The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 17th October Edition

A ‘Verry’ good mare earned champion status, a “Legend” climbed the top of the mountain while a boom mare lived up to the hype. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Verry Elleegant Wins Caulfield Cup

The term ‘Champion’ gets tossed around too easily these days. But the Chris Waller trained mare has well and truly earned that title after recording another win at Group l level, this time her career best when winning the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and edging out a high class stayer in Anthony Van Dyck. The mare set a weight carrying record in winning and could well get a penalty for her next race, the Melbourne Cup.

Classique Legend Wins Everest

Les Bridge said a few weeks ago that Classique Legend would win The Everest and his astute judgement proved spot on when his five year old grey produced the most dominant win in the short history of the race, racing clear late to give his rivals a spanking.

Kosciuszko Heads To Scone

There was plenty of drama during the week whether It’s Me would line up as hot favourite in the Kosciuszko (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday, and even Brett Cavanough said that he intended to scratch, but the vets gave the all clear and thankfully they did as his unbeaten mare produced a stunning finale to overhaul them and win the $1.3 Million race at start four. She’s now near top of the betting for the Golden Eagle and who is to say she won’t measure up there.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Verry Elleegant…she is well and truly a champion. She pulled hard in the run, was there to be gunned down by Anthony Van Dyck but she fought him off so bravely and on the line was holding him. Her champion status is sealed no matter what she does from this point on. Isn’t racing amazing. An English Derby winner couldn’t get past a former Kiwi mare that was sired by a one time hack.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Early season 2YO form can be fraught with danger, but I’ll be surprised if Captivant doesn’t measure up in the Golden Slipper. His win at Randwick on Saturday was just electric. He was back in the run, nearer the inside, held up, but once Collett shoved into clear air, gee he produced good change up speed and was dynamite late in winning. Likely heads to the Golden Gift and he’ll give that a shake, with a top three finish all but securing him a Slipper start.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Lovely ride from Jamie Kah aboard Sovereign Award on Wednesday. She can be a real nightmare to steer at times, but she’s got the key to this horse. She relaxed so well on speed at Caulfield during the week and on the turn, it was race over and she put pay to them, fending off late swoopers. Would love to see her win a Melbourne Cup aboard Prince Of Arran and off his effort in the Caulfield Cup, he’s right in the picture.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Rachel King is a gun in Sydney…but that ride aboard Eduardo in The Everest was just putrid. Yes, can understand making Nature Strip in the run, but Eduardo went a tick over 33 for the first 600m, which is just crazy fast. Tried to get Nature Strip out of his comfort zone, but Eduardo was the first horse beat. Whoever came up with those instructions…just silly.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Captivant – He’s a Slipper contender for sure
Opacity – On face value, ordinary…but he needs a trip, say 2000m
Endanger – He’ll take some beating in the Carbine Club
Redwood Shadow – Whack some blinkers on in the Derby and he’ll go close
Prince Of Arran – Lovely Cup trial

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Deprive – Disappointing, but deserves another chance

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Rondinella – She’s been really disappointing this time in
Yosemite – Needs a drop back to midweek/provincial grade
Garner – Expected much more