Maria or Ana? Djokovic can’t decide

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NOVAK Djokovic's head says Maria Sharapova, but his heart says Ana Ivanovic.

With top seed Serena Williams knocked out of the French Open in the second round a day after world No. 2 Li Na made her shock first-round exit, the tag as favourite for the women's title is up for grabs.

Asked his opinion, Djokovic — who is the subject of debate over whether he or Rafael Nadal should be regarded as the men's favourite — tipped No. 7 seed and 2012 champion Sharapova to win a second Roland Garros crown.

"I just saw that Serena also lost, it's definitely a surprise to see the big favourites coming out," Djokovic said.

"I would love Serbian players win, Ana and Jelena (Jankovic). But it's a long ways, still only the beginning of the tournament.

"The next seeds, Sharapova is probably the favourite to win it because she has won this tournament in the past and played finals. I think she's in a good form."

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic celebrates her victory over France's Caroline Garcia at the end of their French tennis Open first round match. Source: AFP

But he would not be surprised to see Ivanovic challenge, having also won the title, in 2008.

"Ana has been playing really, really well," he said.

"Who knows? The experience of having in the past the title here can help mentally. Now that you see that the top two seeds are out, it can mentally give you that push that you need."

Sharapova came back from a break down early to defeat Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 7-5 6-2 in her second-round match.

Williams, meanwhile, was bundled out by world No. 35 Garbine Muguruza of Spain 6-2 6-2.

"It was one of those days," Williams said.

"You can't be on every day, and, gosh, I hate to be off during a grand slam."

Muguruza said Williams told her as they shook hands at the net that if she continued to play the same way, she could win the tournament.

"I said, 'I will try, I will try,'" Muguruza said.

"It's my biggest win so far. So amazing."

In another upset, American wildcard Taylor Townsend, ranked No. 205 it the world, defeated French No. 20 seed Alize Cornet 6-4 4-6 6-4.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Son of a gun takes on Waller army

Trainer Aleacia Bennett with Star of Octagonal. Source: Waide Maguire / News Corp Australia

ALEACIA Bennett has had fewer starters in her training career than Chris Waller has runners in the Octagonal Handicap at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Waller is saddling up eight in the race — Coup Ay Tee, Bagman, Tromso, Tougher Than Ever, Hoylonny, Said Com, Fulgur and Masthead — which is yet another record for Sydney's all-conquering trainer.

Bennett, the 28-year-old from Singleton who is taking on the "Waller Army'' with Star Of Octagonal, can only marvel at the sheer stable size and extraordinary success of her rival trainer.

"When I had a look at the entries I said 'man, that is a lot of horses','' Bennett said of Waller's eight runners.

"He (Chris Waller) would be amazing to sit down with and have a chat about the way he gets around and manages such a big stable. How does he remember and program all his horses?''

Waller is at the peak of his training career and is dominating Sydney racing in a manner not seen since Tommy Smith in his heyday. It is not uncommon for the reigning premier trainer to have multiple runners in a race but eight is a new standard even for him.

In the 2013-14 season, Waller has had more than 1250 starters nationally for 180 wins and prizemoney of $19.6 million. The only other trainers to have at least 1000 runners this season are Melbourne's Darren Weir (1158) and Peter Snowden (1073).

By comparison, Bennett has only been training for five months, she has two horses in work and they have started in five races with the trainer's only winner a Gunnedah Maiden with Seebourn earlier this month.

Her stable earnings come to a princely sum of $13,200.

Bennett may have limited experience as a licensed trainer but she knows plenty about horses.

She grew up with them, riding show horses and playing polo cross.

"I've even done some camp drafting - I've had a go at just about everything,'' Bennett said.

"My Mum, who has never been on a horse, used to drive me miles and miles around the countryside taking me to shows and things. I still ride when I get time.''

She maintains there are certain principles that apply to all ``sporting'' horses.

"Basically, a horse's conformation is the same no matter what sport you are doing,' she said.

"Fitness is the main key. With show horses you have to have them muscled up and looking correct.

"The racehorse is the same but you are working them differently. As a trainer, you learn what to look for in your horses.

"I'm trying to learn what I can from these two and Star Of Octagonal has beray en good for me to learn from.

"He's an experienced racehorse and I think he's teaching me more than I'm teaching him.''

Despite having only Star Of Octagonal and Seebourn in her care, Bennett admits to being "time poor'' — but with good reason.

Bennett is also a qualified accountant and works full-time in the mining industry.

"My friends are always into me about never having any (spare) time,'' Bennett said.

