The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – December 3rd Edition

Sky Boy confirmed himself as a really good horse while up north, a couple of high class animals bounced back to winning form. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Sky Boy Is In The Doncaster

He’s been the form horse of the Sydney Spring/Summer and now Sky Boy is into the Doncaster Mile field after winning the Villiers at Randwick on a Saturday, a ballot exemption for the big mile race in the Autumn. Despite facing his toughest test to date, he was well fancied and under a lovely ride from Christian Reith, he found plenty in the straight to get the win. Duncan Ramage said the long term plan would be the 2019 Melbourne Cup.

Houtzen Breaks Track Record

After a luckless Melbourne campaign, Houtzen returned back home to Queensland and bounced back to her best with a dominant win in the Bribie Handicap at Doomben, leading all the way under Jeff Lloyd and breaking the track record in the process in a commanding performance which sent a warning to her rivals that she’ll take a power of beating in the Magic Millions Sprint.

Zoustyle Is A Star

I wasn’t a believer in Zoustyle but after his win on Saturday in the Gold Edition, I am now. The win was simply outstanding, copping pressure in front from Chess Star but quickly beat that horse, showed that electric turn of foot and put them away very quickly to run amazing time once again. He looks the real deal and despite being ineligible for the Magic Millions, there could well be bigger fish to fry.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

It might be ‘Just Horse Racing’, but I want to give a nod to another code and the performance of Tiger Tara in the Inter Dominion Pacing Final on Saturday night at Melton. That was one of the most arrogant wins I’ve seen across both codes, and that includes the likes of Winx, Black Caviar and Lazarus. The race was over 600m out once Todd McCarthy let him go. Admittedly, it wasn’t a vintage Inter Dominion field, but the arrogance and brilliance was there, smashing the track record in the process.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

I was very impressed by the win of Yulong September at Sandown on Wednesday. The Darren Weir trained gelding had trialled up really well prior to the debut, where he looked in an impossible spot on the turn but Ethan Brown built up the revs, got clear and the horse savaged the line the last 200m to score. Son of Camelot, so there should only be upside left and he looks a really good prospect.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

The set up was there for Victorem to blow them away in the Lough Neagh. Just needed to hold the back of I’m A Rippa and that is how it happened thanks to Dale Smith. He gave Victorem a couple of nudges to hold the back of the leader and once he did, it was a matter of getting clear air and putting them away, which he did. Onto the Buffering in a fortnight for him. Lovely ride from Smith.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

A few smart judges were keen to back Doubt Defying. $11 was put up and he ended up starting $5.50 equal second pick. The ride was ugly and the viewing from his supporters was grim. Michael Walker got a mile back in the run and the horse was never a winning threat given the position he was in, then the old zig zag moves in the straight didn’t help either. Horse ran an enormous race and I’d say he wins if he used the barrier to advantage.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Yulong September – Smart, smart animal in the making
Yes Yes Yes – Can comfortably measure up in the Magic Millions
Declares War – He looks a Group l talent
Californiagrandcru – Enormous from the back. He’ll win one of these shortly
Bluebrook – Market said he was legless. Wouldn’t drop off him

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Not sure if he’ll race again this prep but if he does, give Columbia another chance in SA. Thought he was poorly ridden by Todd Pannell on Saturday at Gawler. Just waited far too long to get going and those in front had pinched it. Luckless in the Magic Millions race the start prior as well so I wouldn’t drop off him despite getting beat.

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

The ride wasn’t that great, but it was more the horse when it comes to Diamond Tycoon. She’s teasing to win but is becoming far too costly and I’ve had enough of her. Looked an ideal race at Gawler on Saturday but she didn’t come on at all and just whacked away, but again on the line she was good. Just showing no early speed and she won’t be winning races unless that changes.