GOOD is overwhelming with James McDonald leading the way from The Swans, well and truly in full flight, and the mighty Rabbits a contributor.
And was Tentyris, the reason for my venture to Flemington for the Newmarket last Saturday, so bad?
While Tentyris is bourgeoning great, J-Mac is well and truly established – Buddy on the boil or Warne rampaging – now it’s up to Sydney racing to promote him as a feature of what is promising to be a great autumn.
No doubt preening over recent growth figures, Racing NSW is galloping on the back of participants with J-Mac and Chris Waller key providers.
Six winners by J-Mac at a major Royal Randwick program, including the Group One Canterbury Stakes aboard Waller’s magnificent Joliestar, made Sydney the superior meeting to Flemington’s Super Saturday.
“I came here today thinking I had a proper book of rides and on paper confident they all had a chance of winning with luck,” McDonald said following the sixth on Gangsta Granny.
Not luck, navigation ability. Champions don’t come every decade. J-Mac has joined the recents: Jim Cassidy and Damian Oliver. Savour them. And J-Mac could not have come at a better period with the upcoming Rosehill and Randwick carnivals.
Sure, the Swans when they found their rhythm were superb against Carlton, particularly so as the Uber driver from Melbourne airport told me how good the locals were going to be and would not miss the Swans recent import Curnow.
Yes, the Rabbits ran fast and a little loose at times against the worthwhile Dolphins, but we obviously have top four potential.
So, what of Flemington on Newmarket day?
Despite being the first major Melbourne race meeting since 1964 I have not been granted media privileges, it was memorable.
It meant not getting admission to the mounting yard, where I had access to jockeys and trainers, an area of memories which entailed seeing locals like Pat Hyland, a great jockey who passed away recently. I have been gifted by meeting so many unforgetting people and Hyland was one, first met him when he was riding the great Vain.
Hyland came from Port Fairy, his first ride being delivering telegrams mounted on a push bike. My clan hailed from Port Fairy so we had that in common.
Being a VRC member since 2002 I was still able to bump into Jim McGrath, renowned beyond his home town of Melbourne across the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, Michael Hedge, once the top gun at Australian Associated Press, and Peter Ellis, who is on personal terms with every blade of Flemington grass.
Before the Newmarket Ellis told me the rail was going to be an advantage and Tentyris was very good but “no superstar” enough to overcome it from his gate (11).
As expected Tentyris, a superb chestnut who fills the vision, began slow but pilot Mark Zahra detailed the defeat.
“Just the way the track’s racing, they’ve stayed right down near the rail,” Zahra explained.
“We drew out, we were around the right horses when we got out, he’s in the middle of the track and nothing around him gave him some chase, the ones on the inside was just a different race.”
Tentyris was beaten a length and a half and pulled up with cardiac arrhythmia for the first time. Has any horse ever finished so close with the problem? Extensive tests will be carried out before the colt will be allowed to race again
Once I challenged the title, but now Royal Randwick, is UGLY by comparison.
Wise guys snigger at the debt of the Victoria Racing Club has accumulated in having Flemington so flash. It’s an obligation well spent.
Horse-sense: Nash Rawiller on Giga Kick after Saturday’s Challenge at Randwick: “He got out of the gates well. I was reluctant to push forward in front of Skybird early because at the time they were running pretty quick. It was a mistake that I couldn’t try and fix up midrace. Had to take my medicine. Horse travelled lovely and comfortably. I don’t think I’ve ever had a horse finish off a race like that in all my life.”
Most jockey after race interviews are mundane. Rawiller usually relates a worthwhile opinion as does Zahra.
Hi Max,
We met a number of times when you worked for the SMH and I was at the Fin Review.
What gives with you not having media access on Saturday at Flemington ? Is it the VRC or Racing Victoria?
Regards,
Mark Skulley
Mark,
Were they the Flinders Street days at the Fin Review? Anyway they were all good. No media access for the Newmarket? It’s a VRC situation. Racing Victoria would have only required a telephone call. Now it is all computerised. Twenty years back a wise guy advised I join the VRC because “when you’ve finished they will wipe you”. I doubt whether that eventuated, more a computer balls up by me. Still it was a pleasing experience on the outer.
Cheers
Max P