"But I don't know what I would do if I had time, I'm just so busy.

"I always say racing is like a disease - once it is in your veins you can't get away from it.''

So, why has Bennett decided to juggle a full-time accountancy career with such a costly and time-consuming hobby as racehorse training?

She says her natural affinity with horses combined with a growing interest and understanding of racing has fuelled her ambitions.

"My husband James's grandfather, Kevin Hewitt, used to train at Singleton,'' she revealed.

"Before he passed away, I used to love going to the races with him. It has sort of grown from there.''

The trainer's day starts well before sunrise and usually includes a 40-minute drive to Cessnock racetrack where she puts Star Of Octagonal and Seebourn through their paces at trackwork.

Bennett then returns to her Singleton property where her two gallopers are placed in spacious paddocks before she leaves to start her ``day job'' at 8am.

"They are in a big yard, not in stables every day, they are out on the grass and get to be 'horses' — they love it,'' she added.

Star Of Octagonal, a rising eight-year-old with a race career punctuated by injury, also has a remarkable story.

The trainer's mother, Leanne Moore had a dream that she raced a son of 10-time Group 1 winner, champion Octagonal.

Moore's dream also provided her with a name for the horse — Star Of Octagonal.

At the 2008 Scone Yearling sales, Leanne Moore watched an Octagonal yearling walk into the ring and excitedly turned to her husband, Phil, and said: "That's the one.''

The Moore's secured the yearling they would name Star Of Octagonal for just $22,000

In a 27-start career so far, Star Of Octagonal has won five races (with eight placings) and earned more than $800,000 prizemoney.

Bennett was given Star Of Octagonal to train earlier this year and the gelding has had two starts for her, finishing last of seven behind Hot Snitzel in the Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick last month before another seventh placing in the 10-horse Luskin Star Stakes at the Scone stand-alone meeting two weeks ago.

Star Of Octagonal showed signs of ``ring rust'' in his first two starts back after a long break from racing but the veteran sprinter, winner of the 2010 Scone Guineas and 2012 Rowley Mile, is slowly regaining form and fitness.

"The track was too wet for him at Randwick but he had to have a start,'' Bennett said.

"I thought he hit the line quite well at Scone when obviously it was not his ideal distance.

"We are happy with him at home and he's working well on the track.

"We just don't want a wet track (tomorrow) because he doesn't handle those conditions.

"I always say to Dad we should charge an appearance fee to send him out west when we need rain.''

Bennett said Star Of Octagonal retains all the zest and enthusiasm for racing and training that you would find in a two-year-old.

"For a trainer, Star Of Octagonal is easy to do anything with because he loves what he does,'' Bennett said.

"He is part of the family now, he is s such a sweet `boy', he has the kindest nature.

"His eyes light up when you take him to the track and when I go to get him from the paddock every day, he is waiting at the gate for you.''

The trainer said the racing industry fosters a spirit of goodwill and appreciation from her colleagues.

When Seebourn, a three-year-old gelding by Sebring, scored in his maiden at Gunnedah on May 11, Bennett was swamped by well-wishers.

"There were jockeys and people I didn't even know coming up and congratulating me, saying well done,'' she said.

"I don't think you would get that in every sport.

"Everyone in this industry wants to help you, it is such a good environment — racing is like a little family.''

Bennett knows she is up against it tomorrow with Star Of Octagonal. The odds are against her.

But she is just starting her training career and success doesn't happen overnight. It took Chris Waller a decade of hard work to be in the position he is today as Australia's champion trainer.

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Stosur confident before Cibulkova clash

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SAMANTHA Stosur has every right to feel confident going into her French Open clash with Dominika Cibulkova.

A 4-0 win-loss record, including a straight-sets win in Madrid earlier this month, says a lot in the Australian's favour.

That's before you even look at Stosur's kick-serve and heavy topspin forehand that work beautifully on clay and have troubled the diminutive Slovakian so much in the past.

Then there's Stosur's two clinical performances in the first two rounds in Paris.

The No. 19 seed, who also beat 161cm Cibulkova at Roland Garros in 2012, was aware she would be the hunted rather than the hunter in tonight's third-round match, so she plans to make her opponent squirm.

"For sure I'm going to be confident going into that match, and I know what's worked in the past and what I will have to do," Stosur said.

"But I know when I've never beaten somebody you certainly go out there wanting to win. If you have lost, what, four matches or whatever, maybe it's time to try something different.

"So I will certainly have to be aware of what she's going to come out and try and do and really be smart at the start. I'm going to go out there and think about my tennis and do what I know she feels uncomfortable with."

