Races

The Weekly A-Z

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – ALL IN

Strap yourself in if you are a Port Adelaide supporter. Why you ask? Because 2023 is going to be a wild ride. Ken Hinkley, in the final year of his current contract, and the Power are aiming for the top. Unashamedly too I might add. Good on them. In attempting to land Junior Rioli, Jason Horne-Francis and Esava Ratugolea, the Power have made no secret of their intentions. The chips have been pushed into the centre of the table. It is premiership or bust. All in baby!

B – BLACK AND BLUE

The men in black from the foot of the Blue Mountains, Penrith, have done it again. The Panthers thrashed Parramatta last Sunday night in the NRL grand final to back up last season’s heroics in the decider opposed to South Sydney. The Eels beat Penrith twice in the home-and-away campaign, but were left reeling during the post-season, losing to Ivan Cleary’s men in week one and again before a sold-out Accor Stadium last weekend.

C -COTTON ON

I suspect I am preaching to the converted, but how fortunate are we to be Perth Wildcats supporters. Not only do the Wildcats deliver time and time again (we’ll conveniently overlook last season), but we are witnessing NBL greatness in the form of Bryce Cotton. The spring-heeled guard is arguably the best import to have ever played Down Under and he sent shivers through the rest of the competition last Sunday when amassing 23 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and six steals in the season-opening win over Brisbane.

D – DUE DILIGENCE

They are two pretty important words when it comes to an AFL club. Failure to perform it can lead to a public relations disaster. Enter Essendon. After what is best described as a tumultuous off-season, the Bombers appeared to be turning the corner. The appointment of Brad Scott was what the club needed and it seemed Andrew Thorburn’s elevation to the CEO role was also sound. Then came the revelation of his involvement with City On A Hill, a Christian church organisation, which deems homosexuality as a sin. Hmmm.

E – EXTREMELY EVEN

The Caulfield Guineas honour roll is littered with champions. Even as recently as 12 months ago, Anamoe stamped himself as a brilliant and worthy winner of the stallion-making feature ahead of a gallant performance in the Cox Plate (2040m). On face value, it doesn’t appear a future champion is concealed in the capacity field for tomorrow’s running of the 1600m race. That’s not to say one won’t emerge. Godolphin’s Golden Mile holds favouritism with TABtouch, but is yet to be tested at the distance.

F – FAMILIAR FACE

Talk about a strange reunion. You could have written your own ticket about Liam Jones returning to the Western Bulldogs after he left the the club for Carlton following the 2014 campaign. He spent six seasons with the Blues before electing to retire due to the stipulation that AFL players needed to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Jones played all of 2022 with Palm-Beach Currumbin in the QAFL, but with the vax requirement being dropped, the Bulldogs moved quickly and signed him to a three-season contract. He will now finish his career at the Kennel.

G – GOOD RIDDANCE

This applies to the Sydney United 58 fan who this week received a lifetime ban for performing a Nazi salute during the final of the Australia Cup against Macarthur FC. Nothing more needs to be said.

H – HOMESICKNESS

It has been given as the reason for last year’s No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis wanting out of North Melbourne. It may or may not be the case. Clearly the Kangaroos and their supporters are disappointed that the teenager is eager to continue his career at Port Adelaide rather than fulfil the second year of his existing deal at Arden Street. But North need to ask themselves the following question. Did they do everything in their power to assist Horne-Francis navigate a rocky first year at the elite level? By extension of that, how much weight does the industry need to put on the uncertainty on the coaching plight of Alastair Clarkson? You can’t blame the young man for seeking a move to his home State.

I – INDISPUTABLE

Congratulations to all involved with Never Ending, in particular trainer Justin Prentice. The brilliant two-year-old was sent out a raging favourite in last Friday night’s $150,000 Golden Slipper and did exactly what he had done at his preceding five starts … win. Afforded the advantage of barrier one, Never Ending and Gary Hall Jnr combined for their third Group 1 win. The son of Sweet Lou headed to the paddock with an unblemished six-start career that has already netted connections nearly $275,000 in prizemoney. He is the best juvenile we have seen in this State for a long time.

