Horse Racing The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 12/3/2022

The shock of absolute shocks in the Newmarket, a flying mare got a well deserved Group l win and a former American galloper earned herself a maiden major. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

What The Roch? Kiwi Stuns In Newmarket

The win of Roch ‘N’ Horse in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) will go down as one of the greatest upsets in Australian racing history, with the Kiwi mare winning at $126+ under Pat Moloney for trainer Michael Moroney. Prior to the win, her biggest win to date was a Listed win at Hastings, where first prize resulted in $46,000. That’s a different story to this race, with first prize being $900,000. The field split into two, with the inside section dominating.

Duais Wins Australian Cup

Duais had put the writing on the wall in two runs back from a spell and that was confirmed in the Australian Cup (2000m) with a dominant win under Josh Parr, who is also becoming the new J Mac of Flemington. The mare spanked them late, beating Think It Over, with Spanish Mission a gutsy third after setting a good speed.

Lighthouse Dominant In Coolmore

Former American mare Lighthouse has done nothing wrong since arriving in Australia and the move to bring her across has been rewarded with the mare bolting up in the Coolmore Classic (1500m). Ridden a treat by the best wet tracker in the business, Jason Collett, the Maher/Eustace galloper appreciated the seven day back up and was much too good.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

It was a shock result, but a jockey who does work hard is Pat Moloney and hardly anyone could begrudge him the big win. He rides some camels pretty much every meeting he is at, he doesn’t get the quality underneath, but even on something that was a relative camel compared to the field, he got the job done on the big stage.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

She didn’t win, but follow Hope At Hand from the first race. 1000m on the Parks just looked an ugly set up for her, but loved the way she found the line late. She’ll love a bigger track and a rise in trip, and wouldn’t shock me if she measure up in some local blacktype races for the juveniles.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Initiative and Willie Pike…doesn’t usually go hand in hand, but it was indeed the case aboard Mr Mozart in the Phar Lap and the result was a dominant win. Never Been Kissed looked like it would get a soft lead but Pike was having none of that. He forced the issue, led, got control and won. Ride won the race.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

I am not 100% sure Craig Newitt will be riding for Team Freedman anytime soon. The more I watch the Newmarket replay…seriously, how far should Artorius have won by? First 200m or so was veering hard right to follow the main pack, where had he bit the bullet and stayed in his lane, he could have had the back of the winner and given the ground he made up late…he wins if that eventuates.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Struck By – He’s back alright and can win a Stakes race at home this prep
Sky Lab – 1400m straight to 2000m, his run had good merit
Sumatra – I think she’s talented, but she lacks change up speed. Blinkers could spark that
Spanish Mission – He’s the one to beat in the Tancred
Gypsy Goddess – She could well be a moral in the ATC Oaks. Star

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Magic – He just looks a 1400m/1600m horse. Don’t sack him
Fangirl – Can’t sack her off that…but she’s on notice
Espiona – Ditto Fangirl
Sindacato – Want to see next time now with the run under the belt
Zarastro – Pulled hard, lame post race…clear excuses
Yearning – She deserves another chance
Quantico – Market said he was there to run well. Just an ordinary set up

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

First In Line – Seriously…where did they get this horse from?
Mr Brightside – He’s not an All Star Mile candidate/threat
Benaud – He’s no Derby horse