Horse Racing The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 30/7/2022

Racing Victoria announced splashing of cash on feature Spring races, a progressive gelding confirmed his Epsom credentials while a three year old spanked them at Morphettville. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Prizemoney Injection For Key Victorian Races

Earlier this week Racing Victoria announced a $5 Million splash in bonuses across several key races during the upcoming Spring Carnival. The races that have bonuses attached are the Cox Plate, Empire Rose, Victoria Derby, Darley Classic and the Champions Mile, with each race carrying $1 Million bonus through lead up races. It’s a move designed to keep Melbourne horses exclusively in Melbourne for the Carnival.

Cross Talk Dominant In Winter Challenge

Lightly raced gelding Cross Talk may have earned himself a crack at the Epsom after a dominant all the way win in the feature race at Rosehill on Saturday, the Winter Challenge (1500m). He did work to find the front, but got a real breather between the 1000m-600m and that proved to be the difference, with the gelding drawing clear late.

Extremely Dominant Display In Lightning

The Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville has been a springboard for Group l class animals in recent years, namely Behemoth and Beau Rossa. On Saturday, Extremely Lucky added his name to that list after producing an outstanding display from the back to round them up and win. Trainer Will Clarken post race race said the aim was the Moir Stakes at The Valley, and was hinting at potentially looking to impress Everest slot holders.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

There was just so much arrogance about Extremely Lucky and his Lightning win. He gave them a significant start and in turn, he gave them a significant beating. Admittedly he found the best ground, but even allowing for that, gee it was impressive. He’ll be heading to Melbourne and measuring up for sure.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

He didn’t win, but I’d follow Aft Cabin from Warwick Farm on Wednesday. He had a couple of soft short course trials leading into start one and gee he looked to travel well in the run. Presented to win and looked the winner, but condition just gave way late. He’ll come on from that and is a coming winner.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Craig Williams in July..it’s printing money really. He was on display with his best at The Valley on Saturday, most notably aboard Lackeen in the Travis Harrison Cup. He sat on speed and made the winning move on the turn, kicking clear and establishing a winning break while key rivals were left floundering. Smart ride and he is a hoop to follow with confidence.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

I thought it was a really poor ride from Alana Kelly aboard Litchfield County at Morphettville. The map on paper looked perfect for him, getting the suck run and drag up behind speed demons Spanish Heirloom and Great Leveller. But, for some reason she decided to hunt up and be the meat in the sandwich in a line of a three. No surprise those three runners finished down the track behind the the first four, but I thought her ride was plain.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Lord Desanimaux – His run at Kembla was outstanding. He’s a coming Highway winner
Zaru – Should have been right in the finish. Was a pig in the yard, follow with confidence
Strawberry Rock – He’s ready to win
Go Wandji – Stradbroke 2022
Extremely Lucky – He’s very, very good

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Lovely Esteem – Becoming costly, but just needs to show gate speed
Osamu – Has credits in the bank to forgive

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Papal Warrior – Midweek at best, but hard to trust
Mamaragan – Amazing to think he was once a Golden Slipper favourite
Tavidance – Well and truly life ban
Oceanic Flash – I thought he was really plain in a thin race
Palladas – Who are these idiots that keep backing him
Gate Crash – He can join Tavidance