“Something in the way she moves.”
Ten is the relevant number, it’s the highest rating a female would receive from wise guys and I go back to the French beauty because the current models are not flash. On an equine cat walk Autumn Glow is. Being there on Saturday was special, but she played to empty grandstands and in an era of promotion received little.
“I don’t want to leave her now.
“You know I believe and how”.
Unlike the recently departed Makybe Diva, Autumn Glow doesn’t get the champion acclaim yet. Makybe Diva did it at the end of two miles in Melbourne Cups (2003 -2004-2005) and the Cox Plate Moonee Valley (2005), probably the best I’ve seen.
Of course, the human element, trainer and jockey, contributes much to champions. Getting stayers ready for 3200 metres in top company is an art, practised to perfection by Bart Cummings, but Lee Freedman produced a superb example with Makybe Diva. After the record-breaking Melbourne Cup Freedman declared: “Phar Lap did not win three Melbourne Cups”.
And the pilot Glen Boss was a major contributor, particularly the third. Before the event, Roy Higgins the great jockey declared because of her profile Boss could not take any risks on the mare, had to ride her safe but due to her handicap (58kg) she could not win under those circumstances. Boss took the runs, tempted fate and received justifiable praise, notching my “balls of steel” award for courage. I miss the way he would take hold of a big race. The greater the pressure the better Bossy.
Champions leave memories. Autumn Glow is en-route. More appealing in the parade than Makybe Diva, she swings her stuff with a hind quarter more Sunline than Bardot. Real GOOD, as was the “Epic” in Las Vegas, the Elvis Presley version, with Baz Luhrmann coaching the film, while the Peter V’Landys spectacular last Sunday at the same venue was worthwhile with sideshow pizzazz of the Colonel Tom Parker, guiding force behind Presley.
Tuned to Nat King Cole, Sinatra and Leonard Cohen the music, ability and agility of Presley had previously escaped me unlike footwork of Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton. Yes, Presley’s toe did not have the flexibility or touch of Crichton’s, so evident with the winning kick.
However judging by the muck sweat brought on by more pelvic thrusts than shoulder charge, Presley in Las Vegas worked just as hard as Crichton, who was smitten with cramps.
Always on the ball, though, Presley never missed a beat and even had the stamina to apply mouth-to-mouth to appealing, if not Bardot, birds who gave the impression of subsiding without it.
Presley looked best in the St George white but was adorned, at times, in something like the Bulldogs old colours when renowned as the “Bluebags”.
Being more Redfern Oval than Las Vegas the V’Landys venture, a massive promotion, into the United States market doesn’t trigger personal enthusiasm.
Promotion is the modern key. Without it and lack of staging, being in the company of a special force, Autumn Glow, and excellent supporting Randwick program was BAD.
Royal Randwick under the current distribution scheme to the Australian Turf Club is poverty stricken. The recent leak into a member’s bar has been rectified, probably with chewing gum, but escalators are still out of action at the showcase of the Sydney turf.
Surely the State Government should rectify why Racing NSW, under the reign of V’Landys, is wallowing in wealth, more centred on going to court than a Randwick meeting.
The industry is booming with top horses and those that make them despite the slack leadup to the Golden Slipper, epitomised at Randwick last Saturday.
Sure, I found the winner of Saturday’s Skyline Stakes, Campione D’Italia ($41) who downed stablemate Central Europe ($11), also prepared by Chris Waller.
Perhaps insider trading, the hobby horse of regular correspondent Peter Mair, played a role? Campione D’Italia was the outsider of the Waller three with Fireball ($5.50) the best fancied.
How did I find Campione D’Italia? Prior to his previous start, ability was identified but the colt pigrooted and finished last. A subsequent barrier trial indicated better behaviour. Not so, he was again wayward early in the Skyline, few if any do so much wrong and still score. Mind you Central Europe should have beaten him.
Anyway I prefer to gamble against favourites, particularly those with fitness doubts like Warwoven ($1.80) the hotshot against Campione D’Italia. Pembrey ($2.45) was in the same category in the Sweet Embrace. Pembrey came off Brisbane 1000 metre form, a negative in my assessments. I tipped three to beat her and didn’t find a placing. Now that was UGLY.
Horse-sense: “V’landys cult of personality, his skilful manipulation of the media, and populist lens he applies to most situations are all very Trumpian.” – Andrew Webster in “The Weekend Australian”.
Good assessment all around
Hi Max, as per usual very much enjoy your words etc, always have…..if I may be devils advocate re Pembrey….from one start seemingly a natural frontrunner, bolts in on debut (think Vo Rogue, think Rancher)….who knows whether or not it is a one hit wonder….only one way to find out…keep doing what works until it doesn’t…..after the ball ‘new’ rider J Mac admitted to thinking about the 1000-1200m (Sky banged on about that all morning without saying is in good hands)…Gollan admitted he gave no instructions,…after the ball, a trainwreck waiting to happen……nothing beats jockey familiarity…….I call another witness – G Boss x 3…even Waller would rather scr than replace Hugh on Winx……..Gollan needs to embrace the likes of Thompspon, Maloney. Jones et al ‘until it’s broken’
and what I should have also said before signing off, due to J Mac being so timid so soon, there was no pace, the eventual winner sat 2nd in transit…..it truly was an omnishambles……
welcome back/you were very much missed