Sports

The Weekly A-Z

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – AYRTON UP ON BLOCKS

A penny for the thoughts of Ayrton’s owners. Last Saturday they could do nothing more than sit back in their loungerooms and watch as the lightly-raced gelding endured a horror trip in a Listed 1400m event at Flemington. Despite that setback, an offer of $2 million was tabled by Hong Kong interests. It was quickly rejected. Life then took a cruel twist when it was revealed Ayrton suffered a suspected spider bite, throwing his current preparation expected to involve the $7.5 million Golden Eagle and Group 1 Epsom Handicap, into a spin.

B – BLUE BLOOD

We often hear at this time of the year, especially on the east coast, that there isn’t a great deal between smart maiden winners and those who salute in a decent Saturday race. If that holds true, it could be wise to follow the fortunes of beautifully-bred colt Mornington Glory, who stepped out on debut at Bendigo on Wednesday. The son of Shalaa was crunched in betting and beat up on the older horses, winning by nearly four lengths for Luke Currie and Matt Laurie. A $360,000 purchase, Mornington Glory is out of Golden Slipper runner-up Crowned Glory and is a half-brother to dual Group 1 winner and sire Hallowed Crown and Carbine Club Stakes winner Needs Further, also a stallion. He is most definitely one to watch.

C – COMIN’S AND GOINGS

Tellem We’re Coming was friendless in the lead-up to last Saturday’s Listed Farnley Stakes (1400m) at Belmont. The money for Notorious One was relentless to put it mildly. But it proved to be wide of the mark after Brad Rawiller gave Tellem We’re Comin a beautiful ride, stalking the speed and then pressing the button at the appropriate time to put several lengths between himself and renowned backmarker Notorious One. The margin in the end was just under a length after Notorious One rattled home, but Dan Morton has Tellem We’re Comin in ripping form, with the Hannan’s Handicap (1400m) the logical next target.

D – DEE-LIGHTFUL

Talk about ensuring the natives are happy. The feelgood story surrounding Melbourne’s drought-breaking premiership push has been embraced by the WA public, which ensured Optus Stadium was bursting at the seams for last Friday night’s historic preliminary final between the Demons and Geelong. And the bulk of those on hand were in raptures at watching Max Gawn strut his stuff and his teammates following suit to inflict a punishing defeat on Chris Scott and his meek Cats. For many, it was the perfect start to a great weekend of sport and racing.

E – EVEREST, HERE WE COME

An eight-horse field featuring six horses — Nature Strip, Masked Crusader, Lost And Running, Rothfire, Eduardo and Gytrash — who are guaranteed starters in next month’s The Everest, the richest race on turf anywhere in the world. That is what we are being spoilt with at Randwick tomorrow with the running of the $500,000 The Shorts (1100m) at Group 2 level. An absolute cracking race.  

F – FAMILY COMES FIRST

In a strange way, you suspect there was a touch of relief from Nathan Jones’ perspective over the decision to return home last weekend to be alongside his wife for the birth of their twins. Jones, a former captain and only the second Demon (the other being David Neitz) to crack the 300-game barrier, knew his fate after the team’s stirring preliminary final victory. Barring a string of injuries, he wasn’t going to force his way into the line-up for grand final day. For Jones, it left him with the option to fly back to Melbourne for some unforgettable family time. Jones’ career ends on 302 games, but his legacy lives on. 

G – GIANT-KILLER

Daniil Medvedev clearly didn’t read the script. Novak Djokovic was on the precipice of becoming the GOAT — the only man in the history of tennis to win 21 grand slam titles, one more than revered pair Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. All that stood between him and his place in sporting folklore on Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York was the Russian, who was oh so brave 12 months earlier, rallying from two sets to love down to lose in five to Nadal in the final. But Medvedev had no desire to be roadkill and denied Djokovic a calendar grand slam with a clinical 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory. 

H – HURTS SO GOOD

Australians possessing more than a passing interest in the NFL this season will no doubt be watching and reading a lot about the Philadelphia Eagles. That is because the Eagles boast giant Sydney product Jordan Mailata, who signed a four-year contract extension worth $80 million on the eve of week one, and former St Kilda forward Arryn Siposs as the punter. Both starred in last weekend’s 32-6 flogging of Atlanta, with Mailata protecting the blindside of quarterback Jalen Hurts like his pay packet demands. The Eagles will face stiffer tests, starting this weekend against San Francisco and their disruptive defence, but their start couldn’t have been any better.

