A Blow Torch for Albo, A Blight on The Swans, A Good Lady at Randwick

Evils of juvenile punting and suppression of gambling advertising have put the front page of ‘Good Losers Die Broke‘ in jeopardy.

Coupled with The Swans’ disappointment, feathers flurried like never before, only a great race, Saturday’s Group One Winx Stakes at Royal Randwick can lift the situation.

Two candidates for Horse Of The Year (2025-26), Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi, are out to maintain the eruption of mares in the event against top weight-for-age opposition.

Alas back on the betting front two Sydney casinos, Crown and The Star Sydney, have been fined $2.25 million for allowing a lad under 18 to partake in the action lubricated with booze.

Considerably younger I frequented a garage, alight with a kerosene lamp, in a Kensington Lane, near Randwick racecourse, operated by “Bubbs” Brown, a local SP bookmaker. “Bubbs” did not require the colour of cash, but the clang of coins.

Even now when I get the whiff of kero I seek a Commonwealth Bank moneybox in the hope of getting bob out to have on a good thing in the last at Harold Park driven by J.C. Caffyn.

I survived. Winning and losing are a part of life. I was not encouraged by advertising, nor given even a lolly by “Bubbs”, possibly the scene captured on the front of “Good Losers. . .” which centres on my punting with life.

The little girl pictured is younger than my granddaughter “OV” who would be more aggressive and not be taking under the odds.

Should any legal action or stay of publication be anticipated on the premise of leading the young astray, take it up with the publishers.

This follows the federal gambling advertising and wagering reforms set to formally commence on January 1, 2027 that target children and vulnerable punters by curtailing how and when betting companies market their services.

I have no qualms about assisting punt drunks, young or old, and value the opinion of the eminent Ray Alexander, of Moss Vale, who in a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, wrote: “The government and opposition rarely agree on anything, yet they both fell over backwards to water down the obnoxious commercials of major gambling companies by placing the onus on Darby And Joan to opt in and opt out.

“It is even more galling when you consider the fulsome prize both sides poured on the late Labor MP Peta Murphy for her campaigning efforts against these unwelcome ads and their likely deleterious effect on children.”

The reforms are weak. Albo wilts, not at the blow torch but at the heat of a match stick and he even took aim at The Swans over the Melbourne debacle.

The players involved in the shivoo at a Melbourne hotel disgraced their colours, a blight on behaviour of elite sportsmen, manners, etiquette and will suffer for the remainder of their careers. No charges have been laid.

Yes, they had a good drink, and went astray, a situation in youth that many can reflect upon. Fortunately, the responsibility was not on them to be at their best, particularly in this exposure era.

Anyway, The Swans were top heavy with stars. Left with Errol Gulden, Tom Papley, Brody Grundy and “Curley” Curnow, there is still much to like about them which goes for The Winx, a race in which Chris Waller has etched his greatness and affinity with mares.

Of course, Waller notched three with the champion Winx, the last two with Via Sistina, and previously Fangirl and Very Elleegant.

Prior to him the Warwick Stakes, the previous title, mares won far and few. Private Steer was successful in 2004 and the champion Sunline (1999). Sunline would have been a good match for Winx.

On Saturday the leading trainer accepted with Aeliana, Fangirl, Lady Shenandoah, and Barnavara as well as Autumn Glow supported by three talented stallions or geldings Lindemann, Beiwacht, and Autumn Boy, prompting the cry, “too many for one trainer”. Waller usually whittles down the numbers on race morning.

But Autumn Glow fills my eye. I reckon she will win but I am not tipping her. I cannot take a short price, $1.90 on Friday. Red is not my favourite colour unless worn by a footballer. Under evens to beat Sheza Alibi, top class but still untapped? Also the event is riddled with others, not dynamic but given good navigation possibilities. Consider Nash Rawiller on Beiwacht with a free rein in front.

My gamble is Lady Shenandoah, not as classy as Autumn Glow but a very smart fresh mare, unbeaten over the track and distance, 1400 metres. Often flighty, Waller reckons she has matured.

Lady Shenandoah will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, a tradesman, who does not have to indulge in a tactical battle with the two favourites: James McDonald on Autumn Glow and Luke Nolan handling Sheza Alibi for Peter Moody, excellent with mares, too.  Black Caviar comes mind. She might have beaten Winx over 1200 metres but Saturday’s 1400 metres? What a race.

Apart from the Winx, the Silver Shadow for three-year-old fillies is usually a feature and has Group Two status but there is considerable interest in the Group Three Premier’s Cup due to Boniface, regarded last start as “a cert beat” by Best Bets, the best of the category so far this season.

However conditions for Boniface on Saturday are testing. Tom Berry, though, is the new navigator and makes few mistakes.

Still, I must find a way to Randwick from the Central Coast. Public transport has done everything to prevent it. A moat around the course, riddled with salty crocs, would not surprise. Some people are attracted by a great opera or ballet, the Sydney Symphony. Autumn Glow gets me.