AUSTRALIAN racing has been on a real high of late with the sport seemingly catching the public’s imagination once again.
However, after the humiliating victory of Irish raider State of Rest in the Cox Plate, the nation now faces the concept of the hot favourite for the Melbourne Cup only being in the race as an afterthought!
The Cox Plate is Australia’s most important horse race, while the Cup is the most popular.
I’ve had some great banter with Black Caviar’s class handler Peter Moody over the years, and I have to say he’s a top bloke who speaks his mind.
But I’m not sure Australians will be happy that sizzling Cup favourite Incentivise never had the big race as a massive deal.
When asked whether he would be proud to win a Melbourne Cup denied of much European interest due to over zealous rules, Moody told me: “Everyone was welcome to come as long as the horse was sound.
“The Cup has had internationals in some shape or form for a 150 years.
“Yes I’d be proud to win it if possible. My horse was aimed at the Caulfield Cup. The Melbourne Cup is an afterthought.”
Oh my.
So SEday Times revealed more about the ongoing Bryony Frost vs Robbie Dunne saga Sunday, although little that was explosive.
In many ways journalist David Walsh in painting himself as some sort of hero here, seemingly shedding light on a murky weighing room world.
But of course there is no part of this that is doing any good for the sport at all.
This is about getting readers, not about trying to help the sport of kings.
And as a result of the work it’s going to be very hard for anyone to ever have a fair hearing.
If Walsh really wanted to help the sport he would reveal who had leaked the information that involves a BHA investigation not open to the public.
That would be a real help.
‘WHAT A MESS’
He would also tell us as part of his on-going work what has happened to Chris Watts, who recently suddenly left the BHA as the organisation’s head of integrity. Why did he leave? Tell us David.
Is there a reason why this has not been discussed in your work? For someone clearly being fed all the lines, it seems strange he has not confronted this issue.
What a mess.
I was hoping David Probert would ride his first Group 1 Saturday, but instead it was another of Andrew Balding’s long line of apprentices in Rob Hornby who did so Sunday aboard the Ralph Beckett-trained Scope.
Scope looks a proper Cup horse for next season and Hornby deserves this huge win as a man who has had a terrific season and plenty of talent.
Finally I was blown away by Third Time Lucki over fences for the Skeltons at Cheltenham the other day. He could easily be the Arkle winner. Yeeehaaa!
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