Gone too soon? Makiv explains Tentyris call
Punters had every reason to think exciting colt Tentyris had some big races left in him.
Earlier this year Godolphin boss Andy Makiv gave racing folk reason the believe Tentyris would not only race through the Autumn Carnivals, but could even have a crack at Ka Ying Rising in an Everest.
”One thing which is well documented is that a really high performing colt that races on and has any disappointments, that obviously wipes the value off him. So the important thing is, is provided they are adding value and all going as well as ever, then we have no real… there’s no real hurry for us to retire them,” Makiv said on SEN Track in January.
Even a trip to Royal Ascot was mooted. But a couple of poor runs – one in the Newmarket and again in the TJ Smith – and the 3-year-old is now set for the good life in the breeding barn.
Sam Freedman said post his extraordinary win in the Lightning Stakes that he could be the best horse he ever trains. Life moves at you fast.
Now, Tentyris had an excuse post the Newmarket defeat, where he was diagnosed with Cardiac Arrhythmia.
There was industry speculation that their might be underlying reason for Tentyris heading to the breeding barn earlier than hoped – which may have explained his poor TJ Smith run – all rumours which Makiv happily put to bed.
”The veterinary advice was that [Cardiac Arrhythmia] wasn’t likely to be an issue going forward, so wasn’t part of the considerations,’’ Makiv told Betsy, adding they put his last in the TJ Smith down to the track.
‘’We put that disappointing performance down to a wet track and I suppose the thought of a possible wet track on a future feature day, is something we at least thought about”.
So what changed between Makiv saying in January post his Lightning Stakes heroics the horse would likely race on, to a retirement decision months later?
“The addition of a spine-tingling win in the Lightning Stakes added further value to his stud career. The honour role in the Lightning features the best of the best and 3YO colts that have won the race have gone onto be successful stallions, citing Fastnet Rock, Home Affairs, Testa Rossa and General Nediym as examples,’’ he said.
‘’The Coolmore which is also a feature stallion making race had already been achieved in scintillating fashion, and it raised the question of what more does he have to do?”.
Fair call.
Makiv said on SEN this week that Tentyris, standing at $88,000, was already fully booked – an incredible result given only 15 Godolphin mares would be served.
The retirement does solve one headache for the blue army – they can now run the likes of Tempted in more suitable races, not fearing she’ll knock of some of their potential stallions.
‘’We look at each horse individually and try to make the best decision. We are certainly sporting when it comes to racing horses. Attica was a Group 1 winning 3YO and we have gelded him with the hope he can be our next Tom Kitten. Tom was also gelded following Group One success at the end of his 3YO year,’’ he said.
‘’Colts like Green Spaces and Beiwacht will train on into their 4YO year, like Anamoe and Bivouac did before them. Observer and Tentyris retire at the end of their 3YO season, just like Broadsiding did. The management of colts in training is different to geldings and there are numerous factors to consider from soundness, to temperament, to genuineness, and so on.”
For those who are sick of the blue army dominating might be disappointed yet – word is some of their late season 2 year-olds are shaping up nicely.
Politics and time pressure’s revealed in football’s Caulfield dream
The Melbourne Football Club’s battle to build it’s new base at the Caulfield race course remains in turmoil.
As Betsy wrote earlier this year, unless the football club pivoted, the $100 million training and administrative home for Melbourne was no more than an expensive dream.
While there seems to be some new plans starting to circulate that might break the impasse and include a more common sense approach, time is running out for the football club.
Firstly, Melbourne are in a hurry to find a new base. The Melbourne Racing Club are not. In fact, some powerful types within the racing fraternity are dead set against it happening.
The State Government, or some influential members of it, have at times been unimpressed with parts of the Demon’s process as they try a new home at Caulfield. Their plans for a tunnel underneath the race track has caused uproar in racing circles, and left some in government less than impressed.
