The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 14th November Edition

The Spring Carnival might be slowing down but there was still quality racing from Newcastle and Ascot. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Sweet Deal Wins The Hunter

John Thompson scratched Sweet Deal from the Hot Danish last Saturday due to a wet track and waited for a dry deck at Newcastle for The Hunter. The result was a $1 Million race win with Nash Rawiller steering the mare to the biggest win of her career in terms of prizemoney. The mare will now be spelled and return for one final prep in the Autumn in search of that elusive Group l.

Sound Wins Zipping Classic

He was a long time between wins but knocking on the door. Sound smashed the front door open at Sandown on Saturday via a win in the Zipping Classic under another ripping ride from Jamie Kah, who pulled their pants down when making a midrace move and the Michael Moroney trained gelding was too good in the run to the line.

Alligator Blood To Undergo Surgery

Alligator Blood was supposed to be the star of the show for the upcoming Brisbane Summer Carnival but due to being injured in the Golden Eagle, he will now require back surgery and four months off. David Vandyke had planned on running his star in The Gong before heading back home to Brisbane, but he’ll now have surgery and require time off, with the horse possibly a shot of racing during the Winter Carnival.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Heading to Doomben and what about the performance of Jonker in the Keith Noud? He looked busted and gone, but a change of scenery, now with Tony Gollan and the first run for the stable resulted in a brilliant performance of sustained speed and in doing so, he spanked his rivals and burned the Doomben turf. If that performance is repeated, he can measure up in Group l company.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

He didn’t win, but I’m a buyer when it comes to Forbes. Looked completely drunk in the run but once he straightened and balanced up, McNeil pushed the button and he produced a really sharp turn of foot, but in doing so, he hit the front early and had a really good think about it, getting bloused on the peg. He looks a perfect Magic Millions candidate so will be very interesting to see where they go.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

I’ve been saying for a couple of months now, in the Melbourne riding ranks, it’s Jamie Kah then daylight on current form and she was at her best once again at Sandown, getting a bludger like Carif home, but the Zipping Classic ride aboard Sound summed it all up. The only rider to show initiative and the result was a win.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

There was a few I picked out from the week so here’s a list:

Laura Lafferty and Alienated – Fell asleep at the back and missed the boat. Should have won with more initiative
Louise Day and Superium – Horse was 3/5 lame, but still, he was bolting, and the ride was ordinary
Robbie Fradd on Wednesday at Ipswich – Some of his steers that meeting…just looked like he wasn’t trying
Larry Cassidy and Toomai – Just waited too long to get going instead of peeling wider to build momentum

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Opacity – He might be a Summer/Christmas Cup type. Just wants 2000m+
Anethole – Would be a great bet if they dropped him back to country grade or a Highway
Ellsberg – Has no idea what he is doing, but has got a stack of ability
Forbes – He’s a Magic Millions horse
San Huberto – Might be a Sydney Cup type in the Autumn. Much better run

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Ranier – Initially disappointing, but think he wants further now

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Humma Humma – Had the perfect run and didn’t fire. No more for me
Sweet Reply – Was there to win and put it away. Becoming too costly
Avilius – Wet track or steer clear
Garibaldi – Bludger. Never again