The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – June 19th Edition

A racing couple in Queensland took the features at Ipswich, a stayer broke a long run of outs at Rosehill while an import impressed at his Australian debut at Flemington. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Thompson/Thornton Show At Ipswich

Victorian riders Ben Thompson and Steph Thornton, a couple, made the move to Queensland not so long ago and the pair dominated the features at Ipswich on Saturday. Thornton won the battle early when claiming the Ipswich Cup aboard surprise winner Happy Go Plucky, but Thompson won the war as he rode the Eye Liner and Gai Waterhouse Classic winners aboard Snitch and Lillemor respectively.

Stockman Breaks Through In McKell Cup

It had been a while between wins for Stockman, but the run of outs came to an end at Rosehill on Saturday when taking out the McKell Cup. In what was a fast run 2000m, it came down to survival of the fittest, he was the fittest and was strongest late in drawing clear under an in form Sam Clipperton.

Degraves Wayward But Impressive At Flemington

Team Williams might have unearthed another good one at Flemington on Saturday with Degraves winning at start one on Australian soil. He looked to be absolutely bolting in the run and once Will Price asked him to extend, away he went, but he wanted to duck in badly, hampering Think ‘N’ Fly, which meant a protest was fired in, albeit an unsuccessful one. He’s destined for better races and could be a 2021 Caulfield Cup contender.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

It wasn’t the best race going around, she’s not the best filly going around, but Forzanini was very tough in winning at Randwick on Wednesday. She showed good ticker late to drive through nearer the inside and win, showing similar to her owner, who we all know is going through some serious health battles and it was a welcomed tonic for Nini and husband Murray. Best wishes to them for the road ahead.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Pretty good performance from Huesca to win on Wednesday on the Kenso track. Was kept pretty safe in betting, had a suck run behind the speed and he finished best to win and win well. Overall time was much quicker than the fillies and he was strong late. He can measure up at Saturday grade this time of year.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Not a particular ride as such, but what is it about Craig Williams and the end of the season? Every year he just seems to go to a level that others can’t match. He’s done it in Melbourne for a number of years. This time around he is doing it in Queensland. Seven winners from his last 15 rides, he is a rider to be followed with confidence over the next few weeks.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Heading overseas for the slaughter this week. I doubt he wins, but Frankie Dettori aboard Stradivarius was a ride of arrogance. Can understand why though given he is the worlds best stayer and is a proven performer at Ascot, but he had ample opportunity to angle clear and build the revs. Instead, he stayed inside, got badly held up and it was race over. That’s the Frankie Dettori that Melbourne Cup punters know. Also giving a shout to Bobby El Issa and his ordinary ride on Tamilaide at Doomben on Wednesday.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Lackeen – Unusual prep for a 2000m race on testing ground. Coming winner if he runs in two weeks time
Ashim – He’s going to be winning races for sure. Good Aussie debut
Degraves – I’d rather be in this guys corner for a Caulfield Cup than Incentivise if I had to choose between the two

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Katalin – Market said she would be legless on the track and it was right. Another chance on firmer footing
Kurabui – That run could be the making of her. Potential Leilani Final contender?

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Verbek – I don’t think he’s that good. Provincial class I’d say
Sally’s Day – Really surprised there was support for her. She’s an ordinary mare
2YO @ Flemington – This looked a plain race on paper and ran up to it. Nothing decent here at all