Similarities have been mentioned regarding Zac Purton and Togo (“call me Rae”) Johnstone, renowned for his saddle skills, quiet and perfectly balanced but difficult to handle on ground level.
With James McDonald, Purton must be in the quinella of the world’s best jockeys, the first time for those Australian based. J-Mac, from New Zealand, is currently regarded as titleholder and recently completed successful stints in Hong Kong and Dubai.
Past colonial champions, renowned in Europe like Johnstone, and particularly George Moore and Scobie Breasley had sterling opposition.
For instance there were none better than Lester Piggott, a major rival for Breasley and Moore.
Perhaps Purton and J-Mac are opposed to Ryan Moore, very good but no Piggott, but clearly Hong Kong, in more recent times where the best and boldest take their place, is now the top arena for jockeys.
Last week Purton, 42, eclipsed the winning record of Douglas Whyte (1813). Purton made Hong Kong with a little help unlike Johnstone, a gambler, who departed here in 1921. According to folklore he was encouraged to find employment elsewhere. Purton was something of a wild boy, prone to the wrong company, but not in the same category.
Critics frowned when John Schreck, the former Australian Jockey Club and Hong Kong chief steward, recommended him to Honkers back in 2007. Wise guys were betting long odds about Purton lasting six months. Schreck gives much credit for his success to wife Nicole, daughter of Jim Cassidy.
“Zac went to Hong Kong without a stable retainer, making it very difficult to get established,” Schreck recounted this week. “After a couple of seasons, he was going to give it away. Nicole said ‘listen we are going to make this work’.
“They have done a tremendous job. Zac is not a natural jockey; he spends half his life in a hot bath. They have been tremendous.”
Of course her father, Jim Cassidy, pumped headlines in and out of the saddle, as did “Togo”, in an era when a thick skin was required.
Due to his Asian appearance and resemblance to Japanese Admiral Togo, Johnstone was given many expletives on but none upset him like “Togo”.
However he became the toast of Europe, rode in the royal colours, won three English Derbies and other majors. In France he gained another title: “Le Crocodile” – because he comes from behind and eats you up.
Racecourse appetite can be triggered by mood. The pangs bite when you back a horse like For Victory at Royal Randwick last Saturday.
For 40 years, when on course, bookmaker Rob Waterhouse, supplied cake to clients. Alas he has now been chatted by the Australian Turf Club. If racegoers want pastries they can buy it.
Obviously it is seen as some sort of bonus bet. The baker is wife Gai Waterhouse. The menu is closely observed. Stephen The Stick is much into the chocolate sponge.
Once the “Carrot Cake Kid”, a chef would take his own pastry and coffee thermos to the races, and dispense them to the needy with no cost. Nothing hit the spot better than a short back and carrot cake slice after a loss. He was threatened with eviction by the ATC if he continued.
Waterhouse is on appeal thus I’m studying the menu, waiting for hash cake. And after For Victory, something stronger than the potato variety.
Absolute slaughter was my reaction to For Victory ($4.40) in the Drinkwise Mile at Randwick last Saturday. “It was a tough watch for supporters of For Victory – he never got clear at any stage,” Ron Dufficy opined in the Sunday Telegraph.
For Victory, ridden by Zac Lloyd, was beaten a length and a half, at what appeared to be less than quarter throttle with only six rivals.
I apologise to Lloyd for thinking he was hopeless. Later Lloyd told stewards he was following instructions from trainer Chris Waller who said For Victory “only had a short sprint, to improve towards the inside and not make a sustained run.”
Previous to the event Waller announced stablemate Political Debate ($20) would go to the front. He had an easy lead and won. Back when punters were more involved these circumstances would have instigated a can throwing outburst from racegoers, now silent and subservient.
There has never been a more transparent trainer than Waller, and that covers the greats in public relations, Tommy Smith and Col Hayes.
I have no doubt Waller was acting in the best interest of the horse. But horse players?
A change in riding instructions as with Political Debate must be notified. Surely punters are entitled to know if a strong fancy must come through a small field and can’t afford to cruise a little wide up the straight. Had this been the case I wouldn’t have touched For Victory with counterfeit.
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