Horses For Longer Courses
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday November 5, 2008
ALL over the world globalisation is being blamed, in some quarters at least, for the ills afflicting financial markets and national economies. Money can flash around the world so fast that it is beyond control. Racehorses are a bit the same - or at least, the world of horseracing is, though in the sport of kings globalisation is still going from strength to strength - as yesterday's Melbourne Cup showed. The field had the largest share of overseas horses ever. New Zealand stayers have always done well in Australian races but, these days, the price of transport is low enough and the $5.5 million prize money tempting enough to make the journey to Melbourne worthwhile for horses, owners and trainers from the British Isles, France, the United States, the Middle East and Japan.
When northern hemisphere interest in the Melbourne Cup began 15 years ago it was feared local runners would not be good enough to compete. As overseas interest has grown, the fears have been proved unfounded. In that time, only three winners have come from above the equator. It was shown to be unfounded again yesterday and by the man who does it so well - Bart Cummings, now 80, with his 12th cup win in an astonishing 50 years. Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai's ruler and the head of a vast racehorse network including the Godolphin racing stables, has said the cup is one of three international races he wants to win. This was not his year but no doubt he'll be back. And perhaps the weight of overseas interest - and money - will prompt local breeders and owners to take the longer view. Critics have said Australia produces good young sprinters but stayers for long races such as the Melbourne Cup take time and - as in other fields - the local turf culture seems largely focused on the short-term. Perhaps they are right. But no one seems to have told Bart Cummings.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald
