Tapestry of Success – Bob Charley AO Stakes at Randwick

Historically New Zealand has enriched our turf and will be out to continue the current trend at Eagle Farm today, while the Royal Randwick program, featuring the Bob Charley AO Stakes, could break new ground with a mammoth 11 races.

Eight races will chop up the course proper before the 1100m metre sprint, named in honour of a true racing enthusiast, on a surface that has played remarkably well in the wet recently.

Alas visibility, the problem at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday, could again prove an eyesore for jockeys. The Bob Charley AO Stakes has the Everest winner Classique Legend on its honour roll, but with the Group one tag the Queensland Oaks holds pride of place with Kiwis. Even without the highly promising favourite Scarlet Oak carrying the NZ tag, they hold a strong hand.

Charley became an officer of the Order of Australia in 2001 for services to racing – as AJC chairman, inaugural Racing NSW chairman and Australian Racing board chairman. Books by him, Heroes and Champions plus Pioneers and Racecourses, were outstanding publications.

“Bob Charley has reminded us that context matters, that racing is a tapestry, a culture as well as a sport,” Les Carlyon opined in his foreword for Heroes and Champions.

Once a Legal Eagle, a profoundly successful betting threesome, he earned the title of “Colourful Racing Personality”. Always immaculately tailored, he first came onto the scene as a punter. But he showed his versatility with stints as an owner-trainer, publisher, bookmaker, television and radio tipster.

Once short of a track rider as an owner-trainer he mounted his charge. Considering his height, he would have been better placed on an elephant. He is also noted for robust deliveries of Banjo Paterson verse. 

Going back to 1961, Don Scott, a rating genius and mastermind of the Legal Eagle, with Charley and Clive Evatt, built like Artie Beetson with a quicker turn of hoof and sidestep when seeking top odds from bookmakers, cut a swathe through betting rings.

“Clive and I won a lot of money on Fine and Dandy (1961) and so did Bob Charley who was just starting to acquire his now extensive knowledge of racing and betting,” Scott wrote in Winning More.

“Bob rang me to ask for my opinion about Jay Ay, which he was racing on lease.

“Finally, I got around to analysing his chances in the Lumeah Welter [at Warwick Farm] and found he had a strong chance. I rang Bob to tell him the news but he had left for Broadmeadow races. He was not going to Warwick Farm. 

“Trainer J.H. Martin and jockey Ray Selkrig would go to the course giving Jay Ay little hope.” The Welter was the last race and bookmakers opened Jay Ay at 33/1 but quickly blew him to 66/1…

“Our agents had placed doubles bets throughout Australia. I had the horse going for a huge result in doubles but could not resist the price (66/1). Jay Ay won by three quarters of a length and it was a $100,000 collect and more…”

Just how would the Legal Eagles assess Scarlet Oak in the Queensland Oaks?

The Kermadec filly did her early racing in New Zealand but was foaled in Australia. However, the Shaky Isles will still be hard to beat with Molly Bloom, Moonlight Magic, Ahuriri, Good Banter, Unique Ambition and Firestorm acceptors.

Mainly renowned for stayers, the invaders have really sparked the sprinting ranks with I Wish I Win taking the Kingsford Smith at Eagle Farm last Saturday. He replaces the recently retired mare, Imperatriz, as the top sprinter in Australia.

But in demoralising the Queensland Derby field, Warmonger also did his country proud.

“What a Queensland Derby win by Warmonger,” the Rating Bureau’s Dan O’Sullivan enthused on Racing.com. 

“His 10.4 length margin is the largest in an Australian Group One since Might And Power’s 10.5 length win in the 1998 Queen Elizabeth at Randwick. Warmonger ran a 106 WFA performance rating which sees the second horse Moonlight Magic land on 90.4…

“A 106 rating of Warmonger makes him the highest rating Group one Derby winner in any state since August 2016.”

Moonlight Magic backs up today, but comes back in distance from 2400 metres to 2200 metres.

To what degree, if any, did the soft six conditions favour the New Zealanders that left the strongly fancied Autumn Angel well back in the ruck?

Going into the Queensland Derby Autumn Angel was a better performed filly than Scarlet Oak. Potential is Scarlet Oak’s key factor. But Best Bets points out that with only five starts, she goes into the event with less runs than any other filly in the 73-year history of the race. 

Scarlet Oak is prepared by Chris Waller, renowned for his other contenders beating their shorter-priced stablemates. The trainer has NZ breds Ahuriri, who struck trouble in the South Australian Derby last start, and Firestorm engaged. Ahuriri has drawn 21 but being off the rail was an advantage at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

Semillion appeals as the best mudlark in the Randwick highlight. Joyful Fortune, formerly of Hong Kong and winner twice at Flemington before failing in the 2022 Everest, will add intrigue if he starts after a considerable break.

Perhaps after the longer official lunch than usual Charley will be encouraged to break into verse. Banjo’s How The Favourite Beat Us comes to mind but he won’t be reciting from experience.