Soon on
@Racing
- the 97-year-old retirement village escapee who made it to Caulfield for the Futirity Stakes in his electric wheelchair. Told ‘em he was going to the supermarket !!
Lea Carlyon had been unwell for many months and this day was coming but - damn it. Of course he was a great writer and great mind but he was also a kind, encouraging and down to earth man. Racing was just one of his passions. He knew what made it tick. Terribly sad day.
Recently opened account with 1 of the corporates. Have attempted to make first withdrawal. The hoops 2 jump through staggering - suspect deliberate so u give up and keep betting. Then curiously checked “self exclusion” option. More paperwork than a home loan. Disgraceful ploy IMO
So Glen Boss says Aussie’s still love the Cup but don’t know the form of the internationals and Herald Sun headline is “Bossy; We don’t love the Melbourne Cup anymore.” It’s the exact opposite of what he said. Exact opposite of his actual words.
One question Re proposed spring changes. Why ? Also, how ? Valley will surely oppose, ditto VRC who would covet champions day as the finale. The “vacant sporting space” late Nov is just as “vacant” late Oct. risking 100-plus years of history - for what ?
The upbeat response to the Flemington stable visits proves there is a strong appetite for promoting racing’s timeless basics. Hopefully a spark for a new focus from those who steer horse racing. Community engagement is THE most important thing.
I can confirm that Brett Scott has been kicked by a horse this afternoon and airlifted to the Alfred. Wife Kylie said unsure extent of injuries but that Brett was placed in induced coma. More is expected to be known in next few hours.
Wandered a lap of famous Oakbank today. Hadn’t been there for 30 years. Magnificent, historic site. Tragic if current trend continues, putting its future in jeopardy. Every bit as impressive as the Bool, probably more so.
Interesting doping chat on
@Racing
- my “culture” challenge to trainers. Stop seeing thresholds as a target to play under. Don’t play at all. If you artificially top up a naturally occurring substance - yet stay under limit - you’re still cheating IMO
Very proud of my 15yo son Ollie, who has written a lovely piece on his love of horse racing on during Work Experience. Between us, one of us can spell !
Just randomly watched 20 mins of Popular Alm’s greatest wins. Merge the codes and you have him up there with Winx and Black Caviar. He and Vin Knight electrified harness racing.
I reckon the antilockdown protesters are utter fools. But that (idiot) bloke in the yellow t shirt did not punch that horse. It weighs 500kg and he pushed it away as it swung close to him. Yep he's a dickhead but check the footage. Not as it seems.
Asking on behalf of a trainer - if country is relatively clear of corona and m valley area a hotspot, why are country people being drawn into hotspot Sunday with meeting transferred to valley rather than to, say, Donald ?
@ChristyDanFan
Andrew and Sutton thrown together by scary-new, unpredictable virus that killed millions globally. And became one of the greatest, most focused duos in Australian history.
That’s the most important win by an Australasian bred horse probably since Black Caviar - Given the international standing of runner-up, particularly on soft. She’s no Winx but she beat an international big gun.
Dr Turf and I were musing just this morning “how is Patrick Smith doing?” And “don’t we miss his writing at this time of year?” Brilliant, gloriously independent, great company. Sad he has died.
Quote from Vic racing minister Martin Pakula re Tassie cancellation of three racing codes. "The decision of the Tasmanian government is a matter for Tasmania. Racing in the rest of the country continues consistent with most recent decision of national cabinet.''
@DamienRactliffe
Agree with James Winks. Dean’s death has hit hard, off the back of a series of falls and injuries. I can’t imagine the collective mood amongst the jockeys. I believe racing should be suspended until Saturday. Time to take a breath and a break.
@drpete00
@DaveMilbo
Thank heavens for David Milner. If he wasn't there, nobody would be writing so cuttingly, accurately and refreshingly about our pandemic experience and the vile actions of media and politicians. Please read his columns, judge for yourself.
Andrews responding to this committee with poise and clarity. Answering unanswerable questions as best he can. He’s staying the course admirably despite horrid attempts over many weeks to derail him and put us at risk.
