Country Charm vs City Glamour: Mudgee Meets Moonee Valley

Even Royal Randwick’s Concorde Stakes today has an edge on Moonee Valley’s best, the Moir Stakes, highlighted by Golden Slipper winner, Lady Of Camelot, making it hard to be outback.

For the last 20 years I’ve been a regular at the Mudgee meeting on the corresponding Sunday, adhering to the policy that every horse player should adopt a country meeting.

Mudgee makes it easy but being in the vicinity today I’ll visit Mendooran, much fancied by the late Doc McGirr, who steered Jimmy Carruthers to a world bantamweight boxing title and gave early rides to Theo Green’s champion apprentices, particularly Ron Quinton, who hails from the area.

In memory of conversations galore, arguments he always won, it’s good to tread the same ground pursuing the spirit of racing.

While the Sydney Saturdays have been difficult to miss, Mudgee built on a foundation of enthusiasm by the Walkers, Coleen and Max, supported by a strong committee, take precedence.

Years back it was the home of Max Crockett and Harry Myer, breakers for Tulloch Lodge and Tommy Smith, followed by their golden period at Eduardo Cojuangco’s Gooree Stud. Tall tales were relived, fuelled by the booze at Des Kennedy’s pub. Like Doc McGirr they are now memories of a great bygone era when characters abounded.

Certainly the bypassed Sydney Saturday was always strong but not as good as today. Yes, Moonee Valley has Lady Of Camelot, geared with the Tulloch Lodge foundation of get up and go barrier trials taking on amongst others, I Wish I Win, an outstanding seasoned topliner who like Lady Of Camelot is resuming from a spell. Sure the 1000 metres short of the gelding’s best but his big finish promises to be a thrill giver in the last 50 metres.

However, the Group one $750,000 Moir isn’t superior to Randwick’s Concorde, only Group 3 status but carrying superior prizemoney of $1 million, with the return of Giga Kick, an Everest winner. Subsequently the gelding has been beset with problems, and is having his first race since last September. Giga Kick has been conditioned by two trials, solid rather than spectacular. Bella Nipotina, with Melbourne based Craig Williams up, sacked from Giga Kick and making a Randwick visit, is no easy beat against him considering she still has residual fitness from a Brisbane campaign. The mare caught the eye with an impressive recent barrier trial.

Bella Nipotina is prepared by Ciaron Maher who also accepted with I Am Me, a Nash Rawiller booking. Note: Rawiller felt it was worthwhile to go to Goulburn for a recent barrier trial. Barrier trials are always a guide but even more so in the Spring with top liners returning.

Did they give an insight into two intriguing Tulloch Lodge imports, Poptronic and Royal Patronage, making their Australian debuts?

Like most of the Gai Waterhouse – Adrian Bott team they were seasoned in recent heats: not flash but beneficial.

Poptronic, a Royal Ascot Group one winner, has accepted in the Chelmsford Stakes with stablemates Just Fine and Military Mission. The Chelmsford has been a hunting ground for every great from Winx to Phar Lap. Apart from possibly Poptronic elite class today is suspect.  Expect a better performance from Buckeroo with the classy mare Zardozi, the early favourite, is promising.

Royal Patronage (Tramway), too, has strong credentials abroad. The stallion was a Group One contender in the United States, a Keeneland winner, and successful at Group two in the United Kingdom, promising worthwhile opposition to Amelia’s Jewel, the former smart West Australian now with Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald. Amelia’s Jewel has been strong if not sensational in trials while stablemate My Oberon, now eight, looked smart a late dash in a recent heat.

What a day.

While Giga Kick is chasing the best part of a million bucks, Isaac Heeney for the Swans dominating GWS and Tom Papley rampaging I’ll be enchanted by the twang of Col Hodges calling the $12,000 Maiden at Mendooran but with Mudgee coming up.