The Weekly A-Z

Posted on August 14, 2020 | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – AMBITIOUS

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley prompted many jaws to hit the floor this week when he said the year’s opening grand slam was on track and could attract 400,000 spectators. Given Victoria’s current plight with a second wave of coronavirus and the restrictions in place, it is difficult to see how the State can return to a sense of normality anytime soon.

B – BRACE YOURSELF

If you thought Collin Morikawa came from nowhere to win the US PGA Championship, you are right. Sort of. Yes, he wasn’t in the conversation to prevail at Harding Park in San Francisco, but a closer look at his career suggests his victory wasn’t as big a shock as you’d think. He is an elite talent. Still only 23, Morikawa boasts three US PGA Tour victories and has the honour of making the cut in his first 22 US PGA Tour starts. It is a streak second only to Tiger Woods (25). More success is inevitable.

C – CASHED UP

Any punter with a finger on the pulse was paying extremely close attention to the debut performance of Barocha at Sale yesterday morning, WA time. The Clayton Douglas-trained gelding had done everything bar break the clock in a Newmarket Handicap if you were to believe an in-depth text message that circulated around the country. That said, he won like a proper horse over 1105m, scoring by five lengths after being the subject of a nationwide plunge.

D – DO THE CRIME, DO THE TIME

Adam Hyeronimus’ lawyer argued this week that a lengthy disqualification after being found guilty of a string of betting offences had the potential to end his career in the saddle. Here’s a thought … don’t bet. The debate over whether jockeys should be allowed to wager or not is for another day. As it stands, they cannot. Everyone knows that, including the riders themselves.

E – EASTERN CONFERENCE

Milwaukee sealed top spot in the Eastern Conference soon after the NBA season resumed in Florida. While they have been favourites to progress to the Eastern Conference finals for several months, there is a school of thought that the Bucks are wobbly. We will watch with interest how they handle their first-round assignment early next week.

F – FINE AND (NOT) DANDY

Chris Broad has a sense of humour. In his role as match referee for the first Test between England and Pakistan, Broad came down hard on his son, fast bowler Stuart, after he was found guilty for using inappropriate language following the dismissal of Yasir Shah. Broad Jr was fined 15% of his match fee, prompting him to say on social media that his old man was “off the Christmas card and present list”.

G – GIANT DILEMMA

Will the GWS board and chief executive Dave Matthews revisit the decision to extend Leon Cameron’s tenure? It was an effort that brings his tenure into focus. If the Giants’ hierarchy are satisfied with three goals against Sydney on a big ground in fine weather, good luck. The loss to Sydney was laced with a lack of leadership, discipline, courage and cohesion. Their hold on eighth spot is now tenuous. They have regressed since making last year’s grand final.

H – HOW GOOD

Was it to see the Geelong players embrace their children in their Queensland hub yesterday? The joy from the kids and the players’ partners was a moment we should all cherish. In the cut and thrust of the home-and-away campaign, the broader community should be thankful for the sacrifices many have made to keep the season going.

I – INGLORIOUS

If Perth Glory coach Tony Popovic isn’t pushing the panic button over his side’s poor form since entering hub life, he certainly knows where it is located. The Glory lost 4-0 to Melbourne Victory last weekend and were beaten 2-0 by Western United on Wednesday. They have qualified for the finals, but need to address their defensive frailties quick smart to have any impact.

J – JUMP AND RUN

That is what Chris Parnham will be instructed to do aboard Clairvoyance when she locks horns with WA Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Watch Me Dance in race two at Belmont. The strapping filly produced a stunning effort over 1000m a fortnight ago and will again look to break her rivals’ hearts tomorrow.

K – KEMAH SIVERAND

Who? Good question. It is not a name that immediately springs to mind in the sporting space. That was until the 23-year-old was axed by the Seattle Seahawks this week for endeavouring to sneak a woman dressed as a player into the NFL franchise’s hotel. Fair to say a phone call would have been more prudent.

L – LONGING FOR A MATCH RACE

Harness racing looked like it would provide one prior to Lochinvar Art’s shock loss as a $1.06 favourite at Ballarat last Saturday night. It torpedoed any likelihood of a clash with Ride High this weekend. Unlike Lochinvar Art, Ride High will take care of business at Shepparton tomorrow night.

M – MORONIC

Brisbane Broncos. There’s nothing more to add.

