Sports

The Weekly A-Z

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – AFFAIRS IN ORDER

We haven’t seen the last of Home Affairs at the races. But it wouldn’t matter a great deal if we did. The son of I Am Invincible assured himself of a lucrative career at stud with his awesome victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) down the Flemington straight. An $875,000 yearling, Home Affairs boasts a Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes win as a juvenile and a prestigious Group 1 that conservatively values him around $25 million.

B – BRAVE NEW WORLD

Expect to see plenty of vision of Atlanta Braves fans enjoying the championship spoils when the world champions are afforded a two-part parade tomorrow morning. The Braves, who beat the Houston Astros 7-0 in game six  this week to claim the World Series 4-2, will first be shown off to locals in downtown Atlanta before again being feted at their home ground, a few kilometres north-west of the CBD. It was Atlanta’s first World Series triumph in 26 years and has led to some raucous celebrations.

C – CUP WEEK

The Melbourne Cup carnival concludes tomorrow afternoon and after having to watch the industry proceed last year before no spectators, the sights and sounds this week reinforced the belief that these four days of racing are the best we witness in Australia all year. Flemington was majestic on Tuesday when Verry Elleegant upstaged Incentivise and the racing all week was magnificent. Book your tickets for 2022.

D – DEMOLITION DERBY

The victory of Hitotsu in last Saturday’s VRC Derby (2500m) was just under two lengths. It came courtesy of a patient John Allen ride. One wonders though what the son of Maurice would have actually done to his opposition had he seen clear air earlier than he did in the straight. It was a dominant win and underlined his standing as a colt of immense talent. Bring on the autumn and hopefully he is still going around in 12 months’ time.

E – EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

Have some of that. Grant and Alana Williams and William Pike would never say those words publicly. However, nobody would begrudge them if they did privately after Western Empire made a statement with a capital S in last weekend’s Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m). Last season’s WA Derby winner was replaced as favourite for the feature by Kissonallforcheeks, yet made a mess of her and the rest of the field to book a spot in the Group 1 Railway Stakes. Regardless of what occurs in the Group 2 Lee-Steere Stakes (1400m) tomorrow, Western Empire will start favourite in the famous Ascot mile.

F – FINE WINE

If you had plonked yourself on the couch and watched every race of the Melbourne Cup carnival, you wouldn’t have had the foggiest that Damien Oliver is closer to the end of his riding career than the start. The West Australian, who next year celebrates his 50th birthday, notched a Group 1 double aboard Colette and Superstorm last weekend and booted home another one yesterday, his 126th overall in a glittering career, when lifting Willowy to victory in the Kennedy Oaks (2500m) for Godolphin trainer James Cummings. The GOAT is the gift that keeps on giving.

G – GO FOR GOLD

One week after Melbourne visitor I’m Thunderstruck rallied from an awkward position turning for home and stuck his head out to claim the $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m), another seven-figure race will garner heavy focus out at Rosehill tomorrow. The $1 million Golden Gift (1100m) has attracted a field of 12 two-year-olds, with the winner and runner-up booking a berth in next autumn’s Golden Slipper (1200m), which this week had its prizemoney boosted to $5 million. Big spuds.

H – HERBIE GOES BANANAS

Think flagbearers for Australian men’s golf and the names Cam Smith and Marc Leishman, perhaps even Adam Smith, automatically spring to mind. It is time to make room in your psyche for Lucas Herbert. The 25-year-old Victorian claimed his maiden US PGA Tour win in Bermuda this week, elevating him to a world ranking of 43 and guaranteeing him a berth in the 2022 Masters at Augusta National. Already a dual winner on the European Tour, it is not inconceivable to see Herbert assume the ranking of No.1 Australian in 2022.

I – IT’S HIS TO LOSE

Will it be It’sarayday’s day? Punters certainly hope so. The talented Winning Rupert gelding went up $2.30 in TABtouch’s Fairetha Stakes market on Wednesday and soon after drifted to $2.50. Since then however it has been all one-way traffic, with It’sarayday firming into $2.05. He could even start odds-on. If he wins as expected, trainer Simon Miller may well decide to extend It’sarayday to the 1600m of the $500,000 WA Guineas at Group 2 level.

J – JUSTIFIED

Espiona was expected to win the Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Oaks Day. Her $1.35 quote suggested there was a bullishness from punters about her prospects. But even those who dived into the shorts were in awe of Espiona’s performance. The daughter of Extreme Choice never really got out of second gear for James McDonald, yet still chalked up a six-and-a-half length victory at only her second start. Her next campaign is going to attract enormous interest … and deservedly so.

K – KLAY’S CHRISTMAS WISH

The Golden State Warriors knew what was required to start the NBA season. Take care of business as best they could until triple championship hero Klay Thompson re-entered the fold following Achilles surgery and a serious knee injury. That they have done that, starting the campaign 6-1, is no shock considering they boast Steph Curry, the greatest shooter the game has ever seen. Thompson, who had his Achilles operation on November 25 last year, caused a stir this week when he took part in a shootaround. Thompson will start taking part in full practice midway through this month and could be back in action on game night in the Festive Season.

L – LIVING LEGEND

As a living legend, it is only fitting that 2020 Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment will see out the rest of his days at Living Legends, the agistment property north-west of the Melbourne CBD. In the first three at 28 of his 37 starts in both hemispheres and with more than $5.8 million in career earnings, the nine-year-old gelding richly deserves his place in a  paddock alongside other equine greats Efficient, Fields Of Omagh, Apache Cat, Beauty Generation and Silent Witness.

M – MISSING IN ACTION

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be sidelined this weekend when the Packers lock horns with Kansas City in a true heavyweight NFL clash. Why? Because he tested positive to COVID-19 after electing not to be vaccinated, despite the wishes of the league for all players and staff to be protected against the virus. Rodgers has to be apart from his teammates for a minimum of 10 days and longer if he doesn’t remain asymptomatic. After a dreadful start to the campaign against New Orleans, the Packers have won seven in a line as they chase home-field advantage throughout the post-season. Rodgers’ absence doesn’t help.

N – NUMBSKULL OF THE WEEK

Goes to Jordan De Goey. Having spruiked his commitment to an off-season training regime in the USA, De Goey decided it would be wise to leave his California base and party in New York. Not just party. But behave in a manner which led to assault charges and Collingwood’s decision to suspend him indefinitely. Despite his undeniable talent and being in possession of a contract that doesn’t expire until October next year, De Goey is not assured of being in the AFL system in 2022. And that would be a true waste.

O – OFF AND RUNNING

Great to see the Belmont summer season launch in the last month of spring at our winter track. Confused? You shouldn’t be. All jokes aside, the first of five meetings this month at Belmont went off without a hitch yesterday and we all know there will be several more cards set down for the venue during the summer as the renovation of Bunbury continues. Congratulations to Perth Racing track manager Keith Langley and his staff for presenting the track in excellent condition yesterday.

P – POWERFUL STATEMENT

Australia desperately needed to respond from their dismal performance in last Saturday night’s World T20 shellacking at the hands of England. Fortunately for all concerned, they did just that. The Aussies brutalised Bangladesh last night, cruising to an eight-wicket win on the back of Adam Zampa’s 5-19 and a quickfire 40 from skipper Aaron Finch. If Australia take care of the West Indies tomorrow night, they should reach the semi-final stage and be in the hunt for their maiden World T20 crown.

Q – QUENCHING THE THIRST

The wait is over. Major Martini, runner-up to Patronus Star in last year’s WA Derby, is back in action tonight at Gloucester Park as anticipation continues to grow for the summer features. The Justin Prentice-trained star has battled leg injuries since his gallant derby display, but indicated he was ready to strike first-up with an impressive trial last month. Fingers and toes are crossed for Major Martini to make a successful return and then Prentice to up the ante.

