Lindsey Smith confirmed the move to Victoria as a right one, a star colt resumed with a bang at Rosehill while the career of a top sprinter is at the crossroads. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.
KEY NEWS:
Scales Of Justice Atones For Last Start
It was an ugly watch if you were on Scales Of Justice two weeks ago in the Spring Stakes at Morphettville but it was much more enjoyable in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, with Dean Yendall giving the Lindsey Smith trained gelding a peach ride just off a fast speed and he was much too good for his rivals, capping off a wonderful start to the Victorian career of Smith. Alizee just got too far back in the run and her effort was full of merit.
Exceedance…Wow
Did he beat much? Probably not. But you just had to be impressed with the way Exceedance put them away and started his Spring with a big statement in winning the San Domenico (1100m), making the $1.30 favourite Bivouac look second rate in a commanding performance. He now likely heads down the Golden Rose/Caulfield Guineas path, but there is talk of potentially the Everest on the cards.
Where Is Vega Magic At?
The jury is well and truly out on Vega Magic after the Group l winner was awful when resuming in the Heath 1100 at Caulfield, finishing tailed off last behind surprise winner Crystal Dreamer. Jockey Damien Oliver said post race that the horse was on the wrong leg all the way and didn’t like being headed, inside Ball Of Muscle. At the time of writing, nothing had been found by the vet, but retirement is an option.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:
Hard not to be impressed by the change up speed of Exceedance and the way he put them away to win the San Domenico. There were some querying his wet track credentials, but his mum was a swimmer and breeding is one of the more important guides to a horse untried on wet ground. He ate it up, though I dare say he’ll be even better on firmer footing and that could be serious trouble for his rivals over the next month or so.
DEBUT OF THE WEEK:
Bit to like about the debut win of Wild Fortune at Scone on Tuesday. Sustained speed over the 900m and gave nothing else a look in, bolting up by over three lengths and the time was solid relative to the day. What level she gets to, I’m not sure, but she’s got more to come I suspect with the right placement.
RIDE OF THE WEEK:
Want to go back to Thursday and Craig Robertson aboard Nicajon at Warrnambool. He was in a tricky spot between runners early on, but then was able to get into the wider lanes, peel out and get clear air. But he played the percentages and saved ground between runners, with the gaps appearing at the right time and the horse burst through for an impressive win, but the ride won the race.
SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:
Steph Thornton has done some nice things since she started her venture in QLD, but her ride on So Spirited was ordinary. Just no initiative really, sitting wide throughout where she could have pushed forward after jumping well. Went down by a lip, so if she holds on, doesn’t get mentioned, but I think with a better ride, the horse wins. From Caulfield, Willow had a few he’d like to forget, and Teo Nugent on Night’s Watch wasn’t pretty viewing. Michael Walker on Naval Warfare wasn’t great either.
HORSES TO FOLLOW:
Sweet Thomas – Wants firmer footing, but ran well
Steel Prince – Nice first up run from a Melbourne Cup runner
Missile Mantra – Excellent resumption
Fidelia – Ran right up to the trials. Very good
Night’s Watch – Goes close with clear air
ONE MORE CHANCE:
None
NEVER EVER AGAIN:
Roosevelt – Plain…very plain
Ambitious – Ordinary…again
