Adams gives a few a lesson
The theatre of the Magic Millions protest was captivating.
Racing is an opinions game really – who we back, pot, love or hate.
Front and centre of the debate across the 72 hours since the controversial protest at Magic Millions was dismissed was Queensland Racing’s chief steward Josh Adams.
Adams, who for the record I’ve only met once and briefly, was superb following the controversial call to deny Ninja victory.
I didn’t have a bet in the race and believe Adams made the right call, but that’s beside the point.
Numerous television cameras were allowed inside as Adams gave his reasons for the dismissal of the protest, which was entertaining in itself.
But then Adams made himself available to countless media organisations who wanted further clarity, debate and questions answered on racing’s most talked about decision.
This includes media outlets outside his own backyard, performing well with Melbourne’s Gareth Hall on SEN Track.
Adams was honest in discussing the difficulties he faced and the complexities surrounding certain rules.
Adams should be congratulated for recognising his role in racing isn’t just to make judgement calls or hand out punishments, it’s to sell and explain the great game too.
There are a few in positions of power scared of criticism, perceived negativity or worried about the risk of saying something stakeholders don’t like, even if it’s good for the sport. They could learn from Adams’ performance and willingness to engage.
LISTEN | @Racing_QLD chief steward Josh Adams joined @ghall27 to discuss his decision behind the protest dismissal after a controversial day on track. https://t.co/hJSAzb5zNl pic.twitter.com/C3T5b8q6cC
— Giddy Up With Gareth Hall (@SENGiddyUp) January 18, 2026
Social media cesspit
Betsy ran a story on Sunday about the social media reaction to the Magic Millions, with some decent takes on what some believed should or shouldn’t have happened. It was hardly award-winning content, but there was some valid and well expressed opinions.
But there was also some filth and outrageous personal attacks on Adams and his team across social media. By repeating it, we would simply be amplifying it. But some of it was outrageous – much of it behind fake accounts or aliases. If some of the users put their names to it, it would be the easiest defamation case in history.
By all reports, finding good stewards is a hard task given people must willing to work in a job that takes you across the state and often working weekends. Not to mention every decision you make is amplified by punters who may have done their cash.
And for those who want the job, they are then to have their integrity, professionalism and character questioned because they make a call you don’t like or cost you your bet?
Credit where it’s due
The management of Victoria’s country tracks has been a talking point, with too many meetings cancelled at the last minute. Track management in Victoria is of course under the remit of executive Jamie McGuinness. Those who know the issues better than I do say more oversight is needed, including inspections before race day, to avoid the inexcusable cancelling of meetings hours before kick-off. So credit to Racing Victoria for being proactive enough to transfer Wednesday’s Mornington meeting to Sandown because of a burst water pipe, spotted in time to properly communicate to participants and punters. Amazing what a bit of initiative can lead to.
Big names for a big sale
Betsy wrote about the quiet presence of Bryan Robson at Magic Millions, one of England’s greatest ever footballers. Back home he is basically sporting royalty and it if it wasn’t for the keen eye of Manny Gelagotis, he might have gone unspotted. Speaking of royalty, Zara and Mike Tindall were also at the sales and subsequent race day [Zara is the daughter of Princess Anne]. Other names of note [outside the racing folk of course] include NRL legend and Queensland coach Billy Slater who is a breeder and runs a thoroughbred company with his wife Nicole. Ariarne Titmus was at the races on Saturday while were told V8 driver Anton De Pasquale visited the sales too.
42 km of prep for a key Eustace runner
One of the Dave Eustace team had a key run in the lead-up to last week’s meeting at Sha Tin – the man himself!
Eustace had a highly credentialed runner set to for a Hong Kong debut later that night in Glittering Legend, but first he knocked over the Hong Kong Marathon. Like every good trainer, Eustace set himself a benchmark for the race – to crack 3 hours and 30 minutes. Betsy is happy to report he beat his time – with a cool 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Well done!
A fantastic achievement off the track! 👏🏃
Trainer @EustaceRacing ran in the Hong Kong Marathon before attending the race meeting at Sha Tin. #HKRacing | #HongKongMarathon pic.twitter.com/FpWGzBMn5d
— Hong Kong Racing (@HongKong_Racing) January 20, 2026
Scratched before it happened
This one raised a few eyebrows.
Stewards acceded to a request from Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman to scratch Codigo in anticipation of a track upgrade. The explanation was simple enough. Katherine rang stewards to say the float had not left home and rather than travel in, only to cop an upgrade on arrival, could the horse just be scratched?
On one level, it makes sense. No need to float a horse on a warm day when the writing is already on the wall.
But it is an uncommon one. Horses are usually scratched because of what the track is, not what it might become.
Which leads to the obvious questions.
Given the forecast, the track upgrade always felt likely, should Codigo have been scratched on race morning instead? And does this set a precedent where trainers can now request scratchings based on what they think a track is about to do?
Only a few weeks ago, Rachel Frost was unable to scratch Mislead at Sale as conditions deteriorated rapidly, despite the track clearly worsening by the minute. It was close to race time, yes, but it felt like a situation where discretion could just as easily have been applied the other way.
To be clear, this is not a crack at the decision itself nor the request. Stewards used discretion, and in isolation, the logic holds.
It’s an opinion game
There’s a fair few voices in the racing media, but are there enough strong opinions, even if they upset a few?
Betfair’s Tom Haylock deserves kudos for his early, well-considered take on the Ninja protest.
Tom Haylock believes Ben Melham should have been suspended for his ride on Torque To Be Sure in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.@Betfair_Aus | @thaylock pic.twitter.com/fnKXAYdY02
— SENTrack (@SEN_track) January 18, 2026
