The Weekly A-Z

Posted on August 21, 2020August 21, 2020 | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – ADDA GIRL

Brad Widdup’s mare Adelong resumes at Randwick tomorrow in the Toy Show Quality after a freshen and if her exposed form holds up (there is no reason why it shouldn’t) she should justify her short quote. Boasting six wins from only eight starts, Adelong possesses all the traits you want from a quality sprinter — gate speed, high cruising speed and ability to tough it out when challenged late in a race.

B – BONEHEAD

That Elijah Taylor smuggled his partner into his room in Joondalup last weekend after being made well aware of the risks associated with such behaviour and told that any such action was forbidden smacks of selfishness and ignorance. The racism he endured in the wake of the incident is unforgivable. So too was his deceitfulness.

C – CLEAN SWEEP

That is the scenario confronting the Philadelphia 76ers after their horrid loss to the Boston Celtics yesterday, leaving them 2-0 down in the first-round Eastern Conference series. Up by double figures in the first term, they surrendered meekly to succumb 128-101. The Sixers haven’t progressed past the semi-final stage the past two years and now need to find a way to buck the odds.

D – DIRE STRAITS

If there is a bigger basket case in Australian sport at the moment than the Brisbane Broncos, please let me know. Some could point the finger at the Adelaide Crows, but their woes are not at the level of the Broncos. Brisbane’s inability to issue Tevita Pangai Jr with a binding breach notice for his waywardness sums them up. It is comical how bad they are travelling.

E – EPIC ASSIGNMENT

This applies to two WA horses in the same race at Moonee Valley tomorrow. Epic Grey needs to produce a career-best performance if he is to beat Windstorm, who will also need to do something very special on his Melbourne debut from a wide gate at a track that doesn’t look suitable for his racing pattern.

F – FRIGHTENING

The Northern Hemisphere summer gives us racing and sporting nuffies plenty of quality content to consume and the performance this week of Ghaiyyath was near the top of the heap. The five-year-old gelding, a son of super sire Dubawi, blitzed his rivals in the Group 1 Juddmonte International. Before you pot the win, remember that the placegetters had won Group 1 races at their previous starts. Not only is Ghaiyyath a star, he is terrifying for his opposition.

G – GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Hearts sunk Australia wide yesterday morning when it was revealed Delicacy had passed away after having an allergic reaction to penicillin. A superstar filly who trained on to be a brilliant mare, as evidenced by her record-breaking Perth Cup win under 59kg, the daughter of Al Maher didn’t know how to run a bad race. Condolences to all concerned. Same applies to those associated with Atlantic Jewel, who died shortly after foaling a Justify colt this week.

H – HOWLER

Long-time American sports broadcaster Thom Brennaman’s career behind the microphone is over for the moment and could well extend for the rest of his professional working life after he made a homophobic slur this week during the MLB clash between Cincinnati and Kansas City. Only he knows what he was thinking.

I – INDIGENOUS ROUND

The AFL’s indigenous round, better known as the Sir Doug Nicholls Round, is one of the highlights on the home-and-away calendar. With the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc on life and sport throughout the world, one blessing is the league now has the opportunity to play two games in Darwin, including the traditional Essendon and Richmond “Dreamtime at the ‘G” blockbuster.

J – JOE’S NOT SLOW

The American media dubbed Joe Ingles “Slow-Mo Joe” a few seasons back. The Australian cared little and has gone about carving out a quality career in the NBA with the Utah Jazz. Importantly, Ingles has been anything but tardy in the post-season, averaging 18.5 points per game in the first two matches against the Denver Nuggets, with his long-range shooting again a highlight. He remains a great basketball story.

K – KEEPING THE DOOR OPEN

It was great to hear this week that both Australian Bloodstock and John Thompson were genuinely interested in contesting the TABtouch Masters at Ascot later in the year with Chief Ironside and Fituese respectively. There are many unknowns at the moment in regards to WA’s hard border, but any interstate representation would be greatly appreciated.

L – LESS THAN IDEAL

WA trio Minjee Lee, Hannah Green and Whitney Hillier didn’t make the start they would have liked in the first round of the Women’s British Open at Royal Troon on Thursday. Lee was the best placed of the three with a three-over 74, one shot better than major champion Green, while Hillier signed for a 78. Here’s hoping they can rebound today.