The equation is not as simple as it sounds.

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Cibulkova sits at a career-high ranking of 10th in a breakthrough year.

She followed her runner-up performance at the Australian Open with a title in Acapulco, quarter-final at Indian Wells, semi-final in Miami and final in Kuala Lumpur — all on hard courts.

She failed to make the second round in her two clay court warm-ups but has been untroubled in her two matches at Roland Garros so far.

"She's having a good year," Stosur said.

"I know what she's capable of. It's matter of me not allowing her to play the way she likes to."

Cibulkova said she was a more confident player than the one who met Stosur in Paris two years ago and it was "a little bit different story this year".

"After getting into the top 10 this year, having such a good result, feeling that if I'm playing my best tennis I can beat anybody," Cibulkova said.

"She's a tough opponent for me but I think one day I feel like I have to beat her.

"I'll decide with my coach what I have to do now. Obviously I have to do something new because what I was doing wasn't working."

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Betts: My enormous debt to footy

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ADELAIDE forward Eddie Betts has told how he would never have held cherished son Lewis or escaped life in trouble town without the power of love, AFL and idol Andrew McLeod.

Quiet contemplation ahead of AFL's indigenous round and 200-game milestone saw Betts recall his rise from illiterate, wayward youngster to champion for a people he will never give up on.

Betts, 27, will confront Gold Coast Suns this Sunday as respected role model - a poignant and unforeseen feat when trashing his talent as wild child 15-year-old in Port Lincoln.

SCROLL DOWN: EDDIE WANTS TO STAMP OUT RACISM

"If I didn't play AFL I don't know what I would be doing. To tell the truth I wouldn't have my beautiful son, fiance and a house that is almost paid off in Melbourne," said Betts, engaged to partner Anna Scullie and devoted father to 19-month old Lewis.

"I am so lucky to have to have had the career and opportunities that I have had."

Betts and his band of brothers would skirt around a tuna town with more tycoons per capita than anywhere in Australia with drink, drugs and junk food ever present. Education was a distant thought.

Eddie Betts celebrates a goal against former club Carlton. Picture: Michael Dodge.

Betts was closer to skid row than the millionaire variety in Port Lincoln. There was a fine line between AFL stardom and collision course with the law.

Cut to the core when he visits communities ravaged by alcohol and drug abuse, Betts instantly relives the danger and emptiness felt as a teenager on a road to nowhere.

"It does sadden me and to be completely honest I was one of those kids. Growing up I was into that stuff and Mum shifted me away. That was the step I made, shifted away from all that," said Betts whose childhood was split between Eyre Peninsula and Kalgoorlie

It is well documented that a 'mother' of all interventions from Cindy Sambo saw her son Eddie uprooted to Melbourne - joining Phil Krakouer's indigenous AFL TAFE academy in 2003.

"Every week, every day I thank what she did for me, got away from that environment," said 193-game veteran Betts.

Sanctuary was famously found in Krakouer's landmark program that fast tracked talented juniors from across the nation into Victoria's under-18 competition - leaving them AFL draft ready.

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It took real gumption to shake homesickness in Melbourne for Betts.

Even in the darkest days, ambition to emulate dual Adelaide premiership midfielder McLeod motivated Betts. Dual Norm Smith medallist McLeod's influence continues to this day.

"I grew up as a Crows supporter in Port Lincoln and looked up to Andrew McLeod, he was my role model and still my idol," said Betts, who joined Adelaide this season from Carlton in a $2 million, four-year deal.

"He gave me that drive to play footy, make my dreams come true.

"Now I am getting into the APY lands initiative which Andy runs to mentor young leaders there. I will be proud to wear his guernsey design in the indigenous round which is probably the best one around."

Breaking the chain of poor life choices in remote communities is complicated further by family bonds that typically mean staying together for better or worse.

"I was born in Port Lincoln but my parents broke up when I was little. I shifted back to Western Australia with my Mum, we were living in a three-bedroom house with 18 children," recalled Betts.

"You get that tight bond with all your first cousins, they are like brothers.

"So many of them could play AFL but it is hard to leave that environment."

Crucially, Betts also puts the onus on indigenous youth to be brave in the fight to beat disadvantage.

"When I got drafted I didn't know how to read or write, what I was doing. You have to get out of your comfort zone, go to school then chase your dreams," said Betts, now a part time primary school teacher who has pursued years of self-driven study.

Success does require ongoing vigilance as Betts was reminded after an end of season player function at Carlton in 2009.

