The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 3rd October Edition

The Everest was the main focal point for the racing this week, but on Saturday, Chris Waller stole the show at Flemington. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Everest Slots Fast Filling

The Everest picture is nearly all clear for two weeks time with several runners getting their shot at the richest race on turf in the world. During the week, Trekking, Santa Ana Lane and Eduardo all got an Everest slot, with Eduardo to replace Rothfire for MiRunners. As we’ll discuss below, another slot could be filled by an impressive winner.

Libertini Brilliant In Premiere

The Premiere was built up as a race to see if Nature Strip could bounce back to his best, and also could Classique Legend measure up to the Everest favourite? Those questions were answered, but the race didn’t go to script, perhaps for the better, with Libertini showcasing just how brilliant she can be with a dominant win, with her time giving the 1200m record a nudge. She’s all but secured a slot.

Waller 1-2-3 In Turnbull

It was a mixed day at Randwick for Chris Waller, but the day was sweet at Flemington with September Run establishing herself as a Coolmore Stud Stakes contender and then later in the afternoon, he trained 1-2-3 in the Turnbull with Verry Elleegant winning, just, ahead of Toffee Tongue and Finche, all three producing great Cup trials.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Giving a shout out to the North Queensland star The Harrovian, who took on the big boys in town at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The market didn’t want a bar of him. It was all over Desert Lord, but the Queenslander really dug in under Brad Stewart to nail them on the peg. He could win a blacktype race for sure with the right placement.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Didn’t win, but watch the replay of Shelby Cobra. He debuted last night at the Valley and yes, I was on him, so got Blinkers on, but I don’t think it is a stretch to say he should have won. He was bolting in behind but things didn’t fall into place and it was pretty much a barrier trial. Ugly, ugly viewing, but he’s got talent and is a coming winner.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

I tweeted last night that Chris Waller is the master trainer at getting a fruit loop horse to relax. I think Jamie Kah is becoming THE master rider at getting a fruit loop horse to relax. That was clear to see last night at the Valley with Sovereign Reward, who looked in a bit of trouble after around 200m but Kah got her to switch off and really, from the home turn, it was race over. Ripping ride from one of the best in the business.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

I was amazed by the steer from Olly aboard Young Werther at Flemington. He had ample opportunity to angle wider onto the back of those going around him on the turn, but instead he stayed between runners, hoping for gaps to appear. Admittedly, the horse was a bit wayward, but I think that was due to being tight between runners. Ordinary ride.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Enthaar – Any hint of improvement and she’ll be a deserving Golden Slipper favourite
Astrologier – He’s a lovely colt that will win races
Dadoozdart – A race like the City Tatts Cup would be perfect
Nature Strip – 1000-800 was in 9.96…no chance after that. He’s still a live threat in The Everest
September Run – She’s definitely a Coolmore contender
Tofane – Ugly, ugly watch
Young Werther – He’s #1 seed for the locals in the Derby. Enormous

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Mugatoo – I’d love to see him freshened up for a Mackinnon. He was really harshly weighted today and ran enormous
Munitions – Reckon some form of headgear wouldn’t go astray

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Opacity – Just not racing well
Santa Ana Lane – Yes, was first up…but still thought he was entitled to do a lot more
Shared Ambition – Could try and win a lead up…but not a Melbourne Cup horse I don’t think