The football club, it appears, need the current State Government to either help approve their plans at some stage or hope the Labor government is returned in the November state election. The local member where the race course sits is Liberal David Southwick. He would be a senior member and minister of any Liberal government, and given some of his local community oppose the Demons move, it adds further complexity to an already messy situation.
There is a view too that the football club will need millions of dollars of government money to make its dream a reality.
Making the situation even messier is the ongoing presence of Paul Guerra on the Racing Victoria board. Guerra, of course, is also the CEO of the Melbourne Football Club.
Guerra, as he should, excuses himself from any discussions surrounding the issue at Racing Victoria. But his role and subsequent conflict is still being discussed by those on the Racing Victoria board, to mixed reactions. It remains a point of contention.
Given the football club and racing have differing visions for Caulfield, it raises the pertinent question – how can Guerra show his face at Racing Victoria if he pushes and succeeds in gaining a football club orientated solution that leaves racing worse off?
Similarly, you would assume it would be difficult for Guerra to turn up to Demon’s HQ if racing somehow thwarts his football club’s multi-million dollar dream.
Nothing against Guerra of course, he’s deserved of his two big roles and he lives in a football city, but it is a curious situation that Racing Minister Anthony Carbines no doubt gave serious consideration to before he extended his term on the Racing Victoria board.
Job loses at Sportsbet
Sportsbet cut a number of jobs this week. The roles came from across various levels of the business, Betsy is told.
A spokesperson confirmed the cuts on Wednesday.
”Like many organisations, Sportsbet is continuing to evolve how we operate in a more competitive and challenging environment. This week we began communicating a small number of proposed organisational changes as part of that process,” the spokesperson said.
”These changes are focused on simplifying how teams work together, improving accountability and ensuring our business is set up for the long term. The impact on headcount is limited and we are currently in a consultation phase with affected employees.
”Our priority is supporting our people through that process.”
It comes as the wagering industry is set for a round of government briefings regarding how the new gambling advertising rules will impact their business.
Racing.com’s remote coverage trial
Punters would have noticed a change to the coverage of racing.com this week, with none of the broadcaster’s talent on course to interview trainers, jockeys or staff.
The interviews were done by participants chucking on big headphones and talking down the camera to the host back in their Dockland’s studio in Melbourne.
The end result, at times, was undoubtedly more awkward television – with the odd poor trainer struggling, often talking over talent due to the delays in audio and the such. The are horse people after all, not TV professionals.
Racing Victoria confirmed it was only a two day trial, after consultation with the Victorian Jockeys’ Association and the Australian Trainers’ Association.
The trial comes as Racing Victoria does its budgets for 2026/27 and racing.com will again come under focus regarding its cost from some in the industry, as it seems to have done since it was created. The move to remove talent from on course makes financial sense. But does it make for better coverage?
And what happens if there is a significant event on course – both good or bad – that needs eyes on the ground? On course racing.com staff have proven crucial, at times, when racing had some of its darkest days.
Betsy understands the rationale behind the move – cutting costs. But whether it passes the pub test for punters will remain to be seen.
The media landscape in racing is shaping up for an overhaul. Ongoing discussions surrounding some outlets in Australia could reshape how racing is consumed.
Rail error just another sorry saga
We almost feel bad for having a crack at the Victorian country race track at Stawell. The track has had so many issues, that if it was a horse, it would face retirement. Too many meetings have been abandoned, with little recourse.
The latest fiasco come when Stewards’ noticed the rail was in the wrong position on April 17. The solution? Just increase the distances at the last minute by 7 meters.
Sure, it’s only 7 meters, but I’ve lost plenty of money in that short period of time.
‘’On arrival Stewards noted with the rail out three meters from the 800m to the 300m, the distances of races 4 and 5 were amended to 2007m instead of the 2000m which had been publicised, announcements were made to this effect,’’ the Stewards’ report said.
Primed for a new challenge?
One Victorian racing executive keeps getting mentioned in dispatches that a new, more high-profile CEO gig might be in the pipeline. While the new gig might come with less politics and a bigger pay-cheque, racing would be a poorer as a result.