"We had trained all year, weren't allowed to drink. The boys put on a little thing and it got a bit out of hand. From then onwards I had to switch on a little better, turn my life around," said Betts who redoubled his approach to fitness in a bid for career longevity.

"I am glad it happened as it made me a stronger person."

The inaugural member of his family to own a house, Betts has now new goals on the horizon.

"It is always someone's dream to play one AFL game let along as much as I have," said Betts.

"It is a great achievement from where I came from. Hopefully I can continue on and get a premiership before I finish my footy.

"I would love to get into coaching when I retire as well."

Eddie Betts has become a mentor for first-year Crows player Charlie Cameron. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

EDDIE'S LEADING THE WAY FOR INDIGENOUS TEAMMATES

FOR every indigenous footballer that makes it - more are spat out of the AFL system - unable to adjust culturally or deal with the heartache of leaving close family and spiritual environments.

Adelaide star Eddie Betts is attempting to make a difference and keep Aboriginal AFL representation at 10 per cent - becoming a father figure to young stars from Carlton gun Chris Yarran to Crows rookie sensation Charlie Cameron.

"I try to go out of my way to make sure they don't get homesick, look after them," said Betts, who like Cameron, cut his teeth playing football in Kalgoorlie.

"It is fantastic, I love doing it, gives guys a longer opportunity to stay in the AFL system.

"It has been great taking Charlie into our house, we are always there to talk to."

Betts, 27, concedes he was saved from himself when Carlton offered salvage from AFL's last chance saloon through the 2005 pre-season draft.

However Melbourne's Liam Jurrah was a fish out of water away from his clan before finishing on the wrong side of the law in Alice Springs.

Dale Garlett, 20, would quit premier Hawthorn in March - simply disliking the routine of AFL and tyranny of distance from family in WA.

"It is a bit sad about Liam," lamented 193-game goal-sneak Betts.

"He had Aaron Davey at Melbourne who was a great role model but English was his third language, he came from a remote environment. He was a very shy kid. Things didn't turn out, it can go either way.

"Dale got homesick, went back to family. It's about making that next step of training hard, playing good footy and living away from home.

"It is that hard choice."

"There are still people out there who are racist," Eddie Betts says. Picture: Michael Dodge. Source: Getty Images

EDDIE WANTS TO STAMP OUT RACISM

EDDIE Betts has spoken of his remarkable u-turn from troubled youth to 200-game indigenous hero - now determined to smash the scourge of racism and disadvantage in our time.

The indigenous round is synonymous with several flashpoints. St Kilda half-forward Nicky Winmar's pointed to his skin after being racially vilified by Collingwood cheer squad members in 1993.

Adelaide forward Betts, 27, faithfully hoped racist incidents at AFL venues were dead and buried - a relic of the past by his retirement.

Yet, Sydney champion and Australian of the year Adam Goodes has been the victim of two racial slurs inside a year by Collingwood and Essendon fans.

"We have to close the gap on racism," said Betts, noting the hurt caused to Goodes after being labelled an ape by spectators.

"There's still people out there that are racist. We thought it stopped last year with the Goodes incident and it is still occurring.

"Goodesy says racism must be stamped out to the end, we have to educate. All we want to do is cut out racism from the game."

Betts cites AFL and its indigenous round as a healing agent - unique on the sporting and political landscape.

"The Michael Long walk for the traditional Richmond v Essendon clash is getting bigger every year. It gives more insight on our culture and background," said Betts, engaged to partner Anna Scullie and devoted father to 19-month old Lewis.

"It's strange as I never experienced racism in nine years at Carlton and played against Collingwood twice a year but it just takes one person to paint a whole section."

Betts also put the onus on indigenous youth to be brave in the fight to beat disadvantage. Betts urges children to finish schooling in his visits to remote APY lands communities with Adelaide great and idol Andrew McLeod.

"I think you have to get out of your comfort zone, go to school then chase your dreams," said Betts, who mentors rising Carlton duo Chris Yarran, Jeff Garlett and Crows rookie revelation Charlie Cameron.

Betts notes he faced the curse of alcohol and drugs aged 15 in Port Lincoln if his mother hadn't moved him to former North Melbourne rover Phil Krakouer's TAFE footy program in Melbourne during 2003.

"To tell the truth I wouldn't have my beautiful son, fiance and a house. If I didn't play AFL I don't know what I would be doing," he said.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wounded Morris makes miracle try-saver

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BRETT Morris entered State of Origin folklore on Wednesday night, pulling-off a match-saving tackle on Darius Boyd with a dislocated shoulder that he'd carried for almost an hour.

