The Weekly A-Z

Posted on July 3, 2020 | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – AIMING HIGH

That is what leviathan owner Bob Peters is doing with his proven performers and the next wave of cerise and white representatives. Regal Power and Arcadia Queen will fly the WA flag in the Cox Plate later this year, Perfect Jewel is going to try her hand in Melbourne, while Showmanship and/or Windstorm could yet join Golden Eagle-bound Superstorm in Sydney for The Everest. If Everest slot holders don’t come calling, they are likely to target the riches here in Perth.

B – BASKET CASE

Brisbane Broncos, step right up. The Anthony Seibold era has been a spectacular fail at present, with last weekend’s loss to Gold Coast the fifth in a row and only heightening the scrutiny on the once powerful club. Former coach Wayne Bennett didn’t miss the Broncos during the week and the critics will keep coming until the rot is stopped.

C – CEE YA LATER

Neville Parnham’s Group 1-winning filly Kay Cee lines up in tomorrow’s Listed Belmont Oaks with superb victories to her credit this campaign already in the Raconteur Stakes and Belmont Guineas. She meets a quality field of fillies, but her ability to sustain a sprint, coupled with the rare quality of making significant ground around the bend, will again hold her in good stead in her first crack beyond 1800m.

D – DARE TO DREAM

Steve Withers has upped his sights with Tommy Shelby, who will represent WA in the heats of the Vic Peters at Wentworth Park tomorrow night. Having failed to acclimatise to his new surroundings early on, the $100,000 stake earner peeled off a 29.63sec. trial last week. He’s ready and with no bad luck, is capable of making a splash.

E – ENTERTAINMENT PLUS

The NRL has been compulsory viewing in 2020, thanks mainly to the six-again rule resulting in the ball being in play more, which in turn leads to higher scoring. Last night’s showdown between Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters was one of the best home-and-away matches you will ever witness. An attacking, absorbing affair, the contest was forced into golden point territory where the Storm sealed the deal 27-25 after Cameron Smith converted a penalty committed by Roosters veteran Jake Friend.

F – FINALS DAY

Turnover at Flemington is always high and that should again be the case tomorrow when finals day takes place at headquarters. The culmination of the year’s winter race series featuring in-form gallopers across a range of divisions and distances, it is always a great card. For what it’s worth, Cherry Tortoni looks a standout in race three after his dominant victory a fortnight ago for Patrick Payne and Billy Egan.

G – GROWING IN NUMBERS

The hamstrings of AFL players are being stretched to the limit … literally. We all know that Lance Franklin required surgery after his setback during the build-up to round two and we have seen a spate of “strings” since. Xavier Duursma, Nat Fyfe and Jack Ziebell have all given theirs a tweak and Dan Hannebery’s wretched soft-tissue record of late reared its head last night when he felt tight in his right hamstring.

H – HUBBA BUBBA

The community transmission of coronavirus in Melbourne over the past week left the AFL with little option but to act swiftly. The 10 Victorian clubs can now expect to ply their trade away from family and friends, just as the two WA and SA clubs have been required to do on the Gold Coast. AFL officials have said on countless occasions that everyone in the competition would need to be flexible to keep the ball rolling. They were on the money.

I – INSANE

Cannot think of a better word to describe the power Mike Tyson is showing in his constant sparring videos as he closes in on a comeback. Now 54, the one-time baddest man on the planet is in ripping condition. Who he fights when he steps back into the ring is to be determined, but it is a bout that will attract millions of eyeballs.

J – JAW-DROPPING

News this week that NSW jockeys had gone to Racing NSW about restricting international hoops encroaching on their patch by taking working summer holidays in Sydney caught most by surprise. The old “have saddle will travel” adage clearly does not hold a lot of merit to the riders in the very competitive NSW jockey ranks.

K – KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS

Loud-mouthed American sports commentator Stephen A. Smith cast doubt on the NBA players being able to adjust to life in their Orlando bubble without having sex for three weeks, let alone three months. As part of the league’s safety protocol, players aren’t allowed to have a plus-one until the first round of the resumption has been completed. If a lack of intimacy is the biggest concern facing the players, the competition is in real strife.

L – LITMUS TEST

Gold Coast couldn’t have done any more in 2020 to suggest they have finally turned the corner. An upset of West Coast in round two was followed by wins over Adelaide and Fremantle. Having got the attention of most, we now learn how legitimate they are. Taking on Geelong down at GMHBA Stadium is a daunting task for any club, notably an interstate one which has enjoyed scant success through its existence.

M – MILESTONE MEN

Making Gold Coast’s task of toppling the Cats on home soil is the fact Gary Ablett (350 games) and Joel Selwood (300) will celebrate major milestones. Ablett has won a Brownlow Medal at both the Cats and the Suns, but is very much considered a Geelong champion. As for Selwood, his march to 300 matches has been rapid. It’s hard to believe he is still only 32 years of age.

