The Weekly A-Z

Posted on March 4, 2022March 9, 2022 | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – ALL HAIL THE KING

King Of Swing doesn’t need to win tomorrow night’s Miracle Mile at Menangle. But how good would it be if the seven-year-old clinched the $1 million feature for a third successive year and perhaps farewell the sport in the best way imaginable? King Of Swing, still part-owned by WA interests, led easily from the pole in the Hunter Cup and driver Luke McCarthy is bullish he can dictate proceedings at Menangle after again coming up with barrier one. If that is the case, this might be as good as over. King Of Swing has won 33 of 37 times he has led up the field.

B – BORDER CROSSING

Ideally, Richard Litt would have kicked off Profondo’s autumn campaign on home soil. Furthermore, he would have preferred the Group 1-winning colt of Deep Impact to have started first-up tomorrow on a good track. But we know the weather in Sydney has been horrendous, forcing Litt to send Profondo south for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. Some trainers prefer not to travel their steeds interstate early in a campaign, but Litt was hellbent on starting his stable star this week and a bottomless Randwick track was not an option.

C – CAPITALISING

As frustrating as it can be when quality colts are retired to stud duties early, it is purely a business decision. And the current stallion market is BIG business. Capitalist, the Magic Millions and Golden Slipper-winning son of Written Tycoon, had just seven starts before finding a home at Newgate Farm in the Hunter Valley. And this week it was revealed that he was the busiest stallion in Australia for 2021, covering 243 mares at $99,000 a cover. You do the maths. 

D – DIAMIOND IN THE ROUGH

It was that sort of Blue Diamond Stakes. The market struggled to nail down an obvious favourite and though there was money for both Revolutionary Miss and Jacquinot, it wasn’t as if they were crunched. That said, they were considerably shorter than Daumier, who went around at $20, and poked through the middle of the field inside the final 200m to chalk up an important win. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained colt will now be aimed at the Golden Slipper later this month.

E – ELEEGANT AS CAN BE

It wasn’t as graceful as some of her previous 10 Group 1 victories, but you cannot take anything away from Verry Elleegant’s success in last Saturday’s Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at a saturated Randwick. Proven second-up and on rain-affected tracks, Chris Waller’s mare thrived on the heavy 10 surface and was able to outlast She’s Ideel as a well-backed favourite. It is an astonishing CV that Verry Elleegant has built up and there’s no indication there isn’t more glory on the horizon.

F – FATAL ATTRACTION

Bob Peters and True Attraction have had a rocky relationship. Not as tumultuous as Michael Douglas and Glenn Close in the 1987 film Fatal Attraction, but one that has had its share of ups and downs. As a young horse, True Attraction promised plenty. He then lost his way as many horses do, prompting Peters to enter him in a Magic Millions winter sale. But a form reversal on the eve of the auction convinced Peters to withdraw him. It proved a smart decision. The gelding is fresh off a Detonator Stakes win and is up to his eyeballs in tomorrow’s Listed Bunbury Cup (2100m) at Ascot for the very much in-form duo of Adam Durrant and Patrick Carbery.

G – GONE TOO SOON

On what has been a difficult week of two for so many Australians, this morning’s news that Rod Marsh had passed away was just another hammer blow. One of Australia’s greatest and most iconic cricketers, Marsh lost his life in an Adelaide hospital after suffering a massive heart attack in Queensland late last month. A 96-Test veteran, his passing will be felt throughout the cricketing community. Marsh was 74.

H – HEADLINE ACT

I’m positive connections of the other runners in the Bunbury Stakes (1400m) will not agree with what they are about to read. For the sake of WA racing, let’s cross our fingers and toes that Clairvoyance turns up in peak condition and produces a performance akin to the one we saw down at Pinjarra last month.The strapping mare obliterated her opposition in track record time to claim the Listed Pinjarra Classic (1300m), adding weight to claims she is the most exciting horse in this State. Her best is frightening. Here’s hoping we see it tomorrow. 