Morris's heroic effort to hold-up Boyd in the 74th minute was the epitome of what coach Laurie Daley described as the most courageous display he'd been associated with.

HEROIC BLUES CLAIM GAME 1 VICTORY

Brett Morris of the Blues tackles Darius Boyd of the Maroons on the try line. Source: Getty Images

With no outside backs on the bench, Morris was forced to soldier on in agony after dislocating the joint while touching down for NSW's opening try in the 19th minute.

But that was only the start of the carnage.

The Blues also lost back rower Anthony Watmough to a torn bicep and centre Josh Morris to a posterior ligament tear in his knee, with both players now in grave doubt to be fit for Origin II in Sydney.

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Paul Gallen of NSW down injured. Source: News Corp Australia

Skipper Paul Gallen will also require scans after aggravating a long-standing neck injury, after being struck unsighted by nemesis Josh Papalii early in the second half.

But the brave heart award belonged to Brett Morris, who was already hurting mentally after Boyd beat him on the outside to open Queensland's account in just the fourth minute.

GET ALL THE MATCH STATS IN THE ORIGIN MATCH CENTRE

Brett Morris injures his shoulder while scoring his try. Source: News Corp Australia

His own try and a pain-killing injection at halftime helped numb the pain, but there more agony when Boyd scored his 14th Origin try - taking him to just one behind Greg Inglis in the record books - with 23 minutes left.

With Queensland rattling home, the Maroons again looked for their trusty left hand edge to snatch the game as the clock ticked down.

RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION IN OUR LIVE BLOG

Brett Morris of the Blues is taken from the field injured. Source: Getty Images

Deja vu beckoned when Boyd charged for the corner. But despite his obvious agony, Morris someone got his body between Boyd and the turf to give NSW some desperately needed breathing space.

"It didn't feel the greatest but you've just got top put your body on the line," Morris said.

"He got on the outside of me and he wasn't going to do that again.

STATE OF ORIGIN GALLERY

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"You just don't want to let your team mates down. We don't carry a winger on the bench and the adrenalin carried me through.

"I was filthy about Darius scoring those tries, so it was good to get him and a great way to finish the match."

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Luke Lewis completed the game on Morris's inside shoulder, after his twin brother limped off midway through the second half.

Watmough was also forced to leave, and later revealed he'd been carrying a partially torn left bicep for most of the season.

An injured Anthony Watmough of the Blues holds his arm. Source: Getty Images

Despite fully tearing the muscle, Watmough was still bullish about his chances of being fit for Origin II - and perhaps even making it on to the same field for Manly's clash against Brisbane on Sunday.

"Hopefully I'll be right for this weekend," he said.

"We'll let the swelling go down and see what happens.

"I'd been playing with it partially torn all year and we were waiting for her to go and she went tonight.

"It's just about getting the strength back into it.

"I can deal with the pain."

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‘I’ve never been more frightened’

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BRENT Tate says he feared he would become the next Alex McKinnon after he was hurled upside down into the Suncorp Stadium turf.

In a stinging attack, Tate called for the NRL to crack down on lifting tackles.

QUEENSLAND BLUE AS CRONK BREAKS ARM

Brent Tate is picked up in the tackle by Josh Reynolds and Beau Scott. Source: Getty Images

Josh Reynolds is set to miss Game Two for the ugly incident that cartwheeled Tate in the first half of Wednesday night's 100th Origin.

Reynolds was late last night charged with a grade two dangerous throw, which carries a two-week ban even with an early guilty plea.

CRACKS APPEAR AS MAROONS DROWNED IN EPIC

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It will be three weeks on the sidelines if he contests and loses. Beau Scott, who dragged down on Tate's upper body, was charged with a grade one dangerous throw.

He will not miss a game if he takes an early plea.

"I have never been more frightened in all my life," Tate said.

"My legs were shaking for the next 10 minutes after that.

RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM GAME ONE IN OUR BLOG

Brent Tate gets treatment. Source: News Corp Australia

"If we are serious about trying to stamp this out they will crack down on it.

"I was legitimately shaken up about it. I didn't know where I was.

"I had my family here. The last thing they want to be doing is sitting next to a hospital bed like an Alex McKinnon situation.

"You can't have it in our game. It has to stop."

Josh Reynolds tackles Brent Tate and gets put on report. Source: News Corp Australia

The Blues are already protesting, with Paul Gallen adamant it was a penalty only because Tate landed on his back. "He landed on flat on his back," Gallen said in the press conference before the charge was revealed.

"He got him in a dangerous position so it was a penalty but he landed on his back."

