races over the Spring. Second placed Rebel Dane going on to win the Manikato Stakes being the highlight to that point.

Frankel Colt Flemington Debut

Frankel My Dear, the unraced colt of the unbeaten British super thoroughbred Frankel, debuts at Flemington on Saturday and punters are waiting in readiness to see how he travels. He was purchased for $500,000 at the 2016 Sydney Easter yearling sales after a potential concern was noted about his off fore leg. Further investigation indicated that the condition was not as serious as first thought, leaving connections with the prospect of grabbing themselves a bargain.

Trainer Robbie Laing thinks the 1000m distance in the VRC Members Pavilion Handicap will be too short for him but there's an air of expectation after positive reports about his trackwork efforts have surfaced.

Laing describes him as "..an elegant athletic sort of horse" who has been "producing on the track".

"He's bred to stay but he's got a good turn of foot and goes into the race very fit."

Frankel My Dear has drawn barrier two in the first race at Flemington on Saturday which jumps at 11.40 am EST.

Mike Steward.