I – INFLUX

There were fears this month’s Perth Cup and Galaxy at Cannington would lack top-level interstate representation. It’s fair to say those fears have been allayed. Tomorrow night, we will see a number of high-class greyhounds from the East Coast familiarise themselves with the track ahead of the March 19 features. And while it is always good to see the prizemoney stay local, there is always something special about seeing the best of the best lock horns. 

J – JUVENILE JOY 

Gary Hall Jnr and Group 1 glory. They have been great companions for many a year and it was the case again last Friday night at Gloucester Park. The State’s premier reinsman achieved ultimate success behind outsider Cabsav in the $100,000 APG 2YO Fillies Sales Classic (1730m) before again saluting with raging favourite Valedictorian in the APG 2YO Colts and Geldings Sales Classic (1730m).  

K – KARRAKATTA 

ASPIRATIONS: There have been a few markers laid down already this season, but tomorrow’s Listed Supremacy Stakes (1000m) at Ascot could well provide the clearest picture yet on who we should be screwing down on ahead of the Group 2 feature early next month. Amelia’s Jewel is at the pointy end of the all-in Karrakatta Plate market with TABtouch despite not yet hitting the track. Her recent barrier trial win down at Lark Hill indicated she was well above average and she looks like she will start favourite tomorrow. It promises to be an exciting race for the babies.

L – LIFE OF LUXURY

It was the news we hoped wasn’t coming, but deep down knew it was. Tommy Shelby, affectionately known as the People’s Dog, had the curtain drawn on his illustrious racetrack career this week by trainer and part-owner Steve Withers. A winner of 31 races and more than $1 million in stake earnings, there was very little Tommy didn’t achieve on the track. But we know he has already proved a popular commodity at stud already and that popularity is certain to intensify even further. Thanks for the memories Tommy.

M – MOVING FORWARD

The NFL hasn’t said it publicly, but they may as well have … we are over worrying about COVID-19. The league this morning announced that it had suspended league-wide protocols, effective immediately. The stance comes after the NFL all but did away with their most severe protocols towards the end of last season which culminated with the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals. More than 95 per cent of the NFL players were vaccinated for last season. It looks like being back to business as usual next season.

N – NO REASON

Absolutely none whatsoever why Daisy Pearce couldn’t transition into a senior coaching role with an AFL men’s side once she concludes her AFLW commitments with Melbourne. One of the best women players we have seen, Pearce has a brilliant football brain and is immensely respected throughout the industry. The principles of coaching remain the same in the AFL and AFLW. We are not splitting the atom here. It is football and smart football people prove popular, regardless of their gender. Funny that. 

O – OVERTLY OBVIOUS

If any AFL players, coaches or supporters were unsure how strict the interpretation would be from umpires towards those who show dissent at a decision during the course of a game, they are now very much up to speed. Melbourne players paid a high price in their Community Series defeat to Carlton last night, coughing up eight 50m penalties for  poor behaviour. The players need to understand there has been a massive shift … and quickly.

P – PROPHETIC

When Coolmore heavyweight Tom Magnier purchased Mizzy for $2.2 million at last year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, he declared: “She’s a lovely, quality mare and in fairness she should have been a Group 1 winner.” Well, she is now. Savatiano was this week disqualified from the Canterbury Stakes and her trainer James Cummings fined $10,000 following an inquiry into a positive swab. The sanctions saw Mizzy elevated to first, with Masked Crusader and Bivouac filling the minor placings

Q – QUANTUM SHIFT

It is always fraught with danger making a bold declaration after one unofficial AFL practice match. But here goes anyway. Fremantle are poised to finish above West Coast in 2022 and continue to be the dominant WA club for years to come. The Dockers are building under Justin Longmuir, have recruited soundly, while their leg speed and dare was clear for all to see in the 97-point demolition of the banged-up Eagles last Friday. West Coast’s deeds are well known and there is no doubt they will provide far stiffer opposition in Sunday’s encounter, but it is difficult to see how they can challenge for the top eight this season with so many serious personnel issues.

