The Sydney Autumn Carnival wrapped up at Randwick and the highlights were Group l ducks broken on a couple of fronts. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.
KEY NEWS:
Pierata Wins All Aged
Pierata finally broke the tag as the best horse in Australia to not win a major when finishing off with purpose to win the All Aged Stakes (1400m) under a lovely ride from Tommy Berry, who had an eventful afternoon but he produced the good when it was needed the most on this four year old, who now has his future sealed post racing with a stud career certainly on the cards. Osborne Bulls now has the title as the best horse in Australia to win a major with another placing.
Dundeel For Litt In Champagne
Richard Litt got the biggest win of his career to date when juvenile Castelvecchio scored a dominant win in the Champagne Stakes (1600m), cementing his place as one of the best two year olds we’ve seen this season. The pace was a cracker set by Lady Lupino, but the move that won the race for the son of Dundeel was the fact that Josh Parr was able to get Castelvecchio to sit better than midfield in the run and not out the back last. When that happened, it was game over. He’s going to be an exciting three year old.
Zed Em You Star
He might not have the popularity or following of Winx, but Zed Em is a champion in his own right and he confirmed it at Oakbank once again when winning his second Great Eastern Steeple (4950m), to go along with his three Von Doussa wins. Each time he has been steered by Steve Pateman and for the most part has never looked like getting beat. He was in complete control on Saturday, admittedly against a line up that wasn’t strong, but he was always the winner and won like the $1.20 pop he was.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:
Was the class runner of the field, but win of the day for mine from Valour Road at Ascot, who was first up. Uncharacteristically missed the start and was hunted forward from Azzopardi to find a spot, chasing a hot speed. He was entitled to weaken but he was actually the strongest late and surged hard to score a mighty win. Not sure where he goes, but he’s a beauty.
DEBUT OF THE WEEK:
You can put War Saint in the blackbook. Looks a high class three year old for next season who debuted at Ascot on Good Friday and despite doing a bit wrong in front, like he did in the trial, the turn of foot was there and he won with absolute ease despite probably not being 100% happy on the wet track. Still very raw and new, but the engine is under the hood and he’s exciting.
RIDE OF THE WEEK:
Can’t go past Jason Collett aboard Belfast Bella at Hawkesbury on Tuesday. This mare was back last 600m out and seemingly in a nasty spot, but Collett stuck to his guns and followed the rail, where there were tired horses, and the gaps just opened up beautifully and the mare did the rest, dashing clear late for a dominant win, but the ride was clearly a major factor. It was a beauty, like his ride on Valentino Rossa at Warwick Farm 24 hours later.
SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:
Olly produced a couple of peach steers at Caulfield, but the one on Tofane was horrendous. The trials and two race starts suggested she was a speedy filly who would be near the front and getting run of the race hence why she was backed with confidence. Restraining back to near last behind a wall of horses, some of which had no hope…yeah. It wasn’t pretty to watch.
HORSES TO FOLLOW:
Man From Uncle – No luck at all when bolting
Eawase – Surely a race for her at Scone or Brisbane. She’s a dry tracker and back on track I think
Grey Lion – Very soft win, with plenty of upside. Won’t look out of place in whatever he contests
Castelvecchio/Fortress Command – This pair look star 3YO’s.
Tyzone – No luck for the 48th time. He’s flying
R9 Randwick – Going to be a red hot form race I suspect with a stack of good runs
Tofane – Replay says it all
Observational – Warrnambool Cup maybe? John Sadler has him back on track
ONE MORE CHANCE:
One more chance to Into The Abyss. Just had no luck when Lane wanted to get clear and the winner Labunrum stole a winning break while this girl was held up. Next time for her will be D-Day as a betting proposition because she’s becoming costly.
NEVER EVER AGAIN:
Osborne Bulls (At Group l level) – He’s a ripper, runs well…but can’t get a win on the board at the highest level. Can’t back him with confidence at that level
Cristal Eyes – Two poor runs on the bounce. Steering clear
Ambitious – Did nothing after getting a good run. He’s done for me
Superhard – Straight track racing might be his go. Bit one dimensional it seems.
