A WEEKLY REVIEW: The Good The Bad The Ugly

Buoyed by the four winners of Michelle and Patrick Payne, again confirming the strength of partnerships, on a brilliant winter spectacle last Saturday the suggestion that Flemington is the best racecourse in the world was hard to fault.

It coincided with the Australian influence at Royal Ascot and Royal Randwick, solid rather than stimulating, but Flemington produced a vision splendid.

Originally a New Zealand clan, the Paynes have contributed much to Australian racing as Michelle became the first female jockey to win a Melbourne Cup on Prince Of Penzance (2015) and Patrick was the youngest rider to take the Doncaster (1992) at Randwick on Solo Square when only 16.

In those days he would travel interstate by air and during one trip was given crayons and a drawing book because the hostess thought he was much younger.

Previously both were successful as trainers, but the present situation promises new heights for them.

Bill Egan had an early double for the Paynes with Buccleuch – carrying the Tait silks that thrilled with Tie The Knot, Baguette and Cabochon – plus Stop The Rock while the talented apprentice Tom Prebble with Bold Soul and Jimmy The Bear contributed another two.

Prebble added to the memorable moments with a heart-stopper on hot favourite Splash Back for Graham Begg. Splash Back came from what appeared a hopeless position and promises to fulfill the trainer’s prediction: “There’s a good race in her”.

Another apprentice Len Cartwright produced skilful navigation on Café Millenium, described as an “beast”. Previously in Sydney the gelding, now with the Hayes brothers, had a giraffe look, tall and awkward, but Cartwright weaved him through the field, no mean feat.

Perhaps Flemington lacked the quality of Royal Ascot, but the conditions overshadowed Randwick where it was difficult to make up ground.

Terry Henderson’s OTI syndicate scored at Randwick with She’s Unusual who led throughout and the syndicator had a Royal Ascot triumph with the French-bred Sober, trained by Irish wizard Tim Mullens. Sober is Melbourne Cup bound but the field in the Queen Alexandra Stakes (4400 metres) looked straggly, eight starters, one tailed off. Maybe strong on class but lacked the dazzle and thrills of Flemington.

Earlier at Royal Ascot Docklands, under the West Aussie Mark Zahra, won for Henderson. Zahra dropped his whip, BAD along the lines of South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell under high balls against Melbourne last Saturday.

“He’s a special player, and he was special tonight,” the great coach Wayne Bennett, enthused about Mitchell. But nothing, not even Flemington, compared with Alex Johnston, the Rabbitoh’s exceptional winger, in full flight against Melbourne. Johnston is an all-time great confirmed by his 206 tries with more to come.

Mitchell dispensed three perfect passes to Johnston for tries and none do it better although injured Cody Walker is in the category.

Also the full-back was responsible for “stunning grubber” for winger Tyrone Munro to touch down. Brilliant no doubt but Rabbitoh centre Isaiah Tass produced the tactic a few weeks back without the acclaim. Alas I can’t generate the same enthusiasm about Mitchell as Bennett, far more learned.

While Mitchell is conserving his brilliance for scene-stealing moments, Keaon Kolomatangi toiled like few others, EVER, against the Storm. Blood and guts runs and strong defence. And about the try saving tackle by Jai Arrow?

The Rabbits fell short, 25-24. Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen kicked four out of four goals, and one field goal. Mitchell two out five and one missed field goal.

Misses were UGLY for the Swans against Port Adelaide with 5-16 at three quarter time, but 4-1 in the final term helped.

Anyway Errol Gulden and Tom Papley are back after injury with the Bloods and will benefit from the run. They are special.