Not every South African (er, Australian) is headed for Paris on Saturday.

Barry and Liz ClementsOne cause for distress concerning Mullins Bay’s participation in England’s Champion Stakes (Gr1) on Saturday, was none of us would be there to shout him home. Mike de Kock is mired at Summerhill with the rest of our gang, attending the Ready to Run gallops as a panelist, while it seemed our great mates (and partners), Barry and Liz Clements were stuck in Perth. Barry is a doctor, and it’s a call weekend.

But those that knew him when he ran the wing for Western Province and Natal, will remember he didn’t take long to find the gap when it opened!

Mullins Bay will not be parentless then, so let’s hope he’s not an orphan when they reach the business end of the race.