Horse Racing The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 9/4/2022

A gun sprinter booked himself a ticket for Royal Ascot, a training partnership got their first Group l while the Maher/Eustace camp continue to defy history. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Boilover In Queen Elizabeth

Is this real life? Is this fantasy? Think It Over, a horse who hates wet ground, got through the “Heavy 10” at Randwick best to claim the Quene Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in an epic battle up the straight, wearing down a very gallant Zaaki. The talking point was the flops of key chances Anamoe and especially Verry Elleegant, who has likely run her last race.

Knight & King Dominant In Sydney Cup

It’s been no secret that Ben & JD Hayes have had to do it the hard way to forge a blow in the training ranks following the departure of David Hayes and then Tom Dabernig, but they showed their capabilities via the Doncaster Mile (1600m) and Mr Brightside, who finished off powerfully under Craig Williams to give them their first Group l as a partnership, beating the very gallant I’m Thunderstruck with Icebath a lip away in third.

Mazu Stamps Everest Credentials

It’ll be a case of when, not if, Mazu will get an Everest slot, with the three year old capping of an unbeaten Autumn with a dominant win in the Arrowfield Sprint (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday. He was trucking in the run throughout and once Sam Clipperton pushed the button, he was always in control. With a lack of quality sprinters engaged, he’ll be definitely looked at for a slot.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

How good is Nettuno? He won like it was a track gallop in the opener at Doomben. The eye said he was dominant and the clock agreed despite not being touched. No doubt he’ll be seen during the Carnival and probably a race like the Ken Russell Memorial at the Gold Coast on Hollindale Day would be an ideal race.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Horrendous track at Canterbury on Wednesday but the debut win of Zougotcha was strong. Hard to gauge the depth because the track was essentially a Heavy165, but she lapped it up and was dominant. Is she a filly who could be a sleeper for a Brisbane Carnival? Time will tell.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

How can you go past Nash and Think It Over? He realised the horse wasn’t going to quite get there if he stayed where he was so he went out wide for fresher ground and that was the winning move. He also rode a peach aboard Kinloch in the Provincial Final so he’s a rider in form.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

The beaten riders in the Sydney Cup…fair dinkum. Well done to all concerned with Knight’s Order, but he was gifted that race. Plenty of 200m sectionals run in 13.5/thereabouts, yet the gap between first and last was significant. Once King pushed the button, those behind had no chance. Lack of initiative was there to see.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Willinga Beast – She’s a very smart filly
Yonce – She’ll win a Group l in the Spring
Ruby Tuesday – She’s ready to win up in trip on a firmer deck
Go Wandji – Still think he could force his way to a Stradbroke
Harleymoven – He’s a beauty and #1 seed for the locals re SA Derby

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Ulysses – Chased a hot speed and tired late. Don’t sack
Smart Image – Got a mile back. Clear forgive

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Verry Elleegant – Thanks for the memories girl
Anamoe – IMO, this settles it. He’s overrated. Big time
Knight Mariner – He’s done