The Racing Wrap with David Gately (30.03.26)

0:00Waitley on SEM. Pride of Jenny looks down the long straight at the 400. She's two links in front of Birdman, who's about to challenge with Light Infantry Man. Followed then by Laika Lucy, they've got to Pride of Jenny. Birdman, Light Infantry Man. Up to Pride of Jenny, who kicks at the 200 metres. Pride of Jenny, digs in, finds reserves. A lengthy front, Light Infantry Man, looking to go back to back. Coming at Pride of Jenny, a poorly elite Pride of Jenny, with the heart of a lioness. Coming at a light infantry man, a photo-finish. She may have done it. Pride of Jenny, from light infantry man to poorly. And then Sebastian Birdman. She didn't do it, probably much to the disappointment of virtually everybody watching on. Light Infantry Man went back to back in the Australian Cup. Our racing route for country racing is as real as it gets this season. David Gatley is with me. Gator, hello. Very good afternoon or morning still, mate.

1:00What? When they hit the line, were you like everyone else hoping that Jenny had won? Yeah, pretty much. Yeah. I think that it was one of those that, you know, both athletes deserve the win. And a dead heat would have been just the perfect, you know, a result, probably. And I was with Matt Hill, I thought she'd hung on. But look, I think even though she was beaten a millimetre, it's only enhanced to reputation, hasn't it? And what a great call from Matt Hill, just to add the color and excitement to our great sport. She's just changed her ways a bit, Jenny. She's not as dynamic and she's gotten a bit older, but she's probably a brave, she's ever been. And now she'll go to Sydney. And that's, if she clashes with Autumn Glow, I presume in the Queen Elizabeth. Wow, what an element that is to add to the new star of the turf. Yeah, 100%. And you know, the cox pipe of the, the autumn nowadays is the Queen Elizabeth.

2:00It's a fabulous race. And this year, it's probably, it could easily be the best rendition of it. But I think those races that, I think everyone, almost acknowledge Autumn Glow, as if not the top of the throne. She certainly got a foot on there and the step that she tries to, to ascend to the best horse in the country. And this is where we'll find out, I think, because it'll be a fast on 2,000 meter race. It'll test her levels of endurance. You know, to be a good athlete, you simply have to run fast for a long time. You have to be, you know, operating at threshold or above for a long time. You know, we saw that recently in the triathlon with Tristan, one field, and you can certainly make human comparisons. So that's the next challenge for Autumn Glow. I think she'll pass the test, but she hasn't yet. So 15 minutes after that extraordinary Australian cup, the tankrid was the hell of a spectacle as well. As Dubai owner was off out in front, Naliana, ran her down with James McDonald,

3:00judging things perfectly. That, that, that was a great spectacle as well. No, it certainly was. Two world class athletes, only a fact to say. So, Alianne has only been at 2,500 twice, an extraordinary Darwin win as a young, pretty mature athlete. She's much more seasoned now, and she was a great chae. He is not easy to catch Dubai owner. And he wasn't stopping. His last 200 was in the top five of any horse all day, and it still got run down by her. So, and look what they did, five links to Boba, and he's got a world class seat at that table as well. So, two tremendous athletes, the win, the last 100, especially, was Goosebumb area. It really, they were two tremendous races, and to Steven Cautamaine's point, it racings in such great shape when those sorts of races are taking place. So, the championships now, two weeks in Sydney, to take center stage. Yeah, they do, and then credit to all involved there. I love what Sydney have done with the Everest, of course,

4:02and the Chanabee Cheeps. It's added so much. It will class athletes coming over. So, we'll see how that plays out, but this is beef, the weather holds, dude. But the racing itself, irrespective of the weather, will be nothing short of world class. Gator, we'll talk next week. Can't wait. Thanks, mate. David Gaetli, centerpiece of our coverage, SCN Track, and RSN. The racing rap, country racing, is as real as it gets this season for tickets and more. Visit country.racing.com, touch base with Dwight next.