The Weekly A-Z

Posted on October 21, 2022October 21, 2022 | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – AGENDA SET

The AFL had hoped to finalise the relevant information surrounding the immensely important inquiry into racism allegations levelled at Hawthorn before yesterday. Better late than never. League chief executive Gillon McLachlan announced exactly what would take place and predicted the wide-ranging investigation into racism, bullying and inappropriate behaviour claims would be completed by December 22. Importantly, all findings of the probe will be made public.

B – BATTLE OF THE SEXES

The Drummond Golf Belgravia Stakes (1200m) might be light on for quantity. You cannot say the same thing about the quality, however. Snowdome showed his WA Sires’ Produce Stakes win in the autumn, coupled with two excellent trials, weren’t a fluke with a powerhouse sprinting display in the Crown Perth 3YO Classic (1000m) first-up on opening day. He is a proper colt that is going to play a seriously big role in The Pinnacles. Tomorrow at Ascot he will carry the hopes of the boys against unbeaten filly Amelia’s Jewel, the Karrakatta Plate winner resuming. If everything pans out as expected, Snowdome will be in front of Amelia’s Jewel turning for home. The sparks will then fly in what promises to be a wonderful battle.

C – CUMMINS’ CONSCIENCE

It wasn’t that long ago Pat Cummins was only too willing to appear in advertisements for Cricket Australia’s major sponsor, Alinta Energy. Not any more. Cummins, whose thumbprints were all over Justin Langer’s resignation, recently voiced concerns about the code’s links to Alinta and we now know that the energy giant will end its association with CA soon. The days of cricketers staying in their lane are over.

D – DID YOU MISS ME

If that is the question posed by Miss Conteki, the answer from her rivals is a firm no. Miss Conteki overcame an akward inside draw last Saturday to nose out a gallant This’ll Testya in a pulsating finish to the Listed Crawford Stakes (1000m). It was the mare’s 10th win from 15 starts, three of them coming in black-type company. Both Miss Conteki and This’ll Testya will need to elevate again if they are to take down the state’s best horse, Elite Street, in a Winterbottom Stakes, but the pair have laid down a marker.

E – EXPLANATION REQUIRED

Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to leave Manchester United’s bench and walk into the changerooms before the end of the home side’s 2-0 win over Tottenham midweek was always going to cause a stir. It followed his decision not to come on as a substitute. The response from United manager Erik ten Hag? Not to include Ronaldo in the squad for this weekend’s clash with Chelsea and exclusion from training with the first-team squad.

F – FIRED

“We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and we wish him well in the future.” With that statement from Aston Villa, the association between the Midlands club and manager Steven Gerrard ended. The axe fell hours after a 3-0 loss to promoted Fulham that left Villa in 17th position and only out of the relegation zone on goals scored.

G – GIGA BITES

The story surrounding the winner of The Everest invariably makes for excellent reading. But Giga Kick’s stunning surge in the straight to dethrone the King, Nature Strip, is impossible to top. A young trainer in Clayton Douglas and his unbeaten gelding, who didn’t turn three until Wednesday, venturing north to contest a $15 million race many believed was beyond them. How wrong they were! Giga Kick powered over the Randwick rise and hit the line full of running to become a household name. And if good things do indeed happen to good people, it was fitting Craig Williams was the successful jockey. A heartwarming result all round.

H – HURTS SO GOOD

And the last remaining team in the NFL is? If you are answered the Philadelphia Eagles, you would be correct. As strange as that sounds. The Eagles showcased their Super Bowl credentials with a 26-17 win over NFC East rivals Dallas earlier in the week, improving to 6-0 ahead of a week-seven match-up with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Jalen Hurts doesn’t have the CV or the numbers this season that many of his peers boast, but he has thrown just two interceptions and became the first QB this season to register a 100-plus passer ratings against the feared Cowboys defence.

I – INVITATION II

Trainer Brad Widdup was the toast of Randwick 12 months ago when he prepared Icebath to claim the inaugural running of the $2 million Invitation (1400m). The pair return to defend their crown tomorrow in a solid field of 12 fillies and mares that contains WA’s Sheeza Belter, to be ridden by William Pike. Icebath has 59kg to contend with, but drops significantly in class. It pays to remember two starts ago she ran second to Cox Plate favourite Anamoe in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

J – JOB WELL DONE

Michael Lane is renowned as a high-class horseman. Has been for many years. His finest achievement since making the transition from riding to training though could be attached to what we are seeing from Resortman. A talented younger horse, the son of Helmet had some issues that needed addressing. Off the scene for nine months last year and more effective on rain-affected ground, Resortman’s brilliant Belmont Park campaign extended to Ascot last Saturday with a victory in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m). It was the gelding’s fourth black-type success this time in and could yet see him take his place in the $1.5 million Goldrush (1400m) during The Pinnacles.

K – KEEN EYE

Everyone is eager to see whether West Coast players have made a commitment to return to pre-season training in the best shape possible. The early indications are positive. The vision of several Eagles players this week, including veterans Elliot Yeo and Jack Darling, getting together to train in groups would hearten their supporters after a dreadful 2022 campaign.

L – LYON IN WAIT

Enough already. Everyone expects Ross Lyon to be appointed coach of St Kilda. It seems only a matter of time before a press conference is called and Lyon, the man who famously took the Saints to three grand finals in the space of 12 months over a decade ago before sensationally walking out on the club not long after, is reinstalled at the helm. With the state of St Kilda’s list, making the Saints a consistent finals outfit will be Lyon’s biggest task in football.

M – MUSCLES FLEXED

The Kangaroos achieved what most expected when they trounced Fiji in their opening group clash of the rugby league World Cup. Mindful of the need to get the mix right for later in the tournament, coach Mal Meninga yesterday swung the changes for tomorrow morning (WA time) when the Aussies clash with Scotland. Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Matt Burton, Campbel Graham and Lindsay Collins will make their Kangaroos debut in what promises to be a slaughter.

