Horse Racing The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 24/9/2022

Jacquinot confirmed his promise with a Group l win, sustained speed from Coolangatta came to the fore at The Valley while an Australian jockey has been booked for Verry Elleegant in the Arc. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Jacquinot Stunning In Golden Rose

Since the Breeders Plate 2021, we have been waiting for a colt to stand up and say I’m the big boy in town, and up stepped Melbourne colt Jacquinot for the Price/Kent team, a brilliant winner of the Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The colt was a mile back in the run but sprouted wings late out wide to claim a Group l win. Given his electric finale, there is talk with potential slot holders for The Everest, and it would add a fascinating element to the race. A three year old who can sit back and launch.

Coolangatta Claims Moir

The pattern might have been in the corner, but even allowing for that, Coolangatta was superb in winning the Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Friday night. leading throughout from gate one and showing tremendous fight late to fend off stablemate Bella Nipotina in a driving go. The big question now will be whether or not they focus on Melbourne sprints, or do they get enticed by The Everest, with the race seemingly lacking any quality outside the top 2-3 in early betting.

Zahra Booked For Elleegant In Arc

The European journey of Verry Elleegant took a twist earlier this week when it was confirmed that the champion mare would indeed contest the Arc de Triomphe, the best race in the world, despite being comfortably held in both runs this prep. But the bigger shock came on Saturday when it was announced that Mark Zahra would fly across to ride the mare. He rode her to victory in the Caulfield Cup in 2020 and is one of the best big race riders in Australia.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Seriously hard to ignore what Jacquinot did in the Golden Rose. From where he was in the run and how wide he came, his finale…it was just unbelievable. He had always hinted he could be top shelf but the penny hadn’t dropped. It has now. He’s a star and wherever he goes next, he’ll measure up for sure.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

It was a big debut win from Bedaud in the Pat O’Shea at Toowoomba, the first two year old race of the season. She is a close relation to Group l winner Hinged, so she’s bred to be good. Is she as good? Early days, but she has talent, because she poured the pressure on in front outside the speed, put the leader away and was there to be beaten but found under pressure. Interesting to see how far she can go.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

What a fab 24 hours it has been for Jamie Kah. Claimed a double at The Valley on Friday night, winning the Moir. Backed up at Mornington, had six rides and won five, including the feature, the Ansett Classic, aboard Saracen Knight. It’s been clear for 12-18 months that Jamie Kah is comfortably the best in Victoria and just behind J Mac as the best in Australia.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

I think after the suspension of Hugh Bowman last Saturday for dropping his hands aboard Lost And Running right on the line in The Shorts, punters are starting to notice riders dropping their hands before the line much earlier than what Bowman. Have a look at Forbes earlier this week and Serg Lisnyy, and how he dropped his hands. If the rule is there, enforce it properly, like a host of other rules which are blatantly broken.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Kote/Mayrose – Ugly Midway for those that backed this pair
Jalmari – He’s flying. Just needs to draw a gate
Hameron – Bursting to win again. Just wants a positive ride
Fireburn – Holds a nomination for the Cox Plate…I’d be having a peanut on her. She’s flying

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Espiona – D-Day next start
Jamaea – Just waiting for Randwick
Paulele – Bigger track and 1200m next time
Kissonallforcheeks – She doesn’t run a strong mile. If I was owning her, I’d angle to get a slot for The Invitation

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Semillion – Lost the plot in front, but still very plain
Ellsberg – Had every chance in front. Jury is out
Fire – Masked Crusader 2.0 they said…they are idiots
Makram – Stunned if he measured up in a Caulfield Cup