Horse Racing The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 25/6/2022

A three year old filly got a deserved Group l win, Taksu proved he doesn’t need wet ground while we saw a couple of impressive efforts at Caulfield. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Startantes Wins Tatts Tiara

Startantes just missed out on a Group l win in the Surround during the Sydney Autumn, and after several more attempts, it took until the final Group l of the season, the Tatts Tiara (1400m), to breakthrough at the highest level, which she did at Eagle Farm on Saturday in devastating fashion from near last on the turn under Jason Collett. She beat a very gallant Snapdancer with Palaisipan back in third.

Taksu Tough In Civic Win

Who said Taksu needed wet ground? The track was officially a Good4 leading into the Civic Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday but the market push for him the last 24 hours or so was sustained, he held his price at around $4.20 and he just led throughout, with sustained speed coming to the fore, fending off a fast finishing Oscar Zulu.

Inundation, He’s Our Bonneval Impress At Caulfield

The off season in Melbourne continued to throw up some nice types at Caulfield on Saturday, firstly with smart three year old Inundation smashing the clock to win over the 1000m before He’s Our Bonneval won the get out in impressive fashion over 1400m at his Australian debut, and given how strong his UK form lines are, expect him to reach greater heights.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Two weeks ago I made Fromos the debut of the week after her amazing last to first win at Newcastle. Well, she repeated the dose this afternoon at the same track. Another arrogant win from her and I think she is a Group l horse in the making. The knock is she isn’t busting the clock, but I think once she gets to a dry track, she’ll rectify that. She’s a ripper.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Was hard not to be impressed by the debut win of Alberich at Canterbury on Wednesday. He impressed Hong Kong interests prior to the debut off the back of a trial win, with an offer of $400,000 put to connections. Some mayo might be added to the next offer because the win was very sharp on a testing track. Interesting to see where he goes next and if he stays in Australia.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Loved the ride from Glyn Schofield aboard Taksu in the Civic. On a hard fit horse who loves to roll, some could have fallen into the trap of waiting to push the button, but he slid on the turn on the horse, stole a break and in the end, that initiative won the horse the race. Maligned rider is Schofield but when he is good, he’s very good.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Can understand why he made the move, but I think Tom Stockdale would want his ride back on Chief Altony from Caulfield. He was just waiting for the gap between Eagles Crag and Lyrical Lad to appear, but he opted to drag back and get outside, but had he waited another stride, the run was there, and the way he finished the race off, I think he wins if he just waited a stride more for the gap to appear.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Inundation – He’s a Stakes class horse for sure
He’s Our Bonneval – He’s got more to come

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Ghaanati – Nice horse, but the best two year old/Thousand Guineas talk can be shelved
Po Kare Kare – Another chance ridden stone cold

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Duchess Of Dorset – She is #MaxGawn
Grandslam – Rock hard deck/control or bust
Conrad – Really plain return and jury is out for mine
Irish Angel – The hot tempo worked against, but she’s hard to follow/trust
K McEvoy – Has claims to being the most out of form rider in the metro ranks