The Good
Broadsiding, and James McDonald at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday as well as Moonee Valley the previous night augurs well for a spring of much content.
Riding with aplomb JMac should be acclaimed at least in the category of Natham Cleary or certain Aussie Rules players before last Saturday. Again, the Sports of Kings doesn’t rate like formerly although the superstars are up with the best. What about Pride Of Jenni?
Forgive me but the vision of Pride Of Jenni in upcoming majors, particularly the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, taking on allcomers way out in front, generates more enthusiasm than The Everest.
But it was also GOOD at Rosehill with Broadsiding giving an insight into his potential with considerable assistance from JMac to take the Golden Rose if not overwhelming the opposition particularly stablemate, Traffic Warden.
Obviously James Cummings had prepared them to a high pitch for what promises to be a vintage three-year-old season, emphasised by the strong performance of Growing Empire, the youngster in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.
With the Manikato and the controversy regarding the finish, Pride Of Jenni, way out in front, added to the sparkle under the lights in the Feehan Stakes.
Sure, she only had one real rival, Mr Brightside, closing over the latter stages but never looking likely to bridge the long gap.
Pride Of Jenni is special like JMac, who keeps his followers financially favoured. Do they bleat about paying a “JMac tax”, shorter odds about his mounts if ridden by another jockey?
On Saturday JMac was successful on Firestorm ($10), Willaidow ($3.90) and Broadsiding ($2.15) so going into October his supporters can look forward to more dividends.
Also battlers at Rosehill picked up crumbs from the super-rich, like Godolphin and the squillions involved around Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher horseflesh, a situation highlighted in the “Spectator” by Robin Oakley, about the state of the Sport Of Kings in Britain.
“Racing continuance owes much to partnerships and syndicates. They have spread the joyous experience of racing ownership to many who, denied the background of a family hedge fund or hefty legacy could never have contemplated funding a two-year-old or jumpers. Researching that benefit I had no sooner ascertained from the British Horse Racing Authority that spread amongst Britain’s 14,000 registered owners there were no fewer than 890 syndicates ….”
At Rosehill Darley Racing that spreads the involvement to hundreds, notched the Shannon Quality with Amor Victorious, while Peace Treaty, successful in the Rosehill Bowling Club, listed the maximum number of those involved in the racebook.
Mark Conners Racing scored with Willaidown (Irresistance Pools). A very capable horseman, Mark continues the Conners dynasty that, in my time, goes back to old Clarrie, father of Clarrie, who holds a master’s degree with Golden Slippers.
The Bad
BAD to some was Craig Williams over the latter stages on Growing Empire in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
“Questions should be asked?” was voiced before the official result was announced showing Growing Empire had gone down narrowly to stablemate Southport Tycoon, members of the Maher string, with Williams cuddling instead of hammering his mount to the line.
Far be it for me to make excuses for poor judgement but Williams gave the three-year-old every chance under mitigating circumstances: the colt was under pressure on the turn due to wanting to hang out.
Also Growing Empire had the gear change to blinkers possibly contributing to him going a little fierce, all of which contributed to him tottering late. One more strike might have got the colt home or further sapped a fading force?
Growling Empire wasn’t downed by a Williams blemish but a brilliant effort by Mark Zahra on Southport Tycoon.
The Ugly
“Penrith should win because of superior game management of Nathan Cleary, the one-two punch of James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota, the long-life batteries that power Dylan Edwards. They slow cook the opposition like they are making a stew,” opined Andrew Webster in the Sydney Morning Herald regarding Sunday’s Rugby League Grand Final.
Prior to last Saturday something similar could have been scribed about the Swans.
“The Swans should win because of the brilliance of Isaac Heeney, the expertise of Errol Gulden, the speed of Chad Warner, the uranium quality of Tom Papley and the defensive steel of Dean Rampe. Even used only in patches it will razzle dazzle the opposition.”
What did we get?
A fizzer, worse than UGLY. “Humiliated” comes to mind regarding the Swans demolition by the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Just how can a team that can be so brilliant be so bad when it really matters. Tongue in cheek I’ve described lapses by them during the season as cardiac arrythmia that strikes horses useless. But never could I image that this Swans outfit would be outclassed in every aspect, and I was present, missed Rosehill, a savage error, to witness every second of it.
Hopefully it’s not mentioned that the Swans overall, minor premiers, have had a good season. Previously, too, I’ve expressed the gap left by taking leadup races and being beaten in the Melbourne Cup.
Had a Melbourne Cup fancy been demoralised like the Swans the dressing down sheds should have besieged by vets equipped with cardiographs and swabbing equipment.
Yes, the Swans were donkey licked by Geelong two years back but the current outfit appeared, before Saturday, so much better.
Certainly the group, “the coaching and medical staff” who pronounced Logan McDonald fit to start on Saturday wouldn’t be used. Experts pronounced him lame shortly after the bounce of the ball.