N – NO MORE, NICK

If only Nick Kyrgios showed as much passion on court as he has in the past fortnight regarding the ATP Tour and some of its big names, notably Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Boris Becker. It might be best if Kyrgios worries about things he can control … work ethic, living life like an elite athlete and utilising the God-given talent he has been blessed with.

O – OH WHEN THE SAINTS

It has been a while since St Kilda contested a finals campaign. On what we have witnessed thus far in 2020, they should be active in the post-season — whenever that is. The Saints have depth, a genuine superstar in waiting in tall forward Max King and a game plan that best utilises their home ground Marvel Stadium. They are on the march.

P – PUTTING ON A CLINIC

Peter O’Neill, the face and voice of greyhounds in WA, has been seeing them like beach balls on the tipping front of late. He selected 9 out of 12 winners last Saturday night at Cannington, including his best bet Hastie Guess ($9) and was at it again during the week, throwing out Fab’s Winnie ($8) and the first four in that race, which paid $450.

Q – QUESTION TIME

Are West Coast fair dinkum about mounting a premiership challenge this year or content to put the flag tilt in the “too hard basket”? We will find out tomorrow afternoon at Metricon Stadium after they have played Sydney. The Eagles view themselves as being in the premiership window and have recruited accordingly. To remain there, they need to start banking wins.

R – RIDE HIGH

In all due respect to Chicago Bull, who chases another free-for-all victory at Gloucester Park tonight, there is something alluring about Ride High. The Victorian pacer boasts 12 wins from 13 starts and will be looking to enhance that record at Melton tomorrow night. Given he clocked a sizzling 52.7sec. for his last half when first-up last month, his first outing since undergoing throat surgery, to win by nearly 30m, it would take a brave (perhaps foolish) person to say he won’t be winning.

S – SIDEWAYS

Steele Sidebottom’s evening last Saturday started with the right intention — a visit to the house of wounded teammate Jeremy Howe. It finished about 12 hours later in the back of a police car after three breaches of the AFL’s Covid-19 protocols. That is some sort of drink-up.

T – TOOTHLESS TIGERS

Just as West Coast haven’t adjusted to the curve ball or three that has been thrown at AFL clubs this year, Richmond have been equally disappointing. Their grizzling before the resumption of how life was difficult and the prospect of heading into hubs daunting, has been reflected in poor on-field performances. It is going to get tougher from here for Damien Hardwick’s charges. Time to man up.

U – UPHEAVAL

Spare a thought for Travis Auld. As the man responsible for compiling the fixtures, he normally gets a chance to catch his breath in late October each year when we learn who is playing who. It’s fair to say he is earning his money at present. The decision by the Queensland Government this week to crank up the restrictions in response to Victoria’s plight saw Auld swing into action and hastily revamp round six. His task is a monumental one.

V – VENTURING WEST

The V8s will be back at Sydney Motorsport Park in a fortnight. The Supercars season was impacted, like just about every other sport in the world, because of the coronavirus but returned to the western Sydney circuit last weekend. With safety concerns over Winton in Victoria and Queensland Government quarantine restrictions, the venue will again play host to some real horsepower.

W – WHITE-HOT

Lindsey Smith has prepared seven winners from 20 runners in two States in the past week, highlighted by a treble at Belmont Park on Wednesday. He enters tomorrow with genuine live hopes here in Perth and is well represented at Flemington. His sustained run of excellent form mirrors that of Grant and Alana Williams, who continue to churn out the winners at a staggeringly successful strike rate of 30 per cent.

X – XERRI BOMB

Tristan Xerri made his debut for North Melbourne last weekend against Hawthorn and while he didn’t have the impact in disposals and goals he would have liked, there was a presence about him. Not unlike what we saw from Brayden Preuss before he headed to Melbourne. Xerri’s attack on the contest in the third quarter when he made heavy contact to Tom Scully will not have gone unnoticed from rival players.

Y – YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT

There were many NFL fans who did a double take this week when it was announced Cam Newton had signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. That’s right. Newton and the Patriots. Together. Regardless of how you dice this one up, Newton just doesn’t strike you as a New England Patriot. How he gels with Bill Belichick and embraces the “Patriots Way” will be fascinating.

Z – ZINC

There was a sense of excitement from Northern Territorians regarding the prospect of interstate clubs making Darwin a home to escape the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Victoria. There are most definitely worst spots to be in the middle of winter than the Top End. But it seems the zinc cream and singlets won’t be required by Victorian clubs any time soon, with the AFL looking to base its clubs elsewhere.