J – JUDGEMENT DAY

It isn’t here yet. That said, Treasured Star’s Railway Stakes credentials will be scrutinised in the wake of her eagerly awaited return over 1400m at Ascot tomorrow. We haven’t seen the WA Guineas winner since last November when she beat up on her rivals for Grant and Alana Williams. Now in the care of Adam Durrant, she has had three trials to prep up, with the best of them being the most recent one. Treasured Star hasn’t been afforded any favours by the barrier gods, but she heads up the TABtouch market for the Railway Stakes for a reason.

K – KING OF THE MOUNTAIN

For one last time, Holden and Ford — and everyone who has a foot in the respective camp — will be each other’s throat on Sunday with the annual staging of the Bathurst 1000. The 1000km endurance race was first contested more than half a century ago and while it has featured a range of manufacturers, the fierce rivalry between Holden and Ford has captured the imagination of the public. Don’t expect anything different this year.

L – LIV MEANS BUSINESS

The sticking point with those who defected to LIV Golf surrounds official world golf ranking points. Do they deserve them or not? If you listen to the establishment and those who stayed loyal, it’s a flat no. Greg Norman and his disciples see it differently. Norman did his best to get the players recognised this week when he aligned with the little known MENA Tour, but the OWGR said no thanks. They have an official request from Norman from way back in July and are still working through that. Interesting times in golf.

M – MIGHT HAVE TO TUNE IN

What are we watching? The Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield tomorrow. With the Cox Plate fast approaching, it is no surprise that the field is littered with headline acts. But any time you are treated to a race where Zaaki, I’m Thunderstruck, Alligator Blood, Mr Brightside, Mo’unga and Anamoe are starting, it is time to turn the mobile phone on silent and take it all in. The Cox Plate market will be adjusted after tomorrow.

N – NO END IN SIGHT

For those thinking the retirement of Joel Selwood was going to erode the chances of Geelong contending again in 2023, now might be the time to reconsider. Jack Bowes, the 83-gamer from Gold Coast, has settled on the Cats as his preferred home for next year. By taking on Bowes and his $850,000 a year salary, Geelong also get the Suns’ No.7 selection in the national draft. This morning they parted with selection 18 to land Tanner Bruhn. And they are desperate to also get Ollie Henry out of Collingwood. Geelong are the Benjamin Button of the AFL.

O – ONE TO WATCH

On face value, Giga Kick’s job of taking down Nature Strip in The Everest (1200m) is herculean. But the saying “you’ve got to be in it to win it” certainly applies to the brilliant three-year-old. Fresh off a slashing win in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington last Saturday, a deal was struck between connections and James Harron Bloodstock for the world’s richest race on turf next weekend. Before you dismiss Giga Kick out of hand, it might pay to consider he did break Nature Strip’s class record when winning last weekend. In saying that, the current version of Nature Strip is superior to anything else on the planet.

P – PAW PATROL

We shouldn’t be stunned at the high-quality field of chasers taking their place in the Group 3 Mandurah Cup (490m) this evening. The heats last week were outstanding and we are now presented with a brilliant final in which the electrifying Amplified will look to notch a ninth win from as many starts over the distance. She has box four, but also an ability to leave the machines like few others.

Q – QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I ain’t seen anything like this.” That was uttered in disbelief by former NBA star Eddie Johnson in his role covering the Phoenix Suns as a play-by-play analyst for Bally Sports. He was not alone. The Adelaide 36ers stunned the Suns 134-124 on their home floor this week in a display underlined by ridiculous long-range shooting. Were the Suns at full rat power? No. For an NBL team to make the trek to the USA and fly the Australian and NBL flag like the 36ers did though, is undeniably significant for the code Down Under.

R – REVENGE

Darren Harris did everything he could to downplay the enormity of the occasion heading into last Saturday’s grand final. Harris was unceremoniously dumped as Claremont coach after the 2020 grand final loss to South Fremantle. He was soon after hired by West Perth, the club he made his name for as a player last century. And it was a beaming Harris who let the Tigers faithful know exactly how he was feeling after the Falcons beat Claremont in a tense grand final before a heaving Leederville Oval.

