A Taste for the Punt: Rosehill’s Saucy Survivals

“Rich, Red, Fountain Brand Tomato Sauce”, verbalised as only Ken Howard could, was the first and longest lasting memory of a commercial, saturated during racing programs on radio in my formative years.

It vibrated with the current issue of possibly barring gambling advertisements by Corporate bookmakers on live television due to the adverse effect on youth and problem losers.

Before television Ken Howard, a race caller, had a bigger listening audience on the airwaves than Alan Jones in his prime. Perhaps tempting towards a condiment doesn’t have the same bank balance impact or credit rating as the punt.

A ban has produced wails of revenue loss for television stations and the prospect of locals being influenced to bet with overseas operators doesn’t trouble me as much as the possible downturn for the racing industry. Still this is questionable and one only Racing NSW that keeps a tight hold on the turnover figures can answer?

Obviously, today’s Sydney Markets Rosebud, listed as the feature at Rosehill Gardens, isn’t going to encourage a betting frenzy although now the J.J. Liston, now the P.B. Lawrence at Caulfield, maintains a semblance of quality if not the class of the past.

In fact, to my eye, at Rosehill the $160,000 Precise Air Handicap featuring the gelded and talented Tom Kitten and Ceolwulf against the seasoned Group one performer Hinged is more attractive than the $200,000 Rosebud, an 1100 metre dash. Consider the improvement of Williamsburg scoring at Rosehill two weeks after the same gear change.

Tom Kitten is trained by Godolphin’s James Cummings and has given the impression he had more to offer. To what degree, being a colt impeded him, will be on show this preparation. Cummings also holds a strong hand at Caulfield.

While the leadup to the Spring to date have been flat today highlights the point, at this time of season, whether winter form and fitness can overcome the potential of rising topliners, the situation Cummings presents.

For instance Godolphin’s Tarpaulin, scratched at Caulfield, has had the benefit of three recent starts against three major rivals, Shangri La Express, Gatsby and High Octane who are resuming in the Rosebud.

However down south Pericles returns for Cummings in the Lawrence against a field of fit types with good winter credentials, particularly Munhamek, a nine-year-old Brit bred, who scored at his last three while Gentleman Roy, an eight-year-old, prepared by the Hayes team, has won two recently. But does it measure up to the strong second of Pericles in the Doncaster giving he very smart Celestial Legend (49kg) five kg’s in the last Doncaster?

Like Tom Kitten, Cummings tuned Pericles with Sydney barrier trials that indicate they are prime for pleasing campaigns. Pericles has also acted at Caulfield and has the assistance of Blake Shinn.

While the equine quality today doesn’t match the superb Storm and Penrith in their Rugby League clash on Thursday night nor the brilliance and recent heart stopping efforts of the Swans it’s more bet worthy.  

Free to air television harnesses on sports. In the Ken Howard era racing thrived without advertisement. Illegal starting price bookmakers in pubs, barber shops, street corner stores, and telephones catered for horse and greyhound players, stampeding to get on.

Experts in the field now maintain gambling is reaching plague proportions for the young, encouraged by what the screen peddles for bookmakers.

Yes it’s a different world from when I cut my teeth at the punt, enthused with the Ken Howard broadcasts and formative years around racehorses. The appeal was enhanced backing a winner.

But not even the colour of tomato sauce delivered in the best possible way attracted me. “In the red” is a no go when having a bet and my favourite pies, Sargents, didn’t require a garnish.

Sure I’m well aware of punt drunks, having gambled on horses, dogs, 18 footers, Rugby League and boxing at the Sydney Stadium. Add two-up although I figure poker machines would be best placed in huge cavities left from mining around Kalgoorlie and buried.

Winston Churchill once proclaimed: “I have got more out of alcohol than alcohol has got out me.” Booze shouldn’t be barred because of alcoholics nor gambling because of punt drunks. Now I haven’t won financially at the caper nor lost. When striking a result, it has been worthwhile, outweighing the sourness of losing about which I don’t take graciously.

Unfortunately this doesn’t follow another Ken Howard edict: “If you can’t participate in sport, brother you be sport.”