For over a decade, Patrick Cripps could not have done more to lift his Carlton mates to glory in September. It turns out the Blues captain has also been integral to some of them chasing their dreams in October and November.
Unlike his feats on the football field, Cripps is an unwitting contributor in this tale of the turf, which starts before he was even born, takes a twist at a hotel bar in Bali two years ago and is set for its climax at Flemington.
Cripps is one of several current and former Blues in the Baggers Naggers syndicate, managed by former Carlton assistant coach John Barker, that has a share in leading Cox Plate contender Birdman.
Also in the ownership are former captains Chris Judd, Marc Murphy and Sam Docherty, Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering, Will Setterfield and Paddy Dow.
Cripps is also part of a smaller Baggers Five syndicate with Walsh, Judd, Murphy, and Barker which recently bought a share in English raider James J Braddock, the fourth favourite for the Melbourne Cup.
The story behind Cripps’ involvement in this spring carnival has its origins in the early 1990s when Barker and Ozzie Kheir were two promising footballers at the defunct St Joseph’s College in North Melbourne.
Their lives headed down different paths. Kheir was in year 11 but, Barker said, already the best footballer at the school with his aggression and silky skills.
Barker carved out a solid 168-game AFL career for Hawthorn, where he was a cult hero, the Brisbane Lions and Fitzroy and became a highly respected assistant coach. Kheir never made it to the AFL.
“I was a colt that needed to be gelded,” Kheir joked of his tendency to be distracted by “fast cars, parties and everything else that you shouldn’t be doing”.
He became highly successful in business, making his riches in property and becoming a prominent racehorse owner who has won the Australian turf’s three most famous races.
The pair reconnected while holidaying separately in Bali, brought together by their young sons – who, unbeknown to their fathers – had hit it off.
Barker had long been keen to race a horse with Kheir, having seen his success with stars like Cups winner Verry Elleegant, Cox Plate champion Sir Dragonet and Everest conqueror Yes Yes Yes. This chance meeting gave him a forum to find a way in.
“Over a few cocktails, we just had a bit of a chat, and you know, I’d always admired him from afar in terms of his ability to get his hands on really good horses,” Barker recalled.
Several drinks later during their afternoon session at the hotel bar, Barker had still made little inroads. Kheir carefully chooses who he races his horses with. Their old school ties had not proven strong enough.
“I just asked him whether there were any opportunities in any of his horses or any syndications with horses, and he said it was a bit of a closed book,” Barker said.
Now was the time for Barker to pull out his trump card. He knew Kheir was a massive Blues fan – and Barker had strong connections at Carlton. He had been a Blues assistant coach for 11 years, and the interim coach in 2015 for 14 games. Cripps, Judd and Murphy are among the modern-day Carlton royalty he has coached.
“Well, mate, I tell you what,” Barker said to Kheir. “I reckon there will be a few Carlton boys that would love to get into racehorse or two with you. And he said, ‘OK, like who?’
“‘I know Crippa would love to, and I think Juddy’s got his hands on a couple [of horses], Marc Murphy, he loves strutting around racetracks. He probably loves it.’”
Barker had dropped names successfully in the past. Once, he asked a promoter to arrange tickets so he could watch the UFC in Sydney. To strengthen his case, Barker told his contact his former Hawks teammates Lance Franklin, Luke Hodge and Campbell Brown were also interested. It worked.
As each Carlton star was mentioned, Barker sensed a softening in Kheir’s stance.
“He goes, ‘Well, you know, I’ve got a couple that we’ve got our eyes on that I might be able to squeeze you guys into ...’”
One of those horses was a promising young stayer from Ireland by the name of Birdman, a leading fancy in the Cox Plate. In keeping with the Carlton theme, the ride with Birdman has not been smooth.
With wins over 2414 metres and 2615m as a three-year-old, Birdman was bought to be a Melbourne Cup horse, but early hopes were not high after uncompetitive runs under the new owners.
“I talked him up because I did like him, but his first performance was pretty average so I was a bit embarrassed,” Kheir said. “The boys probably though I stitched them up.”
Despite a respectable sixth in last year’s Caulfield Cup, Birdman was switched to middle distances. After a pair of group 2 wins during Melbourne’s autumn carnival this year, Birdman hit his straps in Brisbane, breaking through at the top level around the time the Blues started their charge under new coach Josh Fraser.
It was at this point when Kheir messaged the WhatsApp group, telling the Carlton crew they had a serious Cox Plate contender.
“Fair to say I had a couple of little whiskys that night just thinking and dreaming,” Barker said.
Carlton’s season was over by the preliminary final weekend, but Birdman strengthened his credentials, romping home to win another group 1, this time in the weight-for-age $1 million Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.
“You can feel the excitement building within the WhatsApp messages,” Barker said. “There’s a bit of fun, a bit of cheekiness going on in there. But the commentary around the Cox Plate and the what ifs has been super.”
Kingswood’s shock win in last week’s Caulfield Cup should lift the confidence in the camp. Birdman finished ahead of him a fortnight ago in a frenetically run Might And Power Stakes (2000m).
Cripps is due to fly in from Perth on Friday for the race but Docherty is on a golf trip with his close friend, the social media identity Dan Gorringe. Tension is building in the camp.
“We’ll be a little bit more cognisant of the nerves, given that we can’t control anything,” Barker said.
“I know a few of the boys are very, very excited about this week, and I know Ozzie’s doing everything he can to make sure we’re all well and truly looked after on the day in terms of hospitality.
“Most of the boys are really, really grateful for it. And you have to pinch at yourself. We’ve got a Cox Plate runner who’s a live chance. It’s unbelievable.”
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