Horse Racing The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 7/5/2022

The Warrnambool Carnival didn’t disappoint yet again, Zaaki showcased his class while Ethan Brown got his biggest career win at Morphettville wrap. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Warrnambool Wrap

It was a very intriguing 2022 Warrnambool Carnival. Usually, it’s one trainer dominates. But this year, it was a different trainer that dominated across the three days. On Tuesday, Symon Wilde stole the show. The Maher/Eustace camp strutted their stuff on Wednesday while on Thursday, Lindsey Smith came to the fore, highlighted by a dominant win from Tuvalu, who is destined for blacktype.

Zaaki Wins Second Hollindale

He was in a pig of a mood, but when it came to performing where it counts, Zaaki showcased why he is one of the best in this country with a commanding all the way triumph to claim his second straight Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast. He wasn’t happy on the shifty, heavy track, but he had panels on them re class and justified the weight of support he had in the market.

Ethan Brown Claims Maiden Group One

Since the ‘Airbnb Saga’ at Mornington, Ethan Brown has come back a better rider and that was confirmed at Morphettville on Saturday where he led throughout aboard Snapdancer to claim the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m). He shot the mare out of the barriers to find the front and once she got control, it was race over and she gave nothing else a look in, beating stablemate Away Game with September Run back in third in what was a race dominated by those nearer the inside.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

It’s an amazing performance from Chris Hyland and his horse Witchatar Star. Wasn’t that long ago, the horse was battling away in 58 grade. Fast forward to Thursday and the CV now includes a Warrnambool Cup. This horse has just kept going through the grades and now being a Stakes winner, they can dream of better races down the track.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Toregene was touted as Harbour Views 2.0 leading into her debut at Warrnambool on Wednesday and while I doubt she is as good as the stablemate, she does have talent, clearly. Sat on speed under Jamie Kah and was there to be run down, but loved the way she dug in late when challenged to fend them off and win. Interesting to see where she heads to next.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

It’s getting into the Winter months and you know what that means – Craig Williams doninates, and he was at it on Saturday at Morphettville with a treble. Loved his ride aboard Splendiferous. The mare was carrying her head high but Williams didn’t panic. Let the mare slide past the tiring leader on the turn, maintained full momentum and drove back to the fence, which was absolute gold for the meeting.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

It’s a tie this week. First one was Regan Bayliss aboard Nerve Not Verve in the Warrnambool Cup on Thursday. Warrnambool, especially on a bottomless track like it was on Thursday, was all about momentum. Bayliss had ample opportunity to get off the back of a softened up Grandslam, get clear air and build on a mare who has no change up speed. Instead, he rode for luck, didn’t get it, and it cost her the win IMO. The other came on Saturday. Willie Pike is going to be a star in Sydney over the next 12 months…but his venture to the Gold Coast wasn’t pretty. There was next to zero intent on Gypsy Goddess to win. He rode it far too negatively and left her with way too much to do.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Accounatbility – He ran second last, but was just warming up through the line. 2400m+, he’ll win races
Sibaaq – He’s a nice horse. Follow
Yamazaki – Wants a dry deck next time
Huetor – He’s a star. Group l winner in waiting
Eagles Crag – Reckon he wins with clear air earlier
Extremely Lucky – He was exremely unlucky
Belle Plaisir/Foxy Frida – Should have finished 1-2
Argentia – I think she’s the sneaky Goodwood hope
I Am Bene – Very good filly destined for blacktype

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Clemenceau – I reckon he’s a bone dry track horse
Uncle Bryn – Given none with the ride. Give him another chance
Four Moves Ahead – Just wants dry ground

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

It’sourtime – He’s the new version of Curran. Good ability, but horrible racing style
Rock The Ring – He’s gone for the prep
Party For One – The love affair with her has to stop surely