Withdrawal symptoms will arise on Saturday due to being absent from what promises to be another outstanding Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, with a momentous occasion taking precedence: the Callander–Presnell run on the sacred turf at Royal Randwick.
Both provide me with visions splendid. The Cox Plate justifies the tag of “Valley of Champions” as the venue gives onlookers a closer, more personal view of the greats, while Randwick conjures youthful flashbacks and a different, wider perspective.
Golden Mile ridden by James McDonald returns to the mounting yard after winning the Neds Caulfield earlier this month.Credit:Getty
Before COVID, I’d been present at more than 40 Cox Plates straight, but Randwick takes me back to being reared at Kensington, romping around the horse stalls and tracks as a lad in short pants, dodging the racecourse manager and his savage hound, then graduating to the punt at the Flat and Leger enclosures.
It’s a far memory from the inaugural Callander–Presnell, a $1 million race replacing the Stan Fox Stakes and extended from the more recent 1500m to 1600m – the fairest start over Australia’s best course and distance.
Stan Fox, a coal tycoon, was a colossus around the 1970s, establishing what were huge numbers in a Rosehill stable, Nebo Lodge, under the control of trainer Jack Denham. Fox planned to dethrone Tommy Smith – it didn’t happen – and also win a Golden Slipper. He nominated 165 yearlings but had only five starters. But he had a major impact on Sydney racing and Ken Callander once had a sideline working for him.
Alas, Callander is a Randwick scratching on Saturday as he recovers from serious chin surgery, but he doesn’t require a tongue tie and expects to be back in full training shortly. I couldn’t be bracketed with a more deserving racing enthusiast, who has made a massive contribution to the industry in turf media – newspapers, television and radio.
Ken Callander and Max Presnell have had a $1 million race named in their honour.
Last Saturday, I was taken aback by a badge on the Randwick tote official window along the lines of “proof of age required if you look under 24”, to tease out under 18s having a bet, an age when Ken and me were well hooked on the highs of winning and lows of being on a good thing beaten. “Odds-on, look on” is a worthwhile policy.
Included in the Randwick highs? Todman blazing down the straight like a shooting star in the 1956 December Stakes.
The Cox Plate arrived on my radar much later. At first sight, Moonee Valley looked more suitable for greyhounds – the Wentworth Park of Melbourne – but something about the twists and turns that instils tempo brings the champion out in outstanding horses. My best Cox Plate memory? Makybe Diva, about 10 deep, making her run at the turn in 2005. That tops Kingston Town, Dulcify, greats galore and even Winx for recollections.
The Cox Plate has a link with the Stan Fox Stakes through Octagonal, who notched the double. Ridden by Darren Beadman, Octagonal was responsible for another dynamic Australasian weight-for-age title and the former champion should be present on Saturday at Randwick representing Godolphin, which has the short-priced Golden Mile in the Callander–Presnell.
Golden Mile is out of a Lonhro mare (Calaverite). Like his sire Octagonal, Lonhro, a Stan Fox winner, was another top liner, very good previously but made great by Beadman.
Another historic link with the Cox Plate goes back to my first in 1977 with Luskin Star, a champion two-year-old but not as good at three, failing in the Moonee Valley assignment. Luskin Star was prepared by Max Lees. His son, Kris Lees, has Flag Of Honour opposing Golden Mile, who ticks all the boxes but with a price to match.
For the Callander–Presnell, try a quinella: Golden Mile and Flag Of Honour, blinkered for the first time. For the Cox Plate quinella: Godolphin’s Anamoe, who has every required credential but competitive opposition, and Gold Trip. Like most Cox Plates, Anamoe will need inspired navigation.
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