Races

The Weekly A-Z

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – ABHORRENT

It is the first word that springs to mind when digesting the allegations arising out of an external review into racism claims at Hawthorn during Alastair Clarkson’s tenure. There are many others. Frankly, it was impossible not to be both bewildered and angry when reading the story soon after it dropped online on Wednesday morning. They are only allegations at this stage, but ones which are impossible to fathom.

B – BOX TICKED

Even if the horse you were with in last Saturday’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield didn’t win, I suspect you were still extremely happy for Jamie Mott to claim his maiden Group 1 victory aboard Callsign Mav. The 34-year-old is a heavyweight jockey in every sense of the word and has toiled for years and years in the hope he could achieve success at the elite level. Now 34 and adhering to a strict plant-based diet and fitness regime, Mott will forever be known as a Group 1 hoop. Good on him.

C – CLUB IN CRISIS

Having sacked David Noble mid-year and finishing with a second successive wooden spoon, North Melbourne needed a saviour. It appeared in the form of Alastair Clarkson, who elected to shun Essendon and “return home” to Arden Street on a five-year deal. With doubt surrounding Clarkson’s future, one wonders where to now for the Kangaroos. It’s not an exaggeration to say they are one bad coaching appointment away from oblivion. If Clarkson is not able to fulfil his contract, who will North turn to? In the meantime, what are the intentions of prospective recruits? Or Todd Viney for that matter?

D – DARIA’S DESPAIR

Daria Saville feared the worst when her left knee buckled during a singles encounter against Naomi Osaka. Sadly, the Australian’s worst fears were realised when an MRI revealed she had torn the anterior cruciate ligament, consigning her to at least nine months on the sidelines. Saville was enjoying a solid stretch of form, having overcome serious Achilles and feet injuries in recent years.

E – EXIT LEFT

If Luke Jackson asking for a trade back to WA was the worst-kept secret in football, Josh Dunkley’s desire to leave the Kennel was a close second. Dunkley wanted out of the Western Bulldogs two years ago, but was held to his contract. That’s not the case this time around. The 2016 premiership star is keen to continue his career at Brisbane on a multi-season deal, citing a divide in the playing group at the Bulldogs as a chief factor in his decision to walk away.

F – FIRST OF MANY

We shouldn’t be shocked by the way Cam Smith has applied himself to LIV Golf. Entitled to be in cruise mode after banking $140 million for joining the Saudi Arabia-backed tour, the Queenslander has wasted little time having an impact, this week recording a three-stroke victory in Chicago. It followed a fourth placing in his maiden LIV Golf start earlier in the month.

G – GREEN WITH ENVY

It was hard not to be after WA all-rounder Cam Green, in only his second T20 international, exploded in Mohali against India this week. Green was cast in the role of opener and reached his half century off only 26 deliveries en route to a commanding 61 that contained four sixes and eight boundaries. It enabled the visitors to chase down India’s 9-208 with four balls and four wickets to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. Green’s display also had many asking why he was not included in Australia’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. It’s a fair question.

H – HEARTLAND

Parramatta find themselves in a rugby league stronghold tonight when they confront the North Queensland Cowboys in a preliminary final at a sold-out Queensland Country Bank Stadium. The Eels destroyed Canberra last weekend to advance to the final four and will fancy their chances despite the hostile surrounds. North Queensland annihilated Parramatta 35-4 earlier this year, but it would be a massive shock if Brad Arthur’s men weren’t ultra-competitive tonight.

I – INTRIGUING RUNNER

There will be nine sets of connections sporting big grins after the completion of tomorrow’s card at Belmont Park. The biggest smile of all though will be reserved for those with links to Cup Night if he can salute in his return to the races in the Listed Black Heart Bart Stakes (1200m). The gelding has battled issues throughout his career, but at his best, is a serious steed. The lack of pace and inside draw might not work in the favour of Cup Night, yet if Patrick Carbery can guide him into clear air turning for home, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him storming over the top of his rivals.

J – JOG ON

With what he has achieved in a variety of managerial roles, Ange Postecoglou is very much on the radar of big clubs throughout the world, especially in Europe. He continues to be linked to Brighton after Graham Potter was lured to Chelsea to replace the sacked Thomas Tuchel and he continues to let everybody know that he is extremely content at Celtic. That might change in the future, but right now it seems Postecoglou is a happy little vegemite in Glasgow.

K – KISS AND TELL

WA mare Kissonallforcheeks is looming as a constant in this weekly forum during the spring. She has been outstanding in her two runs to date in Melbourne this season and will be a popular selection for many tonight in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley. In a field restricted to mares and facing up to only six rivals after scratchings, Kissonallforcheeks is the one they need to beat.

L – LOSERS CAN PLEASE THEMSELVES

The late, great Ted Whitten used to say “winners are grinners and losers can please themselves”. It is a catch-cry that continues to be trotted out regularly and it applies to both Brisbane and Collingwood. The pair did a mighty job to reach the preliminary final stage. The fact of the matter is, they are consigned to history and for all of the good things they achieved in 2022, it counts for little this week. The grand final combatants dominate the on-field talk and the losers on the penultimate weekend of football are left to lick their wounds.

M – MAIN EVENT

The George Main Stakes was billed as a two-horse war between Anamoe and Zaaki. Once Annabel Neasham’s evergreen gelding was scratched from the Group 1 feature, all eyeballs turned to Anamoe. And the striking entire didn’t let punters down, winning for the second time in as many starts this campaign as he continues his build-up to the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley next month.

N – NIGHT VISION

Is there an out-and-out headline act in tonight’s Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley? Probably not in all due respect. But is it a Group 1 sprint with enormous interest ahead of the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at the track next month and the Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) down the Flemington straight during Melbourne Cup week? My oath it is. For the record, Godolphin four-year-old Paulele heads up the TABtouch market at $4.40.