R – RIP

Rob Harvey. The entire WA racing industry has been mourning the loss of “R.N” since last Saturday. Boasting more than 50 years’ experience in the industry as a former jockey and trainer, Harvey will be sadly missed by so many. A proud man and a good man, he saddled up some outstanding gallopers in his time as a trainer, including Kalatiara, Kentiara, Double Dignity, Rouge Dior and Always A Devil. Rest easy R.N.

S – SEVENTH HEAVEN 

Just over 12 months ago, Marabi launched her career in the best fashion possible, cantering home to win a Pakenham maiden by six lengths. Last Saturday at Caulfield, the five-year-old mare notched her seventh win from as many starts when she snared the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) for co-trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, and an elated jockey Ben Allen. It was Marabi’s third successive black-type victory and ensured that she will be a valuable commodity when her racing days are over. In fairness, most daughters of I Am Invincible are. 

T – TREPIDATION

Those who played Greece in the all-in Golden Slipper markets would have been shaking their heads yesterday morning. Not only was the forecast for Sydney decidedly bleak once again and the prospect of a heavy 10 track a formality (provided the meetings proceeds), it was revealed the spruiked filly would be wearing synthetic hoof filler on her front feet for her eagerly-anticipated debut. She is currently an easing second favourite behind Russian Conquest for the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m). 

U – UNITED WE STAND

That has been the approach from so many sporting organisations in their desire to snub Russia following their senseless war on Ukraine. You will not see any Russian athletes contesting the FIFA World Cup and Davis Cup, nor international basketball, skiing, hockey, track and field and ice skating events to name a few. The Russian F1 Grand Prix has also been cancelled, while the Champions League final set down for St Petersburg has been moved to Paris. Will the sanctions bite? We can only hope.

V – VIN NUMBER

If you needed any proof that the progeny of I Am Invincible are the most sought after at the yearling sales in this part of the world, it came during the week when a colt by the super sire fetched $950,000 at Melbourne Premier. Offered by Widden Stud on behalf of Sun International, the colt was a magnificent specimen and knocked down to Coolmore’s Tom Magnier. It is little surprise considering Coolmore paid $875,000 for Home Affairs in 2020. A Group winner as a two-year-old, Home Affairs has won his past two starts at Group 1 level — the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and Lightning Stakes (1000m) and is probably worth in excess of $30 million.

W – WINNING FOR FUN

Another weekend, another terrific performance from Trix Of The Trade. Colin Webster’s brilliant three-year-old showcased his brilliance yet again in the Listed Lex Piper Stakes (1600m), stalking a hot speed set by Hear Me Sing and Henchard before zooming past them in the straight when given his head by Troy Turner. The gelding has now won seven of his eight starts, the past three being at $1.18, $1.20 and $1.35 en route to the Listed JC Roberts Stakes (1800m) next weekend.

X – X FACTOR

Isaac Heeney, this word can no longer apply to you. The days of the Sydney Swan being an influential player with a touch of X-factor and capable of producing a cameo every now and then, are over. They must be. When you agree to a six-season deal worth millions of dollars like he did this week, you need to deliver. That’s not to say he won’t. Clearly Heeney is gifted and has promised to be one of the elite players in the competition for a few seasons. As a Blood for life, Heeney will have ample opportunity to take the Swans to the promised land.

Y – YOUNG GUNS

The Memphis Grizzlies show no signs of slowing down as they jostle for a prominent position in the Western Conference. And if they are to achieve a berth in the NBA Finals, it will be on the back of their three emerging stars Ja Morant (22), Desmond Bane (23) and Jaren Jackson Jnr (22). The trio are enjoying excellent seasons and when you factor in the youth of the Grizzlies’ roster, they are going to be a force for years to come.

Z – ZERO EXCUSES 

The Australian cricket side have arrived safely ahead of their much-discussed Test tour of Pakistan. It is the first time we have set foot on Pakistan soil since 1998 when we won a three-Test series 1-0. Given the agitation behind the scenes by senior players to remove coach Justin Langer and have him replaced by interim mentor Andrew McDonald, the team has got what it wanted. Now it needs to perform. Anything less than a drawn series would be a failure. Over to you, Pat Cummins.