The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – April 18th Edition

The Sydney Autumn Carnival officially wrapped up at Randwick on Saturday while earlier in the week, a champion sprinter was retired. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

King’s Legacy Does The Double

Not since Guelph had a horse done the Sires/Champagne double but King’s Legacy added his name to the honour roll of over 40 horses to do it when taking out the Champagne on Saturday, just edging out Glenfiddich in a driving go to the line. Ole Kirk ran third, and had every chance. For Hugh Bowman, he completed the rare feat of riding all three legs of the Sydney 2YO triple crown.

Tofane Wins All Aged

Tofane had been flying all prep without winning but her time in the spotlight finally came when taking out the All Aged Stakes on Saturday at Randwick, winning a great battle with Pierata, who bowed out of racing with a cruel close up second, with the five year old to be retired to Stud now. Fasika was brave on speed in running third.

Farewell Redzel

Redzel has been one of the great sprinters post the Black Caviar era and the Team Snowden trained warhorse was retired this week with everyone concerned deciding that his mighty effort in the TJ Smith behind Nature Strip was a fitting farewell for the two time Everest winner, who sits second to Winx as the all time prizemoney earner in Australian racing.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

It was hard not to be impressed by Kinane. Well done if you got the $51 all in that was offered for him on Tuesday. Got down to $7 come jump time and you just had to love the way he surged nearer the inside and dashed clear at the end. He looks a pure stayer that will get better with time and more ground. Keen to see where he goes.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Archanna has the wraps given she’s a close relation to The Autumn Sun and whether she reaches the heights of that horse is unknown. But she has a very bright future after her debut win on Monday at Warwick Farm. Was as short as around $2.50 and got to as much as $8 just before jump time. She made a mess of them, won with arrogance and the clock backed up the eye.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

A premiership is there to be won and Craig Williams is just showing his class with a beautiful steer aboard Jumbo Ozaki in the opener at Caulfield. Saved every inch of ground nearer the inside, hooked off the back of the leader and was too good in the run to the line, but 100% the ride won the race. 12/10 steer.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Tom Marquand has been a star in Australia, but has thrown up the odd horror show and he produced one at Warwick Farm on Monday via Attorney. Think most had the horse easing back from the gate, looking for cover and finding the line late, like he did in the trial. But decided to find a forward spot, look anyway, and in turn got stuck wide for the first 600m-800m of the race and it was race over after that. Given he was only beaten 1.4L, I think if ridden cold and saved for one run, he wins.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Kinane – The offers from Hong Kong will be there after that win. He’s a beauty with plenty more to come
Shared Ambition – He dodged the handicapper for the Spring. He’s a Cups contender for the locals
Sacred Lass – Oh dear. How far

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Moonlight Maid – Think she’s on target for the SA Oaks. Encouraging signs from her at Caulfield
Magic Fox – Convinced he’s going well. Just needs a jockey upgrade
Charossa – Fat day for Richards/Holder, but this wasn’t pretty. Give him another look
Vegas Jewel – Negative ride, pretty much a barrier trial. Don’t rule her out in the Oaks

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Danceteria – Market support he was on track to do something positive. He did zilch
Bivouac – He’s a flat track bully. Needs things to fall into place for him to win
Cuba – Surprised he was backed. He’s not a Saturday class horse unless he gets total control in front
Kubrick – Missing the start far from ideal. Still, he was ordinary
Eduardo – That Oakleigh Plate run has busted him. Just not the same horse
Busker’s Ballad – He’s a proper bludger