The tackle thankfully ended with Tate only being dazed but it could have been damaging as the winger flew upside down.

MATCH CENTRE: GAME DETAILS AND STATS

Josh Reynolds tackles Brent Tate and gets put on report. Source: News Corp Australia

The incident threatened to provoke an all-in brawl with the Maroons filthy at the tackle putting Tate's safety in danger.

"I think that's the case whenever your teammate gets tipped up and put in that position," Smith said of the melee.

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Maroon blow as Cronk breaks arm

Cooper Cronk watches from the sidelines Source: Supplied

THERE was no perfect whole for Cooper Cronk, only a hole in Queensland's playmaking ranks.

There was no pristine outer body experience, when every sinew of his body aligned like jackpot symbols on a Vegas poker machine.

Instead the fibres, tissue and bones in his left forearm went bust in a moment of terrifying inner conflict.

And so too did Queensland's extraordinary run of keeping their brains trust intact.

Only the most deluded Blues fan would dare to seriously argue that luck with injury has played a role in their eight-year drought.

ROTHFIELD: PAPALII SHOT A COWARD ACT

LIVE MATCH CENTRE: GAME DETAILS AND STATS

PLAYER RATINGS: STUDS AND DUDS

Cooper Cronk goes for assessment in the sheds. Source: News Corp Australia

But then again, Queensland has never been presented with such an emergency since the shield became permanently entrenched in Brisbane from 2006 onwards.

That finally changed in the 10th minute of Wednesday night's breathtaking series opener, when Cronk reeled from a three-man tackle on NSW back-rower Ryan Hoffman.

What appeared to be a regulation play quickly changed into something that could disrupt nearly a decade's worth of standard transmission.

Phil Rothfield and Paul Crawley discuss players, tactics and controversy following NSW 12-8 win over QLD.

Cronk immediately looked to the bench; the snapped arm curled in agony around his mid-rift. Within a minute he was rushed up the tunnel and in to the home sheds, the doors slammed shut to prevent Channel Nine cameras from capturing the raw emotion that would have greeted the low point of Cronk's career.

Cooper Cronk has his arm assessed by medical staff. Source: Supplied

Less than two years earlier, he straddled the other end of the spectrum after booting a 40-metre field goal to claim the 2012 series in its final minute of normal play.

It took nearly 12 months for Cronk to explain how he felt, but his extraordinary summation was worth the wait.

"I was in a state of grace that particular moment," he said. "Every sinew of my body came together in a perfect whole."

On Wednesday night it was the opposite. For Cronk, and for Queensland.

Replacement Maroons half Daly Cherry-Evans has been strongly pushed to immediately succeed The Australian No. 7 at all levels of representative football.

Wednesday night's evidence exposed that campaign for not putting enough currency of the strength of Queensland's key combinations.

Cooper Cronk reels in pain. Source: News Corp Australia

Since Cronk took over from Darren Lockyer in 2012, he had played every minute of the ensuing six Origin games. So too has hooker Cameron Smith. So too has five eighth Johnathan Thurston.

Billy Slater missed the decider that forged Cronk's legacy, but has completed all of the other five matches.

Coaches all agree that continuity is vital to controlling Origin matches, let alone dynasties. As NSW desperately chopped and changed their most vital personnel in search of a break through, Queensland have reclined in their banana chairs and rolled out teams by rote.

The peel finally dropped in their path, condemning Cronk to the coach's box before full time. Although Queensland staged their customary comeback, his fellow occupants could not quite engineer another miracle escape.

Cooper Cronk nurses his injured arm on the sideline. Source: News Corp Australia

Cherry-Evans didn't appear to come to grips with his responsibility until late in the match, leaving Queensland to rely over and over again on their money play — the left-hand sweep to Inglis. The fact Smith battled on through an ankle injury suffered early in the second half, didn't make his task any easier.

He finished the match limping in the final minute, a fitting image of the sudden turn for the worse that Queensland's fortunes had struck on Wednesday night.

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Cracks appear as Maroons downed in epic

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QUEENSLAND's record dynasty is one loss away from crumbling after halfback Cooper Cronk's broken arm personified the cracks in the Maroons' Origin campaign.

In a superb interstate heart-stopper at Suncorp Stadium, the brave Blues stunned a pro-Maroons crowd of 52,111 with an epic 12-8 boilover in Origin's 100th match.

If NSW coach Laurie Daley's troops can clinch victory in the return bout in Sydney on June 18, Queensland's remarkable eight-year reign will be officially over.

