Sports

The Weekly A-Z

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – AWESOME ALANA

A great deal of recognition was afforded to Grant Williams for his outstanding training performance while based in Victoria with Arcadia Queen, Windstorm, Perfect Jewel, Superstorm, Showmanship and Regal Power. It was all deserved, in particular picking up the pieces to get Arcadia Queen to win two Group 1s. The same should apply to his wife and co-trainer Alana, who oversaw the operation while he was interstate and in quarantine upon his return. Her ability to get a large portion of the stable’s runners to perform at their optimum regularly didn’t go unnoticed. In short, she deserves the accolades heading her way for preparing Inspirational Girl to win last weekend’s Group 1 Kirin Railway Stakes. Credit where credit is due.

B – BULLDUST

The Retravision Fremantle Cup rivals of Chicago Bull were left seeing plenty of it last Friday night when the diminutive superstar produced a performance for the ages. Asked for an effort a lap out by Gary Hall Jnr, Chicago Bull found his way to the breeze despite the speed being clapped on and still reigned supreme. He will again step out at Gloucester Park tonight and barring something unforeseen, looks to have the WA Pacing Cup at his mercy.

C – CHIP OFF OLD BLOCK

Kudos to St Kilda for luring Hawthorn premiership defender James Frawley out of retirement. “Chip” looked like he would be lost to the game after the end of the Hawks’ 2020 campaign, but he now gets to link up with a club where his late uncle Danny “Spud” Frawley carved out a wonderful career. Great to see a little bit of romance remains in this era of professional football.

D – DANCING QUEEN

Trainer Steve Wolfe was only too happy to declare his iron filly Watch Me Dance had emerged unscathed from her stirring WA Champion Fillies Stakes win entering the Group 2 WA Guineas against the boys. He was spot on. The daughter of I’m All The Talk utilised her perfect barrier draw in one last weekend and proved she was the best three-year-old filly in WA, bar none, by gunning down Em Tee Aye in the straight.

E – EXEMPTIONS DENIED

Australian Open officials had hoped overseas players could be granted exemptions to go about their business in the lead-up to 2021’s first major. But the Victorian Government stipulated their quarantine requirements were like everyone else’s, which makes it highly unlikely the scheduled January 18 start will go ahead. There is no threat of the event not taking place, but we are going to have to wait a little longer than we had hoped. January 25 is the earliest, with a February commencement most likely.

F – FLUMMOXED

If you are feeling that way after learning that players deep into their 30s like Eddie Betts and Grant Birchall will enter 2021 on the rookie lists of their respective clubs, it is ok. You are not alone. It is bizarre to say the least that Betts, who celebrated his 34th birthday yesterday, is not on the primary list. Some of the decisions coming out of AFL House currently are odd to say the least.

G – GIVE ME A SPELL

Shayna. Shayna. Shayna. Banned Australian swimmer Shayna Jack’s defence that a contaminated blender might have inadvertently led to her ingesting the prohibited substance ligandrol was quite spectacular. Clearly, the “dog ate my homework” line had already been used by someone else.

H – HANDS OF GOD

Argentinian superstar Diego Maradona caused an uproar in the UK in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal against England when he used his hand to “head” a goal that helped his country advance to the semifinal against Belgium, which they won and then took out the final by beating West Germany. The greatest player of his generation, and arguably the best of all time, his death this week of a heart attack at the age of 60 leaves him now in the hands of God. Over to you big man.

I – INGLORIOUS

Perth Glory were on track to notch a crucial Asian Champions League victory when they led Ulsan Hyundai 1-0 in the dying moments of their Group F game this week. But the Glory conceded two goals, including one in the third minute of stoppage time. The defeat leaves Perth winless after three outings.

J – JERICHO JAUNT

There is a sense of timing about Sunday’s Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool. A crowd of up to 500 are allowed to be on course to witness the feature that is worth $300,000 and added to the calendar recently in honour of the Australian Light Horse in the Great War. It’s been a long time since we have seen crowds at a Victorian course and the day can’t come quick enough for a race that is going to get serious traction in years to come.

K – KEEP FOLLOWING

Kurabui. Who you ask? She is the four-year-old half-sister to Surprise Baby, who made an ominous debut at Pakenham last night. Yes, it was only a 1400m maiden, but she won with the handbrake on for Michael Dee on behalf of Mick Price and Mick Kent Jnr. Given she had only a couple of 800m jump-outs at Caulfield in the lead-up, it is understandable if she develops a serious following.

L – LADIES FIRST

It certainly was the case in the Kirin Railway Stakes last weekend when Inspirational Girl powered home in the straight for William Pike to deliver Grant and Alana Williams a third successive victory in the Group 1 handicap. The five-year-old mare is a serious galloper and it won’t be a shock if she doubles up next weekend in the Kingston Town Classic.

