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

A star media personality calls time, a filly stamped her Oaks credentials while a three year old filly put her claims on the table for the Magic Millions Guineas in a big way. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Lizzie Jelfs Farewells Sky Racing

The best mounting yard expert, comfortably, in Australia in Lizzie Jelfs reported at her final meeting on Saturday at Randwick after a successful stint with Sky Racing. There is little debate that she is the best in the business at her craft in this part of the world and is one of the rare media personalities that can actually influence a market via her followers. A family move to the Hunter next year was the reason for the departure.

Vandyke With The Goddess Of Queensland

Depends what side of the fence you are on, some could label Annastacia Palaszczuk as the ‘Goddess Of Queensland’ but David Vandyke could well have a challenger for that title in the shape of Gypsy Goddess, who was an arrogant winner of the Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, ensuring that a prep towards the Oaks next year is on the cards. Admittedly she beat a bunch of camels, but the manner in which she put them away was impressive.

Me Me Lagarde Wins Gold Edition

Talented filly Me Me Lagarde is in the mix for the Magic Millions Guineas for the locals after a strong win from the back to take out the Gold Edition Plate (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, coming with a well timed run to blouse them out wide. Far Too Easy ran second while Release The Beans was huge in third.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

It wasn’t the strongest field going around but great to see The Bopper return to winning ways. Looked hairy early on in the straight but Bowman got clear and the horse got better as the race went on. Is he a Stakes class horse now? Time will tell, but a very good return in solid time.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Time will tell if the 2YO Wyong Magic Millions was a strong race or not. I think there are a couple that impressed on debut in the race, starting with the winner Soaring Ambition, who reminded me of Exceedance how wide she came at the top of the straight and her brilliant finale to win. The other horse to follow is Hell I Am. Market wanted him and he had no luck.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Kerrin McEvoy again, this time for Huetor. There was a split second decision to either come to the outside for clear air, or stick to the fence and wait for the gaps to appear. He did the latter and it proved to be the right move, timing his run to perfection to nail Lord Ardmore.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

The beaten riders in the third at Flemington. You could say it was a 2600m race, but really, it was a 2600m barrier trial won by Skelm. Michael Poy was the only rider to show initiative and voila, the horse bolted up. Farcically run race and it was ordinary steering from those behind the winner.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Tamilaide – He’s a good horse. Just no idea how to jump clean from the gates
Poetic Charmer – Dry track and he’ll measure up at the Gold Coast
The Bopper – Hopefully he can go on with it now
Squid Game – It’s all green light with him, no red light
It’sourtime – He’s the Standish pony

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Motomiss – Wide no cover, total forgive
Much Much Better – He’s done a super job this prep but looks a tired horse

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Humbolt Current – He was there to win the race but half turned it up. Not again
Xerri – Copped a check, but I think it confirms he’s not a Saturday class horse
Rhapsody Rose – Not a Magic Millions Guineas contender
Tumbler Ridge – Very plain effort
Alligator Blood – Retirement please
Furphy – Don’t think he pulled up 100% but no more for me
Bigboyroy – Life ban…and yes, this is a proper life ban
Kamien – He sums up the form of the stable #cast
Long Arm – Copy/Paste Kamien