The Weekly A-Z

Posted on October 29, 2021October 29, 2021 | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE

That might actually be underselling the enormity of Quinton de Kock’s refusal to take a knee as instructed to by Cricket South Africa during the World T20 in the UAE this week. De Kock, a former captain of the Proteas, ensured the complexities of his country’s sporting existence, indeed the day-to-day trials and tribulations back home, were in the spotlight by not publicly supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. And for those quick to condemn him and label de Kock a racist, dig a little bit deeper and understand who the man is and what he represents before going off half-cocked. Let’s hope that de Kock’s decision to now kneel after discussions with the Cricket South Africa board removes considerable tension around the issue.

B – BOX ON

Cricket lovers fearing the worst for this year’s Boxing Day Test received a pleasant surprise when it was revealed the Victorian Government was working towards a crowd of 80,000 on day one of the Australia v England showdown. The daily crowd figure for last year’s Boxing Day Test between Australia and India was capped at 30,000, so having an attendance number closer to capacity than empty is particularly heartening.

C – COOL RUNNINGS

There have been some vintage runnings of the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1200m) at Flemington. And, if we are to be entirely honest, there have been others which would be best described as ho-hum. Tomorrow’s edition sits comfortably among the better ones we have witnessed. There are Group 1 performers littered throughout the field, including quality colts Artorius and In The Congo and others with price tags befitting equine horseflesh expected to take pride of place in the barn once their career on the track ends.

D – D-DAY INDEED

Just 45 minutes before the three-year-old speed merchants go about their business down the Flemington straight in the Coolmore, a capacity field will chase a place on the honour roll at the headquarters of racing in Victoria. The time-honoured VRC Derby (2500m) remains a true Classic and one which headlines the best day’s racing in the country. Forgot You was installed as favourite after his courageous win in The Vase last Saturday, but has since been overtaken at the head of the market by the impressive last-start winner Gunstock, who hails from the white-hot stable of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.

E – EAGLE HAS LANDED

Racing NSW supremo Peter V’landys came up with the Golden Eagle (1500m) to eat into the dominance that Racing Victoria enjoys during the spring. A $7.5 million purse has assisted his cause. And while the majority of Australian racing eyeballs will be on the action down south, the third running of the feature at Rosehill, eligible for four-year-olds only, is a ripper. Victorian visitor I’m Thunderstruck is a last-start Group 1 winner (you could argue he should have won his past two starts at Group 1 level) and is a deserving favourite, while Private Eye took out the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at his most recent outing.

F – FIRST TUESDAY IN NOVEMBER

Unless you have been living under a rock or at an age that precludes you from knowing what is really going on around you, the occasion is one to remember. And that will be the case again next week when the Melbourne Cup (3200m) is staged at Flemington, this time before crowds which were kept away last year because of the pandemic. Punters are fully expecting the Peter Moody-prepared Incentivise to continue on his winning way, having already captured the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and Caulfield Cup (2400m), all at Group 1 level, this spring.

G – GONE IN 60 SECONDS

Most are fully expecting the runners in the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m) at Ascot tomorrow to have gone about their business inside a minute. If not, something has gone seriously wrong. Elite Street laid down a marker a fortnight ago with his breathtaking victory in the Listed Crawford Stakes (1000m) and he now meets nearly all of his main rivals considerably better under the WFA conditions of this feature. But any race that contains the likes of Rock Magic, Stageman and Indian Pacific cannot be considered a one-act affair. A seriously good race on an 11-event card that is full of intrigue.

H – HURT LOCKER

You are never going to contain David Warner in the T20 format. Your best option is to remove him. That requires you to take your opportunities when they present. Sri Lanka need no reminding of that this morning. Wicketkeeper Kusal Perera grassed Warner down the leg side when the left-hander was on 18. The Australian veteran would go on to make a game-changing half century that enabled his side to prevail by seven wickets and remain unbeaten in the tournament. The old “catches win matches” line couldn’t be more apt.

I – ICE, ICE BABY

Brad Widdup spoke from the heart last Friday morning when he declared he couldn’t get Icebath any better for her assignment in The Invitation (1400m), the $2 million race at Randwick for fillies and mares. Even the firm ground that she doesn’t normally enjoy wasn’t a deterrent. The Hawkesbury trainer’s confidence was justified when the daughter of Sacred Falls flooded down the centre of the track to claim the feature. So well did she come through her victory that Widdup has trucked her south and will back her up in another race of importance, the Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, tomorrow.

J – JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME

Mystic Journey remains one of the great racing stories. An $11,000 yearling purchase, the Adam Trinder-prepared six-year-old has banked more than $4 million in prize money and boasts the honour of being the inaugural winner of the All-Star Mile. She returns to Flemington tomorrow chasing Group 1 spoils in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). Her inside draw might not be ideal, but the Tasmanian mare’s two runs this campaign have been outstanding and you know she will be savaging the line late.

K – KAOS EVERYWHERE

You will go a long way to find a more popular win than that of Kaptain Kaos in last Sunday’s Listed Northam Cup (1600m). Young trainer Michael Grantham has done a mighty job with Kaptain Kaos, who was heavily backed despite the expectation he would settle in the second half of the field. The money proved to be, well, on the money, and Kaptain Kaos strolled to a one-length win that has convinced Grantham to aim up his stable star at the Group 3 RJ Peters Stakes (1500m) in a fortnight’s time. The scenes post-race in Northam were absolutely terrific, with rival trainers and close friends coming from everywhere to congratulate Grantham.

L – LET THEM IN

How long will WA Premier Mark McGowan continue to turn the lives of sporting teams in this State upside down by refusing to ease COVID-19 restrictions? Sadly for so many, it appears his hardline stance is going to continue well into 2022. It is going to wreak havoc yet again on the likes of the Perth Wildcats, Perth Glory, the WA cricket teams, ruin hopes of an Ashes Test being played, send the Fremantle and West Coast AFLW teams interstate for extended periods and that’s before we get to the AFL season proper. Hmmm.

M – MASKING THE DISAPPOINTMENT

Masked Crusader was unable to salute at a juicy price in The Everest, but his runner-up performance was full of merit. The Team Hawkes’ star sprinter was slow to step, as he has been on numerous occasions throughout his career, before charging home to just miss out overhauling the tiring Nature Strip. He will chase redemption  tomorrow in the $1 million Classique Legend Stakes (1300m). Nature Strip won’t be there, but he will still meet some familiar faces — five of his opponents also contested The Everest.

N – NOTHING BUT NETS

Patty Mills’ blistering start to the NBA season has continued. Well, up until yesterday that is. And you can bet your bottom dollar (and your best mate’s also) that the Brooklyn Nets wouldn’t be too aggrieved by the Aussie veteran’s rare off day from long range. Mills hit his first 10 three-point attempts for the Nets across two games and then filled up the cup in five of nine attempts from beyond the arc in game three. He was 0-6 from distance in the Nets’ 106-93 loss to Miami yesterday, but still has connected on 64 per cent of his three-point shots this season.

O – OUT OF ORDER

Here’s a suggestion to Geelong chief executive Steven Hocking … you worry about your own set-up and refrain from potting young players who are no longer at your club. Hocking, who is about to enter his maiden season at the helm of the Cats, would not have criticised Jordan Clark in the manner that he did this week had the West Australian not defected to Fremantle. Good on Dockers boss Simon Garlick for having Clark’s back and calling out Hocking. It was poor form from a seasoned football administrator who should have known better.

P – PUCKER UP

Cannot wait to see how Kissonallforcheeks handles the rise in grade in tomorrow’s Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) at Ascot. The gifted four-year-old mare runs headlong into the TABtouch Railway Stakes all-in favourite Western Empire for the first time since she accounted for him in the Listed Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic (1400m) in December and then again in the Listed Challenge Stakes (1500m) earlier this year. Kissonallforcheeks has a tricky gate to contend with as opposed to Western Empire, who should settle in front of her from barrier two, but she has a wicked turn of foot and the formlines to suggest she will be in the finish. Having beaten Kaptain Kaos at her most recent run, it’s fair to say Dan Morton has her primed to run well.

Q – QUEEN OF THE TURF

It’s no surprise to see Grant and Alana Williams load up in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at Ascot next Tuesday. And it will be no shock to see Treasured Star, one of three runners for the stable, to open up a very short quote despite encountering the stiffest opposition of her career. She has won two of her three starts, with her most recent victory against the older horses in C3 company, something to behold. The fillies are seriously talented this year and the  race promises to be an absolute cracker when you factor in the likes of Searchin’ Roc’s, Buzzoom, Flying Missile, Liwa, Hardly Ever, Fatale Femme and Pat’s Got Sass to name a few.