M – MESSI SITUATION

La Liga heavyweights Barcelona have a fight on their hands. Argentinian maestro Lionel Messi, the best player on the planet, is weighing up whether to leave in the wake of the club not winning a trophy in a season for the first time in more than a decade. New manager Ronald Koeman’s first official chat with Messi could be key to the direction of both player and club.

N – NO SECOND PRIZE

Perth Glory’s patchy form faces an acid test tomorrow when they run headlong into Wellington Phoenix in an elimination final. Normally miserly in defence, Glory have leaked goals since the resumption of the season. They were beaten 2-1 when they met the Kiwi club last month. Another defeat will end their campaign.

O – OVER THE TOP

The reaction to Tom Lynch’s strike on Sam Collins earlier in the week was surprising. Was it worth a week? You could mount an argument to say yes. But the pile on, much of it a personal nature, seemed unnecessary. That said, so too was Damien Hardwick’s clip of David Schwartz. Hardwick would like his time again.

P – PERFECTLY PLACED

Minnesota Timberwolves fans were rejoicing this morning when their team won the NBA draft lottery, guaranteeing them the first selection in October’s draft. Having limped to a 19-45 win-loss record, the second worst in the Western Conference, they desperately needed help. Let the commentary begin on who the Timberwolves will select.

Q – QUEENSLAND HUBS

That is where the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers will finish their 2020 campaigns after this weekend’s matches at Optus Stadium. Eagles fans will be hoping their team handles their second stint in the Sunshine State better than it did earlier this year. If they do, a premiership could be the reward.

R – REDEMPTION

Greater Western Sydney don’t need to beat West Coast on Sunday to classify the day as a success. But they must at least have a crack. It is something they didn’t do against Sydney last week. The Giants’ reliance on talent over system and questionable desire levels have seen the blowtorch applied. A response must be forthcoming.

S – SEPTEMBER 12

Mark it down in your diaries, Premier League fans. It is the opening round of the new season. Yes, we have only recently completed the disrupted 2019-20 campaign that was taken out by Liverpool, but the new edition can’t come soon enough. Love the Liverpool v Leeds match-up on opening day.

T – TAKING SHAPE

Fremantle’s transition away from the Ross Lyon-Steve Rosich-Chris Bond era continues to take shape. The decision this week by Cam McCarthy, a player the Dockers were desperate to land in 2016 despite several red flags, to quit after being told he would not be offered a fresh contract, confirmed as much.

U – UP TO YOU UZZIE

From the outside looking in, it appears Usman Khawaja is not the type of player Australian coach Justin Langer falls in love with. A questionable work ethic from the laconic left-hander, who is not always willing to take constructive criticism, Khawaja finds himself on the outer. And Langer turned up the heat on Khawaja this week when he was asked how the veteran could reclaim his place in the national one-day side — oust David Warner and Steve Smith. Good luck.

V – VICTORIAN BOUND

Clairvoyance had tongues wagging again last weekend after she demolished her three rivals in a high-rating performance over 1200m. Now three from three, the imposing filly will be aimed at the Belgravia Stakes, Burgess Queen Stakes and WA Guineas before crossing the Nullarbor next year to contest the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m). If she runs well there, a Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) start could be on the cards.

W – WINX STAKES

You know you are special when you win a race named after you. That is the case of Chris Waller’s mighty mare who took out the inaugural Winx Stakes (1400m) two years ago. Samadoubt was victorious 12 months ago and this year’s winner, to be revealed tomorrow, will have the honour of claiming the season’s first Group 1.

X – X-FACTOR

That is exactly what Liam Henry will bring when he makes his debut for Fremantle against Sydney tomorrow night. The Dockers have been raving about his skill set for some time now and we are going to get the opportunity to see it for ourselves. The same applies to Essendon goalsneak Irving Mosquito.

Y – YEAR FROM HELL

It might seem a bit over the top, but there is no denying Hawthorn would love to hit the reset button on 2020. The Hawks’ woeful season sunk to a new low last weekend when influential defender James Sicily tore an ACL and Jaeger O’Meara broke a bone in a hand, ending his involvement in the year. Alastair Clarkson and the list management team have some work to do.

Z – ZEPHYR

In a perfect world, racehorses can go about their business in idyllic conditions, perhaps in no more than a zephyr. Unfortunately, those runners engaged at Moonee Valley tomorrow will encounter horrible weather – a top of 12C with hail and up to 15ml of rain. Best for participants to batten down the hatches.