James McDonald the best jockey I have seen? The quote was allegedly mine. Only a former News Limited editor would have the impudence.
And the expertise of J-Mac, not doubted but he’ll need to be as good as the best, will be required on the three-year-old Lady Shenandoah in the Group one Coolmore Classic at the under-siege Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Savour a great program this year because Australian Turf Club directors are in full flight to diminish Rosehill, one of the finest racecourses, into real estate.
Members could well be offered a diamond studded pushbike to send this wonderful venue of memories into obscurity.
Still “Save Rosehill” has the benefit of Chris Roots, formerly of the Sydney Morning Herald, taking up the cudgel against the ATC.
Like the Golden Slipper and the Tancred, the Coolmore Classic, is a race that made Rosehill special. As usual this year promises to maintain the standard, albeit in the last decade demanding for three-year-olds. Forty-three have tried and lost.
The last three-year-old to take the $1 million sprint was Typhoon Tracey (2009) who was very good but only had 51kg compared to Lady Shenandoah’s 54.5kg.
J-Mac is scheduled to launch her from barrier 13, out too far for comfort considering she was $2.50 on Friday. Only Daysee Doom (2018) from 14 since 2009 have drawn outside nine to score.
Yes, I regard J-Mac as a “champion”, the personal buzz he gives that takes “great” up another level. Many have hundreds of champions I have few.
But considering J-Mac superior to George Moore, Lester Piggott or more recently Jim Cassidy and Damian Oliver is a distortion.
Until now, known as “Devine by name and Devine by nature”, Brett Devine, Australian Turf’s Club’s answer’s man and a player maker for the departure of Rosehill, disgorged incorrectly my opinion of J-Mac on radio last week.
How do you expand on champion? Having viewed Clive Churchill, I haven’t seen a better Rugby League full-back or player. However others are and have been as good.
Added to my regard of J-Mac is the quality of the opposition, Blake Shinn a prime example.
Currently Shinn is Australia’s leading jockey on 115 winners leading the West’s Chris Parnham (114). Shinn’s successes have been in the Eastern seaboard Big League, a tad more demanding.
“Shinn is remarkable considering he is a Sydney and Melbourne Jockey’s Premiership winner,” John Schreck, a former Australian Jockey Club chief steward who took his knowledge to Asia, and viewed the saddle best from the official perspective for over a half century.
“Has there been another to take both titles? And Shinn was and still is very effective in Hong Kong.”
Shinn handles Alsephina, from West Australia, against Lady Shenandoah. Beware of sharp improvement from the mare. At her first start after a spell, under a different navigator, she was last behind Amelia’s Jewel at Randwick when resuming on March 1. Racenet form noted: “Looking for a run straightening. Disappointed for a run 200 metres. Never saw daylight”.
Amelia’s Jewel is Coolmore top weight, with the capable Josh Parr replacing J-Mac. No doubt the mare was the best sprinter in the Guy Walter last start, a presentation for her being allowed a leisurely tempo in front.
Olentia, a member of the Chris Waller team and stablemate of Lady Shenandoah, should be considered on Saturday. She finished fourth coming from the tail behind Amelia’s Jewel. Best Bets commented: “Unsuited by trial speed in both races this time in”.
Waller has won the last two Coolmores with Espiona and Zougotcha, four-year-olds. Zougothca was ridden by J-Mac from two barrier and the first favourite since Typhoon Tracey to triumph, hardly been a good race for punters.
The early tactics from the gate is the key for Lady Shenandoah. With Jim Cassidy little concern. With dexterity, Cassidy threw caution to the wind. Modern racing has harnessed J-Mac to a degree.
From an outside draw Daysee Doom had the benefit of Ron Quinton. A Coolmore specialist Quinton notched the event twice as a jockey, Miss Personality (1973) and Emancipation (1984) and four as a trainer: Ofcourseican (2012) Peeping (20216) Daysee Doom (2018) and Dixie Blossoms (2019), tremendous as he is not a big numbers trainer.
“Quinton was one of the outstanding jockeys of my time, nine Sydney premierships and rarely rode for the top stable,” Schreck recalled.
Daysee Doom took the Coolmore under Andrew Atkins, tutored as an apprentice by Quinton, and the education proved invaluable from the gate.
Quinton doesn’t have a starter in the feature this year but Watch My Girl in the Quayclean. If the promising Harlem Queen, jumping from nine under J-Mac, does not get a clean break Watch My Girl, with the assistance of the accomplished Jason Collett, could add to Quinton’s Coolmore day tally.
And Brett is no longer Devine. He’s more Tilly. Just a Murdoch editor against a Fairfax turf hack, where the best and boldest took their place, in the battle for Rosehill? It’s no race.
As always thank you Max you nailed Brett Devine 100%
Overdue wrap for Pumper
Few others could have won that Cip on Might And Power
PRC