
Issue No 37		29 October 1999

Sport

Greg Radley on the Melbourne Cup

Drama has surrounded the Melbourne Cup during the past week, but that is expected of Australia's greatest sporting event.


	Grag Radley & Ian Trent

The favourite has been scratched, an American import withdrawn, a controversial overseas jockey is left out in the cold and a huge tip doing the rounds for one of the overseas combatants - they are just some of the Melbourne Cup stories to make headlines in the last few days.

The most dramatic news of the week was the withdrawal of Sheik Mohammed's champion stayer Kayf Tara due to leg problems.

The equal favourite with Tie The Knot at 3/1 was officially withdrawn on Thursday and left many bookmakers with huge smiles.

Kayf Tara had been heavily baked in Cups doubles with Caulfield Cup winner Sky Heights.

Col Herbert representing Sydney's leading double's bookmaker Bill Hurley said that it was a huge relief for their books to have the equal favourite of the race.

"He's was taking out quite a bit of money with us, but having said that so are eleven other horses who are still in the race,'

"It's eased the pain in one area," he added.

A day later it was revealed that United States import Amerique will not take his place in the feature.

Connections lost a battle of time to clear the galloper from injury and we had our second defection in two days - interestingly, they were two overseas runners.

In jockey news, last year's Caulfield Cup winning jockey Ray Cochran will not be allowed to ride Travelmate in the Cup.

The Englishman was recently suspended in his home country for careless riding and the suspension will not finish until after the Melbourne Cup.

A stay of proceedings to allow Cochran to ride in the race was denied by Victoria Racing Club chief steward Des Gleeson and connections have had to look elsewhere for a replacement.

Ron Dufficy released the news this morning on the Big Sports Breakfast that Hong Kong based English jockey David Harrison will partner Travelmate.

"He's a good rider and believe me this horse will win the Melbourne Cup," Dufficy declared to 2KY listeners.

"Expect him to be heavily backed on race day, in fact several people in England have sent money across to me to back him on their behalf,"

"He has the right credentials and he looked great this morning at trackwork,"

"I think he'll win,"

Greg Radley presents the big Sports Breakfast with Ian Trent, weekday mornings on 2KY

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  Issue 37 contents

Republic: Yes, It's Time
Opposition leader Kim Beazley invoked the spirit of '72 when he launched the ALP's Republic campaign.

Interview: What Price a Just Republic?
Magistrate Pat O’Shane is far from happy with the republican model. But she still believes a Yes vote is her best chance for genuine constitutional reform.

Economics: Who the EFIC are you?
If you have not heard of Export Credit Agencies, don't be surprised because it seems they're not too interested in letting the public know what they do.

Unions: Old Habits Die Hard
With the release of its blue print unions@work the ACTU seems to know where it wants to go. But again it has failed to face up to the underlying structural issues preventing it from getting there.

Legal: Second Wave: Reith's Non-Right to Strike
Peter Reith has called his new laws the Workplace relations Amendment (More Jobs Better Pay) Bill 1999. If legislation is to carry these new, colloquial titles then the ‘More Control, Less Freedom’ Bill would be a better title.

International: Wahid’s New Team
Indonesias new government is blemished by Suharto-era appointees but an advance for reform, says Indonesia’s trade unions.

History: They Fought Them on the Airwaves
Radio broadcasts were an important weapon in the long-running struggle for equal pay.

Satire: Revealed: SOCOG Reserving Gold Medals for Tattersalls
The scandal over the secret allotment of premium tickets for the 2000 Olympics escalated today with the news that members of Sydney’s elite Tattersall’s Club will receive Gold Medals without actually competing.

Review: What The Age Wouldn’t Print
Some time before Monday 18 October, Age editor Michael Gawenda saw red and then got out his blue pencil. An article, heavily critical of Robert Manne, written by Overland editor Ian Syson, was pulled by Gawenda.

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