Prizemoney increases for Victorian racing was the focus point for this week, along with news on a couple of riders, on completely different sides of the spectrum. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.
KEY NEWS:
Subzero Fights For Life
Subzero is without a doubt the most loved horse in Australia, with the 1992 Melbourne Cup winner doing great deeds off the track in retirement. But the 31 year old grey is fighting for life, with kidney related issues coming from a bout of colic he suffered. It’s not the first time he has knocked on the door of death but each time he has passed with flying colours. Hopefully the lovable grey can repeat the dose.
Scales Of Justice Wins Bletchingly
The jumpout on Tuesday left some punters with more questions than answers, but class came to the fore in the Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday via Group l winner Scales Of Justice, who toyed with his rivals and gave them an absolute galloping lesson, capping a brilliant start to the Victorian training career of Lindsey Smith. Favourite Sesar never looked 100% happy and was a beaten horse before the turn.
Fruitful Mic Drop For Sopressa
Group l winning mare Sopressa ended her race career in brilliant style at Caulfield on Saturday with a dominant on speed win in the VOBIS Gold Stayers (2400m) signing off a career that’s been mixed, but clearly highlighted by her SA Oaks win, a memorable day for Harry Coffey. She didn’t quite go on with it, but she bounced back to winning form on the weekend and that was enough for connections to retire her, with the mare to go to Zoustar.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:
He’s had injury troubles has Scales Of Justice, but there’s been no denying the talent he has under the hood and he showed it big time with a dominant win in the Bletchingly Stakes. He likely now heads to the Memsie Stakes and who knows, could he be a sleeper for The Everest with a 1400m Group l win next to his name? Certainly showed enough zip in the legs to leave that question up in the air.
DEBUT OF THE WEEK:
Really liked the debut win of Savoury at Canterbury on Wednesday. Being by Savabeel, you’d assume this filly will get better over a bit further, but she showed good zip to hold a forward spot from the gate and once Avdulla found clear air on her, she lengthened out strongly to win. Keen to see how she goes as she gradually steps up in distance, grade and depth.
RIDE OF THE WEEK:
Brenton Avdulla could have easily popped out and tracked up into a wider spot aboard Our Candidate at Rosehill, but he stuck nearer the inside and gee the runs just kept coming and the horse dashed right away for an outstanding win, but a large chunk of the win was helped by the ride. Avdulla is one of many world class riders in the Sydney jockeys room, without doubt the best jockeys room in the world.
SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:
The beaten riders in the fourth at Morphettville. I was on Arrow Lane so pleasing in that regard, but fair dinkum, the race was over after 200m. Sairyn Fawke was the only jockey to show initiative and once he crossed and got a cheap furlong or two in front, it was game over. Some really negative rides from those in behind but have to applaud the ride as well from the ‘Fawke Lift’.
HORSES TO FOLLOW:
Salsonic – He’s looking for the Randwick mile
Oxford Tycoon – Oh my days
Malahide – Very odd steer. Far too patient. Effort was enormous
Marway – Ridden upside down, gee it went huge in defeat
ONE MORE CHANCE:
You Make Me Smile – That run confirmed for good that taking cover is the wrong option
Sharpe Hussler – Late in the day saw those on speed advantaged. Want to be very forgiving
Royal Order – Looking for a bigger track. Just looked lost on the turn
Behemoth – Needs to improve big time to be in the mix for the Memsie/Golden Eagle, but don’t sack off that. Race dominated/won by a good one
NEVER EVER AGAIN:
Connemara – That looked her race. Not sure I could back/tip her on top again
Jardin Rouge – Really surprised she was hard in the market. She’s a provincial class horse
American In Paris – When he turns four, I doubt he’ll be a city winner
I Thought So – Who were the idiots that backed this?
Torgersen – Who were the idiots that backed this? I was one of them ffs
Sunday Session – Can win, but he won’t be getting my coin
