Inside the Spencer-Cumani spat

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IRISH jockey Jamie Spencer yesterday spoke for the first time about his very public spat with British-based Italian trainer Luca Cumani.

For those not across it, Spencer rode Melbourne Cup hope Mount Athos in two lead-up runs this year, only for his efforts to be described by Cumani as "two very bad rides''.

Spencer then hit back at Cumani, posting a cartoon on Twitter of a grown man in a pram, surrounded by toys.

There's been plenty of interest at Werribee the past week to see the reaction when Spencer and Cumani cross paths.

But Spencer, after he won his first Aussie Group 1 in the Mackinnon Stakes on Side Glance, told At The Track: "It's been blow out of the water. I put up that picture of Luca of the man in the pram. He came up to me at Newmarket and said, 'good picture, good comeback'.

"It took me a while to find that picture.

"When I moved to England (from Ireland) I came as a freelance, and for my first three months Luca took me under my wing. When Frankie (Dettori) was in a plane crash, then Keiren Fallon broke his shoulder, Luca put me on every horse. What he did for my career I could never say anything against him.

"It's a cycle with Luca. I rode for him for three years, then didn't ride for three years, then I rode for two, didn't ride for three, then rode again for a year. Doing my maths, I think I'll be back for him around 2015 or 2016.''

Spencer will ride Dunaden, the 2011 Cup winner who will be Tuesday's 58.5kg topweight.

"The weight is the key, and if he had 54.5kg, you'd say he'd be a big chance, if not a favourite's chance,'' Spencer said.

"With 58.5kg, it won't be easy, and we won't have much room to manoeuvre.''

Imagine Spencer's Dunaden and Cumani's Mount Athos fighting out the finish on Tuesday? Security.

I SHOCKED THE SHERIFF

ZOUSTAR'S managing owner Sheriff Iskander was so overcome with emotion after the colt's powerhouse win that he fainted.

Iskander had to be helped off the ground in the enclosure as his fellow owners realised they had just pocketed an extra $4 million for winning the race.

The $14 million deal with Widden included a $4 million bonus for winning the Coolmore, with another $2 million for one more Grup 1 triumph.

"I fainted. I've never fainted in my life,'' Iskander said.

"I don't know what happened. I was so nervous before the race I had to have three scotches.''

Iskander was entitled to guzzle some Blue Label Johnnie Walker last night given the torrid week he had because of the on-again off-again negotiations.

This bloke was about to walk away from the game altogether after being ``screwed over'' by reputable types in racing. Waller told him Zoustar was the real deal. Yesterday was proof that good things do come to good people.

Iskander told us when the deal was signed, Widden boss Antony Thompson leaned across the table and kissed him.

WATERHOUSE MISSES BOOKIE BOAT

ROBBIE Waterhouse had all intentions to field in Melbourne this week, only for his licence to be approved too late.

Waterhouse said he would be back on his stall next year, and if He had been working Tuesday, said: "I think Gai's horse (Fiorente) is at amazing odds. I have a healthy respect for Mount Athos, as well as anything trained at the Lloyd Williams' stable.''

Ruscello's trainer Ed Walker could be mistaken for colleague Ray Thomas. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

BABY-FACED Englishman trainer Ed Walker is no stranger to Australia. The 30-year-old, who won the Lexus Stakes with Ruscello - and is a dead ringer for colleague Ray Thomas - said he worked for Luca Cumani, and travelled Down Under with Purple Moon as part of a working holiday.

Walker had nothing but praise for Cumani, whose best advice was to "never cut corners'' and "if you do things properly, the results will come''.

As for how he felt about helping former Australian all-rounder and Ruscello's owner Simon O'Donnell to a big-race victory on the eve of the Ashes, Walker quipped: "I'm pleased to make him feel better, especially when England keep beating Australia (in the cricket).''

BATHURST SPRINKLER SHOCK

OK, it's not Flemington, but this has to be the funniest video we've seen in years.

Not long after the field jumped in the last at Bathurst on Friday, the sprinklers decided to switch on at the home turn.

Stunned jockeys put their heads down and were drenched before Path To Freedom went on to win the race by a head from Flying Impulse.

Steward Sam Fitzgerald interviewed all the hoops after the race, and eventually declared correct weight.

But the best part of this yarn is how the sprinklers were actually activated.

