An acceptor in Saturday’s Kia Ora at Rosehill Gardens, Cigar Flick reflects the modern usage of the “l” word which even outpoints “c” for misuse in turf dialogue.
“No luck” comes into play with Cigar Flick at recent starts: two in Brisbane when she should have won with a previous Caulfield defeat being listed in the Racenet form guide “a should have placed”.
If the field strength stands up due to the current weather conditions, Cigar Flick is a trigger point of an enthralling Rosehill program, weight against class also features.
To overcome the Cigar Flick trend trainer Chris Waller has booked James McDonald, who carries the “c” word, champion, with aplomb being the only jockey to hold the title, in my opinion, since Damian Oliver.
Still his skill and judgement will be tested on Cigar Flick who faces a demanding task against Disneck, for one. While bleats abound about Cigar Flick, Disneck has won his last three but now has a 61kg equaliser around Rosehill when perhaps he’s better at Randwick.
Disneck has the services of Josh Parr, a money rider, an excellent credential if not the glory of a “c” which gets plenty of media tongue play if not the oxygen of “l”.
Tuned to Sky Channel’s Saturday morning form talk and interviews “luck” abounds. Two weeks back Waller, a master of horse skills and diplomacy, mentioned on four occasions how it came into play for team members racing on the day, followed by Racing New South Wales chief stipe Steve Railton, who bobs and weaves around controversy, came up with three but was only on for two minutes. Later I gave up counting after 10.
Sure, circumstances can play a role for defeat but the bad luck plea, waiting for something to happen, demeans the art of race riding.
Does a winner chant about fluke when timing a successful finish to the last stride, dictates tempo superbly or extricates his mount from a mass of opposition horseflesh?
It’s judgement and daring not luck, like waiting for the coins to fall in your favour playing two-up. Bad rides, substandard efforts, are plentiful in race riding, the most dangerous sport or occupation.
However, to witness J-Mac in full flight makes my day as do the female considering how far they have come and how good they are.
Maybe I mark hard being educated when champions gained the acclaim like a heavyweight boxing titleholder. Luck was frowned upon.
George Moore would never return to Tommy Smith after being beaten with a “no luck” bleat. He could point his whip at a rival and say “that mug shouldn’t have a license”.
Or “if that kid does that again I’ll give him a clip over the ear”, a barrage he once gave to trainer Theo Green regarding Ron Quinton, then his apprentice.
To which the uncanny educator of saddle skills, a flyweight contender in the ring, retorted: “I hope you can go a bit George because he can.”
Yes, they were more desperate and testing times for jockeys.
Jim Barker, a trainer noted for winning when the money was on, didn’t cop excuses sweet. Des Lake, a jockey he imported from Victoria, a saddle powerhouse like few others, was beaten when Barker didn’t think he should have been.
Folklore has it the trainer wheeled Lake down to the sand roll for retribution, a good thrashing was mentioned. His brother, Roy, a kindlier soul, attempted to intervene on the jockey’s behalf. Barker, who had a penchant for diamond rings, applied for fashion with a knuckle duster component, adding cutting power to the punch, gave Roy a back hander too.
Sure it’s now tame by comparison but Rosehill still has 10 races on Saturday with J-Mac against topliners including Tim Clark, Jason Collett, Tom Berry, Kerrin McEvoy, Tyler Schiller and Zac Lloyd, as good as ever. They contribute to J-Mac’s status and his touch will be essential.
Apart from Cigar Flick, Osipenko under 59kg will need all the assistance he can muster in the January Cup.
Yes, and the two-year-olds, with high price tags and give aways bargains, have always intrigued, the situation with the Chandon Handicap. Wodeton, Waller prepared also with the services of J-Mac, is a hot favourite. Wodeton cost $1.6 million as yearling. One of the main dangers is Giddy Girl, a $320,000 purchase. Giddy Girl won a recent Warwick Farm barrier trial but wasn’t as impressive as Pewter Park who finished third behind her. Pewter Pearl was picked up for $60,000.
Anyway J-Mac will can rest easy if Waller’s go down. Waller doesn’t wear diamond rings, even his tone in defeat is soothing not cutting.
One Response
Fantastic article this week mate Ty