A conversation inside a corporate suite at a National Rugby League game "is being blamed for the Gai Waterhouse-John Singleton feud that has rocked Sydney's racing establishment," according to Rothfield & Thomas of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. It was a comment from rugby league immortal Andrew Johns during last Friday night's Souths-Manly blockbuster "that has destroyed one of racing's tightest friendships."
Johns was among almost 200 guests, including his close friend, brothel Owner Eddie Hayson, in the Heritage Lounge at Brookvale Oval.
The comment "was relayed to former jockey Allan Robinson, who phoned Singleton late on Saturday morning to allege all was not right with his champion mare More Joyous, which was trained by Waterhouse" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 5/1). In Sydney, Michael Lynch reported Waterhouse watchers "had a field day" at Warrnambool on Tuesday as the "first lady of racing" entertained a capacity crowd of the town's women at what was billed as a 'ladies-only lunch' at the racetrack." Every remark she uttered at the lunch "was analysed for its significance in the midst of the More Joyous brouhaha." Waterhouse said, "Put your head down, keep your bum up, keep your mouth shut and that's the key to success" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 5/1).
