Pride, Passion, and Politics: The Turf’s Tempestuous Trio

Obviously the return Pride Of Jenni, a most spectacular Horse Of The Season, and Storm Boy, out to repatriate his dented reputation, overshadow the bubbling turf political scene in New South Wales, and deplorable TAB Corp figures.

TAB Corp had a $1.4 billion loss with racing 4.9 percent down given “a better than market trends” credit by Racenet, but still sick to the uneducated eye.

Again the pipe dream of a Newmarket style training centre, along the United Kingdom version, around Sydney has been circulated by Racing NSW, possibly to take the spotlight away from the ludicrous plan to sell Rosehill.

Fears, too, have arisen regarding the loss of revenue for the racing industry if the clamp comes from the Federal Government regarding bonus bets on sports gambling apps.

But with a more hooves on the turf aspect suggestions have arisen that Saturday meetings should be held at Warwick Farm and Canterbury, decrepit compared with their former glory and restricted to midweeks. However Pride Of Jenni leading fast and furious successful like few others, today holds the spotlight in Caulfield’s Group one Memsie Stakes over 1400 metres, the same distance as last Saturday’s Winx Stakes. Yes, Pride Of Jenni clashes with Mr Brightside, for one, who is no slug but it will be surprising if the Memsie transpires as good as the Winx, taken by the Chris Waller trifecta, headed by Via Sistina.

Certainly the tactics against Pride Of Jenni, who leads by a daylight margin, will be enthralling. Craig Williams, most cerebral in the saddle, has tried chasing and waiting against her to no avail in their last three clashes. But he will have a plan.

Storm Boy faces a more demanding task in the San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill Gardens, particularly against Waller’s Gatsby’s, both promising three-year-olds.

Prior to the Golden Slipper Storm Boy was the golden colt but messed up because of the start. Came out third last. Ryan Moore, regarded by some as the world’s best jockey, took over from Adam Hyeronimus, unbeaten at his only two attempts on him, and James McDonald. Hypo was involved in Storm Boy’s education process and knew the colt’s quirks around the gates. The Legendary Tommy Smith, when the master of Tulloch Lodge now superseded by daughter Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, would not have replaced a stable jockey for an international champion, even Lester Piggot, in a speed test like the Golden Slipper. Storm Boy was “third last out of the gates,” according to course broadcaster Darren Flindell. The colt subsequently raced flat for JMac in the Sires Produce at Randwick. Storm Boy has been given two barrier trials recent barrier trials, the first under JMac, and then Hypo. The three-year-old broke fair from the gates for Hypo if not flash and he is back aboard today against JMac on Gatsby’s, who has had the benefit of a recent race. It’s intriguing if not regarded as the Rosehill feature.

Perhaps the “for sale” notice has gone down for Rosehill but the Newmarket training centre could be plan B (mentioned in the WRITE TO MAX section by Peter Mair) putting it back for auction. The TAB figures, too, point to the financial stress of the future.

A few years back Australia’s “Newmarket” hit the Sydney Morning Herald front page concerning the acquisition by Racing NSW, which has a considerable real estate portfolio, of Waratah Thoroughbreds 97 hectares of prime real estate down Bong Bong way in the Southern Highlands. Subsequently it was leased to Ciaron Maher.

A 1000 horses being trained there with other accompaniments is more attractive than a former brick pit in the western suburbs and would alleviate the training aspects of Rosehill, the sale of which could be put into Canterbury and Warwick Farm as well as an out-of-tune Randwick. Would three modern racecourses in Sydney suffice?

Even in their neglected condition I would race end of season Saturdays at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Melbourne majors benefit from a break to Sandown. Maybe stimulating memories cloud my vision of Canterbury and Warwick Farm but with promotion they couldn’t be any drearier than the recent Rosehill and Randwick meetings, hardly well attended.

And the loss of bonus bets? Berley for losers. If you don’t win you are given a consolation, usually a lolly more than an abundant treat. I can’t see it making a difference to serious horse players or racing turnover. However, Dr Clive, a turf enthusiast, gets great value, more entertainment than financial, out of them. Still he once indulged in “fun bets” against my doctrine of punting being the hopeful in pursuit of the unbeatable which I will chase, amongst others, in the Memsie and Up And Coming.