The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – January 8th Edition

The Magic Millions picture took some shape at the Gold Coast, Waller doing Waller things in a feature race at Rosehill while also at Rosehill, J Mac proved he is indeed human. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Magic Millions Preludes Take Shape For Next Week

The Saturday leading into Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast is day for the lesser class horses to try and get a win, getting a final spot in fields for the big races next weekend. Mishani Spartan and Miss Hellfire took out the Nugget and Pearl respectively, with the fillies in the Pearl running faster time. In saying that, the last two years, the slower time of those two races has been the better form reference for the Magic Millions Classic.

Waller 1-2 In January Cup

It was a lean patch of extraordinary sorts for Chris Waller when it came to the metro scene in NSW but he got back to his home track at Rosehill and dominated the feature race there on Saturday, the January Cup (2000m), providing the 1-2. It wasn’t exactly the result punters were expecting with So You Win defeating Mubariz while favourite Order Again was plain and his name might be mentioned down below.

Broomstick Missing For J Mac

It was a frustrating day for followers of James McDonald at Rosehill, with the gun hoop not getting a win despite a seemingly plum book of rides, and was as short as $1.04 with some bookmakers for the Jockey Challenge. He got narrowly beaten on Joviality and the day was summed up in the last when outbobbed in a photo finish by another Waller horse, True Detective.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

I think the Maher/Eustace camp have a really good one in their care via Yonce. She was impressive on debut at Mornington but was even better at Sandown on Wednesday. There to be run down 250m out but when she was asked for the big effort, gee she extended like a good horse. She has blacktype written all over her. Just a matter of where.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Speaking of blacktype, that is where I Am Bene is destined for after her slick debut win at Gawler on Saturday. Looked hairy on the turn and at the top of the straight, but once Gatt got clear air with her, gee she exploded and put 3.5L on them in 250m. Did she beat much? I’m saying no, but the change up speed was that of a really good horse.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

I gave Alana Kelly a clip for her ride aboard Dirty Deeds last Saturday and she replied with a brilliant double at Caulfield. The old adage of let fast horses run fast was personified with her steers aboard In The Boat and Open Minded. She let both roll on speed in their respective races and gave nothing from behind a chance to run her down. Great front running steers.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

The Stewards Report from Gawler on Saturday and notably race four will be interesting. What on earth were Toeroek, Holder and Boyd doing? They barbecued each other for the first 400m or so, with Toeroek on the well supported Montepulciano not budging in wanting the lead and it just set up perfectly for the three in behind. Horrible riding from all three.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Vespertine – She can keep winning
Palladas – Racing well, spanked the rest. Knocking on the door
Tamilaide – Went from a barrier trial tempo to a strong tempo. He’s a nice horse, don’t sack
In The Bene – Blacktype quality

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Steplee – Tardy, wide no cover, clear forgive
Loveplanet – Next start is D-Day

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Air To Air – Yep…life well and truly, unless they send her to the country
Order Again – Fresh is best for him
Neighbourhood – She might just be a bludger
Manhood – The boom lasted one run
Nugget/Pearl – I highly doubt the winner for the 2YO Millions comes from this form
Starelle – Her strike rate says it all
Gosden – Never ever ever ever again