The drama surrounding the performance of More Joyous in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes has taken a stunning new turn, with stewards turning to legendary Bilpin horse whisperer Sam “Flinty” McClaggan to unlock the truth from the source itself.
A team led by chief steward Ray Murrihy has reportedly swooped on owner John Singleton’s farm in an early morning raid, designed to get to the bottom of the matter, which is dominating racing and wider news headlines.
Included in the steward’s party was McClaggan, a revered but somewhat reclusive figure who originally came to prominence after counselling Veandercross immediately after the 1992 Caulfield Cup.
Veandercross suffered from serious post-race depression following his nose defeat at the hands of Mannerism, but McClaggan was able to restore the horse’s mental health, eventually convincing him that the loss was no fault of his, and that jockey Shane Dye was in fact 100% responsible after mistaking the outside rail for the running rail.
Under steward’s orders The Roar was prevented from tweeting progress of the meeting between Murrihy, McClaggan and More Joyous, but can now provide the transcript as follows;
RM (Ray Murrihy): So you know why we’re here today, to ask you some questions?
Flinty McClaggan repeats the question, by whispering into More Joyous’ ear, More Joyous replies through Flinty as interpreter.
MJ (More Joyous): Yes, I was wondering what took you so long.
RM: Can you please describe your general health leading up to the All Aged Stakes?
MJ: Nothing out of the ordinary. A bit of thrush but that cleared up with some cream, and a sore neck from sleeping funny.
RM: Tell me more about the sore neck.
MJ: It was nothing really. It only hurt because every man and his dog wanted to poke around at it.
RM: In your opinion, were you fit to race?
MJ: To be fair Ray, probably not at my best. I would have been happy to stay home, but Nash was ready to ride and I was quite keen to have a closer sniff of that All Too Hard. You mightn’t think he’s my type but I’d be happy to butter his toast if you know what I mean.
RM: Did Gai inspect you at any stage?
MJ: She did Ray. And I tried to tell her that I’m a bit over all of this really, all those other lucky buggers get retired young and her and Singo keep sending me around. There’s only so many times you can keep coming up that rise at Randwick like you really mean it.
But you know what Gai’s like, failed actress and all that. Not a good listener.
RM: How have things been with you and Gai? In general?
MJ: To be fair I’ve had the shits with her ever since last year’s Cox Plate? Why should every other horse run 2040m, and I be expected to win running 2080m?
It was all because of that little w–ker Pierro, he gave her the puppy dog eyes, had her right under his thumb.
RM: Did you have any contact at all with Tom Waterhouse before the race?
MJ: Why would I do that Ray? I’m sick of him, can’t even watch the footy without him all over the screen. He’s the last bloke I’d talk to.
RM: Speaking of footy, what contact did you have with one of the immortals of the game?
MJ: I haven’t seen Jason Hoogerwerf for many years now Ray.
RM: No, not him. Andrew Johns.
MJ: Joey? He’s alright for a laugh but he sometimes has a few too many and embellishes the truth.
RM: You’re a smarter than the average horse. But do you actually know what embellish means?
MJ: More than Joey does I’m picking.
RM: Allan Robinson, any contact with him?
MJ: No. I must say, it was a bit unfair for Gai to call him a “trumped up little jockey”. I mean, he doesn’t actually ride any more does he?
RM: Eddie Hayson?
MJ: C’mon Ray, you know I don’t frequent places like that.
RM: What if I put it to you hypothetically that if a horse was a bit jack of the grind of city life she might get the slows on purpose, so as to eventually end up on a nice little farm instead?
MJ: You mean like this farm Ray?
RM: Yes, if you like, just like this one.
MJ: Hypothetically I’d say that horse could be charged with bring racing into disrepute Ray. But you’d want to have more than Chinese whispers before you went down that path.
The interview is interrupted by the sound of helicopter blades whirring into action. Singo appears from the darkness and yells out to Ray as he climbs aboard.
JS (John Singleton): Make sure you close the gate behind you on the way out.
RM: I’d rather you stayed in case I have some more questions.
JS: Sorry, you had your chance at the hearing. I’m just heading over to the Road Warriors Café for a secret meeting with Chris Murphy. Then I’ve got an interview with an unemployed young bloke who wants to be a stable jockey.
RM: Nice to see you helping out your fellow man John, as always.
JS: Yeah, you might know him, it’s Nathan Tinkler. Doesn’t know much about horses, and he needs a few more hours in the sauna, but he’s keen Ray. That’s what I like to see.
And with that the helicopter lifts off into the early morning sky. Flinty leans over towards Ray.
FM (Flinty McClaggan): I don’t think we’re going to get any more out of her today Ray.
RM: That’s alright, I’ve got what I need.
Flinty strokes his wispy, grey beard as he sums up the situation.
FM: You know, my old granddaddy taught me you can learn so much from just talking to people, face to face. Sort things out before they blow up into something bigger. Before they get on national TV.
RM: Ain’t that the truth my friend…
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