ORIGIN PLAYER RATINGS

MATCH CENTRE: GAME DETAILS AND STATS

Brent Tate caught in a dangerous tackle. Picture: Josh Woning Source: News Corp Australia

Greg Inglis fumes. Source: Getty Images

Thousands of Queenslanders flocked to Suncorp on a night where the Maroons were expected to pay homage to their late, great pioneer Arthur Beetson.

But not even the spirit of Artie could inspire the Maroons as the loss of Cronk in the 10th minute underscored Queensland's night of misery.

Down 4-0 early, the Blues bolted to a 12-4 half-time lead and withstood a ferocious Queensland fightback in the dying minutes to stun the Maroons.

Jarryd Hayne and Anthony Watmough celebrate. Source: Getty Images

Without Cronk, coach Mal Meninga turned to Daly Cherry-Evans, but the Maroons lacked the cohesion and execution that has been a trademark of their ruthless reign.

When the full-time siren sounded, Blues players embraced like they had won the grand final. The Maroons must now regroup quickly as Cherry-Evans prepares to give Queensland a view of the future when he wears the No.7 jumper in game two.

Darius Boyd (R) scores one of two tries. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

Darius Boyd scores. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

Maroons fullback Billy Slater was easily Queensland's best player, but not even a double from Darius Boyd could get his side home.

"That was tough, it was very disappointing," Slater said.

"To go down by four points was tough but that's Origin."

Paul Gallen down injured. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

Queensland's pre-match preparation is certain to be put under the microscope following the performance.

There was a school of thought Meninga's troops were too relaxed in Camp Maroon. While the Blues applied a forensic edge with sleep monitors and saliva testing, the Maroons trained just once in a 72-hour period between Thursday and Saturday.

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When Queensland embarked on a tour of Dreamworld on Monday night, NSW were entitled to think the cocky Maroons were treating Origin like a fun-park joyride.

On match eve, Meninga spoke about the perils of a poor start after Queensland were beaten to the punch in game one last year.

Brett Morris down injured. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Corp Australia

Brett Morris crosses for a try. Source: Getty Images

The Maroons played up tempo from the outset, needing just three minutes to penetrate the Blues when Chris McQueen brushed off a feeble Beau Scott attempt.

It seemed a familiar Origin theme for the best part of the past decade. The Blues vulnerable. The Queensland juggernaut full of verve. And when Boyd slithered over in the corner for his 13th Origin try from a scrum win, it felt like Groundhog Day at Suncorp.

Then something strange happened. For once, the Maroons machine needed a mid-match grease-and-oil change.

For the past eight campaigns, the Thurston, Cronk and Cameron Smith troika has been impervious to injury. But when Cronk collided with Ryan Hoffman, shattering his arm, Cherry-Evans was pitchforked into halfback in a forced reshuffle.

It was a glimpse of Queensland's future. But in the present, NSW held their nerve and slowly, almost imperceptibly, turned the Maroon tide, finding an X-factor in Hayne.

Jarryd Hayne was the NSW x-factor. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

The second half was classic Origin. It was blow-for-blow, high-octane football built on courage and effort. In the end, it came down to belief ... and finally NSW appear to have it.

NSW BLUES 12 (Brett Morris, Jarryd Hayne tries, Trent Hodkinson 2/4 goals), QUEENSLAND MAROONS 8 (Darius Boyd 2 tries, Johnathan Thurston 0/2 goals)

See how we covered the game live.

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Jumps industry facing more scrutiny

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THE troubled jumps industry has hit another obstacle with four planned hurdles races at Moe in July and August being replaced with flat races.

Problems with the Moe track which was deemed unsuitable for jumps races, led to two jumps races being moved from the country track to last week's midweek Sandown meeting when steeplechaser Show Dancer was involved in a fatal fall.

Two jumps races scheduled for Moe on September 6 will be run at Warrnambool's September 8 meeting and two jumps races at Moe on September 20 will now on Bendigo's September 24 meeting.

Racing Victoria said there were no suitable venues for the July and August jumps races, but said it would divide extra jumps races during that period if there was enough demand.

***

LEADING Hong Kong trainer, the Australian born John Moore has mapped out an ambitious travelling and quarantine plan for his last start Singapore Airlines International Cup winner Dan Excel who will contest the Cox Plate.

He plans to fly the gelding to Sydney in the next few weeks to acclimatise to the Australian conditions.

Martin Kelly riding Show Dancer crashes through the steeple jump and falls to the ground. Source: Getty Images

THE odds-on favourite for Saturday's Group 1 $400,000 Queensland Oaks _ Arabian Gold _ is in doubt for the race after suffering a hoof injury.