R – ROCKING THE BOAT

Punters identified It’sarayday and Arcadia Grace as the horses to beat in last weekend’s Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m) at Ascot. It made a lot of sense. Arcadia Grace was heavily supported and didn’t get a lot of room late when unplaced in the Crown Perth 3YO Classic (1000m) a fortnight earlier, while It’sarayday was unbeaten and coming out of a slashing first-up win at Northam. But the proven commodity in the race, David Harrison’s Searchin’ Roc’s, upstaged her more fancied rivals with a brilliant win. Chris Parnham gave the filly a super steer and she did the rest, stretching her unbeaten streak either side of a spell to four.

S – STOKED

The jungle drums were beating over the availability of Ben Stokes for the upcoming Ashes series. The combative Pom had uploaded some social media vision of him showing his recovery from finger surgery, while the decision to provide the tourists with as much normality as possible in regards to their living conditions Down Under clearly tickled his pickle. Therefore it was little surprise that Stokes, who has battled mental health issues of late, declared he would be only too happy to travel to Australia for the Ashes. An expected whitewash in favour of the hosts now looks like being much more of a contest and that is a great thing.

T – THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER

Americans, in particular Oklahoma City Thunder fans, knew there was something very special about Australian Josh Giddey. After just five NBA games, their expectations have risen dramatically. The 19-year-old, the No.6 selection in this year’s draft, yesterday showed his rare skill set, amassing 18 points, 10 rebounds and two assists to help the Thunder rally from a 26-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 123-115. It is a ridiculously small sample size, but Giddey could become the greatest player Australia has ever produced.

U – UNIVERSAL SUPPORT

Josh Cavallo met with it (and so he should have) after using a social media post to announce he was gay. The Adelaide United defender became the first footballer in Australia to come out as gay while still playing professionally. The response was overwhelmingly positive. The next step in society is for announcements like Cavallo’s not being such a big deal. Here’s hoping we get there soon.

V – VAX OR NOVAK

Just when you think you have an idea on what is going to be required from tennis players and support staff for next year’s Australian Open, you sit down, scratch your head and do a double-take. At the heart of the issue is whether players will need to be vaccinated. The Prime Minister said this week they didn’t have to be, but would need to quarantine for 14 days. Then Dictator Dan came out and said he wouldn’t be offering any exemptions and insisted vaccinations were a must. Novak Djokovic hasn’t made his vaccination status known, insisting it is a private matter, but if he isn’t, surely his advisors would be suggesting the time to do so has come given his success at Melbourne Park and the lure of a historic 21st grand slam singles title.

W – WORLD ORDER

Strap yourselves in. The World Series is going to at least five games. That much is assured after the Houston Astros bounced back from a game-one defeat to touch up the Atlanta Braves 7-2 yesterday morning, squaring the contest at 1-1.  It was Houston’s first victory on their home turf in a World Series since beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and sets up the series beautifully ahead of game three in Atlanta tomorrow morning.

X – XAVI’S HOMECOMING

It appears to be only a matter of time before Xavi Hernandez, more commonly known in world football circles as Xavi, is announced the new coach of La Liga club Barcelona. Languishing in ninth place with just four wins from their first 10 league games, Barcelona axed Ronald Koeman and have reportedly agreed to terms with club legend Xavi, currently coaching in Qatar. Xavi chalked up 767 appearances for Barcelona and was a member of eight premiership-winning sides and also tasted Champions League success four times with the Catalan club.

Y – YAWN

If you have one or two over the next week, it’s okay. And if you see a friend or family member do likewise, be sympathetic. This is Melbourne Cup week and there is mountains of form to chew through in order to find a winner or three. And we’re not just talking racing over there on the east coast, chiefly Flemington. The amount of racing at Ascot and provincial regions in WA command plenty of attention also.

Z – ZACH’S A HAPPY CAMPER

Zach Ertz, a three-time Pro Bowl tight end who played a key role in the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl victory in 2017, would have liked to have finished his career in the City of Brotherly Love. But when the Eagles fell out of love with him a few weeks ago, it was decided to ship him to the Arizona Cardinals. Talk about falling on your feet. The Cardinals remained the only unbeaten team in the NFL ahead of week eight with a 7-0 record and in their mauling of Houston this week, he caught a 47-yard touchdown pass as one of three receptions for 66 yards. The joy on Ertz’s face post-TD summed up his feelings.