R – REDEMPTION

Zaaki’s rollercoaster spring will command considerable attention tomorrow when he contests the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. Scratched on the morning of the Cox Plate because of a high temperature, the Annabel Neasham-trained import will almost certainly start favourite and look to put a smile on the face of many punters left lamenting his untimely withdrawal from the Moonee Valley feature. If Zaaki is at his peak, he is going to ask a lot of his rivals.

S – STRIP OUT

Bookmakers avoided a complete and utter wipe-out when Incentivise came up short in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday. They will be hoping for the same good fortune when Nature Strip looks to rubber-stamp his standing as the world’s best sprinter down the Flemington straight tomorrow. The Group 1 Darley Sprint Classic (1200m) is at his mercy and while he is a very prohibitive quote, Chris Waller’s superstar will no doubt feature in a myriad of multis, some of which will be running for the nation’s biggest punters.

T – TAKE A MOMENT

Whilst we are referencing Chris Waller, it would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the deeds of the Rosehill-based horseman. Waller’s ability to prepare Verry Elleegant to a 10th Group 1 win on Tuesday in the race that stops the nation further illustrated the force he has become in the Australian training ranks. Possessing 129 Group 1 wins, Waller sits behind only TJ Smith, Bart Cummings and Gai Waterhouse on the honour roll for most victories at the elite level.

U – UPSETTING

An investigative story surrounding allegations of racism and misogynistic behaviour of Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver had been bubbling beneath the surface for over a month. Even taking that into account, once the story dropped overnight, it was distressing reading. The Suns quickly refuted the claims via Twitter, but the NBA quickly announced it would be investigating the authenticity of the report and Sarver’s conduct during his 17-year reign as Suns owner.

V – VERRY ELLEEGANT INDEED

James McDonald said it best in the aftermath of the Melbourne Cup when he declared Verry Elleegant deserved to be known as a champion. Nobody could argue that. In fairness, it was probably harsh she was not afforded that tag prior to her Melbourne Cup success. Group 1s are hard to win and she had won nine of them (yes, nine of them) before producing one of the great staying performances in recent times. Think champion mares and you think Winx, Black Caviar, Makybe Diva and Sunline. Verry Elleegant should be spoken about in glowing terms also.

W – WHAT A WASTE

Henry Ruggs III, what have you done? As a first-round draft selection by the Las Vegas Raiders after a brilliant college career at powerhouse Alabama, Ruggs looked destined for a long and prosperous NFL career. Instead, he was this week released by the Raiders after driving his car at speeds in excess of 200km/h whilst twice over the legal alcohol limit in Nevada. Compounding his woes, he crashed into a car in the early hours of the morning, killing a 23-year-old woman. The charges are adding up and so too it seems will be his jail sentence.

X – X-RATED

Some athletes just don’t get it. Tyrone May is a prime example. His Instagram post following Penrith’s NRL premiership, which many felt was a crack at those who criticised him following his conviction for making sex tapes without the consent of women, was poor form. It led to a fine from the NRL and a meeting with the Panthers board. This week the board of directors decided he no longer deserved a spot on the club’s list. It is a brave stance from Penrith. Hopefully it sends a message as to what is expected from players.

Y – YORKSHIRE PAYS THE PRICE

Yorkshire County Cricket Club would love to go back in time. To a time when racism wasn’t an issue inside the four walls at Headingley and former player Azeem Rafiq was treated appropriately, rather than being racially abused and bullied during his time at the club. Yorkshire would also surely like to revisit its decision not to sanction employees, players and senior executives for what transpired. Why? Because the ECB has adopted a hardline stance (as it was well and truly entitled to) which precludes any international fixtures being scheduled at Headingley for the foreseeable future.

Z – ZOOM CALL

Turning for home in the Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) on Tuesday, in-form trainer Dan Morton wondered where Chris Parnham was going to go. He was not alone. Even Chris Parnham was feeling anxious as to when and where the gaps would appear with considerable rump steak in front of him. Once the split did appear, Buzzoom accelerated like only good horses do, bursting through the middle of the field to clinch her maiden stakes win and issue a challenge to Treasured Star ahead of next weekend’s Group 3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m).




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