Not even Prime Minister Tony Abbott is immune from getting home truths from his parents.
Dick Abbott, who spent Saturday with his son at Royal Randwick, said that the country’s leader is the worst racing tipster in the world.
Tony Abbott visited the races with wife Margie, and his parents Dick and Fay, who are both keen racegoers.
His mother even had a tip for the big race - the Queen Elizabeth Stakes - in which Tom Berry, whose twin brother Nathan died earlier this month with Norse Syndrome, will ride Carlton House owned by the Queen.
Mr Abbott said: “The day is going fantastically well. I got about a 55-kilometre bike ride in this morning, now I can eat and drink to my heart’s content this afternoon.
"Racing has been a terrific part of mum and dad’s life over the years. This has been mum and dad’s recreation over the years. I first came to the Randwick track in the 1960s when I was a kid.
"Visits have been few and far between since then but it is nice to be back here to look at the new stand, see the new ground and obviously it has been magnificently redeveloped.
"Just occasionally it is nice to be able to give something back to your parents, nice to be able to spend time with your parents."
Asked if he was having a bet, he added: “I have sought advice and I have given $50 to my racing investment adviser and asked him to try and make sure he comes back with more than $50 - if he doesn’t that’s life at the track, isn’t it?
"I have a number of advisers, I’m not going to tell you who has got the $50."
Dick Abbott, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, said it was "very, very enjoyable" to be at the races with his son.
But asked if the Prime Minister had given him any tips, he said: "Tony would be the worst tipster in the world on racing."
The PM seemed to favour the Queen’s horse for the big race with prizemoney of $4 million.
"I guess you couldn’t have a better owner and you couldn’t have a better trainer [Gai Waterhouse]. I think the Queen’s horse would be a good bet this afternoon.”
His mother seemed more certain. "It’s a done deal. I think it might be a quinella race [where you pick the first and second which can come in in either order], the Queen’s horse, Carlton House, and It’s a Dundeel.”
Asked finally about his week which saw the resignation of NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, the Prime Minister added: “I guess this is a week of sad endings and happy beginnings.”
Radio presenter Alan Jones and former News Ltd chief executive John Hartigan joined the Abbott family for lunch of Alaskan king crab, grilled veal and poached pink snapper.
On the drinks menu was Veuve Clicquot, Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. But there was no Penfold’s Grange.