N – NETS NIGHTMARE

The Brooklyn Nets had a tumultuous off-season and it seems the chaos hasn’t yet subsided. Thought of as a contender in the Eastern Conference 12 months ago, Brooklyn were pulverised 130-108 by the New Orleans Pelicans yesterday. Kevin Durant had 32 points on 11-21 shooting, so there’s no issue there. But Kyrie Irving was astray from range and contributed just 15 points, while Ben Simmons fouled out after 23 minutes with four points, five rebounds and five assists.

O – OVERSEAS STINT

The jungle drums had been beating about Jye McNeil heading to Hong Kong. The speculation was confirmed yesterday when it was announced the 2020 Melbourne Cup-winning hoop would journey to Asia early next month. McNeil has been granted a licence by the Hong Kong Jockey Club from November 7 to December 22, with the Happy Valley meeting on November 9 tipped to be his launch date.

P – PAULELE’S PERTH PUSH

From a parochial point of view, let’s hope Paulele puts his best hoof forward in tonight’s $2 million Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. Godolphin have entered him, along with Kementari and Ingratiating, for the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot next month. If Paulele steps up to the plate and backs up his Schillaci Stakes victory earlier this month, the Royal Blue of the Godolphin operation could well be seen here in Perth again. The same applies to Rothfire, who holds a Winberbottom nomination and looks like he will appreciate the 1200m tonight after two 1000m runs to launch his campaign.

Q –

“He didn’t lose any weight, which I have never actually heard of before.” That was the comment from UK trainer James Ferguson when asked about the condition of his Melbourne Cup favourite Deauville Legend, who is completing his quarantine requirements at Werribee. It is a remark that should strike fear into the hearts of Deauville Legend’s opposition. The seven-start gelding is TABtouch’s $6 favourite in all-in markets.

R – REDEMPTION

There are some still stinging from Anamoe’s narrow defeat at the hands of State Of Rest in last year’s Cox Plate (2040m). The striking Godolphin runner was unsuccessful on the track (losing by a nose) and also in the stewards’ room where Craig Williams’ objection against John Allen didn’t resonate with the stipes. Anamoe hits the weight-for-age championship of Australasia in peak form, having won all three Group 1 starts he’s contested this preparation and coming up with an ideal barrier draw in four on Tuesday morning. The rain around also works in his favour.

S – STARRY STARRY NIGHT

There will be nowhere to hide at Cannington tomorrow night with the running of the final of the Group 2 All Stars Sprint (520m). Throttle created an impression with his brilliant heat win last Saturday night, but has come up with box five. It means Electrified (box one) is likely to have a tactical advantage early, with Amplified (box seven) and Vice Grip (box eight) whizzing across from the outside. A terrific race.

T – TEN YEARS AGO

Dundeel surged to the line to win the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at only his fifth lifetime start. We know he would go on to claim six elite-level victories and find himself a home at Arrowfield Stud. Tomorrow at Randwick, Dundeel’s talented son Elliptical will look to walk in the footsteps of his father when he also contests the Spring Champion at just his fifth start. The colt was an eye-catching second to Golden Mile in the Caulfield Guineas and is a live hope in a competitive race.

U – UNTIMELY

There is never a good time to be injured when you’re an athlete. That old saying was reinforced to WA’s Josh Inglis this week after he was ruled out of the T20 World Cup with a hand injury sustained whilst playing golf on a day off. The issue was so serious that Inglis was sent to hospital and while there was no tendon damage, he required stitches. Inglis was replaced in the squad by WA young gun Cameron Green as Australia prepare to start their defence against New Zealand at the SCG tomorrow.

V – VERRY STORIED CAREER

The curtain came down on the career of Verry Elleegant yesterday when the ownership group announced the grand mare had been retired. Her European campaign, launched somewhat controversially when removed from the stables of Chris Waller, was a flop, but it doesn’t detract from what she achieved here in Australia. An 11-time Group 1 winner, her crowning moment came just shy of 12 months ago when she carried 57kg to win the Melbourne Cup by four lengths in the fifth-fastest time in history.

W – WESTERN POWER

Sparks will fly early at Gloucester Park tonight in the Group 2 Western Gateway (2536m) for the three-year-olds. Trainer Ryan Bell is confident Machs Bettor can hold up from his inside draw and prove hard to beat, with his main rival in the eyes the market likely to stalk his every move, that being Tricky Miki, who has come up with the inside of the back line. We shouldn’t disregard Greg and Skye Bond’s runner Street Hawk either.

X – XANDER’S STREAK

Given the pressure the world’s best golfers face each and every weekend, it might be time to show Xander Schauffele some real love. The American, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour in 2022, has not shot over par on a Sunday for more than two years. It is a remarkable streak that underpins his rise to No.6 on the official world golf rankings.

Y – YOKINE ON SHOW

Fresh off an excellent WA PGA Championship at Kalgoorlie last week, some of the best young golfers in this country have flocked to the metropolitan area, chiefly the WA Golf Club in Yokine, for this year’ WA Open. Gold Coast’s Deyen Lawson made an early statement yesterday, equalling the course record with an eight-under 62 to take a three-shot lead into the second round.

Z – ZION’S RETURN

All basketball lovers were eagerly awaiting the return game of Zion Williamson yesterday … and the former No.1 draft choice didn’t disappoint. In his first NBA appearance since May last year, Williamson amassed 25 points, nine rebounds, three assists and four steals from only 30 minutes of court time. Unsurprisingly, it helped the New Orleans Pelicans get their new campaign off and running, notching a 130-108 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.