I – ILLNESS

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan’s heart would have skipped a beat this morning when he learnt Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin and his assistant Adem Yze missed the Demons’ training session because of illness. A day after stating he was confident the league could handle a last-minute curveball in regards to next Saturday’s grand final, any mention of the words illness, sick or virus would have been major red flags. But there was nothing to fear. Both Goodwin and Yze were only a bit crook, not battling COVID-19, and kept away from the players as a precaution.

J – JAMIE’S JOLT

Jamie Kah’s hopes of returning to the saddle this year following the Mornington Airbnb get together were this morning dealt a massive blow. Like, seismic blow. The stewards banned the Scobie Breasley medallist for a further two months for giving false/misleading evidence over the presence of Mark Zahra at the house. And unlike Zahra and Celine Gaudray, who had their extra bans discounted, Kah was hit with full tote odds. Pending an appeal, Kah will not be seen on horseback on race day until late January.

K – KAL CORNER

All roads lead to Kalgoorlie on Sunday for the running of the Blue Spec Drilling Boulder Cup (2100m). It is the entrée to what promises to again be a terrific round. Living The Dream was heavily supported and justified the big money wagered when he won the Coolgardie Cup (1760m)a fortnight ago, but this is a far more testing assignment. The entire has not won beyond that distance and Sunday’s feature looks to set up more favourably for the likes of Kalgoorlie Cup-bound duo Divine Shadow and Friar Fox.

L – LIGHTS OUT

The look on the faces of the Port Adelaide faithful last Saturday night said it all … what on earth was that? It’s hard to reconcile with such a display. Rested, healthy and seemingly hellbent on avenging a heartbreaking preliminary final defeat 12 months earlier to Richmond, the Power appeared in the box seat. But the Western Bulldogs rocked up and bared their teeth in a performance that propelled them into another grand final, while at the same time consigning the Power to a summer of soul-searching. So much of Port’s progress in 2021 quickly evaporated and put coach Ken Hinkley and several players in the crosshairs of critics.

M – MAIN EVENT

There is no getting away from the fact that The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick tomorrow will garner considerable attention. And deservedly so, as it is a proper race. But we shouldn’t forget there is a Group 1 on the card and features arguably the best horse in Australia, glamour mare Verry Elleegant. A brave runner-up fresh in the Group 1 Winx Stakes, Verry Elleegant has been saved for the George Main Stakes (1600m) second-up as she builds towards some seriously important races during the Melbourne spring carnival. James McDonald and Chris Waller have combined for many Group 1 wins and it would be a shock if they don’t add to the tally tomorrow.

N – NO SECOND PRIZE:

Penrith’s security blanket has been removed. The loss to South Sydney last Saturday night in the qualifying final has suddenly raised the stakes for Ivan Cleary’s Panthers. Lose to Parramatta this weekend and there is no tomorrow. And given the salary cap pressure the club is under, the future is not as bright as it was just over a week ago. We know Penrith can razzle and dazzle as well as anyone. However, do they have the toughness to stand toe-to-toe with the Eels? 

O – OLLIE AND CHARLIE

For much of the season, it seemed Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli was going to be accompanied by Charlie, more commonly known as the Brownlow Medal. But a dip in form by the Bont and Ollie Wines’ stunning consistency in terms of ball winning in a Port Adelaide side that roared into the top four has changed the narrative. So much so that the midfield bull from Alberton is the favourite to claim the game’s most prestigious individual award on Sunday night. Wines averaged 32 possessions, 14.6 of them contested, and nearly six clearances a game. He would be a worthy Brownlow medallist.

P – PROBABEELY WILL

The third Group 1 of the Victorian season is set down for Caulfield tomorrow where Probabeel takes her place in the Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m). It is a tough test given she has to carry 57kg, but she is a winner at the elite level against the boys and returned in excellent order to win with 60kg. Damian Lane rode her on that occasion, but Brett Prebble is in the saddle tomorrow. The pair of them have been flying of late, with Prebble boasting victories in the Memsie Stakes aboard Behemoth and last Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes on Incentivise. Factor in Probabeel’s overall record of 11 wins from 24 starts and you can understand why the New Zealand mare is in the market.

Q – QUICK RETURN

That is exactly what many owners will be hoping for when the new-season two-year-olds converge at Randwick on Monday morning for the annual set of trials that provides a clear picture for the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m) for the boys and Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) for the girls early next month. Nine heats will be run and won, with much interest surrounding $2.1 million Exceed And Excel colt Nobel. There will be no money on offer next week, but good displays could see the funds coming back to connections in the not too distant.

