Two-up featured with racing and horses, particularly Ka Ying Rising in Hong Kong, on an Anzac weekend better than GOOD.
Couple them with the Mighty Rabbits blitzing Melbourne, the Swans in full flight and the holiday period was unsurpassed.
Taking his 20th consecutive success in Sha Tin’s Champion Sprint on Sunday, Ka Ying Rising, New Zealand bred but Aussie developed, looked worthy of all-time great status.
Obviously the gelding is getting better under the David Hayes training regime and saddle touch of Zac Purton. Again Ka Ying Rising broke the 1200 metre track record and still appears on the rise auguring well for The Everest at Royal Randwick later this year.
Yes, the headquarters has hosted Winx, who went further in distance than Ka Ying Rising and Black Caviar, a champion, but they were regulars on the local scene. Even with one Everest scale to his credit the Hong Kong speed machine still has mystique.
Racegoers flocked through the gates, but the milling herd was present not for the horses. Four legs were the only resemblance to Ka Ying Rising or the other Group One Sha Tin winners — Romantic Warrior and My Wish, trained by our Mark Newnham, who knows his way around Gosford.
However Gosford had the inducement of two-up the Australian game played with the toss of coins going back prior to the Great War, 1914-18, and played in back alleys at home and in the trenches under cannon fire.
Mainly outlawed, a blind eye was cast at Gosford. Shortly after the ring started it was observed at a distance by the constabulary, with a female appearing puzzled by the popularity.
Hundreds milled around the action, at least four deep making it impossible to breach the human wall to personally check the pennies were sweet.
“Double headers” have come into play with devious operators but Saturday’s ringmaster gave the impression from those up close and personal, he was handling the action like he had been groomed at “Thommo’s”, Sydney’s legendary game.
“I’ll back a head,” resounded around Gosford. Arms, with notes from $100 bucks to five, were held high with players attempting to get set. “Come in spinner” was called and results, “tails” fell a few times, in my hearing.
My last game was the World Champion Two-up Title in Kalgoorlie around 20 years ago. Seeking a tip at the races earlier a club director reckoned a good thing was to “back Pearl at the two-up”.
Pearl Scott, an indigenous female with a beautiful flowing arm action, threw four straight heads, the desired result, carrying my support. I quit because she firmed to Ka Ying Rising odds, normally it’s an even money gamble but Pearl was well in the red when I dropped off. She kept on heading ‘em, taking for the third time and collecting a $10,000 first prize.
No doubt Anzac Day is a major money spinner for Gosford. It’s the day out, the social feel with participators having a good time if not for the racing. Ironically the stand-alone at the venue in two weeks with a top program will be battling to get as many.
Forgive an aged horseplayer giving prominence to a one day of the year two up school when greats, James McDonald and Chris Waller, are on the boil in the main stream, combining to take the Group One Australasian Oaks at Morphettville with Panova.
A $10 chance the filly gave Waller his 99th Group One success, emphasising how good the trainer is at target races. He’s handy elsewhere too.
Much is made of the “J-Mac tax”, taking shorter odds because of the jockey’s expertise. But if George Moore went to Morphettville on a Group One ride for Tommy Smith, the gun combination of their era, similar odds would not have been offered about them if they paired with the stable pony.
Alas BAD arrived at the Kensington circuit on Monday with another protest decision, this time by Racing NSW stewards.
Connections of third placegetter Jenni The Jet, beaten just over a long head by Lord Remlap, ridden a bold race by Mikayla Weir, objected due to interference at the 300 metres.
According to the report: “Stewards established that approaching the 300 metres Lord Remlap forced a run to the inside of Big Opinion, resulting in that runner being crowded out onto Jenni The Jet, causing that runner to become UNBALANCED when contacted on the hind quarter.”
Weir was found guilty of careless riding and suspended with the charge being deemed in the “high range”. Consider the margin? Ridden to the rules would Lord Remlap still have won? Stewards could not be satisfied and the protest was dismissed.
Lord Remlap was the $2 favourite. Had the protest been upheld the gelding would have placed third, behind Jenni The Jet with Speedy Henry, the second placegetter, having no involvement, taking the race, a situation that provokes controversy. Thus the stipes decision was popular but was it just?
Still it didn’t rate UGLY like high scoring Rugby League defeats, becoming more relevant, getting the tag.
St George had 62 points scored against them by the Roosters. Pick up sides in the park would show more commitment.
And the Storm were a sun shower against South Sydney with the benefit of Latrell Mitchell being spectacular with everything bar his goal-kicking boot. Being more accurate the Rabbits would have topped 50.
“Probably the most embarrassed I’ve been in my footy life to be quite honest,” Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy commented mentioning a “few things the off-field staff (self-included) is doing wrong”.
Going back to the good, old days, sure it’s a different game now, but teams did well with only a captain-coach. A lack of interest was personal.
With Ron Massey, the renowned Jack Gibson, the first great coach and motivator, did not need “staff”.
Again two-up plays a role. The first time I sighted Gibson he was on the door or gate at “Thommo’s”. Eviction was never required.
Always interesting with years of insight Tks Max