The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – June 12th Edition

A star mare enhanced her price tag with another Group l win, #SF in the JJ Atkins while a host of riders across Australia saw them like beach balls. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Tofane Tough In Stradbroke

Trainer Michael Moroney and connections pulled Tofane out of the recent Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast because they thought she had more to give on the track and that was confirmed with the mare producing the good in the Stradbroke, wearing down a very gallant Vega One, who was given a peach by Rachel King, with Signore Fox close up in third.

Sydney 1-2-3 In JJ Atkins

Traditionally, the JJ Atkins has been dominated by juveniles trained in Sydney and that trend continued on Saturday with Converge spanking his rivals over the mile, providing the WaterBott camp with another win in the race. Giannis ran second for Chris Waller with BRC Sires winner Tiger Of Malay in third.

Riders Put On A Clinic Across Australia

While the feature racing was in Brisbane, there were highlights from the horsemen and a particular horsewoman. Reece Jones is the form rider in Sydney at the moment and produced four of the best at Randwick, while at Newcastle, Alysha Collett rode five to greet the judge first. But the rising star of Australian racing in terms of apprentices is no doubt Jacob Opperman, who rode five at Morphettville. He’s getting better with time and no doubt one day he’ll make the trek to Melbourne to have a crack.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Not really sure where to go with this because there are plenty to choose from. I’ll give it to Jacob Opperman. He has been touted for over 12 months as the next big thing of SA racing and probably for the first time this afternoon, the general public saw that on display on a big stage, a Saturday metro meeting. He’s going places.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

She didn’t win, but keep an eye on Fangirl. Debuted at Canterbury on Wednesday and closed off with real purpose late in the piece, running a narrow fourth. According to Racing Australia, she is spelling, so not sure we’ll see her anytime soon, but I think she’s talented and will win races.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Great steer from Carleen Hefel aboard No Effort at Sandown. Yes, the pattern was in her corner, but the tactics of letting a speed horse run in front, especially with a lightweight…love a jockey who shows positive initiative and she did in spades aboard this mare. Her claim in town will be invaluable over the next couple of months.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

I don’t want to keep bagging him because he is a legend of the sport and is the best big race rider I’ve seen. But…Glen Boss and the ride on The Harrovian in the Stradbroke. I’ll give him his dues for getting the horse into a great spot in the run and in run, he was the one to beat. But when it came to shoving into clear air, the vigour just isn’t there any more and it ended up being a horror watch. IMO, with a clear path, he goes close to winning, and I think a more aggressive ride in the straight would have seen him go close.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Ellsberg – Not sure what races are in store for the Spring, but he’ll be better with the prep under the belt. Enormous in defeat
Port Louis – Not sacking him yet. He’s a nice colt heading places
La Chevalee – Should have won. No luck at all in the straight
Brutality – He is ready to win. I would recommend using a metro rider, not a country/provincial rider next time
Spring Choice – Given race shape/pattern, the fact he was around two months between runs, he’s the one to follow from Sandown

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Nicci Trix – Think the Kosciuszko talk needs to be put on ice. But she can win a Highway. Not sacking her
Snowzone – Strange ride, forgiving the horse
Chief Altony – Not saying he should have won because he was out in plenty of time. Just think he wants further
Mark Of The Man – Late market push against was proven correct. Think he wants the mile now
Hurtle – Market loved him but he looked plain in his action in the run, so forgive

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Lord Belvedere – He’s had enough and I’ve had enough of him
Garibaldi – He had every chance and was very weak late. He’s a pretender at this level
Apache Chase – Was stunned there was strong market support for him. Nice horse, but limited
Sweet Deal – Dream run and plain late. Couldn’t back her in the Tiara off this
Funstar – Done bugger all since her 3YO season. Retirement has to be on the cards