Naming Names Name Of Game

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday December 19, 1998

with PUNTING PETE

Another snippet from Max Hitchens book Fact, Fiction and Fables of The Melbourne Cup. Race broadcast legend Johnny Tapp has a fascination for cleverly named horses, and some real thinkers have named Melbourne Cup winners. Try these:

Archer (1861-62) was by William Tell;

Lantern (1864) had Nightlight, Rushlight, Torch and Lamplighter in its bloodlines;

Nimblefoot (1870) was out of Quickstep;

Zulu (1881) was by Barbarian;

Arsenal's (1886) grand dam was Powder;

Carbine (1890) was by Musket;

The Victory (1902) was by The Admiral;

Comedy King (1910) was out of Tragedy Queen;

Statesman (1928) was by Demosthenes;

Straight Draw (1957) was by Faux Tirage (Wrong Shot);

Even Stevens (1962) was by Fairs Fair;

Light Fingers (1965) was by Le Filou (The Thief);

Red Handed (1967) also was by Le Filou;

Baghdad Note (1970) was by Kurdistan from Fair Note.

Cyclops still eyes good things

The Cyclops reign continues. With one of his selections scratched last week, it was up to Goodwood and Flak Jacket to carry the Albeen Park Bowlo banner.

Goodwood saluted by three lengths and paid $6 for the win with Flak Jacket getting run down by a neck (and all the clever Cyclops each-way punters getting their money back at $2 a place).

Cyclops back 'em straight-out specials today are Dancing Jester (SR1), Arletty (SR6) and Pyjamas (SR8).

God's Gift To The Working Woman telephoned me yesterday with two Christmas specials for today. He says don't be off Evangeline in the fifth at Randwick, and Graceful Emma in the last at Moonee Valley.

The Man For All Seasons likes three today - Irish Air (SR6), Mono Joker (BR3) and Ronwan (MR6).