With all the misery and tragedies around the world, thank heavens for sport.
Thank heavens for Michelle Payne becoming the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 155 years that struck a huge blow for women in an era where men dominate sport.
The big hug Michelle gave her brother and strapper Stevie – who has Down’s syndrome – sent shivers up the spine, while the many interviews she’s given since have all been right off the top shelf.
Australia has a new superstar, and long may she reign.
Thank heavens for Damien Oliver and Jim Cassidy as well. They played major roles in a very special Melbourne Cup week.
Oliver rode his 108th Group 1 winner to draw level with Roy Higgins, equal second to the great George Moore’s 119.
And Kiwi Cassidy hung up his whip at 52 years of age, having ridden 104 Group 1 winners to be fourth on the all-time list, claiming the jockey’s grand slam of the Melbourne Cup twice, the Caulfield Cup twice, the Cox Plate, and the Golden Slipper.
The jockey’s room at Flemington on Tuesday was full of praise from his peers who gave ‘Pumper’ the perfect gift of two bottles of champagne – vintage 1983 for his Melbourne Cup win on Kiwi, and vintage 1997 for his Cup win on Might and Power.
Meanwhile, at the Gabba, the baggy greens teed off against the Black Caps in record-breaking fashion on the opening day of the first of three Tests.
Australia finished 2-389, beating the Gabba’s previous first day record of 2-364 set by Australia against England in 2002, when Matt Hayden finished with an unbeaten 186, and Damien Martyn on nine, with Ricky Ponting (123), and Justin Langer (32), the two dismissals.
Thank heavens for the brilliant batting of David Warner (163), Joe Burns (71), Usman Khawaja (102*), and skipper Steve Smith (41*).
What a day for the new-look Australians following the retirements of Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, and Ryan Harris.
Warner and Burns, in their first outing as Australia’s opening pair, put on 161 for the first wicket, before Warne and Khawaja combined with 150 for the second.
It was a sweet taste for Khawaja, who has been so shabbily treated by selectors over the years. They belatedly gave the leftie another chance, and he’s grabbed it with both hands.
There’s little doubt Khawaja and the very in-form Smith will inflict more pain on the Kiwi attack today, providing mother nature doesn’t dump on the Gabba.
But I’ll leave the final say to the ‘Pumper’, and his words on Payne’s history-making ride:
“It was probably one of the most touching moments of my life to see a lady rider come out and win one of our greatest races in the world.”
A fitting salute for Michelle Payne from a legend. So thanks Jim Cassidy, may you be around for a long time with your great sense of humour befitting a great bloke.
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