S – SHOWTIME

The return to Ascot each and every year is looked upon fondly by all and sundry. A huge 10-race card greets us tomorrow, headlined by the $100,000 Crown Perth Classic (1000m) for the three-year-olds. There are some smart ones resuming, including Snowdome, Rumour Says and Top Of The Pops, but they are going to have their work cut out getting past All Show. The filly made an auspicious return three weeks ago and has come up with barrier one tomorrow. If she is able to replicate the sectionals she produced first-up, All Show is going to be all the rage heading into the 1200m features for the three-year-olds.

T – TEENAGE PRODIGY

The production line that feeds the WA cricket machine has unearthed another one. Teague Wyllie became the youngest Sheffield Shield centurion in three decades when he compiled a brilliant 104 off just 204 deliveries in the home team’s eight-wicket win over NSW at the WACA Ground this week. At 18 years and 163 days, Wyllie was the youngest player to achieve the feat since Ricky Ponting notched his maiden ton at 18 years and 40 days.

U – UNSTOPPABLE

Another weekend of Group 1 racing and another opportunity to laud the achievements of Chris Waller. The master horseman last Saturday notched two more elite-level victories when Zougotcha claimed the Flight Stakes (1600m) and No Compromise took out the Metropolitan (2400m). Waller now boasts 139 Group 1 wins, enabling him to put further space between himself and Gai Waterhouse as he continues to eat into the 246 successes at the top level the late Bart Cummings and TJ Smith share.

V – VETERANS UNITE

Racing has a funny way of throwing up a result that you didn’t see coming. When Stafford’s Lad was purchased, it was with the intention of sending him north to run in the Kimberley and hopefully take out a Broome Cup. He has quite clearly proven himself to be better than a Broome participant, with last Saturday’s win in the Kalgoorlie Cup (2200m) proof of that. Whilst on the Kalgoorlie Cup, nobody would have foreseen Shaun O’Donnell winning the Goldfields feature on the eight-year-old gelding after Chris Parnham won the Boulder Cup (2100m) 13 days prior. A suspension incurred at Belmont however ruled out Parnham, opening the door for O’Donnell to get aboard.

W – WISHFUL THINKING

There will be a few jockeys in tomorrow’s Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) wishing they were Luke Nolen and riding I Wish I Win. In fact, I will go out on a limb and say every rival hoop would be wishing they were linking up with the son of Savabeel. I Wish I Win is having his first foray into elite-level racing here in Australia, but if his two victories this time in are any guide, he is well and truly up to the task. An exciting conveyance to put it mildly.

X – X-FACTOR

Jot this name down. Victor Wembanyama. He is an 18-year-old French basketballer who had scouts drooling at the mere mention of his name. He stands 223cm and has the skillset of a shooting guard. In a G-League game this week, Wembanyama tallied 37 points, five blocks and four rebounds. It was a match televised by ESPN and generated enormous chatter.

Y – YOU BEAUTY

That is the sentiment today from all Melbourne Storm supporters after Cameron Munster turned his back on a multi-million-dollar deal from the Dolphins to stay in Victoria. The Kangaroos and Queensland five-eighth will remain with the Storm until the end of 2027. He is believed to be earning around $1.2 million next year, the final season of his existing deal, before the four-year offer kicks in, worth an estimated $1 million a season. It is a seismic statement by Munster and great for the game in Victoria.

Z – ZOUSTAR’S STAR SHINES BRIGHT

Think heavyweight stallions and I Am Invincible, Snitzel and Written Tycoon spring to mind. Yet they are all chasing Widden Stud’s Zoustar as we enter a huge weekend of racing, especially on the east coast. The son of Northern Meteor, himself a Group 1 winner of the Golden Rose and Coolmore Stud Stakes as a three-year-old, is the sire of four stakes winners already this season, including last weekend’s Flight Stakes heroine, Zougotcha, to be No.1 sire on earnings.




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