Horse Racing The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 17/9/2022

Nature Strip confirmed himself as the best in Australia, Anamoe won his fifth Group l while at Caulfield, a well travelled jockey got his maiden Group l win. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Nature Strip Dominant In Shorts

Fresh from his Royal Ascot deeds, Nature Strip confirmed himself as the best sprinter in the world and the best in Australia, dominating his rivals in taking out The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday. He got the drag up behind Eduardo, angled out and finished best to win well. He’s a dominant favourite for The Everest and it’s hard seeing him getting beat.

Anamoe Wins George Main

With Zaaki scratched on Friday, the George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday looked a procession for Anamoe and he duly saluted, taking control outside the speed and cruising to a strong win, his fifth at the hgihest level, beating Icebath with Hinged in third.

Jamie Mott Gets His First Group l

There’s enough people talking to say that Jamie Mott is indeed a good bloke and a maiden Group l win couldn’t be begrudged, as he lifted Callsign Mav to win the Sir Rupert Clarke (1400m), finishing best in atrocious conditions over a gallant I Am Superman, with Tuvalu in third. Danny O’Brien has had a lean start to the season but that win could be the kick on he needs for the rest of the Carnival.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

He was gifted the race, but gee Durston moves like a good horse and he was arrogant in the Newcastle Cup on Friday. Jury was out after a couple of plain runs to start the prep, but J Mac has got on, he’s got fitter and he has spanked them his past two, asserting himself as one of the hardest to beat in The Metropolitan.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

I liked the ticker showed by The Deputy to win on debut at Sandown on Wednesday. He looked as if he’d run fourth/fifth halfway down the straight, but he really surged between runners and drove hard late to win in a close finish. Not sure where he goes to after this, but with a spell, I think he’ll come back a really nice horse next time.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

I think there are a couple of quality 3kg apprentices going around in town. The obvious is Dylan Gibbons, and his claim is seemingly a steal at the moment. But I’ll give a shout out to Logan McNeil and his steer aboard Sixbysixtythree at Morphettville. Drew wide but took bad luck out of the equation by going to the front, get control and he was the winner after 200m. I reckon come the Winter, he’ll be quite valuable in town.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

I can understand the thought process re Jess Eaton on Taunting. Hard fit, in form, down in the weights, try and run them ragged. But she overdid it. Just went too way too hard in front, and with a strong headwind in the straight, he was always going to get the staggers late after the early burn. If she just controlled it better, I think the horse wins.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Arnold – Rise to the mile next time and with a patient steer, he’ll be more effective
Renaissance Woman – I think she’s an Oaks filly. Nice return
KIn – The replay will tell the story
Amenable – He’s right on track for the Guineas

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Blaze A Trail – Wet track, break between runs, forgive and forget
Profondo – Want to see him on a dry track
Classique Legend – Premiere next start will be D-Day
Surefire – Dry deck next time

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Silent Impact – That’s two poor runs now, so jury is out
O’President – Who were the idiots that backed this horse?
Converge – He’s done
Benaud – I thought he was there to win…no more for me
Head Of State – What a donkey he has become
Earlswood – He hasn’t come back