M – MOMENT OF TRUTH

Has arrived for WA greyhound Tommy Shelby. The cult hero qualified for the final of tonight’s Melbourne Cup with a fighting heat victory last Friday night and now takes on the best sprinting greyhounds in the country. Simon Told Helen, a four-time Group 1 winner, has been installed favourite after drawing box two. Tommy is not as advantaged after coming up with the green rug, but if his heat win is anything to go by, he is up for the fight. Go you good thing.

N – NORMAL SERVICE RESUMED

The Dallas Cowboys are America’s Team. Maybe we just remove America with Average. The Cowboys ply their trade in the disappointing NFC East and continue to be very mediocre. Their 41-16 loss at home to Washington today underlined that owner Jerry Jones, for all his profile and money, cannot get his side anywhere near the level he expects. It was a putrid performance. The Cowboys’ last Super Bowl appearance was 1995. Far too long between drinks.

O – ON THE ROAD AGAIN

The TABtouch Regional Championship Final: Road To Ascot might not carry the same purse as the $1 million Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes, but it will matter little to the connections of the winning horse tomorrow. It is a great concept for horses prepared outside the metropolitan area. Here’s hoping there are heaps of country people on course to enjoy the occasion.

P – PLACE TO BE

That would be Optus Stadium in early January. The summer of cricket will have a WA focus early in 2012, with Perth Scorchers set to host Melbourne Renegades (January 3), Sydney Sixers (January 6), Sydney Thunder (January 9) and Hobart Hurricanes (January 12). Now for the capacity to be lifted from 35,000!!!

Q – QUEENSLAND

Not only did it help save the AFL season, it seems the Sunshine State is the spot to be if you are a Victorian jockey. Michael Rodd this week headed back to Queensland, where he enjoyed so much success as an apprentice, and will be joined by Chris Caserta. They will see many familiar faces in the jockeys’ room, notably Ryan Maloney, Andrew Mallyon, Ben Thompson, Stephanie Thornton and Georgina Cartwright.

R – R.I.P

Tragic news earlier this week surrounding Keith Titmuss. The young Manly front-rower was rushed to hospital after experiencing cramps following a training session and lost his life shortly after. Further confirmation that life is way too precious.

S – STEALING A MARCH

Is exactly what the NRL has done regarding their 2021 season. The fixtures and venues for next season were released this week, giving their fans and corporate partners, not to mention the clubs and players, undeniable clarity about what is in store. Hello AFL House. Anything?

T – TRUCK STOP

Ben Rutten set the record straight this week. Essendon in 2021 will be playing a hard-nosed, disciplined defensive game. The era of a flamboyant, offensive-minded Bombers outfit, crafted by John Worsfold, is no more. Rutten, affectionately known as Truck, is determined to mould a game style that Essendon fans can relate to on a weekly basis.

U – UNIMAGINABLE

It defies logic to think we can still be talking about Adam Treloar’s contract status. The Western Bulldogs and Collingwood are in a standoff over how much the Magpies are going to top up his multi-million-dollar contract. You read correctly. Surely this would have been a key plank in regards to his trade earlier this month. It just doesn’t make any sense.

V – VETERAN STATUS

That is the appropriate term to describe a thoroughbred who is 11 years of age. Rock Magic, come on down. On what we have seen for a few years now however, Rocky has got no inkling of when he was born, nor care. He continues to race with great heart and will give his large group of owners and co-trainers Chris and Michael Gangemi an almighty thrill when he contests the Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot tomorrow for the fifth time.

W – WAIT IS OVER

It has taken longer than we have become accustomed to, but the summer of international cricket is finally here. Today’s one-day international between Australia and the might of India at the SCG is the first of six white-ball games between the pair, featuring three ODIs and three Twenty20s. The day-night Test at Adelaide Oval is fast approaching also. Hallelujah.

X – XENODOCHY

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott this week extended a hand to controversial Alligator Blood owner Allan Endresz following his fallout with David Van Dyke. Endresz has plenty to say and is not everyone’s cup of tea, but Gai has trained for some headline-grabbing owners over the years and the dynamic she and Bott will have with Endresz will be fascinating. Most importantly, we all want to see Alligator Blood safely negotiate his kissing spine surgery and return to the track this time next year.

Y – YEARLING SEASON

Is well and truly upon us. Granted, the sales don’t get underway until next year, but seeing trainers and bloodstock agents this week visiting stud farms in the Hunter Valley on social media just goes to show you that the racing merry-go-round rarely stops. There is still two more Group 1s to be run and won here in Perth, but the summer carnival is up and going in Queensland and it won’t be long before Gold Coast comes alive with the Magic Millions yearling sales and multi-million-dollar race day.

Z – ZEROING IN

It would be a shock if co-trainers Sean and Jake Casey weren’t doing that with three-year-old Dom To Shoot in regards to next weekend’s $1 million Kingston Town Classic (1800m). The Shooting To Win gelding closed intently in last Saturday’s Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) and looms as somewhat of an X-factor in the weight-for-age feature with just 52kg on his back.




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