Again the quality of the two-year-old dash for $5 million prompts the question of whether modern-day racehorses are as good as predecessors?
But J-Mac with four favourites in the Group one events, three very hot indeed, and a strong fancy in the fifth, make his presence in such force an added attraction and betting booster.
Earlier he will handle the unbeaten Autumn Glow, $1.95, in the Darby Munro, one of the features, with the scintillating Private Harry, with four out of four on his score sheet under Ashley Morgan, and more backable at $3.20 in the Galaxy.
Ray Thomas, in Friday’s Daily Telegraph, has written a wonderful piece on the naming of Private Harry, by part-owner Steve Reid, responsible for spectacular and successful promotions when employed by the Australian Jockey Club.
Amongst strong opposition Private Harry takes on J-Mac’s Growing Empire but if seeking a leg up for the Noel Doyle trained four-year-old refer to his first Rosehill barrier trial this preparation.
Sure, Private Harry is not world rated like Via Sistina, regarded as the best in her category, and a $1.45 for the $1 million Ranvet yesterday.
Is she entitled to be that short and why is there such a prizemoney gap between the green and common to date youngsters in the Golden Slipper than topliners?
Like Via Sistina, the expertise of J-Mac, so vital on Lady Shenandoah in the Coolmore Classic last Saturday, will be required on Broadsiding, $2.25 in the Rosehill Guineas, no good thing to beat Swiftfalcon for one, Fangirl $2.90 in the George Ryder, who will be tested by Ceolwulf and Royal Patronage, and Wodeton, $4.80 in the Golden Slipper, a sprint given a negative assessment by Dan O’Sullivan’s The Ratings Bureau.
“With this year’s lead-up ratings lower than previous years, it’s shaping up to be one of the most open editions in recent history,” O’Sullivan opined.
While disappointing in recent starts Wodeton, launching from two under J-Mac, should get the run of the race, making the colt hard to beat. Other significant prospects, including Within The Law (13) have either drawn bad or get back in the field like Tempted (one) and could be involved in traffic jams.
Influenced by the odds consideration I fancy the filly Marhoona ($10) who has tactical speed. From six Damian Lane should be able to keep her out of trouble. And with only two starts under her girth she has scope for improvement.
However they would not be on the same planet as Todman, the first Golden Slipper winner in 1957, and my best. Admittedly I was young and impressionable. After Todman the initial decade of successors included Skyline, Fine and Dandy, Sky High and Pago Pago, who all accumulated considerable Group ones including Derbies.
Previous to Lady Of Camelot last year colts taking Golden Slipper Capitalist, Vancouver, and Farnan may return a handy buck at stud but not on the racecourse.
Just in case it’s reasoned the earliest decade gave a false impression 1967-77 was also exemplary: consider Vain, Baguette, Tontonan, Toy Show and Luskin Star.
Back in 1957 two-year-olds were far from the chosen vintage. The Golden Slipper changed the face of Australian racing. Before The Everest it was the major promotion.
Older horses, too, were spectacular on the Todman day when the Ranvet was taken by Redcraze, a New Zealander many reckon was superior to champion Tulloch.
Redcraze would have plenty of supporters if a time machine organised a clash between him and Via Sistina on Saturday.
Rosehill, then and now, is vital for racing. Under the Sydney Turf Club it developed into one of world’s great racecourses yet the majority of Australian Turf Club directors want to sell it.
On Thursday I was telephoned by a dignified young bloke calling on behalf of a company employed to gauge how members would vote: “yes” or “no” to the sale. I told him I had been in racing for over 70 years and this was the most dim witted idea ever, topping Teletrak, a propriety mob who wanted to build straight racecourses 25 years ago.
So is anything as good as it was? With the European influence the horses are brilliant but weaker. Trainers now are just as talented with special kudos to Chris Waller and Gai Waterhouse, currently in partnership with Adrian Bott.
And J-Mac is there with champion George Moore, who battled with Neville Sellwood, Athol Mulley, and Jack Thompson, on the boil in 1957.
6 Responses
The proposed Rosehill sale is idiocy on stilts. I wonder how much those pushing for it have been promised “under the table”?
I always respected your opinion and I loved the book you released years ago Max. An awesome read. Quite often I bump into you at the track I ask for your best value bet of the day. You are a very honest and respectful person with plenty of integrity. Hope you are keeping well. Go the Bunnies.
Max , attended my 1st Slipper in 1974 –
as a young boy earning $ 41 per week , was absolutely amazed at the buzz in the betting ring – flabbergasted at the money being wagered with Bookies .
Yes Hartshill won , however the best I seen was Luskin Star ( maybe biased as a Novocastrian ) – the colossal colt from the Coalfields – as Ian Craig called that day .
As usual a pleasure to read, making wonderful sense and reason.
1978 Manikato
1982 Marscay
1983 Sir Dapper
1986 Bounding Away
1987 Marauding
1990 Canny Lad
I believe would deserve special mentions.
Hope you cleaned up on Marhoona Maxy
Max! Maybe I am totally biased what with a fairly long association with Rosehill but like you believe the proposal to sell Rosehill is the dumbest thing I have seen in my 82 years on this planet. Why would the club want to sell the only decent asset they own and enter into the unknown. I firmly believe if the sale does go ahead racing as we once knew it in this great state is dead and buried RIP