In full flight Tempted, a delight to the eye under Chad Schofield in Saturday’s Concorde Stakes at Royal Randwick, emphasised the slender margin between GOOD and BAD with UGLY a matter of opinion.
Around the same time at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Swans, now a team not depending on a couple of super-stars, were superb setting opposition coach Chris Fagan, Brisbane’s “Bart Cummings”, a big race specialist, into a gum chewing record.
Thus the Bloods are an influence on the finals while Tempted promises to impact on the Spring carnivals, even a worthwhile contender to the awesome Ka Ying Rising, again overwhelming on Sunday at Sha Tin.
However, Ciaron Maher’s latest bonny mare was given a clear path by Schofield, pursued by rivals bumped and bounced.
Obviously, Headwall, beaten a half-length by Tempted, was a victim. Race caller Darren Flindell mentioned “riding for luck” regarding the gelding at a vital stage. I shudder at the suggestion. At the end Flindell gasped Headwall “should have finished closer”.
It was a bad ride on Headwall by Zac Lloyd, 22, as talented a young jockey as I’ve seen. Matthew Smith, the trainer who had the seven-year-old gelding so good after a 12-month break from racing, deserved better.
Signor Tortoni, beaten four lengths, was also involved in a skirmish behind them while minor placegetter Beadman, like the winner, was given a clear path in what will prove a strong form event.
Yes, Tempted again contributed to the prominence of fillies and mares. Down south at Sandown, My Gladiola, a four-year-old mare, downed Cavalry Girl and the filly Natural Fling in the Group One Moir, on grading the best race in Australia on the day.
Well Written took her record at Ellerslie in New Zealand to seven wins out of seven in the Proisir Stakes. She’s coming here for the Epsom at Royal Randwick, adding to the scene monopolised by Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi.
But the good cannot bypass The Mona Lisa, who in Randwick’s Estate Handicap, scored at four of her last five attempts, showing the guile of Paul Cave, the affable Irishman, and his partner Martha. In the era of massive number stables there should always be a place in racing for the hand-tailored horse, a situation the Caves confirm.
Glory, of course, goes to the scorers, right and proper with the Swans last Saturday. The mastery of Errol Gulden also gained acclaim but grafters, too, including James Rowbottom and Harry Cunningham played major roles, a situation “Freddie” avoided at Wyong on Friday.
Entering the course after race four, I noted “Freddie” departing. For the last three years he was voted “Grandstand Rider Of The Season” with special commendation for bad losing. “Too raucous”, he huffed in retreat.
Wyong had 3,800 racegoers, having a good time, not the environment for the serious horse player, but with the attraction of James McDonald (Matusalem) against Nash Rawiller (Eliyass) in the Wyong Cup — it was a race not to be missed.
Bob Charley AO, the former Australian Jockey Club chairman and great turf contributor with publications “Heroes and Champions” and “Pioneers and Racecourses”, attended Wyong for the first time in 30 years and backed up at Randwick.
“I was a bookmaker at Wyong when Hi Jinx won the Melbourne Cup (1960),” Charley recalled as he left Randwick headed for the Mono-Rail, where he gained a spot like a tuna being squashed into a sardine can.
The less spirited waited. An empty carriage arrived three minutes later with enough space for play cards, the activity on the old race trains, hardly viable on the cattle carriage last Saturday back to Woy Woy. For good measure, it was delayed at Cowan for an hour due to a breakdown on the Hawkesbury River Bridge.
Bad but not UGLY.
Like Godzilla, Latrell Mitchell towered over the Rooster half-back last Friday night, and was applauded by some.
With a power, not intelligent play, centimetres higher Mitchell would have been outed for the Finals. Produced against Kalyn Ponga, Herbie Farnworth or Liam Martin at a vital stage and I would clap, not a flyweight when it doesn’t matter versus the Rooster reserves.
The South Sydney spirit is built on hard yards toiled by Cameron Murray every game and epitomised by Jai Arrow. The Mighty Rabbits lived up to the title with the support for Jai Arrow. The memory of Cody Walker with a comradely arm around him during the match last Friday will be a lasting memory.
