The Weekly A-Z

Posted on February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – ALL WILL BE REVEALED

Greyhound enthusiasts, indeed greyhound punters, will be watching tomorrow night’s action at Cannington with a great level of interest. Mambo Monelli is prominent in both the Perth Cup and Galaxy all-in markets, with his performance in the 715m free-for-all, his maiden attempt at the distance, likely to shape which way trainer Steve Withers heads next month. The good judges believe tomorrow won’t pose a problem, nor will winning the Galaxy.

B – BREAKING POINT

It’s not long now before Perth Glory’s men side is able to return home to spend time with family and loved ones and perform at home before their fans, who have been starved of A-League action. But you wonder whether it will be a case of too little too late. The 1-0 midweek defeat to Macarthur, in which high-profile recruit Daniel Sturridge failed to finish the second half, was another bitter blow and left them anchored at the foot of the table.

C – CLASSIC CLUES

The picture surrounding the Group 3 WA Oaks (2400m) and Group 2 WA Derby (2400m) will become a little clearer tomorrow afternoon at Ascot with the running of the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) for the girls and Listed Lex Piper Stakes (1600m) for the boys. There isn’t a great deal of depth in the fillies’ feature, whereas Trix Of The Trade, unbeaten in three starts this campaign, is the undisputed headline act in the Lex Piper as he continues his build towards the derby.

D – DISTURBING

If you have a better word to describe Nick Kyrgios’ social media post yesterday regarding the importance of mental health, I’m all ears. “This was me 3 years ago at the Australian Open. Most would assume I was doing OK mentally or enjoying my life … it was one of my darkest periods. If you look closely, on my right arm you can see my self harm. I was having suicidal thoughts and was literally struggling to get out of bed, let alone play in front of millions. I was lonely, depressed, negative, abusing alcohol, drugs and pushed away family and friends.”

E – EATING’S CHEATING

As you enjoy a hearty meal this evening and perhaps even indulge in an alcoholic beverage or three, spare a thought for Ben Allen. The young Victorian jockey has done it tough over the past couple of weeks in order to be the best version of himself aboard Marabi in tomorrow’ Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m). Allen has worked overtime physically and been on a diet consisting of black coffee, fruit, vegies and soup to help him get down to 54kg, considerably lighter than he normally rides. Will the sacrifice be worth it? The market says absolutely.

F – FAVOURITE NUMBERS

It probably should read favourite number when you assess the prospects of the fillies and colts and geldings in the Group 1 APG Sales Classic finals at Gloucester Park tonight. We all know barrier one at GP is key and both Temuka’s Girl ($1.90) and Valedictorian ($1.50) are in the red for their respective features after coming up with the all-important pole tonight. It promises to be a case of one and won.

G – GODFATHER OFFER

The Playing God colt out of former WA Oaks winner Moodometer was always going to be popular late on day one of the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale. But the final price tag of $330,000, a record for a yearling sold here in Perth, caught many by surprise. Experienced bloodstock agent John Chalmers was able to outlast Ryan Hill in a spirited bidding duel, with the colt likely to be talked about as a contender for the staying features here in WA as a three-year-old and beyond.

H – HARD YARDS

William Pike understood how big a challenge establishing himself in the NSW jockey ranks was going to be. It is the deepest pool of riding talent in any racing jurisdiction in the world. The Wizard booted home a winner at Canterbury last Friday night and has been really close on numerous occasions, but has managed just the sole victory from 27 rides since arriving in the Harbour City. Fingers crossed he gets the rub of the green in the not too distant.

I – IN THE CONVERSATION

As we prepare for the daily water cooler debate over all things AFL, the plight of the two WA clubs will be scrutinised to an inch of their life. That has always been the case and will continue to be the case for years to come. Fremantle haven’t yet played finals under Justin Longmuir, but the time is fast approaching where they will. And it should arrive as early as this season. The Dockers have depth, experience and only need a good run with injuries to storm into the top eight. Their top-eight price has trimmed up from $2.85 to $2.55 this week and could become even skinnier over the next fortnight.

J – JACQUINOT AND THE JUMP

Anything can happen in two-year-old racing. That said, WA hoop Damian Lane was quietly confident Jacquinot’s tardiness out of the barriers wouldn’t be an issue in tomorrow’s $1.5 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. The colt has been slow away at both his starts, most recently the Blue Diamond Prelude earlier this month. Lane said Jacquinot was given some remedial work in the gates earlier this week and passed with flying colours. He remains a live hope in what is a very even Blue Diamond.

K – KYRIE IRVING

The prospects of the Brooklyn Nets being the dominant Eastern Conference outfit continue to soar. The debut of Australian All-Star guard Ben Simmons isn’t far away, yet it is the news surrounding recent developments in New York City that are of huge importance. New York City mayor Eric Adams is eager to soon phase out COVID-19 mandates for indoor spaces, enabling anti-vaxxer Kyrie Irving to play in all home games. If Irving can weave his magic at home on a regular basis, the Nets have the weapons to take down the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia and advance to the NBA Finals.

L – LOOK OUT

“She’s a proper beast now … she’s as strong as what we’ve got in the stable in terms of a three-year-old filly.” With those words this morning on the Hour Of Power, Sam Freedman gave a telling insight into the stable’s overview of Argentia. The Frankel filly won first-up and is into odds-on for tomorrow’s Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) ahead of what could well be a prosperous autumn. She is the real deal.

