Following an excruciating incident last Saturday, turf pitfalls today have equal billing with James McDonald, the Chris Waller drought, and the possibility that the Ciaron Maher-David Eustace stable will again produce the most promising type on the Royal Randwick program.
Over the past six decades, having been dipped (the victim of pickpockets), bitten (the victim of many unpaid loans), sapped with misleading information and fallen foul of a hundred ways a horse can be beaten and still be trying, the full gamut of racecourse misfortune had seemingly been experienced; but new ground was broken last week.
James McDonald returns to scale after riding Romantic Warrior to victory in the Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on Saturday.Credit:Getty
On the brighter side, James McDonald, confirmed his acclaim as the world’s best jockey with excellent results in Hong Kong – one of the toughest circuits in the world – and, fresh from a Wyong treble at the Magic Millions meeting on Wednesday, gets star billing at headquarters.
J-Mac has nine rides, including the renowned jockey and punter slayer Frumos for Waller, who is experiencing a very lean trot by his lofty standards while Victoria’s M and E, – tagged down south the “dynamic duo” – are airborne.
On recent Sydney Saturdays, M and E have not only produced winners but horses like Nugget at Randwick last Saturday that promise to continue the trend.
Nugget followed I Am Me, which sizzled at Rosehill the previous week. J-Mac takes over today on I Am Me, which was $2.05 favourite yesterday despite two major hurdles: a four-kilo weight rise taking him to 58kg plus a query over the 1200 metres.
For the first time since Darren Weir, who is currently serving time on a jigger breach, was on the boil Waller is being challenged in the national trainers premiership by M and E, who led him 118 to 109 this week.
At Sandown on Wednesday, the dynamic duo produced the highly promising Vermentino, which notched his third consecutive win despite being spooked by a wayward seagull in the straight.
Yes, Waller produced Democracy Manifest to score at Randwick last Saturday after a run of outs that included the defeat of Estadio Mestalla, the $2 favourite, at Rosehill on December 3.
J-Mac takes over today on Estadio Mestalla, which he has won on previously. Surely he won’t be given riding instructions, which was the situation leading to the import’s last-start flop.
Estadio Mestalla jumped quick but jockey Jason Collett was told to take him back from an outside gate for what developed into an amble that favoured those up front.
J-Mac replaces Kerrin McEvoy on Frumos, which at two out of his last three starts “hasn’t seen daylight”. Between them, Frumos was beaten a half-length fair and square by Hope In Your Heart, which is very smart.
Waller has key prospects at Eagle Farm – a C and E free zone – where his three-year-old Kovalica, trouble free at his last three successes, is a hot favourite in the Grand Prix.
Alas my anguish regarding last Saturday at Randwick has nothing to do with equine navigation.
Never before have I been denied the right to retreat from a racecourse with cash of the realm in my pocket.
Being a dinosaur, modern technology, particularly screens and mobile phones, are an encumbrance.
Last Saturday I left mine (with credit cards) at home. The payment machine for the car park was cards only. Stuck on the gate, I pleaded my case by the microphone but was advised to withdraw.
Being in a tighter pocket than Frumos at Rosehill, five cars behind me and barrier in front, this was going to be very difficult indeed.
The security guard could not comprehend why a rider of the Merc, albeit vintage, didn’t have a credit card. Finally, the floodgate opened, which was no doubt an act of the Almighty.
Hopefully J-Mac doesn’t require the same assistance.
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