R – REMEMBER ME

Quade Cooper was the toast of the rugby union community after his starring role in the Wallabies’ pulsating 28-26 win over the world champion Springboks on Sunday night. Now 33, Cooper gave everyone a timely reminder of his quality with a long range after-the-siren penalty that delivered Dave Rennie a critically important victory. Cooper had been in the international wilderness for several years until recalled by Rennie and will now get an opportunity to again wear the No.10 jersey for the rematch tomorrow with the Springboks, who haven’t lost successive Tests since 2018.

S – SHOEY ON OTHER FOOT

It had been a while since we got to enjoy West Australian Daniel Ricciardo and his hilarious shoey celebration. But the ever-smiling Ricciardo was back at it again over the weekend just gone, standing on the podium and guzzling down champagne out of his boot after claiming a drama-filled Italian Grand Prix. It was the 32-year-old’s first GP victory since Monaco in 2018 and was met with an overwhelming sense of pride Down Under, while also being recognised as a key moment in his F1 career.

T – TIGER KING

Congratulations Trent Cotchin. In the twilight of his career, it would have been easy to go one more season as Richmond captain. Instead, the man who transformed himself from a high-class midfielder into a combative, selfless skipper with the ability to lead like only the greats, said enough was enough. Cotchin is not just going to be elevated to the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible, he should be elevated to legend status when the time is right. He has at least one more year in him and already boasts a Brownlow Medal, 3 flags as skipper and 268 senior games. Tigers fans can consider themselves extremely fortunate to have witnessed his career, more specifically his evolution.

U – US AGAINST THE WORLD

Luke Beveridge is not the first coach to adopt a siege mentality. And as sure as night follows day, he won’t be the last. But it is an approach that has served Beveridge well since he took over at the Whitten Oval and will be referenced in the lead-up to next Saturday night’s grand final against Melbourne. There has been a bit of moaning and questions asked about the restrictions on the Bulldogs during the finals, but come game time, it’s been all business and that is down to Beveridge and his coaches and the leadership group, led magnificently by Marcus Bontempelli, out on the ground.  

V – V’LANDYS FAILS TO DELIVER

Peter V’Landys is only too happy to tell everyone about the good things happening in NSW Racing. In fairness to him, the good has far outweighed the bad on his watch. But he abdicated his responsibilities this week when the industry failed to keep participants and observers up to speed on a COVID-19 scare. It is believed a prominent Sydney jockey tested positive to the virus, but Racing NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel would not reveal the rider’s identity. There is nothing wrong with testing positive to COVID-19. It’s not a crime. Had V’Landys made a call to Van Gestel, I’m sure we would have known who the jockey was. 

W – WEIGHT IS OVER

Racing Victoria’s Greg Carpenter is a glass half-full kind of guy. Always has been. And a very proud West Australian, which makes him a good egg. He was doing the media rounds this week, as he does this time every year, after releasing the weights for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. And most interest surrounded the undeniably talented gelding Incentivise, who last Saturday led throughout to claim the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. Incentivise, who only broke his maiden status in Queensland earlier this year, was given 55.5kg in both, with Carpenter saying he could only rate Peter Moody’s charge on performances, not potential. Should he win the Turnbull Stakes, Incentivise won’t be penalised. However, it is a different ball game if he claims the Caulfield Cup.

X – X-FACTOR

It was a word attached to Nic Naitanui for the first half of his career. It might have also been associated with the flying Fijian for stages in the second part of his time at West Coast. But his achievement in winning back-to-back John Worsfold Medals this week surely dispenses with the term. He is a bona fide superstar of the competition. For him to be in the form he has displayed in 2020 and 2021, having undergone two knee reconstructions, is a credit to his work ethic and mental toughness. 

Y – YOUNG TALENT TIME

The future has arrived. Women’s tennis witnessed the emergence of two special talents over a fortnight in New York, culminating in a thrilling final taken out by Emma Raducanu. The British teenager, who created headlines for withdrawing from Wimbledon after experiencing problems breathing, took down Canadian 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez in straight sets. The 6-4 6-3 scoreline might have indicated it was smooth sailing. It wasn’t. Raducanu, 18, needed to display wonderful strokeplay, courage and strength to prevail, having also negotiated qualifying to earn a spot in the main draw. 

Z – ZALATORIS RECOGNISED

While on the topic of young talent, all golf fans should get accustomed to the name Will Zalatoris. The 25-year-old American, runner-up at Augusta earlier this year, was awarded the Arnold Palmer Award for being adjudged the US PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year. Zalatoris doesn’t bomb the ball like some of his peers, but is remarkably efficient from tee to green and that was reflected in his eight top-10 finishes and making 21 of 25 cuts. 




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