Horse Racing The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 15/10/2022

A new sprinting star was unearthed, an import provided Chris Waller with his second Caulfield Cup triumph while there was redemption for Front Page in The Kosciuszko. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Giga Kick Stuns In Everest

Beware the unbeaten horse they say…the racing world is aware now. Giga Kick is a star, with the three year old claiming a memorable Everest (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday, blousing Private Eye on the peg with Mazu in third. Nature Strip was wide throughout and tried his guts out but tired late for fourth. Giga Kick is now 5/5 and his price tag is soaring by the day.

Durston Wins Caulfield Cup

Durston wasn’t secured a start in the Caulfield Cup until race morning but he got a start with Maximal coming out, the track dried out and the end result was an unbelievable finale from the back to win, providing Chris Waller with his second Caulfield Cup and Mick Dee his first. He nailed Gold Trip on the peg, with the import looking the winner but couldn’t quite finish it off.

Front Page Claims Kosciuszko Redemption

Front Page had been forced to come out of The Kosciuszko the previous two years due to injury but Geoff Duryea had him ready to go for Saturday and the end result was a dominant all the way win, providing great redemption for a very talented but injury plagued sprinter.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Chris Waller and a Grand Final…seriously. He’s the best trainer of the modern era and by the time he is done, he will go down as one of the best we have ever seen. Madame Pommery gave them a spanking in the Thousand Guineas on Wednesday and then Durston claiming the Caulfield Cup. Just a brilliant training effort.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

There was a bit to like about the debut win of Street Gossip at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. She was back near last in the run but unleashed a brilliant finale between runners to nab them late for a big debut win. 1200m on debut for a So You Think, I think it bodes well for the rest of her career.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Beaten ride, but the steer from Brenton Avdulla aboad Private Eye in The Everest was outstanding. The horse was mapped to be near last but Avdulla had him much closer in the run and really, 200m out he was hailed as the winner, only to be nabbed late by a star three year old. The ride was a beauty.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

I really can’t understand why Chris Waller uses Jay Ford. His steer aboard Solar Apex at Randwick…they may as well have trialled during the week instead of racing. He was given absolutely zero hope, ran up backsides and got out, but it was far too late. The ride was poor, the horse is flying…jockey change and he can win next time.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Solar Apex – Flying this horse
Waihaha Falls – Great return, should have won
Renaissance Woman – Look out Oaks
Duais – She’s ticking along beautifully

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Ayrton – Back in trip, he can win soon

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Moko – My love affair with her is over
Counttheheadlights – He’s absolutely cooked. Hasn’t come back at all
Flying Mascot – She’s gone
Benaud – He’ll stay as just a Nowra maiden winner