I wouldn’t be the first punter to declare that “they wish they had never got out of bed”…

Such was my sad story of defeat, poor judgment and a comedy of errors that would make most annual punters look brilliant. Today was certainly that great settler, that crash back to earth, that day when your ever reliant toss of the coin goes against you – consistently – all day and into the night. Arrogance and the laws of probability forbid you to surrender, despite being completely outflanked, outnumbered, and quite frankly – outwitted. Counting the losses becomes a sobering prospect, but desperately needed, for without it – one would never learn – yeh right – who am I kidding J.

But for those of you who partake in multi-leg double betting – maybe today was your day.

Trainer Adam Durrant started off the spree of double results, with back to back wins in the first two races. Beach Express ($9.00) fought bravely to outlast the Budget Rent A Car Sprint 1000m field by a head, while his 4yo Saxon mare Jim’N’Jim ($4.00) was backed in late prior to saluting by a length in the Budget Car & Truck Rentals HCP 2100m.

Other training doubles came for Simon Miller, with Mia China Doll ($1.85 fav) leading all the way in the Budget Bus Rentals Sprint 1200m, and Roman Knows ($3.20) braining the Budget Rent A Car Sprint 1200m field by a massive four lengths after being handy to the turn.

Trainer Sharon Miller and hoop Troy Turner joined forces to claim two of the three feature races at Ascot today, with Sireeze ($4.00) racing away with the TJ Smith for 3yo colts and geldings over 1600m, before repeating the dosage in the very next race when Moreish ($26.00) came from near last to grab a short neck victory in the 1000 Guineas for 3yo fillies over 1800m.

Turner wasn’t the only silk to land a double at Ascot today.

Pat Carbery steered Petrol Power ($1.70 fav) to a narrow half head salute in the listed Supremacy Stakes 2YO 1100m, and backed up the effort with Mia China Doll in the penultimate, while William Pike extended his lead in the Ascot jockey premiership, piloting Red Mercedes to a head victory in the tabtouch.mobi HCP 1600m before landing a crushing whitewash aboard Roman Knows in the last.

And for those of you concerned for my state of mental health, fear not – for there is always Bunbury tomorrow…

The Hoops / Trainers

Doubles galore for trainers Adam Durrant, Sharon Miller and Simon Miller, and for the jockeys – doubles for William Pike, Troy Turner and Pat Carbery.

Chris Blackwell