The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – February 4th Edition

The All Star Mile stirred up the racing industry once again, The Autumn Sun is back and Alizee stamped herself as a top class mare. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

All Star Mile Field Revealed

It’s caused plenty of conjecture since it was first announced, but the All Star Mile top 10 was revealed on Thursday and it received a mixed reception. On one hand, it’s well done to the syndicators who, for the most part, played by the rules and got a significant number of people to vote for their horse to get into the $5 Million race. Punting and racing fan hat on, for the worlds richest mile race on turf, we’ve got horses who are struggling at benchmark level, a horse who hasn’t won in over two years, and another who hasn’t started in near 18 months. Big ticks for Alizee, Grunt and Amphitrite getting in, plus the wildcard handed to Happy Clapper. But the race was designed so that Winx could get a farewell run in Melbourne. When that wasn’t happening, next best option was The Autumn Sun, and now with him next to no chance, the race has lost the majority its legs from a high class race perspective.

The Sun Rises In Hobartville

It wasn’t a flashy, brilliant win from The Autumn Sun first up in the Hobartville on Saturday at Rosehill, but it was outstanding all the same given the race wasn’t run to suit him, sitting back off a moderate gallop, and Vegadaze did get a picnic in front, but class came to the fore late and his late splits were some of the best of the day in winning and showing the racing world he’s back and it’ll take something very special to beat him in the Randwick Guineas and Rosehill Guineas.

Alizee Tough But Brilliant In Futurity

There were plenty of hard luck stories in the Futurity at Caulfield, but Alizee was wide no cover throughout and class got her home in the end. Bowman didn’t panic when caught wide, allowing her to relax in the run before creeping forward on the turn and keeping Brave Smash in a pocket before surging to the front and holding her rivals. Bunched finish is always a concern, with plenty of hard luck tales, but she’s the one to beat leading into the All Star Mile.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Arrogance undersells the win of Avilius in the Peter Young at Caulfield. Given a sweet steer by Bowman from gate one, the horse was always going to win and when the gaps appeared at the top of the straight, he lengthened beautifully and under not that hard riding, he surged clear and won with plenty in reserve. On current form, he’d be around a $1.50 chance for the Australian Cup. The unknowns are the Team Williams pair of Johannes Vermeer and Rekindling, the 2017 Melbourne Cup 1-2. They are potentially resuming in the race.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Thought Classique Legend had it all to himself after a stunning debut win on the Kensington track on Wednesday, sitting on speed before producing a beautiful stride when let down and won like a future blacktype winner. Visually very good and the time backed up the eye. He had it to himself until Pakenham on Thursday night when Jumbo Ozaki absolutely bolted in, sitting in the 1/1 before Allen eased him out and when let down, gee the turn of foot was impressive and he can certainly go onto better things than a Pakenham maiden.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Love a jockey that shows initiative from the outset and Billy Owen is rising up the ladder in the ranks as one of the best. He only had one intention on Flying Yankee from the wide gate on Friday at Canberra and that was to lead. The filly showed dazzling speed from the wide gate to lead comfortably and from there, it was a painless watch if you were on. Lovely ride from a jockey who is starting to get the quality rides he deserves for the form he’s in.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

The tactics aboard Aramayo were really strange in the Autumn Classic from Bowman. Could have peeled wider on the turn but instead stayed inside runners and probed for luck, losing momentum while those in front were off and gone. Horse ran well in defeat. But Brad Stewart on Teodora…goodness me. Horrendous watch if you were on. Should have bolted in but had no luck at a vital stage, losing severe momentum on the turn.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Caprera – Coming Highway winner with the right placement
All Too Soon – Good return from home, race like the Epona would be ideal
Shraaoh – Excellent return for a horse on the Sydney Cup path. Might need another run
I Am Serious – Forgive her from the Millie Fox. Clear air throughout and she wins
Ringerdingding – Lovely pipe opener for the Guineas next week
Shillelagh – $13+ a place in the Australian Cup looks tempting. She’s flying

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Behave is ready to win next time. Had the A1 run and was there to win at Morphettville. I reckon condition just gave way late. Third up next time, she should be hard fit, ready to go and looks a coming winner in a similar grade race. I wouldn’t put a line through Zousain just yet. One more run before putting a line through him.

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Champagne Cuddles – Needs to be perfectly placed to win races. She isn’t a top class mare
Futooh – Plain Jane yesterday. No more of her
Nature Strip – Confirmed as a pretender beyond 1000m at the top level