Straight Up –  Jockeying for a place in Australian racing’s ecosystem

In this edition:

• Will’s way – How an industry-based solution would drive down ownership costs
• Roads less travelled – Peter Robl’s unorthodox search for winners
• In the shadows: Why Leon Corstens remains racing’s best supporting actor
• Rosehill redevelopment on new ATC chairman’s agenda
• Beadman crosses to Waller as premier Sydney trainer takes on Flemington’s Carbine Lodge

As jockeys in the prime of their careers, the paths of Darren Beadman and Peter Robl rarely crossed – if at all.

By the time Robl worked his way through the country riding ranks and backed himself to make it at a metropolitan level in Sydney, Beadman had moved to Hong Kong to become stable jockey for John Moore.

Beadman, who won seven Sydney premierships, left a void. His departure created openings for accomplished riders such as Robl.

If Beadman was the glamour jockey of Australian racing, Robl was all blue-collar.

But they do share one common – and unwanted – chapter in their careers. They didn’t get to finish on their own terms.

Head injuries cut short Beadman’s time in the saddle in 2012 and Robl followed him into retirement two years later after a race fall in country NSW.

“I would still be riding for sure,’ the 53-year-old Robl told The Straight. “That’s a disappointing part. But anyway, it’s the way it went.”

The fact that Beadman and Robl have been able to forge careers in racing beyond the days in the saddle has been highlighted on The Straight during the week.

Beadman, part of the Godolphin set-up since 2014, will start a new role with champion trainer Chris Waller.

The announcement ended speculation about his future and continues a strong connection between Beadman and Waller, dating back to when the trainer was finding his feet in Sydney.

They may have combined for only 40 winners as trainer and jockey, but Beadman made no secret of the trajectory that Waller was establishing.

While Beadman remains at the pointy end of Australia’s racing hierarchy, Robl has also found his place as a trainer, revelling in a 2023 move to the Gold Coast and working with a small team that allows him the freedom to think outside the box.

Over the next 10 days, Robl will have runners in Adelaide and Darwin as a way of trying to maximise returns to his owners.

Ownership and the associated expenses are an issue that is not going away.

As Will Freedman revealed to us this week, staffing costs remain a huge challenge for stables but increasing veterinary, farrier and feed services are also pinch points for the industry.

To his credit, Freedman has offered up solutions to the issues as a special guest on this week’s Straight Talk podcast.

It’s Bletchingly Stakes day at Caulfield on Saturday. There’s a hint of spring in the air that is underlined by the return of Group 2 winner Baraqiel.

Baraqiel is the best horse in a stable operated by Leon and Troy Corstens and their fellow training partner Will Larkin.

Matt Stewart spoke to Leon Corstens this week as the 80-year-old trainer relived a golden era when he was in charge of Bart Cummings’s Flemington yard that became a production line for Melbourne Cup winners.

Corstens prefers to keep himself in the background, unlike the world of Sydney racing politics, which found itself in the spotlight this week with a change at the helm of the Australian Turf Club.

Tim Hale has replaced Peter McGauran as chairman but whether his appointment can bring stability to a fractured board remains to be seen.

What you may have missed this week:

• Pressure grows on federal government as talks resume on gambling advertising reform
• NSW Trainers Association in clear over charity lunch complaint
• Jimmy ready to hit The Everest
• Tim Hale elected ATC chairman
• 18-month ban – De Souza outed after inquiry into Malaysian race fall
• ReadyBet latest bookie in ACMA sights
• Racing reliance cited as a weakness in fight for PointsBet
• Not in-play – Aussie bookies reject automated in-race pricing
• 200 up for I Am Invincible – well-bred filly delivers for Yarraman’s champion sire
• Run The Numbers – The ongoing collapse of Australian two-year-old racing
• Talented Snitzel mare Vienna Princess added to Magic Millions Virtual Sale
• Rowe On Monday – Mihalyka’s Rebel with a cause, Bivouac on the march, Powrie the horseman and Magic Millions farewells Hayward

Don’t forget to check out this week’s episode of the Straight Talk Podcast. Besides canvassing the thoughts of special guest Will Freedman, Bren O’Brien and Tim Rowe also discuss the board-level changes at the Australian Turf Club and examine a trend in Australian two-year-old racing.

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Enjoy your racing weekend,

Warwick Barr

Senior Editor

The Straight