O – OPALS’ FALSE START

It wasn’t meant to be like this. The Opals launched their World Cup tilt in Sydney last night, with the mood around the team understandably high given the return from a nine-year absence of Australia’s greatest ever basketballer, Lauren Jackson. The 41-year-old hit an early triple but even the GOAT could not help the hosts avoid a 70-57 defeat at the hands of France. It leaves them needing to win at least three of their next four games against Mali, Serbia, Canada and Japan to advance to the quarter-finals.

P – PERFECT 10

Lance Franklin’s nine-year, $10 million deal with Sydney will, for all intents and purposes, conclude when the final siren sounds to end the grand final between the Swans and Geelong. It is the third decider Franklin has played in at Sydney after opting to head north following the 2013 season. There was speculation earlier in the year that he might look at continuing his career elsewhere in 2023. However, that was put to bed when the man himself, via a Sydney press release, committed to a 10th year in the red and white.

Q – QUENCHING THEIR THIRST

Penrith launched 2022 chasing a third successive grand final appearance, which in turn provided them with the platform in which to chase back-to-back premierships. For South Sydney, the season was all about avenging the grand final defeat at the hands of the Panthers last season. Tomorrow night, one of them will be on very good terms with themselves after their preliminary final stoush at Accor Stadium. Penrith are short-priced favourites thanks to a week off, but the Bunnies, with Latrell Mitchell in the line-up, remain a dangerous opponent.

R – RILLIE GOOD START

The John Rillie era at the Perth Wildcats hasn’t officially started yet. That will come when the NBL season launches early next month. But the pre-season form of the Wildcats under the rookie coach has been particularly impressive. Perth won four consecutive pre-season games before fatigue kicked in against Melbourne United this week in Darwin, resulting in a heavy loss. They are as well placed as they could be ahead of a season opener against Brisbane on October 2.

S – SECRET IS OUT

When you fork out $900,000 for a yearling, expectations are high. As we all know though, a horse isn’t guaranteed to run fast just because he or she has a high price tag attached to it. In Secret, a daughter of champion stallion I Am Invincible out of the former high-class mare Eloping, was purchased for $900,000. In four starts to date, she has won three of them, including the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) for more than $300,000 in stakes. Tomorrow at Rosehill, she is favourite for the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m). A win would add enormous value to her future as a broodmare.

T -THEN THERE WERE TWO

From early on in last Friday night’s preliminary final, Geelong were always going to be active at the MCG tomorrow. The following day, Sydney were in control of their own prelim against Collingwood until a withering burst from the Magpies stretched them to the limit. In the end, it was a one-point victory for the Swans, extending their winning streak to nine. As impressive as that is, Geelong boast 15 consecutive wins under a masterful coaching display from Chris Scott, himself looking to add another flag to the one he snared in his first season at the helm back in 2011.

U – UNDERWHELMING

The International team has always had a hard time of it in Presidents Cup competition. Therefore it was little surprise, given the exodus of quality personnel to LIV Golf, notably Cam Smith and Marc Leishman, that the Americans bossed their opposition on day one of this year’s event at Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina. The USA lead 4-1 after day one, putting them in the box seat to claim a 12th Presidents Cup from 14 matches.

V – VEHEMENT

Chris Fagan was the first to “step aside” from his coaching role at Brisbane in the wake of the racism furore at Hawthorn. Soon after Alastair Clarkson did likewise at North Melbourne. Unsurprisingly, the duo, who worked side by side for several years at the Hawks, would release statements vehemently denying any wrongdoing. Both said they had not been interviewed as part of the external review and welcomed the opportunity to have their say and clear their names. Has the damage already been done though?

W – WESTERN WARRIOR

Patrick Cripps, we salute you. Not only for staying loyal to Carlton when it would have been easy to head back to WA and continue your career at West Coast or Fremantle. But your effort to lead from the front in the first half of the season when the Blues raced to an 8-2 record, and again in the second half of the year when the wheels fell off, was inspirational. And it didn’t go unnoticed. The umpires awarded you 29 votes in the Brownlow Medal, enabling you to pip Lachie Neale on Sunday night and claim the most prestigious individual award on offer. A more popular winner in recent times I cannot remember.

X – X-FACTOR

We are happy to identify a horse on any weekend that possesses something a little special. Race three tomorrow at Belmont could well feature two gallopers with their share of X-factor. Swear To God won two of his three races as a juvenile and prepped up for the 1000m scamper with an emphatic trial victory. The same applies to Trevor Andrews’ filly All Show, who has a second to her CV from one two-year-old start and won a 400m heat recently in fast time with a handbrake on. How they handle the expected hot tempo set by Just Go will be fascinating.

Y – YOUR GUESS

Is as good as mine, and thousands of others for that matter, when it comes to answering the following question. How do they beat Nature Strip in The Everest (1200m) at Randwick next month? The awesome performance when winning The Shorts (1100m) last Saturday caused a great deal of consternation in the ranks of his rivals. As unfathomable as it seems, Nature Strip appears to be getting better and better as he matures. An absolute beast of a sprinter.

Z – ZAAKI TAKE TWO

We were all very excited to see Zaaki locking horns with Anamoe in last Saturday’s George Main Stakes. That was until Annabel Neasham opted to scratch Zaaki with a view to the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Sandown on Sunday. It is a decision which has only enhanced what is an excellent renewal. I’m Thunderstruck and Alligator Blood will renew hostilities following their epic finish in the Makybe Diva Stakes, while Mr Brightside is also lining up as he builds to the Cox Plate. A field of six on face value appears a downer, but it is a race dripping with class.




Recent Articles