Horse Racing The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 22/10/2022

Anamoe confirmed his status as a champion, Bella Nipotina got a much deserved Group while a legend of Australian racing passed away. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Anamoe Wins Cox Plate

Anamoe confirmed his status as the best horse in Australia and a champion after winning the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday. The four year old was put into a dream spot under J Mac and from the 600m onwards, he was never getting beat and was strong late in proving too good for I’m Thunderstruck with overseas raider My Bodegon in third.

Bella Nipotina Bolts Up In Manikato

The race was delayed but connections of Bella Nipotina wouldn’t have cared in the end with the mare getting a much deserved Group l win in the Manikato Stakes (1200m), and she did it in style. Craig Williams saved ground nearer the inside, cut the corner but even allowing for that, she spanked her rivals, beating Rothfire with three year old Best Of Bordeaux in third.

Vale Harry White

Legendary jockey Harry White, a four time Melbourne Cup winner, passed away on the weekend at the age of 78 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. As good as he was as a rider, his legacy is what he did post riding. The Harry White Trust Fund was created to help ex riders who had fallen on hard times and it’s been revealed that White donated half a million dollars to it, out of his own pocket. He was a champion rider and more importantly, a champion bloke.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

How can you go past Anamoe. He’s a Group l winner at 2YO, 3YO and now 4YO. He hasn’t been hidden away finding the easier Group l races. He won the Sires as a juvenile, as well as placing in the Blue Diamond/Slipper, he won a high rating Caulfield Guineas and has now won a Cox Plate. The next step now is heading overseas and measuring up on the world stage.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

So You Battle was dominant at Hawkesbury on Thursday and I think is a filly heading places. So You Think filly for Nathan Doyle that debuted over 1300m but she showed good change up speed to put them away comfortably decent time. Bred to appreciate further, so there is good things in store for her I think.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Was keen to take her on, but If I knew Ben Melham would produce a 12/10 steer, I would have loaded up on Lafargue at Geelong on Wednesday. Barrier 12/13, Melham lobbed her into the 1/1 off a good speed and really, the race was over 600m out. He’s a very good rider when he’s in the zone and this was a classic example of that.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

It’s easy to see when a rider has a Plan A, and when that doesn’t work, it’s bust. Linda Meech had the blinkers on to find the front on Stylish Enuff on Friday night at The Valley, and hunted up with real purpose to get the lead instead of potentially opting for a sit. He was a beaten horse on the turn and IMO the ride was really poor.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Renaissance Woman – She’s flying. Leading Oaks contender
She’s Extreme – Main threat to Renaissance Woman IMO
Climbing Star – Nice filly heading places

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Visinari – He can bounce back away from WFA
Pericles – He’s on track for the Derby
September Run – Working up to a win

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Jalmari – Go back to a Maiden/Class One in the country. No more in town
Tristate – Had every chance and was plain late
Willinga Rufio – He’s just a horse
War Eternal – Every chance. Very prdinary
Bigboyroy – He’s cast
Conqueror – He’s just no good
Espiona – No more of her
Profondo – Just retire him
Paulele – He’s a pretender