M – MAGIC IN THE SWAN VALLEY

Apprehension pre-sale from breeders and vendors turned to excitement before the overriding emotion morphed into disbelief after day one of selling came to a close at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale this week. The buying bench, primarily from the locals, was at a level we have never seen previously, with four yearlings commanding at least $300,000, helping the average eclipse $90,000, with a clearance rate beyond 85 per cent. It is a credit to everyone involved.

N – NO EXCUSE

Alexander Zverev, you are a disgrace. An absolute disgrace not deserving of a place on the ATP Tour until 2023. That is all.

O – OUT OF TIME

What will West Coast’s next step be with Jack Darling’s reticence towards being vaccinated? It is a million-dollar question. In an ideal world, Darling would give assurances to the club that he was willing to have the jab. It would mean he would return at some stage in 2022. But the jungle drums continue to beat loudly that is not the path he wants to walk down. If his resistance remains, the Eagles’ bid for a top-eight berth is going to be seriously impacted. Not to mention his reputation inside the four walls at Mineral Resources Park.

P – PRAY

For Rod Marsh. The Australian cricketing great was rushed to hospital in Queensland yesterday morning after suffering a heart attack. Marsh’s heart stopped beating for several minutes soon after he touched down ahead of a function in Bundaberg, four hours north of Brisbane. The 74-year-old has been a tireless contributor to Australian cricket following his decorated career and was inducted into the Cricket Australia Hall of Fame in 2005 and the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009. He played 96 Tests and 92 ODIs for his country between 1970 and 1984.

Q – QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

That is the best way to describe the compilation of tomorrow’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes field over the 1400m at Caulfield. The $750,000 feature has attracted a field of just eight, but the level of interest remains high thanks to the presence of I’m Thunderstruck, last-start Group 1 winner Tofane, Mo’unga, Turaath, Sierra Sue and Streets Of Avalon. It is a serious race.

R – REIGN OVER

Novak Djokovic’s shock 6-4 7-6 (7-4) loss to Czech Jiri Vesely in Dubai overnight guaranteed a shift in the balance of power in men’s tennis. Djokovic will now lose the No.1 ranking to Russian Daniil Medvedev, which will be the first time since 2004 that none of the big four — Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray — have occupied the top spot on the rankings.

S – SIX APPEAL

Talk about contrasting fortunes. Liverpool flexed their undeniable muscles midweek when they pummeled Leeds United 6-0. It was Liverpool’s ninth consecutive win in all competitions and edged them to within three points of league leaders Manchester City with 12 matches remaining. As for Leeds, they are trending the wrong way, having now lost seven of their last 10 matches in the league to sit just three points above the relegation zone.

T – TIMELY REMINDER

It’s the time of the year where we put on our thinking caps and try to work out who is going to finish top eight in the AFL, who is going to win the premiership, who is the going to be big improver, who is going to be the big slider and who is going to finish last. If you were unsure on how Melbourne would handle the tag as reigning premiers, you received a pretty clear message yesterday. The Demons monstered North Melbourne by 88 points at Casey Fields in an indication they are not satisfied with just the one flag. Far from it.

U – UNAVAILABILITY

If the West Coast Eagles aren’t at tipping point with injuries and personnel issues outside their own control (see Jack Darling), they are fast approaching it. And that is before the practice match against Fremantle today. Tom Cole’s ankle surgery, expected to rule him out until midway through the season, is another bitter blow for Adam Simpson, who has been forced to compile a pre-season without several headline acts.

V – VERRY INTERESTING

As you would expect this time of year in Sydney, the depth of horseflesh in the Group 1 Chipping North Stakes (1600m) is deep. Let’s just hope they get to show their wares. The big wet that has hit NSW and Queensland this week has Randwick in the heavy range and the meeting not guaranteed to go ahead. A genuine heavy track doesn’t help Think It Over, but the prospects of Verry Elleegant and Colette will be anything but diminished.

W – WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION

The Americans and their allies didn’t find weapons of mass destruction when they declared war on Irag nearly 20 years ago. But they could have ventured down to Pinjarra last Sunday and seen what a true weapon of mass destruction looked like. Her name is Clairvoyance, the strapping mare trained by Darren McAuliffe. Clairvoyance did a number on her Pinjarra Classic rivals, setting a new track record in the process. She. Is. Back.

X – X-FACTOR

Simon Miller knows as well as anyone what is required to win the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m). And from the moment he unveiled Amelia’s Jewel over 950m at Lark Hill this week, resulting in a one-and-a-length victory that was impossible to miss, futures punters were quick to act. The daughter of Siyouni, who still does a bit wrong but clearly has a V8 motor under the hood, sits atop TABtouch’s all-in market for the Karrakatta at $7.50, narrowly in front of David Harrison’s Playing God filly Devine Belief, who is yet to start but has won both her trials. Let’s hope these two girls square off soon.

Y – YEARS IN THE MAKING

We’ve had to wait longer than anyone would have forecast, but the Australian men’s cricket side is back in Pakistan and boy oh boy, it is good for the soul .World cricket needs to see Pakistan hosting big series against the likes of Australia and England and the upcoming three Tests will be an enthralling contest where the skills of the hosts and tourists will be on full display. High-class Test cricket awaits us.

Z – ZIP IT

What on earth did Phil Mickelson expect?  His comments over the human rights violations of Saudi Arabia, which was desperate to be the starting point for a rebel golf league desperate to lure away proven PGA Tour performers, were never going to have a happy ending. KPMG, a long-time sponsor of Mickelson, parted company in the wake of the veteran’s remarks and he is now having some time away from the game to look after his mental health. Maybe be should get treatment for foot-in-mouth disease as well.