The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – July 4th Edition

Finals Day at Flemington was a focal point for racing on Saturday, along with a couple of features at Eagle Farm, plus J Mac appealed his suspension. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Sircconi Spanks Them In Winter Final

Sircconi hadn’t won since Caulfield Cup Day 2018 but now with Nick Ryan, the gelding bounced back in a big way, taking out the Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington and he gave his rivals a spanking having backed up from a 2000m run last Saturday. The win continued a great year for Daniel Stackhouse, who leads the Victorian Jockeys Premiership.

Jami Lady Gets Blacktype

The Steve O’Dea trained mare Jami Lady had previously placed at Stakes level but she got a deserving blacktype win next to her name on Saturday at Eagle Farm, taking out the Bright Shadow and leading throughout, something that can be tricky to do at that track. She’ll now have a couple of weeks off and get ready for the Gai Waterhouse at Ipswich on July 18.

J Mac Gets Ban Reduced

The original three week ban handed to James McDonald for his ride on Threeood was reduced to seven days earlier this week. The Racing NSW Appeals Panel upheld the Stewards verdict of three weeks for the lack of vigour aboard the Joe Pride, reducing the ban by two thirds and the leading rider will be available from July 12.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

I think some credit has to go to Gary Portelli and Kathy O’Hara when it comes to Spaceboy. He was a bludger once upon a time, continually turning it up, but the horse has found a great deal of confidence and Kathy O’Hara has ridden him a treat this time in, especially at Randwick on Saturday. Can the enigma go on with it?

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Backing 2YO’s in maidens with older horses this time of year is gold from a punting perspective, and I think we saw an impressive one step out at Cranbourne on Thursday. Endanger for Anthony Freedman was off the bit on the turn but once McNeil shoved into clear air, gee he lengthened and got better as the race went on. He’s got the look of a Spring horse.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Thought it was a lovely ride from Tommy Berry aboard Agassi in the last at Randwick. Took bad luck out of the equation by rolling to the lead, controlling things to suit himself and had the race in control from a fair way out. His ride on Handspun was pretty good, but loved the initiative he showed here on this galloper.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Alphaville did go around as if it was a barrier trial in the Silver Bowl Final at Flemington, but from the same race…gee it was an ordinary ride from Mick Dee aboard Over The Sky. Very low percentage play to stay nearer the inside and wait for the gaps to appear when he could have easily got on the back of Selica and get to the extreme outside. Ran similar late splits to the eventual winner so IMO, clearly should have fought the finish out. Also, the beaten riders in the Mahogany Final, namely Olly on Sign Deal Deliver. Any danger of turning it into a staying contest and not a 500m dash, setting it up perfectly for Persan.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Travest – Nice horse. Just very raw still. Blinkers maybe for him next time?
Desert Path – Coming winner with dry ground
Outback Diva – Very brave run in defeat
Alcyone – He’ll be the best horse to come from the Taj Rossi Final
Over The Sky – He’s a really nice horse. No luck, poor ride
Star Of Michelin – It’ll take a good one to beat him in the Winx Guineas
Maddi Rocks – Fair dinkum…horrible wtach

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Alphaville – Horror show if you were on. If they can find a Pakenham Synthetic race, bet up
Howlowcanyougo – Backed as if unbeatable and found zero. Better than that surely

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Mr Dependable – Every chance. Beyond 1600m isn’t his go. Even 1600m stretches him
Superium – Needs a dry track…but he’s had enough this prep
Lashes – Repeat Superium
Garibaldi – I’m amazed he was odds on. He’s only won one race
Multaja – I’ve had enough of her