Group l racing returned for the new season, wet weather wreaked havoc in Melbourne while a leading rider is facing a significant time away from the saddle. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.
KEY NEWS:
Verry Elleegant Very Classy In Winx Stakes
It’s only taken one run for Verry Elleegant to stamp herself as one of the best in Australia with the Chris Waller trained mare producing an outstanding effort to win the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday. Was wide all the way, J Mac had to get going on the turn as those in front of her were taking her nowhere. Star Of The Seas headed her, but she kicked back strongly to win. Imaging was luckless in behind while Master Of Wine was plain in his return.
Wet Weather Stops Moonee Valley Features
A terrible week of weather in Melbourne meant the Moonee Valley track was in the Heavy range for Saturday, but five races in, Stewards and leading riders agreed that the meeting had to be stopped, with sections of the track having surface water while the soil was waterlogged. With that, the McKenzie and Carlyon Stakes couldn’t be run.
Hyeronimus Gets Three Year Ban
Sydney rider Adam Hyernonimus is at the cross roads with his riding career after being hit with a three year ban, largely around betting. The ban of betting is a mandatory two years, but given Hyeronimus lied to Stewards on a number of occasions throughout the process, he was slapped with an extra 12 months. Hyeronimus is set to appeal, but with no appeal date set, there is a chance he could get a stay of proceedings and ride throughout the Spring Carnival.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:
Watch the replay of the penultimate at Newcastle on Saturday and the win of Mo’Unga. Average horses don’t do what he did. Good horses even. He looks such an exciting prospect, and backed it up on the clock, with his last 600m and last 200m 4.5L quicker than anything else in the race. $8+ for the Spring Champion, I’m just about declaring him for that race. He’s a rising star.
DEBUT OF THE WEEK:
Staying at Newcastle, I was really impressed by the debut win of Lord Olympus over 900m. Looked in a tricky spot early on in the race, but Tyler Schiller played the waiting game, got the inside split and the horse did the rest. Not sure how strong the race was, but he’s in the right stable and I’m sure will be placed right in the coming weeks.
RIDE OF THE WEEK:
Want to give a shout out to Dylan Gibbons. Rode a double at Taree on Friday, but I really liked his steer aboard In A Step. Probably could have been intimidated into taking cover, but he kept the rail and the lead, and that won the race for the speed demon, just holding on after getting the staggers late. He’ll get rid of the 4kg claim in a hurry.
SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:
Yes, the track isn’t up to scratch, but fair dinkum. There were some ordinary steers at Canberra on Friday. It was clear the previous meeting that outside fence was the spot to be. You see races overseas, notably on occasions in France, jockeys see the outside fence is the spot to be, and they’ll head shortly after the gates open. Sticking to the inside and trying to save ground before easing wider doesn’t work.
HORSES TO FOLLOW:
Mo’Unga – Spring Champion winner I think. Star
It’s Me – Look out Country Championships next year
Cristal Breeze – 1400m next time on a dry deck, coming winner
Mr Marbellouz – He’s come back in super order
ONE MORE CHANCE:
Desert Path – Should have fought the finish out. Luckless at a vital stage
New King – Looking for a rise in trip. Given not much hope via the ride
Funstar – Bit inconclusive the run. Need to see again
NEVER EVER AGAIN:
This Is So – Not a Saturday metro horse, not this time of year anyway
Silver Shadow Stakes Form – I’m all over Hungry Heart more so after this race
Adelong – That was her chance to get blacktype. Only gets harder from here. Happy to take her on
Dreamforce – Age is starting to catch up
Best Stone – Not a Saturday class horse