The Australian Cup is no longer the race it used to be
Octagonal and Juggler do battle in the 1997 Australian Cup.
Every Thursday, News Corp's editorial director of racing and wagering Matt Williams and senior racing writer Ben Dorries chat all things horse racing.
Matty (left) and Benny (right) have taken a swipe at the quality of the Australian Cup and Tancred Stakes.
MW: Another week, another fall. Condolences to the Yargi's with Florescent Star. Whether it's coincidence or not, those in charge of racing need to have a good look at what's happening and they should be alarmed. Ben Melham made the point that he thinks fatigue is an issue and workload must be addressed. He'd know better than us but maybe there's just too much money involved these days? As with most issues, it's a multifaceted problem.
BD: I have massive respect for Victorian Jockeys' Association boss Matt Hyland. This is what Hyland said in relation to Melham's tweet. I agree 100 per cent. "A number of the points being raised around the fatigue issue are sort of relevant points that he (Melham) can make, but I think the responsibility is for jockeys to manage their own working week. I mean, Racing Victoria has flagged the idea in the past of potentially regulating the workload of jockeys and I can tell you as a group, the VJA wouldn't support that. So if you're not going to support having your working week regulated, you need to be able to self-manage your workload."
MW: I've followed racing closely for the past 35 years but in recent years most of our races in Australia seem to be devoid of any real pace so, as a result, fields race more tightly and they don't string out or flow like they used to. Tight racing = greater risk of a fall.
BD: There needs to be a deep dive into the issue. I don't pretend to have the answers. Melham has made a couple of points but it's a lot more nuanced debate than that.
MW: One thing we can be thankful for is the safety gear worn by jockeys. Imagine if these falls happened 20 years ago what the result could have been? In saying that the jockeys, too, have to take responsibility for their actions and put safety ahead of dollars.
BD: Agree. The great Billy Idol (Shane Dye) always calls a spade a shovel. He did it again Wednesday saying top jockeys, including James McDonald, were silly for riding at the midweeks during carnival time and must stand up to top trainers. I tend to agree. However, I guess that doesn't solve the problem of workload and fatigue issues for lower-tier jockeys. The bottom line is I can't see authorities scheduling less races in the future.
MW: The Golden Slipper and All-Star Mile were great spectacles with two worthy winners. It's so good to see the Hayes boys doing well. They had a baptism of fire with their old man going back to Hong Kong and Tom Dabernig leaving the stable but they've proven to the racing world they can train.
BD: In some ways, they were on a hiding to nothing. If they failed, they would have copped it from everywhere. If they succeeded, it was because of what the old man passed down. I reckon JD Hayes, in particular, is an absolute ripper.
MW: What's happened to the once great Australian Cup? No disrespect intended but this year's race is a bit of a stinker in terms of quality. Only one horse that ran in the Cox Plate (Mo'unga) is competing. To top it off, it's embarrassing that gun Kiwi mare Campionessa is second emergency. Looking through the honour roll, it's littered with champions — Makybe Diva, Lonhro, Northerly, Octagonal, Saintly, Durbridge, Veandercross, Let's Elope, Better Loosen Up and Vo Rogue just to name a few. Recent winners include Fifty Stars, Spillway and Super Cool. Hardly elite racehorses. The race is sadly a shadow of its former self. For what it's worth, Smokin' Romans is worth a peanut each-way.
Lonhro's famous victory over Delzao in the 2004 Australian Cup.
BD: Yeah, leave me out of the Australian Cup. I thought the All-Star Mile was a decent race but I don't reckon it delivered the bang for the buck it should have for the prizemoney and promotion. It needs better quality horses. When you have the likes of Anamoe racing on the same day in Sydney, it makes it tough.
MW: The Tancred in Sydney is also a bit of a stinker on Saturday. It's outrageous we've got two 2000m-plus Group 1 weight-for-age races on the same day in different states. With rain around, I think Gold Trip can bounce back at 2400m while, in the Vinery, the Kiwi filly Prowess is elite and they won't see which way she went. I backed her a few weeks ago at $14 in the all-in market so I'm sure the overs gods will look after me (not!)
BD: There are Freedmans everywhere but I'll be cheering for my favourite Freedmans (father and son Richard and Will) in the Vinery. Will told me it was "scary" how much Pavitra has improved since romping home in the Kembla Grange Classic. She's been doing it on raw ability but has now worked out what it's all about. I just hope there's not too much rain in Sydney as that will bring her back to the field.
MW: Finally, the William Reid on Friday night is a great race. The Kiwi mares Imperatriz and Babylon Berlin will run well. From her good gate and with Blake Shinn on, Babylon Berlin represents the best value at $13. Four runs back she was beaten a pimple by Imperatriz over 1200m yet she's four times the price on Friday night.
