A WEEKLY REVIEW: The Good The Bad The Ugly

Saturday’s protest at the Gold Coast involving Ninja in the Magic Millions Three-year-old Guineas presented an UGLY cloud over what has been such a good period for racing.

Tom Berry, rider of Ninja, objected against the winner Torque To Be Sure, handled fast and loose by Ben Melham, who scored by three quarters of a length.

Not a credential that will get me into Valhalla, but I claim to have reported more steward’s inquiries than any other layman, being seasoned at the caper when Mel Schumacher grabbed Tommy Hill’s leg in the 1961 AJC Derby at Randwick.

Perhaps, in the John Schreck era as chief steward, I was brain washed into the belief that when a horse was racing erratically the jockey had to stop riding and straighten his mount.

Berry alleged interference “over the final 200 metres” in the Guineas and stewards confirmed “Torque To Be Sure commenced to shift out under riding, making contact with Ninja approaching the 100m. Over the final 100m, Torque To Be Sure continued to shift out, carrying Ninja wider on the track until approaching the finish.”

At one stage Ninja attempted to hang in but Berry rectified the situation quickly, Melham made a puny attempt late on Torque To Be Sure but the event was over.

“Stewards were satisfied that had the interference not occurred, Torgue To Be Sure would have finished ahead of Ninja at the conclusion,” according to the report.

Racing erratically, Torque To Be Sure ran out and struck Ninja. Had Melham stopped riding and straightened his mount could they have been so sure about the margin? And that was after the first significant bump. Torque To Be Sure then continued to hinder Ninja. Later stewards fined Melham $1,000 for another breach, consecutive use of the whip prior to the 100 metres. A severe reprimand was also handed out regarding his ride.

It’s argued that the three quarters of a length was the decisive factor. Had Melham ridden to the rules it would not have been so decisive. If it’s a close call the jockey who rode fair and square, like Berry, should get the benefit of the doubt. As it turned out the Ninja shambles resembled some old Golden Slippers when bash and barge was employed in desperation for a major result.

As far as penalty was concerned Melham was tickled by a feather for breaches in a $3 million event. Had it been a Group one for much less prizemoney stewards, in the southern states anyway, the penalty would have been harsher.

However again the Magic Millions sparkled under the Gerry Harvey and Kaitie Page promotion. GOOD. Consider what it was before becoming a key for the Australia industry, attracting worldwide buyers and owners, congregating with battlers and syndicates, a far vision from the old Southport venue, a hunting ground for the needy and greedy.

Overall it’s been a scintillating period. The Melbourne Cup did well although Peter Mair, the eternal pessimist, was not convinced.

Research claimed 71,690 visitors went to Victoria specifically for the Cup, the highest number since 2017, and Mair questions the claim “the record result reflects the Carnival’s evolution with growing appeal across generations.

“Spare my days,” Mair pleaded.

“Sadly perhaps, the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival has been losing caste, nationally, for some time — as has Melbourne and Victorian racing more generally.”

Apart from the Magic Millions, little is as good as it was. Forgive me for enjoying it. Via Sistina, an outstanding mare, responding to the Chris Waller touch on ground level and James McDonald in flight, has bowed out. Others previously have been better but she was very, very good. She rang bells.

Saturday at Rosehill Gardens, too, wasn’t flash but apprentice Jett Newman presented the modern face. Not only confident in action on horseback but accomplished before the microphone.

And what about Josh Parr, a money rider, on Bella Montagna, in the Ranvet? Drew wide, was on the fence when it mattered, came at the right time, skill not “luck”.

Before the impression is formed that I am seeing little BAD, replacement for Robin Oakley, writing “Turf” in “The Spectator”, departed gracefully, unlike Phillip Adams, not racing but will be much missed in the Australian magazine.

Tom Brooks took over for Oakley. Tom Brooks? He was listed in Wikipedia as “best known as the husband of Rebecca Brooks, chief executive of News U.K.” She is regarded as Rupert Murdoch’s principal enforcer, probably ever. With four legs she would be regarded as more Verry Ellegant than Via Sistina.

Brooks, though, has been a jockey, trainer, and “part-time journalist”. Alas not to my taste. More Geoffrey Barnard, a tosspot and scribe of the “Geoffrey Barnard Is Unwell” fame, than Oakley. In a recent column Brooks seemed involved in a “perfect bloody Mary”, how much Worchester sauce involved, than a good horse.