Watching .com relays of a race meeting at Caulfield from a few years ago. Never been a better, more succinct post-race summary man than Shane Templeton
Folks the king island races are back ON! Get over there and support the summer carnival. Xmas hols. Cheese, golf, lobster, beef and an iconic festival that dates back to 1892!!
The “journalists”/columnists who supported, deflected, enabled, ignored, shamefully cherry-picked for 4 years - some even now - will one day have to confront themselves in the mirror.
Righto
@JetstarAirways
. Have Covid, need to cancel Gold Coast flight tomoz. To my best efforts Your website cannot be navigated to achieve ticket refund/credits. You do not answer the phone. Can you fix this pls.
Just watching black caviar highlights on .com, from the former TVN hosts. Geez it’s a shame Shane Templeton didn’t make the cut, on-going. No fluff, no silly padding, just incisive.
I’ve got no problem with upheld. Regardless of the “how can you tell?” query, it sets a precedent that at least rams home that breaking rule has consequence and should lead to greater whip vigilance from riders.
@defier1
@dannynoeljackso
@JaseRicho
@MelbRacingClub
Exactly Deane. “The crowd Caulfield might have got” is moot angle. Good crowd, proper “racing” rather than luck and clutter. We got a proper look at every good horse today. No guessing.
Re over -promotion of gambling … an 18-35 - anyone - seeking home loan who has evidence of betting related bank transactions will almost certainly be knocked back. reason enough for racing industry to push back on it.
Awesome rock moved an inch on preferment last 200 and upheld. Today, winner drags 2nd horse 10 widths in 200, brushes THREE times. Margin a head. Worst decision since kings high
Murray Bridge is a least as good a track as Morphettville. What’s stopping SA from upgrading it to metro status ? Far better than relentless same-track racing and Parks could be downgraded
Bizarre story potentially brewing … Racing Post reporting Verry Elleegant might miss the cut in Arc. Sokolski - on plane about to take off - saying WTF!! And thinking field limit of 20 might be extended. Mail from Europe is her rating should get her in. Stand by !
Ciaron Maher breaks old Jim’s Bool feature record. If anything he’s put foot to floor more after Eustace departure. I’m pretty sure there really is no better trainer anywhere in the world
If you’ve helped someone, or someone you love is unwell, or if you’re saddened someone has died, or if you really enjoyed what you just ate or ... don’t automatically feel obliged to tweet or Facebook it ...
Owners finally taking the lead Re the serious, historic Gerald Ryan accusations. One major group to remove their horses and place with Team Hawkes. Will others follow ? Stand by.
So same old regulars against Winx on sat - inc 7 of Waller’s - which is as appealing as it gets for some who wouldn’t dare pit the champ 3yo against her in Ryder next month for risk of something dramatic happening - ie she smashes him or she gets rolled. Perish the thought ...
Unless the methods have changed when a horse is jiggered a jockey must mimic the gesture - eg butt of whip to neck - to trigger response. So - unless there are other ways - if a horse is being hit up there’s more than one person in the know ...
At the Launceston cup lunch at Cararact restaurant. Extremely proud of
@Quinny_1
for his polish as MC. Absolutely brilliant for the former Hun work experience kid.
I’m not sure when “dead” developed such a negative connotation. merely statement of fact. Not sure why “passed” or “died” now more acceptable. Regardless, the legendary sire, has died. Or passed, if you prefer. What isn’t in dispute is that he was a champion racehorse and sire.
VJA boss Matt Hyland has confirmed the Mark Zahra clear test news, saying confirmation came through about 15 mins ago. Hyland said he expects this means racing resumes tomorrow.
Enjoy Wayne and no issue with him having a crack. But Wayne, there’s a difference between a 3yo showing you heaps at 5am as “one of the greatest I’ve trained” and it passing the ultimate test - the racetrack.
The two SA co-respondents for .com both strong supporters of “new” oakbank. Not knocking either but not sure their commentary has reflected exactly what we’ve seen over the 2 days … today, particularly. Not sure if day two will last too long.
The role of
@MuelBoy
in revealing racing’s real stories - not the relentless, irrelevant ones - can’t be undersold. Lovely piece on Ricky Thurgood just now.