Trainer David Vandyke said he wouldn't know for the next 24 to 48 hours whether she would run after a trodding on a shoe which she twisted in track work.

The shoe was removed and although she lost a bit of the wall of the hoof, she wasn't lame.

Vandyke bandaged the hoof and sent her out to work without any problems.

He is confident she will be okay.

***

THREE meetings programmed for Ballarat in July, August and October will be transferred to ensure the newly resurfaced track is not overused when racing returns to the track on Sunday.

In order to reduce the workload on the Ballarat track, the July 3 and August 28 meetings have been transferred to Cranbourne and the October 1 meeting to Sale.

Work at Ballarat included the resurfacing and reshaping the track and the removal of the dip.

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Unruffled Ange sticking to plan

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AFTER a brief but thorough preparation and a routine skirmish, the Socceroos board the plane today.

To go to the World Cup in Brazil. Not, as you might assume from the air of gloom that has settled over the team, to fly a combat mission over Pyongyang. Before the Socceroos' bags had hit the luggage carousel, even the game's most ebullient character Mark Bosnich — a man who can see the good side to amoebic dysentery — was hoping they "don't get scarred'' in Brazil.

That is the measure of how greatly one substandard hour against a ­second-string South African team had damaged the already fragile confidence of sceptical critics and a nervous public in an untested line-up.

Since the Socceroos' Serena Williams defeats to Brazil and France — 6-0 6-0 — prompted the sacking of coach Holger Osieck, the appointment of the savvy Ange Postecoglou and the overdue regeneration of the Socceroos has provided reassurance.

Now, however, stark reality. Chile, The Netherlands, Spain. Suddenly Socceroos fans are waking up from nightmares in which they turn up to a stadium in Curitiba or Porto Alegre wearing only their green and gold scarves.

The tone of the media's questions after Monday night's game and at yesterday's final team announcement left Postecoglou in no doubt about the air of trepidation, even sudden mistrust, surrounding his team. He was entitled to bristle when one reporter challenged him about his promise that the Socceroos would excite after the discordant performance against South Africa.

"I didn't say after one game,'' Postecoglou replied evenly. "I said after the World Cup.''

To his credit he has neither raised expectations nor shirked the challenge in Brazil. He has maintained he would strive to maintain high standards and have his team play attractive football from the very start of a devilishly difficult rebuild. But even this causes sleepless nights for some experts. Aren't the Socceroos courting disaster by trying to take the game to the world's best? Should they not park a fleet of buses like the heroically undefeated New Zealanders in South Africa?

Postecoglou, however, is not in the business of reassuring the doubters. If you did not accept his word that the Socceroos were tired after an arduous training block on Monday night and would learn from their moments of over-exuberance and ill-discipline, that's your problem.

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"We'll stick the course,'' he said with reassuring bluntness.

What Postecoglou — or no one else — can provide is a realistic expectation for this newly assembled and partly experimental Socceroos team. Untold glory? Face-saving respectability? A win? A point? A goal?

Inevitably it could we be the emergence of a few promising individuals rather than the team performance that is the highlight. A confident ­second-half cameo by Ben Halloran on Monday was something to excite the purists, but not necessarily energise the once-every-four-year fan.

"The only time that is important to me is when we play Chile,'' Postecoglou said when asked for a progress report. ''That will give me an assessment of where we are at.''

The upside? If 2006 was a dream fulfilled and 2010 was a rude awakening, the doomsday forecasts for 2014 will make any accomplishment small or great the more precious.

The Socceroos have, at least, packed their lucky charm. The most pessimistic cite the enduring presence of the 34-year-old Tim Cahill as Australia's main strike weapon as a cause for concern. Surely the next Cahill should have emerged. But, yet again, Cahill's boundless energy and defiance were evident in the first 20 minutes against South Africa. He jumped, he scored, he celebrated with passion.

"I'm buzzing,'' he said. "I can't wait. Maybe the fans are used to it (Australian being in the World Cup). Maybe the media are used to it. You probably need to blow it up a bit more for us.''

Even if Cahill is mistaking the press for publicists, you can see his point. Enthusiasm cannot be faked, but it can be created with the type of effort he puts into the game. It can also be infectious. Then there is the leadership of new captain Mile Jedinak, and the calm organisational skills of Mark Bresciano. Both tested at the highest level. And, for those who can't be shaken from their gloom, the Socceroos will at least have lulled Chile, The Netherlands and Spain into a sense of security. Real or false? That's why they play the games.

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