The final three Godolphin horses left Crown Lodge, the stable of greats Octagonal and Lonhro, developed by John Hawkes for Big Jack and Bob Ingham, last week.
Darren Beadman, as a champion jockey, contributed to both in the saddle and has been a mainstay for Godolphin under the general, James Cummings, in recent seasons.
Godolphin took over from Woodlands Stud, a racing and breeding empire, developed by the Inghams but now dissolving.
Cummings is off to ply his trade in Hong Kong and Beadman, until recently, was in limbo, considering training or a partnership.
Anyway, Beadman has found a situation to be announced shortly that suits him, which is GOOD, like the election of Tim Hales as the chairman of the Australian Turf Club with Carolyn Searcy as vice chair. Sydney racing is the winner.
Racing, too, could ill afford to lose a personality with the dazzle of Dazza, who is tipping The Fat Envelope, a podcast, presented by the inimitable Andrew Rule, as a “must listen”.
Hopefully Crown Lodge, developed by young Vic Thompson, son of old Vic and father of John Thompson, now successful at Randwick, for the Inghams, will find a suitable tenant to continue what has been a conveyor belt of success.
James Cummings at Crown Lodge produced Anamoe, accumulator of over $11 million in prizemoney, and very good but not up with Octagonal and Lonhro.
Beadman regards Lonhro best up to 1600 metres but then Octagonal was superior. Coming down cogs he reckons the recent dispersal sale of some Godolphin horses produced great value for buyers, particularly Lavalier, Group one placed albeit in the lower edge of the category, for $380,000 and headed for Perth.
Snack Bar, too, for $135,000 that went to “Darby”, a syndicator with a keen eye for used types. Consider Robusto ….
However Godolphin produced two promising sprinters at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday: Amusing under the pocket powerhouse Alysha Collett scoring, and Corniche (Zac Lloyd), a close third, who should have won, being baulked near the finish.
Corniche is already on the move to Ciaron Maher while a new home for Amusing has not been announced.
Collett was strong on Amusing but matched handling Accredited, out of the gates quick and lifting her mount over the latter stages in the Winter Challenge. Despite going down to Robusto, given the run of the race, Collett went down by a bob of heads. Parr is no slouch when it comes to a blood and guts finish.
Robusto had traffic problems last start whereas Parr gained the breaks last Saturday, a situation that caught official attention, Stewards queried Ash Morgan’s tactics on Thunderlips, prepared by Bjorn Baker, who tuned the winner. BAD?
Morgan was asked the “circumstances” of Robusto being able to improve on his inside, prior to straightening. Thunderlips was laying out, according to the jockey, who was not overly concerned because of the racing pattern.
He conceded Robusto gained an unimpeded run. The explanation was noted and Morgan was told to “ensure he rides in manner that is not open to query”.
Punters who supported Thunderlips were surprised to see him up front challenging Accredited in a swift tempo. A change in tactics? My read: Morgan positioned the gelding as the circumstances early in the event dictated.
Circumstances are indeed UGLY for South Sydney, headed toward the wooden spoon. Casualties abound. Latrell Mitchell is again missing. Has any Rabbit been paid so much and produced so little for the club?
To what degree is Wayne Bennett responsible for such a shabby season?
Well, I figured when they defended tenaciously, it was South Sydney spirit but a wise guy countered that they would have been beaten by 40 without the Bennett influence.
South Sydney was at their best this season when Jai Gray, out with a broken finger, was fullback, confirmed by his Dally M score.
Keaon Koloamatangi has played himself into the ground and onto the limping list. Alex Johnston still makes them worth watching.
Good on yah Max thanks for the read.