Following the great race callers, Matt Hill will add quality to Saturday’s Memsie Stakes at Caulfield, a race that has retained its name since 1899 and been voiced by the best.
The clarity of Hill, transcribing racing and AFL currently, recaps the quality and versatility of Ray Warren and Bruce McAvaney tuned for higher office after starting on the turf.
Mind you one in a million can call a horse race efficiently while one in 10 million does it as well as the top echelon.
Rugby League and AFL hardly require the skill, a combination of tongue fired with brain transmission, meted by Hill when he will describe the Memsie, a weight-for-age event that has an honour roll of greats, sprinters and stayers, champions and Melbourne Cup winners that none can top.
Yes, and Tulloch and Kingston Town are missing. When Tulloch was on the boil, the Memsie did not produce enough heat, and Kingston Town was averse to Caulfield.
Perhaps the Memsie won’t serve up a superstar this year, but it does have nine winners of 27 Group One races: a strong chapter although lacking the elites that scored: Phar Lap, Redcraze, Sunline, Makybe Diva, successful in a Melbourne Cup as was Galilee another two miler who handled the 1400 metres with aplomb.
Comic Court was another who managed the Caulfield 1400 metres as well as the Melbourne Cup. Speedsters Manikato and Vo Rogue left their mark on the Memsie, as did those relaying the action.
Before television they were the radio superstars, much impersonated in talent quests. The renowned Ken Howard was one of the first TV news readers, emphasising they went beyond races, trots and dogs. Throw in the fights at Sydney Stadium.
Obviously multi-talented. Warren went to Rugby League, earlier mainly voiced by former players Frank Hyde and Rex Mossop while AFL legends obviously broadcast their “footie”.
But Warren gave clarity and speed of tongue to descriptions as did McAvaney. Hearing Hill this season I received the same reaction. Maybe it’s the polished delivery.
“The Accurate One”, Bill Collins, much heard with the Memsie, was a mainstay at Channel Seven as well as radio. Burst into song when required. Greg Radley, a talented race caller and now the mainstay with Sky Channel, is glib at soft shoe.
Raised in Victoria, Hill found his voice in New South Wales when awarded the inaugural John Tapp Scholarship from Sky Racing, just another example of the outstanding contribution Tapp has made to the racing industry.
Hill did sports commentary from Melbourne for News Radio with occasional stints with the ABC calling AFL. Thomas is proud that Hill broadcast his first Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup for the ABC. Hill was also heard from Beijing for the Olympic Games before health problems cut it short.
But now he adds polish to the sound with AFL and Saturday’s Memsie on a Caulfield program that eclipses Rosehill Gardens, which is top-heavy with three-year-old events, the Up And Coming and San Domenico.
Making his debut Wild Atlantic adds spice to the Group Three San Domenico. Prepared by the Hawkes family, of which father John is a senior partner, Wild Atlantic, by Exceedance, has had five barrier trials, winning four and missing the start in another.
The colt looks good and John Hawkes, a Hall of Famer, is not prone to a sudden rush of blood to the head. Winning at Group level with success as an unseasoned type is no mean feat. John Hawkes knows what is required.
Anyway the sire, Exceedance, scored at Wyong for the Hawkes at his first start, and must have been a good thing because third time out he notched the San Domenico, in downing Bivouac, a Group winner. Also, behind Exceedance in the Coolmore at Flemington was Yes Yes Yes, who triumphed in the Everest.
Wild Atlantic takes on the Golden Slipper winner Guest House and talented opposition including Blue Door, prepared by Bjorn Baker, who has had the benefit of a recent race. Baker will oppose her with Warwoven. He looks good in trials which also applies to Jimmysstar, the hardest to beat in the Memsie.
Now a seven-year-old, Jimmysstar didn’t win last campaign in the autumn and Brisbane winter but the defeats in “Best Bets” were littered with “three wide gave all”, “needed out earlier”, “strong to line”, “squeezed out – widest” and “forget – bias”.
No doubt the gelding is at home around Caulfield where the rail is four metres out. Four runs at the course and distance: three wins; eight campaigns first up: five wins and a second.
Stating the obvious the ride is the key. Gamble on Ethan Brown getting out at the right time to overcome Beiwacht, a surprise scratching at Randwick last Saturday with a temperature.
Beiwacht has the advantage of Nash Rawiller, expected to be making play in front. Treasure The Moment, a victor in the Memsie last year, could fill the trifecta.
Being embittered over James McDonald’s navigation on Angel Capitol last start at Randwick in the Missile, the stallion does not make my short list. Wise guys reckoned the Memsie was the target. Ben Melham takes over on Saturday. Alas the Missile was a weaker sprint. J-Mac goes onto Autumn Boy, potential still untapped, in the Caulfield event.
The former West Australian Cosmic Crusader has credentials, is hard fit, but having missed his last two triumphs, he doesn’t make it either on Saturday in this event that has produced so much and the trend will continue, captured verbally by Matt Hill.
