Horse Racing The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 20/8/2022

A star colt returned with a bang, a WA sprinter stamped Group l potentials while at The Valley, there was an upset in the McKenzie. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Anamoe Brilliant In Winx

Star four year old showed the racing public that he could be in for a memorable Spring after making a mess of a high quality field in the Group l Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday. The meeting to that point was suiting those away from the inside, and with Anamoe drawing gate one, there was a query on whether he’d find the best ground, but he had James McDonald steering and he took care of that upon straightening, drawing clear late.

Showmanship Showcases Quality

The heavily backed Showmanship returned with a bang at Randwick on Saturday, sprouting wings late to take out the Show County (1200m). He was spotting those in front a decent start but finished off hard late to nab his rivals in an impressive. Owner Bob Peters said post race that the horse will return to Melbourne and look at a race in a couple of weeks, and did flag that he could come back to Sydney if there was a race that suited him…hello.

Fast Witness Wins McKenzie

The McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on Saturday was built up as a return for Caulfield Guineas favourite Foujita San, but he couldn’t pick up when it counted and instead, the win was taken by last start Cranbourne maiden winner Fast Witness, who surged hard the final few strides to nab Shalaman on the peg. The Maher/Eustace trained youngster is very raw still but has good ability and can win again at Stakes level while for Foujita San, he just wants more ground and a bigger track.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Admittedly she had the A1 run in transit, but there was a lot of arrogance about the first up win of Zapateo in the Toy Show. She was absolutely trucking in the run and once King asked for the effort, she went through her gears like a good horse and spanked her rivals. Where to now is unknown but she’ll be winning more Stakes races.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Last few weeks in Victoria, especially in maiden races, it seems to be either Price/Kent or Peter Moody winning maiden races with impressive first starters. The former was at it on Tuesday at Donald, producing Bencoolen to win with a bit of class. Sat on speed outside the leader and looked to be trucking before Damian Lane pushed the button and he quickly put the leader away to win well. He can come to town and measure up.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

How about the steer from Hugh Bowman aboard Pizarro at Randwick in the last? The horse looked a mile back and never a chance, but he tracked up between the pack and was able to take a very narrow gap, then the horse did the rest, spanking his rivals, but the ride was ballsy, especially when you see the head on. He’s a man riding possessed the last few weeks and is heading into Spring full of confidence.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

I can understand why he wanted to come out, but in hindsight, J Mac slaughtered In Secret in the Silver Shadow. He had the back of the eventual winner Zougotcha and had he come inside, he would have been in a similar patch of grass to what he produced Anamoe on 40 minutes prior. Probed for the outside run and did get it, but the race was over. No doubt he stays behind Zougotcha and cuts back inside her, In Secret wins. Should also mention Larry Cassidy aboard Go Wandji. I am confident that horse will be Stakes class, potentially a Stradbroke horse, but if he is, it will be without Larry steering I hope. That was a howler.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Optimo – Flying without winning. His turn will come
In Secret – She’s the Flight Stakes pony
Extremely Lucky – The Everest talk can stop, but he’s a good horse that can bounce back on firmer footing

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Equation – Stayed hard inside, which was quicksand. Clear forgive
Durston – He is still way too fresh. Needs racing to take the edge off
Mo’Unga – Hated being inside/between horses. Clear forgive IMO

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Strawberry Rock – He was nearer the inside, no go zone, but was still very plain. He might need Blinkers to sharpen him up
Belluci Babe – Jury is well and truly out on her
Forbidden Love – I don’t think she has come up this prep
Blue Cup – He was terrible