WHILE NSW wallows in the process of finding a controlling body and ludicrous government papers, like the one concerning stewards, Queensland made another major step forward last week, with the merging of the Queensland Turf Club and Brisbane Turf Club. Yes, Doomben could be sold, which is a downside, but either way a major racing centre will replace Eagle Farm and Doomben. Queensland has gone forward due to Bob Bentley, more dictatorial than democratic. He makes decisions without concerns about treading on sacred toes. Being at Flemington on Saturday I marvelled at the wonderful facilities at what has always been but is now even more so one of the great racecourses in the world. It's due to the grandstand Brian Beattie built. Beattie, too, with the Victoria Racing Club, was cut more in the dictatorial mould. Bad luck there isn't anyone in the NSW field with the initials B.B. Give J.M. a try. Will he make the tough decisions and stand by them? The only way to find out is by putting him under battlefield conditions.
STAYING TEST: Australian two-milers, with the staying power credentials required to win a Melbourne Cup, are rarely trouble-free. Take Cholula, which scored at Flemington on Saturday. Trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith reported the gelding has suffered from heart fibrillation, a chipped fetlock and a cracked pelvis. Mayfield-Smith also had Maybe Better, another which has had problems, on the Cup trail. Then there's Leica Falcon, fourth in the 2005 Melbourne Cup. Leica Falcon, from Corowa, has had only 12 starts and has undergone stem-cell surgery, became sick with an EI inoculation and had pneumonia. Meanwhile, Glistening, a proven two-miler, showed he is fit and healthy winning little more than a jumpers' flat at Flemington on Saturday. Glistening has a real Melbourne Cup glow in his coat but trainer Michael Moroney warns he has come good too soon. Keeping him at the pitch for the first Tuesday in November will be testing.
MURPHY'S LAW: Victoria has been producing boy wonders in the saddle in recent years and Sydney racing men marvel at Blake Shinn, last season's leading jockey, being only 20. Sebastian Murphy again showed he is one of the form riders in Melbourne handling Street Sensation in the Blencowe Handicap at Flemington on Saturday. And despite the exodus north his opposition is still strong, including Damien Oliver and Craig Williams. Murphy has a reputation for being "18 going on 30".
HARD YARDS: The work ethic of bookmaker Dennis Jamieson, a former publican from West Wyalong, should get exposure, according to Barry Cook, who has also travelled far and wide fielding since he was first sighted on the Randwick flat in 1968. "Dennis worked in Darwin earlier this week then came back for the two days at Coffs Harbour. Following Coffs Harbour he went to Louth (out Bourke way) on Saturday."
WORTH A SHOUT: Punters at Kembla Grange, at least, still have spirit. Sydney race tracks have been devoid of a good demonstration: racegoers venting their feelings over a perceived injustice by a jockey or trainer. Kerrin McEvoy, acclimatising to Australian helter-skelter, was the target at the provincial venue. Being in the top echelon he was a worthy target. Apprentices should get special dispensation but punters are entitled to the best from the best and when it is not forthcoming let them know. Barely a whisper has been heard lately for some very ordinary performances in town. Still, I advocate a good, hearty cheer for superb riding, too. Goodonya, Dan Nikolic, for Hadaaf at Rosehill on Saturday.
LEGENDS STRUGGLE: Living Legends, where some of the turf greats are on show in retirement, is struggling to survive. Based at Woodlands, a historic property near Tullamarine in Melbourne, old-timers including Might And Power, Saintly, Rogan Josh and Fields Of Omagh drew more than 1800, with free entry, on the Sunday after the 2006 Melbourne Cup. Due to the equine influenza epidemic last year sponsorships and vital revenue came to a halt. Despite the tourist appeal, the Victorian Government said "no" to funding. Meanwhile, Racing Victoria said the Racing Museum in Melbourne was sapping the budget for history. Living Legends was built on enthusiasm, particularly from Professor Andrew Clarke, with little more than fresh air in support. Even the grass paddocks at Woodlands aren't all that green right now.
HORSE TO FOLLOW: Cardinal Virtue looked in superb order at Lee Freedman's training farm on the Mornington Peninsula on Friday. "He is an exciting horse," he said.
DISAPPOINTING: Devil Child , the $4 favourite, finished ninth, beaten 4.4 lengths, in Saturday's Blencowe Handicap at Flemington.