The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – December 28th Edition

The Magic Millions picture became somewhat clearer at Eagle Farm while there was a feature sprint race at Randwick. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

The Candy Man Can Again

The Gold Coast will be roaring in two weeks win, lose or draw when it comes to popular grey The Candy Man, who will be there to contest the 2400m stayers race after his dominant win in the Shoot Out (2200m) at Eagle Farm. Brad Stewart got him into a lovely spot just off the speed and from the home turn onwards, it was a painless watch. Off his recent wins, 2400m at the Gold Coast should be fine.

Alligator Blood Confirms Magic Millions Superiority

It was built up as a clash between Queensland’s best, Alligator Blood, against one of the best from Sydney, Diamond Thunder, but in the end, it was a one act affair as Alligator Blood comfortably beat his rivals yet again and confirmed himself as the clear #1 seed for the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m). Diamond Thunder was very one paced when the sprint went on but was good late.

Team Snowden Humming Towards Gold Coast

On paper and in the all in market, Team Snowden will be winning the Magic Millions Classic (1200m). The question is which one? Aim last Saturday was sharp and on Saturday they produced a couple more with Nitrous winning at Randwick, but it was $1.4 Million colt King’s Legacy that caught the attention, beating Every Rose and hype horse Blondeau in the BJ McLachlan (1200m) at Eagle Farm.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Credit where credit is due. The Ellerton/Zahra team, connections and punters had just about lost patience with Odeon, but the set up for him in the Lord Stakes on Thursday was perfect and under a lovely ride from Williams, he was far too good and spanked his rivals, his first win in around two years. Well done to all concerned.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Was pretty impressed by the all the way win of Return With Honour at Randwick on Boxing Day. Showed good speed from the wide gate to lead and from there, it was a lovely watch, and despite being challenged late, he was always winning. Time was okay relative to the day and you’d like to think he will come right on from that.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Really sharp initiative from Tommy Berry aboard Embracer. This horse is a bit one dimensional in the sense he is best when leading, and from the gate, Tommy made sure he was leading, and the mid part of the race is where it was won, getting a cheap time of it on speed, which won the race and in turn lost it for Superium.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Glyn Schofield had a couple of ordinary steers he’d like to forget. Starting with Celandine on Thursday at Randwick. Was just a nothing ride with little initiative and the filly rightfully faded out of the finish. Fast forward to Sydney and the steer on Alternative Facts was an ugly watch. Tried to go through a brick wall of horses and just nothing happened. Also the beaten the riders in the first at the Valley. Some very negative tactics in behind the leader, who pinched it. Not so much a slaughter, but it’s been an ugly few days for the McEvoy stable. Since Boxing Day, they’ve had 20 runners for one winner, and of those 20, 15 started $5 or under.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Chat – Coming winner. No luck
Laure Me In – Let the teasing commence
Invincibella – The Magic Millions F&M race is over. She wins barring bad luck

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Rocha Clock – Nice horse. Don’t sack
Poetic Charmer – Found a hot race. Back in depth, can win

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Nordic – That’s enough of him
Live And Free – He was awful. No more
Kylease – She’s a one trick pony that won at Kembla via bias