THE frailty of favourites was emphasised by Miss Andretti and Weekend Hussler on Saturday. On paper both were bank-teller's dreams - put in for a short time and take out for a good dividend - but turf proved a different proposition. Miss Andretti, a world-class sprinter, floundered in the Morphettville mud to go down at $1.40 in the Sangster Stakes while Weekend Hussler produced more of a scenario for heart attacks than quick, painless profit. The three-year-old won the Randwick Guineas by the barest margin. With Miss Andretti, jockey Craig Newitt was the fall guy. "That was a strange ride," Anthony Freedman, the assistant trainer, told The Sunday Age. "It was clear the fence was a no-go zone but he went there." To which Newitt responded: "She had just had enough by the 200-metre mark and I couldn't help getting into the inside section because that's where she wanted to roll into. But she had every chance - maybe she's just a bit tired." The hectic week was given as the major factor in Weekend Hussler's hassle. Yet despite abrasions to his hind legs before the Randwick Guineas, connections and Racing NSW vet Dr Craig Suann felt he was 100 per cent. Weekend Hussler firmed from $1.70 to a $1.65. Betfair business on Weekend Hussler was brisk getting to $450,000 with the majority exchanged at $1.77, $1.78 with the best price offered $1.82. Possibly Weekend Hussler was outside his comfort zone going the Sydney way and the success of his autumn could hinge on him adapting.

FURIOUS FINISH: Nash Rawiller rides a finish like a hip-hop dancer on speed. Certainly his body tempo was at its peak on Triple Honour in Saturday's Randwick Guineas. Rawiller admits he is "not a pretty jockey" but he is very effective. Beauty, in the saddle, is being at the winning post in front but Rawiller is nowhere near the classic style of Peter Cook or even Darren Beadman. In fact Jim Cassidy, with his pumping, is closer to Nureyev. Incidentally, Rawiller had his critics over the wide running of Royal Discretion, fifth in the Strada Stakes. Stewards reported he was instructed to find cover from an outside gate but couldn't. Actually he gave stipes the impression he was under "threat of death" if he led. How much faulty navigation can be put down to bum instructions?

SECOND-UP SYNDROME: Randwick on guineas day felt the brunt of a back-up Saturday. The crowd, 8300, was well down on the Easter Saturday despite what should have been a major drawcard in Weekend Hussler. Still Pat Parker, the former Sydney Turf Club chief executive, always maintained the second Saturday usually doesn't have the same crowd appeal despite the quality of equine action. The 1996 Rosehill Guineas promised to be one of the great races between Octagonal, Saintly and Nothin' Leica Dane and that's how it turned out, but before a lesser crowd than Rosehill seven days earlier which had less to recommend it. Also the Randwick surface on Saturday was hardly as fair as on Chipping Norton day, despite both being listed as a dead four.

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE: The control of the industry should remain with the incumbent Racing NSW board, according to Bill Rutledge, contrary to my opinion. But Rutledge is one of the most experienced and respected administrators. He has been chairman of the Australian Jockey Club, Racing NSW and was on the committee of the AJC for 15 years when racing was controlled by the club better in many ways than it is now. Rutledge is not a Racing NSW lackey and opposed its policy on TVN. "Racing NSW has done a very good job in most difficult circumstances over the last six months and the industry is going to need its experience and expertise in testing times ahead," he said. Obviously the form of some mentioned in the takeover bid doesn't impress him.

HORSE TO FOLLOW: All Silent indicated with his third at Randwick last Monday that he can be placed to advantage.

DISAPPOINTING: Hashasan, a $4.80 chance, finished last in Saturday's Skyline Stakes at Randwick.