Races

The Weekly A-Z

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – ALLIGATOR ALERT

Having been denied by a surging I’m Thunderstruck in the shadows of the post in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) a fortnight earlier, many wondered whether Alligator Blood would be able to run out a strong 1800m in the Underwood Stakes on Sunday. No problem. Afforded once again a beautiful front-running ride by Tim Clark, Alligator Blood saw off his rivals to clinch another Group 1 victory and throw his hat into the ring for the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley next month.

B – BOYS DON’T CRY

Yeah right. Roger Federer was a sobbing mess at the Laver Cup in London late last week as he bid farewell to the sport he towered over for the best part of two decades. The Fed Express unashamedly wept, an emotional response that prompted his great rival and dear friend Rafael Nadal to also burst into tears. He might not boast the most grand slam singles crowns in history, but Federer remains the best to have played the game in the eyes of many.

C – CLASSY CATS

Nobody would have begrudged the Geelong players and officials for going a little over the top in their premiership celebrations. Exposed in September on many occasions after winning the flag in 2011 and denied in the 2020 decider by Richmond, the Cats had plenty to prove against Sydney. Geelong eclipsed the Swans in ruthless fashion, yet were incredibly humble from the moment the final siren sounded. There’s so much to like about this football club. A classy football club laced with classy people. Congratulations to all.

D – DOUBLING DOWN

Alarmed at what they perceive is a lack of natural justice, former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson and current Brisbane mentor Chris Fagan went on the attack again this week over the racism furore that threatens to end their involvement in the game. Fagan reiterated that he had done nothing wrong and used a statement to announce he had engaged a legal firm to best look after his interests, while Clarkson also spoke of his love of family and First Nations players in a release that put those who have called his integrity into question on notice.

E – EVEREST BOUND

We are just over a fortnight away from the running of The Everest and the world’s richest turf race is starting to take serious shape. Within the past week we have learnt that boom colt Jacquinot will look to emulate Yes Yes Yes and claim the weight-for-age feature as a three-year-old, while Overpass and Shades of Rose, both prepared by in-form Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker, have also been locked away. Godolphin and James Harron Bloodstock are the only two slot holders yet to finalise their representation.

F – FREE TO LEAVE

The annual free agency period started today, enabling players to exercise their rights to continue their careers at a rival club. Triple Hawthorn premiership forward Jack Gunston will follow in the footsteps of Luke Hodge and Grant Birchall and finish his career with Brisbane. The loss of Gunston will be offset somewhat by the arrival of Karl Amon at the Hawks. West Coast have made a pitch to rebounding Melbourne defender Jayden Hunt, an unrestricted free agent, with a decision imminent.

G – GOAT

Have there been more talented players at Geelong over the journey than Joel Selwood. Of course. But if you look at the whole package — talent, character, leadership, courage and durability — Selwood is the one that stands out above all others. Scenes post-grand final suggested Selwood was retiring. However, it wasn’t confirmed until a press conference was called for Wednesday afternoon at GMHBA Stadium. A four-time premiership star, multiple All-Australian and club champion, Selwood followed in the footsteps of Tom Harley (2009) and Cameron Ling (2011) in farewelling the game after leading the Cats to premiership glory.

H – HAPPY HOMECOMING

There will be thousands who file through the gates at Leederville Oval this weekend believing a sense of destiny is about to unfold. You can’t blame them. West Perth will “host” Claremont in the league grand final, with Leederville Oval being used as the venue for the showpiece match due to Optus Stadium being readied for the summer of cricket. The Falcons left Leederville for Joondalup after the 1993 season, but still have undeniable links to the inner-city ground, which is expected to attract a sold-out crowd of 14,000.

I – ICE ICE BABY

Most NSW racing participants have had a gutful of the rain. Exclude Brad Widdup and the ownership of Icebath from that conversation, however. Icebath is one of the best wet trackers in the country and will be extremely popular with punters if the Randwick track remains in the heavy range for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m). Icebath has run second to Zaaki and Anamoe at her past two starts and dips to 54.5kg for tomorrow’s assignment. In a further boost, she has the services of James McDonald.

J – JUDGE ME

Aaron Judge shares a slice of MLB history following his deeds yesterday and could be in possession outright as soon as this weekend. The New York Yankee blasted his 61st American League home run of the season against Toronto, drawing level with Roger Maris’ record set back in 1961. Whereas Maris achieved the feat in the final game of that year, Judge has seven more regular-season matches to set a new mark.

K – KAH SERVICE

This time last year Jamie Kah was spinning her wheels as she served a suspension for an ill-advised get-together at a Mornington house during COVID. Since her return in early December last year, she has hardly missed a beat and was at her dominant best last weekend. Kah won the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley last Friday night aboard Coolangatta and then put on a clinic down at Mornington, winning five races from six rides on the Saturday meeting. Not content with that, Kah then rode a double on the Group 1 Underwood Stakes meeting at Sandown on the Sunday.

L – LET’S GET PHYSICAL

Penrith v Parramatta in a battle of Sydney’s west in the NRL grand final. It is a scriptwriter’s dream. And it should also ensure that the medical staff from both sides are kept very busy indeed when the traditional rivals square off on Sunday evening. There is no love-lost between the Panthers and Eels, who have a sound recent record opposed to the premiers, but did succumb to them in week one of the post-season. Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary can expect a great deal of pressure in a bid to disrupt his kicking game.

M – MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

It’s hard to win the Melbourne Cup if you aren’t lining up on the first Tuesday in November. Sadly, that is the fate that has befallen Spanish Mission. Third in last year’s famous two-mile handicap, Spanish Mission was this week ruled out by trainer Peter Moody after experiencing a setback. The imported gelding was handed topweight for this year’s Cup, but Moody informed stewards he would be sent for a spell in the hope he could return to the track next year.

N – NO NEED TO APOLOGISE

Stephen Miller and big-race success in Kalgoorlie go hand in hand. Ultra-consistent gelding No Apology took out the Coolgardie Cup (1760m) before running superbly to finish second in the Listed Boulder Cup (2100m) behind Stafford’s Lad most recently. He is one of two Kalgoorlie Cup runners for Miller, who will also saddle up General Grant in the $150,000 feature tomorrow afternoon. General Grant was a scratching from the Boulder Cup after a slight mishap, but remains at the head of the TABtouch market.

O – OUT THE OTHER SIDE

Long-suffering Essendon fans should be rapt with the appointment of Brad Scott. The dark days, most of them emanating from the supplements saga thanks to James Hird and co., are over. In Scott, they get a strong personality, a proven performer who overachieved with what he had at his disposal in a lengthy stint at North Melbourne. For too long, Essendon have been held hostage by their past. Appointing Scott is a perfect chance to reset and become a consistent finals team once more.

P – PROHIBITIVE

Never back odds-on and never run up stairs. Wouldn’t you love a dollar for every time you have heard that uttered over the years. Even with the benefit of that sage advice, there will be more than one standardbred follower who is tempted to tip into Never Ending in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (2130m) at Gloucester Park tonight. The two-year-old colt is unbeaten in five starts and has come up with barrier one for the feature where his main rival, Im The Black Flash is on the second line. Never Ending is currently the $1.34 favourite with TABtouch.

Q – QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Chris Scott speaks sense more often than not. How can you can argue he wasn’t on the money with the following comment this week at Joel Selwood’s retirement press conference. “We won the footy lottery being able to spend a decade or so with Joel Selwood,” he said. So true.

R – RICHLY REWARDED

Congratulations must flow in the direction of co-trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace for sticking to their guns with filly Coolangatta last Friday night. Beaten first-up against the older horses in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) earlier in the month, many felt they were aiming too high and should look for easier assignments rather than the Group 1 Moir Stakes at the same track and trip. But they retained the faith, accepted and with the inside draw at a track that can prove significantly beneficial to horses racing on-speed and close to the rail, Coolangatta was able to hold on and clinch an elite-level win that ensures she is a very expensive broodmare prospect once her racing days conclude.

S – SEASON OPENER

They are the two words that bring a smile to the face of every athlete on the planet … Perth Wildcats players included. The Wildcats will be out to hit the ground running when they host the Brisbane Bullets at RAC Arena on Sunday afternoon. A new campaign under a new coach in John Rillie has provided fresh energy for the Wildcats, who had their 35-season play-off streak ended in dramatic fashion earlier this year.

T – TURN IT UP

Turnbull Stakes day at Flemington is commonly referred to as “moving day” by most in the industry given the quantity of races that could shape the spring. Headlining the action is the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m), with this race no doubt providing greater clarity on what’s to come over the next five weeks. Gold Trip has been firm in the market since co-trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace accepted, while Group 1 winners Profondo, Duais and Inspirational Girl will have their spring targets either underlined or questioned depending on how they fare.

U – UNWAVERING

Co-trainer Dan Pearce was bullish regarding the prospects of Let’s Galahvant running well in yesterday’s Listed Hannan’s Handicap. Though the gelding was rising to black-type company from a ratings race, Pearce was adamant his charge would measure up. And he was 100% correct. Aided by a quality ride from Natasha Faithful, Let’s Galahvant poked his head out at the right time to beat Titan Blinders and Excellent Dream.

V – VERRY BITTER PILL

To swallow for connections of Verry Elleegant, who will not run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday after her international rating was trimmed up following her two runs in France for new trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. An 11-time Group 1 winner, Verry Elleegant will now run in the Prix de Royallieu instead. Graffard and managing owner Brae Sokolski were understandably livid with the snub.

W – WORLD AT THEIR FEET

First-up losers to France at the World Cup, the Opals are now just two wins away from taking out the tournament. Last night’s 86-69 win over Belgium came about after the hosts topped Group B. The Sandy Brondello-coached outfit will play China in a semi-final tonight, where another victory will propel them into a gold-medal showdown, most likely against the USA.

X – X-RATED

David Warner is not the only cricketer to have used some choice words in the field of battle. But the veteran left-hander is keen for all and sundry, including those in high places at Cricket Australia, to know he is a changed man. In an expansive interview with Fox Sports, Warner said he was instructed to be vocal out in the middle, but is content now to let others do the yapping. No longer is he Australia’s attack dog. “If you want to sit down to get to know me and have a beer with me, I’m sure  your opinion of me would change,” Warner said.

Y – YEARNING FOR ANOTHER WIN

Is what Team Hawkes are doing with their valuable mare Yearning. The daughter of Snitzel hasn’t won since October last year, but put the writing on the wall with an excellent return when third behind Kissonallforcheeks in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m). She is second-up in tomorrow’s Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) and is a live hope in what is an extremely even race.

Z – ZION’S NEW LOOK

The annual NBA media day throws up countless storylines. The big one coming out of New Orleans this week was the appearance of Zion Williamson. It was big news that Zion had got smaller. Considerably smaller. He is roughly 20kg lighter than at stages last season when he watched from the sidelines because of a foot injury. If the former No.1 draft pick can keep the kilos at bay and stay injury-free, the Pelicans are well and truly capable of making play-offs yet again.




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