Almanac Racing: Debacle

“Debacle” is too often the appropriate word applied to issues in Racing. Fair dinkum, it is a credit to the durability of fans and participants that our game still splutters along.

Racing on a “Good4” at Sandown was called off after the first on Wednesday.

Racing.com reported:

“Wednesday’s metro meeting at Ladbrokes Park Lakeside was abandoned after just one race, after a significant track inspection found the surface to be unsafe.

The stumble of Gridelin at the top of the straight in The Grand Hotel Frankston Handicap (1200m) was the cause for concern, with jockey Craig Williams fortunate to stay in the saddle, and the filly was equally fortunate to finish the race, second behind the ironically-named winner Perfectly Safe.”

Sceptics are again having a field day. The options are unsavoury. Either the money once again tipped in to the Sandown track has been wasted or the hoops have other agendas. It is simply unacceptable if a resource such as Sandown is unable to deliver to the Industry. Some tough markers reckon the cancellation was farcical, claiming a “slippery surface” is an inevitable conclusion if, for the inspection, jockeys are walking on grass in gripless riding boots! More creative conspiracy theorists suspect C.Williams of protecting his lead in the Metropolitan Premiership. Dwayne Dunn’s opportune win in the first got him to within one of his rival with great prospects throughout the afternoon. Upset at a potential margin of three disappearing, C.Williams’ renowned persuasive skills tipped the vote and influenced the Stewards’ call!

It’s a long bow but at least provides a segue to the Premierships which are declared after next weekend’s racing – the season runs August 1 to July 31.

As mentioned, Dunn and Williams are fighting out Melbourne’s metro title. Dunn trails by one but has ridden winners of $750k more prizemoney. Verdict?…too close to call. Dean Yendall, as usual, bolts in with the Victorian premiership (although W. Pike leads the national tally). Weiry’s rewritten the record books for trainers.

James McDonald and Chris Waller are “presumptive” NSW titleholders.

Tony Gollan looks safe for the Brissie trainer crown but Jimmy Byrne has Jeff Lloyd and James Orman in close proximity for the riders’ title.

In Adelaide, Matty Neilson and Stubby Holder are still contending for riding honours, but Phillip Stokes has the trainers trophy engraved.

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I’ll be at bleak Flemington on Saturday. The fields are uninspiring.

Staff around me will be counting down the days to their Darwin escape.

I’ll be looking for a winner. Speculative Melb quaddy 2,8/2,6,7/12,13/6,10.

Help.

Good luck!