At The Track can reveal the water was switched on from 900km away.

Yes, the Queensland company who recently installed the state-of-the-art electronic system were conducting a training drill, and pressed the wrong button.

"It's one of those systems where a track manager can be anywhere in the world and they can turn on the sprinklers,'' chief steward Ray Murrihy said.

"On this occasion the sprinklers at Bathurst have been turned on from Brisbane.

"We've since written to the track managers who have this system to make sure they turn on the override switch before each meeting.''

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WALLER ON A WINNER

IT HAS been impossible to ignore the presence of trainer Chris Waller this spring.

The Kiwi trainer who trains plenty of winners on track - and never knocks back a media request off it - has now caught the attention of the international press.

On Friday morning at Flemington, Waller was seen being interviewed by news giants CNN for a segment to beam tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, Waller WILL run Boban in Saturday's Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m), despite the Epsom winner being lumped with the topweight.

BOSS OVER LONG SHOTS

IF POLITICIANS wants to be liked by voters, they should start telling it how it really is like jockey Glen Boss.

No other jockey cuts straight to the chase like Bossy.

For example, on Friday before the Derby, he basically said his mount Bring Something couldn't win, and was a "top five chance'' at best.

And he was now at a stage in his career he couldn't be bothered riding "100-1 shots that have no hope'' in big races.

"I'd rather give the ride to someone else and give them the pleasure of riding in a Melbourne Cup, because it won't thrill me. I like to be competitive in every Group 1 contest,'' Boss said.

Phew. Tell us what you really think.

We asked Bossy late Friday about his frankness, to which he said: "Whether I'm right or wrong, I'll tell it how I see it, it's as simple as that. You get what you get.''

BART'S CUP JUST A YEAR AWAY?

SAINTLY Lad may not have got the cash in the Carbine Club Stakes, but there's every chance the immature gelding could be back at Flemington in 12 months time to pop up in a race like the Melbourne Cup.

His mum Miss Meliss ran in the Cup as a four-year-old. And there's no reason her little boy can't follow suit once he gets his act together.

"The penny hasn't dropped with him, but he'll be a good stayer ... just wait for him, just wait for him,'' trainer James Cummings said.

The Carbine Club was taken out by Paximadia, the third time Darley's colours were carried to victory in the Derby Day opener the past five years.

WILD, WILD WYONG

WE TOLD you last week trouble was brewing big time at Wyong. Well, the ever-smiling chief executive Tony Drew officially retired this week, and the immediate future of the provincial club doesn't look like improving any time soon.

The story we've been told several times now is how the club wrote to Racing NSW, requesting funding for a new pool to the tune of $1.8 million. Sadly, the pool was expected to cost just a third of that quote. Hmmm.

BREEDING FRUSTRATION

THE mystery surrounding next autumn's Breeders Cup-style program in Sydney is starting to frustrate trainers who are unsure how to map out the next preparation for their respective stars.

Anthony Cummings is one trainer who is waiting on a program with Fiveandahalfstar.

Now Murray Baker wants to know what's doing so he has some sort of idea with It's A Dundeel.

It's A Dundeel arrived back in New Zealand on Friday, and Baker was hopeful officials in Sydney would decide either way if the autumn will remain the same, or the revamped cashed-up carnival over two Saturdays gets the green light.

"Everyone's waiting on this program, aren't they?'' Baker told us.

We phoned around and were told to expect a decision in the next fortnight.

I DID MY MONEY ON...

EVERYTHING. It started with Equator in the Carbine Club, continued with Wordplay in the Wakeful Stakes, then Strike The Stars, who rocketed home in the last. Is there a lower feeling than walking to the ATM on track?

The Oompa Loompas from Sydney add some colour to Derby Day. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: News Limited

FASHION FAUX PAS

THIS award has to go to the group of punters who parked themselves by the 100m, dressed as Oompa Loompas. We can reveal one of the group is a respected journo, and another an up-an-coming trainer from Sydney. Also, girls, when will you learn not to apply fake tan with a trowel.

SSSSSSHHH

WHICH Melbourne Cup horse who is right in the market for Tuesday's race was involved in a trackwork scare? The horse dumped its rider and went to take off, only to stop after 20m and turn around and look at the red-faced rider. The odds would have blown had the horse kept going.

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