N – NOT LONG NOW

The much-anticipated bout between Australian duo Jeff Horn and Tim Tszyu is fast approaching. Rescheduled to August 26 in Townsville because of the coronavirus pandemic, it is a fight that has the potential to shape the boxing scene in this country. Cannot wait.

O – OFF TO SYDNEY

It is the destination for superstar WA greyhound Tommy Shelby after his stirring victory in last night’s WA Sprint Championship Final at Cannington. He will now contest the semi-finals of the richest greyhound race in the world, the Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park in October. Importantly, the venue isn’t foreign to him after he won a heat of the Group 1 Vic Peters Classic earlier this year.

P – PIKE IN THE LAST

The “William Pike in the last” phenomenon won’t be seen in WA for a few months it seems. But don’t despair. He will be aboard Showmanship over 1200m at Caulfield tomorrow. It just so happens to be the last on the card. Love the programming by Racing Victoria.

Q – QUEUING UP

That is exactly what some very talented fillies, in particular Parlophone, will be doing at Caulfield tomorrow. The daughter of I Am Invincible destroyed her rivals in Listed company in Adelaide last start and is the testing material. It is still winter, but the likes of Sunlight (2018) and I Am A Star (2016) have used the Quezette as a springboard to Group 1 glory during the Melbourne spring in recent years.

R – ROYAL THEME

That is what awaits us tomorrow at Caulfield when WA pair Regal Power and Arcadia Queen launch their interstate campaigns for Grant and Alana Williams in the PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m). With Group 1 victories on their respective CVs, there is no doubting their capabilities. Provided they emerge unscathed, expect to see them in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) later in the month.

S – SUNNY SIDE UP

Regardless of whether Gold Coast play finals this year, there is so much to be enthused about. Izak Rankine will rip a game apart in the not too distant future. Ditto Ben King. Matt Rowell has already done so (more than once) before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury, while the other precocious talent at the disposal of Stuart Dew is ridiculously impressive. An historic post-season appearance isn’t far away.

T – TRADING PLACES

Bunbury trainer Michael Lane wouldn’t swap Free Trade for any other horse in tomorrow’s Listed Belmont Newmarket (1200m). And why would he? His charge has won eight and been placed seven other times from his 15 career starts and hits his first-up assignment off back-to-back stakes wins last preparation and two superb 1000m trials at Belmont. It’s great to have him back.

U – UNTENABLE

Paul McGregor’s eventful 2020 reached a predictable conclusion this week when he was sacked as coach of St George Illawarra. From the moment final say in team selection was taken away from him, McGregor was pushing manure uphill.

V – VORACIOUS

No Smith. No Munster. No worries. Melbourne Storm’s 24-6 mauling of the Sydney Roosters last night reinforced the championship qualities of Craig Bellamy’s men.The Roosters were wounded going in, and copped some telling body blows during the match, but the Storm continue to find a way, much to their rivals’ frustration.

W – WHO SAID DREAMS DON’T COME TRUE

West Coast’s decision to hand Nic Reid a debut against Hawthorn on Sunday was met with universal goodwill. A 24-year-old, Reid was working as a schoolteacher and happily plying his trade at North Beach until West Coast fielded a WAFL team. He was a standout, which led to him being added to the Eagles’ supp list and from there, he put together a string of quality performances. Reid now gets a crack, most likely in attack, in a team which is the premiership favourite. Love the narrative.

X – X-FACTOR

Masked Crusader wrapped up his last preparation with a third successive win in a benchmark 78 1200m event at Randwick. Such was the authority in which he won, he was immediately touted as a possible contender for The Everest. Still only rated 78, the gelding resumes at Randwick tomorrow at a very prohibitive price. If he runs up to his short quote, expect the Everest chat to intensify. He is all class.

Y – YES PLEASE

Port Adelaide have met just about every challenge they have faced this year, most recently the heavyweight showdown with a resurgent Richmond. They now travel north to Queensland to tackle Geelong in a mouthwatering contest. The Cats are purring at present in all three areas on the ground and have the experience to ask many questions of a Port side dripping in self-belief. It shapes as a cracker.

Z – ZERO AND 11

The odds of Adelaide going through the year winless are shortening every week. After going with a zero and 10 line for the letter Z last week, it might be fair to stick with the theme. Nobody could have envisaged they would be 0-11 under new coach Matthew Nicks.