A WEEKLY REVIEW

The Good

Not even the high-flying Swans could top Fangirl and James McDonald, perfect unison between horse and human, in the Seven plus Sport at Royal Randwick.

Hardly Winx or Black Caviar, but cutting lose, on her day, Fangirl radiates excellence, orchestrated by JMac who ended last Saturday on a high with the quadrella, the last four winners.

Like Fangirl, Autumn Glow in the Tea Rose and Moravia (Real Estate) had a considerable edge on the opposition while I Am Me (Shorts) needed barrier two and the skill he provided.

Certainly JMac was not as polished on beaten strong fancies Tom Kitten (Bill Ritchie) and Ceolwulf (Kingston Town), subjects for another story involving the Randwick straight.

Once to go hard up the rise, then more significant, had kamikaze results. It has now been tempered to a hill rather than a mountain but still requires a certain finesse, emphasised by Nash Rawiller on Well Timed in the Moraitis.

Yes, Rawiller and JMac, on Fangirl, gave classic exhibitions on how the champion George Moore handled headquarters. JMac, though, had greater horsepower under him in these instances than Rawiller.

Also, Joao Moreira caught the eye on Buckeroo, gyrating over his mount, in Caulfield’s Underwood Stakes but the magic comes from the way horses respond. Buckeroo reached new heights for him. Maybe, too, being gelded prior to this preparation helped.

Buckeroo and Fangirl are trained by Chris Waller. Fangirl, cruising to the finish, vibrated a hum of appreciation from enthusiastic audience, not as many as it deserved, but far more youth than usual, including “droves of young girls”, an old-timer commented.

Later in the day the Swans at the nearby Sydney Cricket Ground were making mincemeat out of Port Adelaide with Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald backing up the brilliance of the usual superstars.

Possibly Brodie Grundy, more Rawiller in style than JMac, took time to hit top gear but I’m tipping it to arrive like Fangirl against Brisbane on Saturday.

The Bad

Alas Gringotts, under Tom Berry, so good recently in the Bill Ritchie at Randwick featured in the BAD.

According to the steward’s report Gringotts “was held up for clear running from the 400 metres to the 200” and beaten a whisker by McHale. To Berry’s credit he took a “tight run” when he finally got clear which poses the question when a horse should win and doesn’t: bad luck or bad ride?

Superbly piloted by Rachel King, McHale is a member of the Waller legions that produced Scarlet Oak who finished last in the event after being as popular in the market ($7.5 to $13) as a pork chop in a synagogue.

Taking the two major events at Randwick and Caulfield emphasised the Waller strength but having many horses constitute a downside for the Hall Of Famer with breakdowns and dismal efforts. Zougotcha also tailed in the Seven plus Sport, the most dismal performance of her career.

On a personal note, the Table Of Knowledge, renowned for seasoned judgements by Saturday regulars, has been depleted with age related balance issues to the degree I am trying to organise a motorised buggy for them to zoom around the betting ring. The Wit’s Row was also down with a scratching, due to a pacemaker for a human heart not an equine favourite. Had he been present Gringotts probably would have sent it into overdrive.

But the Intelligentsia, where computers dominate amongst renowned winner backers, had the usual team but a rare setback supporting Royal Patronage, ridden by Tim Clark, against Fangirl. Later the jockey divulged Royal Patronage “came out sticky”, a description of a sluggish launch, which ended any hope of him fleet hoofing it with Fangirl at the finish.

The Ugly

Bad but not as UGLY as the Another Wil, with Jamie Kah up. Another Wil struck severe interference in the Testa Rossa Stakes at Caulfield, and rival Blake Shinn was suspended for careless riding that stewards decreed was only “mid-range category”.

Fortunately, Kah was able to regather Another Wil who scored but created a shudder considering the fine line between staying aboard and being despatched.

Even more hostile …

“The question some online are raising: was she bred to death?” finished a feature regarding Black Caviar by Nikki Gemmell in the Weekend Australian magazine.

With Phillip Adams, Gemmell, in the publication, is required reading. Keyboard warriors can bleat unabashed without getting an iota of my attention, but as usual the Gemmell piece is very readable.

Respecting trainer Peter Moody, a horseman I’ve known since he was a youngster learning his trade at Randwick and considering his affection for the champ and the love of the owners for her I found the ending deplorable.

Thus I am for seeking knowledge of mares and the breeding process for a counter argument. Where are you, Vikki Cannon?