It’s indicative of these troubled times that champion jockey Hugh Bowman will be riding for a significant moment in Australian racing history before empty grandstands at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
For every beer swigging pizza eating racehorse like Nettoyer to give you some perspective on this great game, you need an Addeybb (or Verry Elleegant) and better spelling!
The former makes racing in Australia real and achievable to all at all levels – the old anyone can win tag – the latter pits International competition, an Arabian owned British Bulldog against the other by a $500 Kiwi stallion that big players bought into the dream.
Only in Australia. And only can happen in our best races.
Put aside corner room lofty discussions that Golden Sixty (from Hong Kong), Mishriff (from England via France and Saudi Arabia) or Contrail (via Japan) are higher rated – whatever that means - Australian racing survives on a rare egalitarianism that makes our racing so vibrant and unique.
Melody Belle no certainty to start in G1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill
Melody Belle no certainty to start in G1 Tancred Stakes by Ray Thomas Melody Belle is no certainty to start in the Tancred Image: Getty
Trainer Jamie Richards remains optimistic champion mare Melody Belle will be given the all-clear to line up in the G1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Melody Belle is being closely monitored by veterinarians after she was found to be “tied up” after trackwork on Wednesday morning - this is essentially a build-up of lactic acid in the hind legs.
“It’s not ideal for this to happen in the week of a big race,” Richards said.