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

Mystic Journey kicked off her Spring in style, Godolphin flexed their muscles and a high class three year old stamped his Caulfield Guineas credentials in Adelaide . All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Mystic Journey Wins PB Lawrence

The bargain buy superstar from Tasmania, Mystic Journey, kicked off her 2019 Cox Plate prep in style when winning the PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday in outstanding fashion, confirming her mantle as one of the best in Australia. She sat off a good speed and it was all over at the top of the straight, with the final margin of three quarters of a length seriously flattering her rivals. Onwards and upwards for the star.

Godolphin Flex Their Muscles

Godolphin dominated the two year old races last season and that could well translate to the three year old season if racing on Saturday was any indicator. Firstly, Pandemic produced an unbelievable finale to win at Randwick, making it 2/2 to start his career. Then later in the afternoon at Caulfield, Bivouac produced the win of the season so far with a stunning turn of foot to claim the Vain Stakes (1100m). Then in the following race, Magic Millions Classic winner Exhilarates resumed with a bang when winning the Quezette Stakes (1100m).

Beware of the South Australian

Godolphin could well dominate the key three year old races, but I think A South Australian three year old will have something to say in the 2019 Caulfield Guineas, in the shape of the Macdonald/Gluyas trained Dalasan, who resumed against Scales Of Justice and Despatch in the Spring Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville and despite doing plenty wrong, his class really came to the fore late and he was outstanding in winning. He likely now heads to Melbourne where his focus will be the Caulfield Guineas. Yours truly has a nice slice of him e/w at $26 in the race so here’s hoping he progresses.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

How can you ignore Bivouac and his effort in the Vain? Pippie had the title won after her spanking in the opener but Bivouac and his change up speed was just something else. His last 200m of 11.08 was clearly the fastest of the meeting and he did it without really being fully extended by Hugh Bowman. I know it’s late Winter/Early Spring and generally these races are for the second/third tier runners, but he looks A Grade.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Wasn’t really much in terms of debuts, but liked the way Reformist attacked the line to win on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. It was a classic case of ‘Wrong Waller Horse’ given he started $26 while stablemate Hulk was the even money pop and J Mac lifted Reformist late to edge out Hulk in a close go. Interesting to see where he heads to this time of year.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

There were some really good rides across the week. Saturday saw Nash rode a couple of pearlers, namely on Commander. He completely dominated that race outside the leader and made it to suit himself and he duly won. His brother Brad gets a mention for his 12/10 on Rich Itch at Sale on Thursday. That horse is a fair dinkum bludger but Rawiller made all the right moves and pounced at the right time.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Failed to find anything noteworthy.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Pandemic – No limit to how good he is
November Man – Faster speed next time and he’ll just about be winning
Single Bullet – If he can find a similar race and conditions on the course proper, he can win
Laburnum – Excellent return
Bivouac – Wow

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Slow Burn – Just needs a track with a bit of give
Dagny – Ala Slow Burn
Duretto – Wouldn’t sack him off that
Behemoth – A race like the Sir Rupert Clarke would be alright for him. He’s going well

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Airfree (On Dry Ground) – Just didn’t go a yard. Needs give in the track
Velocita – That was really ordinary
Dubious – Races will only get harder. He looks a second/third tier horse