The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – Caulfield Cup, Everest Edition

The Everest and the Caulfield Cup in one day…does anymore need to be said? A belter of a day racing wise, with some outstanding performances across both programs. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Handle The Truth Wins Kosciuszko

A plan 12 months in the making has come off for Keith Dryden with Handle The Truth getting the win in the $1.3 Million Kosciuszko (1200m) at Randwick. The four year old had no luck first up at Randwick behind Signore Fox but with a peach steer from Nash Rawiller, the gelding eased off the back of the speed and showed good change up speed to beat Victorem and Bobbing, who was outsanding from the back.

Yes Yes Yes…He Conquers The Everest

He’s a genius Chris Waller. He’s done it again, this time in the richest race on turf in the world when his three year old colt Yes Yes Yes claimed the Everest (1200m) at Randwick, showing an electric turn of foot when asked for an effort by Bossy and the colt proved too good for Santa Ana Lane, with Trekking running third. It was a fat race for Waller. Yes Yes Yes won in the slot Waller Racing owns, plus Nature Strip ran a gutsy fourth. Arcadia Queen was the major flop, beating one runner home with James McDonald saying post race “She jumped well and got into a lovely position. I got a severe check at about the 300m mark and that put her out of business. Obviously she is a mare that needs a bit of space to wind into her race.”

Mer De Glace Says Arigato In Caulfield Cup

Ah the Japanese…they’re just different gravy. Mer De Glace, unbeaten in 2019, continued the picket fence next to his name with a win in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) under a lovely steer from Damian Lane, who capped off a remarkable last six months, starting with Kiamchi in the Golden Slipper. He was too good for Vow And Declare and Mirage Dancer, with Constantinople the clear unlucky runner.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Thought Of That and his win in the Caulfield Classic…what are we dealing with here? Admittedly, the race was handed to him on a platter due to the slow tempo and a beaut steer from Linda Meech, but the dash he showed at the end and put them away…gee he looks an exciting prospect and all of a sudden, Shadow Hero has some company re Victoria Derby.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

What about the debut win of Heart Of Puissance at Warrnambool on Friday? John Allen barely had control of the colt, but gee he showed good change up speed and won with plenty in hand it seemed. Times relative to the meeting after deceiving given the track got a fair hit of rain later in the day, but you can only go off what you saw, and he looked very good.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

A jockey that shows initiative. It’s great to see and Tommy Berry produced it in spades with Happy Clapper in the Craven Plate. Was wide early and stuck there for the trip, so Berry rolled the dice and went forward to find the front, getting the lead and from there, he showed good ticker late to fend them off, but the ride clearly won the race.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

I think Hugh Bowman would like his time again on Betcha Flying at Randwick. Eases onto the back of Maddi Rocks and brings into the straight full momentum, she wins comfortably. Instead, he rode for luck between runners, held up, and got out, but she’s a momentum horse and just missed. I’m sure Chris Waller will find something for her at Flemington, and she’ll go close. Nolen on Constantinople in the Caulfield Cup…no words.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Betcha Flying – Ordinary steer, should have won. She’ll win one shortly
Tally – He’s flying. Rosehill Cup looks a perfect race
Warning – He’s still in the Derby mix
Constantinople – Replay says it all

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Arcadia Queen – Forgive a star for one poor run. Don’t drop off her in the Golden Eagle
Ready Set Sail – No luck at all. She can bounce back next time
Contrition – Probably had enough now after wide throughout, but she’s a nice filly

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Humbolt Current – Gee he’s a one batter
Duchess Of Lennox – Trialled super leading into this prep, but last couple have been terrible
Desert Lord – Who were the idiots that backed this in? He’s a low level Stakes horse at very best