The Weekly A-Z

Posted on June 5, 2020June 5, 2020 | Posted by Digby Beacham

A: Arrogate

The passing of the champion American thoroughbred this week resonated all over the world. A brilliant colt, who retired as racing’s highest stake earner, was early into his stallion career at Juddmonte Farms. His premature loss will be felt.

B: Black Heart Bart

The career of the veteran hung in the balance leading up to Tuesday’s 1450m trial at Lark Hill, but he passed the important test with flying colours. Sparked by the addition of blinkers, Bart jumped well, travelled strongly and won by nearly five lengths. Bring on the Hyperion Stakes in eight days’ time.

C: Caulfield Cup

If you know when this year’s race will be staged, and by extension the dates of the Caulfield Cup carnival, can you please let Racing Victoria know. Better still, can RV please let everyone know. Preferably sooner rather than later.

D: Dustin Martin

Six days and counting before this understated superstar roars back into life in a salivating showdown between Richmond and Collingwood at the MCG. Martin remains one of the most watchable players in the competition.

E: English Premier League

Action returns on June 17. Bring. It. On. The announcement of the EPL’s return this week was met with universal applause — as it should have been. It’s a brilliant league. Liverpool, over to you.

F: Fremantle’s fears

It’s not every day an AFL player collapses at training. Little wonder the Dockers were in a state of shock when forward Cam McCarthy was taken to hospital on Wednesday after an episode at training. Fingers crossed he makes his way to the Gold Coast next week.

G: Gold Coast

Here we come. This time next week the two WA clubs will be operating out of the hubs close by to the Suns’ home base, Metricon Stadium. Regardless of whether you follow West Coast or Fremantle, credit where credit is due. Kudos to the Eagles and Dockers for committing to a month away from their homes to help get the season up and going again.

H: Hall of Fame

The annual gala event took on a completely different look because of the Corona virus, but there is no denying the significance of the occasion. The inductions of WA pair Simon Black and Dean Cox for their on-field deeds and Dennis Cometti’s entry on Thursday filled Sandgropers with immense pride.

I: Integrity

The mere mention of the word causes most ears to prick up. The fact senior Queensland officials, including QRIC commissioner Ross Barnett, sat down with leading trainers to hear their concerns this week over a perceived lack of action got serious traction.

J: JJ Atkins

This feature in Queensland has been reduced from 1600m to 1400m, but it remains the last juvenile Group 1 race for the season and is critically important for colts and their future breeding prospects. Many studs will be watching closely.

K: Kay Cee

Makes her eagerly awaited return in the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1400m) at Belmont Park tomorrow after two brilliant 1000m trials. Any time a Group 1 winner steps out in Perth in the winter is exciting, as is her battle with …

L: Laverrod

This Sean and Jake Casey-trained youngster is a Group 1 horse in the making according to owner Wally Dally and hits this assignment off a dominant win against the older horses late last month. He has never missed the money in 10 starts.

M: Mungrup Stud

The decision by the successful Great Southern nursery on Thursday to announce it would close its doors after 40 years of business, stunned many. Gray and Jan Williamson’s stud has been an iconic brand in the WA racing and breeding landscape and will be sorely missed.

N: NRL

Isn’t the preferred football code of many in WA, but it provided some overdue live sport when the action resumed on May 28. And last night’s hammering by the Sydney Roosters of the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium was again watched by a massive TV audience.

O: Owners

Inject a lot of money into the game, some with limited results. The opposite applies to Bob and Sandra Peters, whose Peters Investments moved into 7th position in the Global Owners Rankings following Perfect Jewel’s victory in last weekend’s Iron Jack Belmont Sprint (1400m) at Group 3 level. It is a staggering accomplishment.

P: Politics

Politics and sport do not mix, but they are being intrinsically linked through the riots in the USA. The comments of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, a future Hall of Famer, this week prompted searing criticism from fellow athletes, including several teammates. It led to an apology from Brees. A mess with a capital M.

Q: Queuing up

It is something we have become used to during these uncertain times, mostly at the supermarket and retail outlets. Come tomorrow, it may well be taking place at Belmont Park where 300 members will attend the meeting. Standing in a line has never been as much fun.

R: Resignation

Richard Burt’s announcement on Thursday that he was resigning as Racing and Wagering WA’s chief executive officer caught many by surprise. His 13-year tenure that will end on September 30 has been an undeniable success.

S: Stradbroke Handicap

Queenslanders love their Stradbroke and for good reason. It is an iconic race, much like the Railway Stakes here and the Doncaster Mile in Sydney. The purse has copped an almighty hair cut for tomorrow, but the quality of the field remains strong.

T: TAB

The TAB agencies are open, baby. How good is that? We have had to be patient, but being able to stroll into your local and have a bet whilst watching the racing, pacing and chasing, not to mention live sport, from tomorrow, is just fantastic.

U: UK racing

It was terrific to see the thoroughbreds back in action at Newcastle earlier this week and it cranks up even further this weekend with Group 1 action. It is some sort of return.

V: Virtual audio

Added a great deal to the NRL television coverage last week when it resumed and it was music to the ears of most when it was announced this week that the AFL would adopt the same approach when the code got going again from next Thursday.

W: Winter wonderland

Headline acts will be on display at Cannington tomorrow night when two heats of the Winter Cup are held. Make sure you are listening to the one and only Peter O’Neill at 8.11pm and 8.29pm when the best of the best square off.

X: X-factor

Many labels were used to describe Always An Angel following her breathtaking Diamond Classic victory last Friday week. X-factor is one that perhaps fits best. She is a star in the making. Expect her to be a force in the three-year-old features.

Y: Yawn

The unnecessary feuding and barbs between eastern states AFL and NRL media and officials over the past two months has become very tiresome. Let’s worry about things that matter most and that is the players and the respective codes. Put the egos to one side.

Z: Zero

Zero chance of the Inter Dominion championship being staged in 2020. That became official on Wednesday, a genuine hammer blow to the code throughout Australasia.