The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – June 20th Edition

A country galloper stole the show at Flemington, a Team Hawkes import spanked them at Randwick while a world class horse stole the show at Royal Ascot. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Front Page News – Kosciuszko Calling

Geoff Duryea has a good mare in News Girl but the younger brother Front Page might be better after the three year old gave his rivals a proper galloping lesson in the Creswick (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday, showing electric change up speed when asked by Lewis German and he was impressive. Being trained at Corowa in country NSW, no doubt the three year old will have a break and get ready for the Kosciuszko on Everest Day.

Mount Popa Climbing Heights Of Spring

Spring is calling for Mount Popa after the Team Hawkes import produced an impressive finale to win at Randwick on Saturday. Admittedly, he didn’t beat much, but it was his second run in Australia and to lump topweight on testing ground was a good effort. He’ll head to the paddock now and I’m sure the stable will plot a path for blacktype, perhaps similar to Master Of Wine.

Stradivarius Confirms All Time Greatness

He wasn’t supposed to handle the wet ground that Royal Ascot put up, but Stradivarius swam like Michael Phelps in the Gold Cup (4000m) and confirmed his status as one of the all time great horses, not just stayers, with an unbelievable win in the big staying contest, his third win in the race in as many years. Some punters were a bit concerned because he paraded with five legs on display, but he wasn’t just in the mood for some loving. He was in the mood to produce something special on the track and that he did.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Cannot get away from Stradivarius. The measure of a champion, a proper champion, is when they make good horses look ordinary. Winx fitted that criteria, as did Black Caviar, Frankel, So You Think..Stradivarius can be mentioned in that company now. He’s an all time great and off that win, there is no signs of him going backwards.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Team #They were all over Pinkham at Seymour on Thursday off the back of a couple of sharp jumpouts, but you couldn’t imagine how sharp she was on raceday and the manner in which she won. Sat five wide throughout, albeit around one bend, but Michael Walker barely moved. The majority of times for the meeting suggested the track was a genuine Soft5, so for her to run a tick over 57 without being extended for the 1000m, she looks a proper horse and looks a blacktype winner in waiting.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

TJason Collett produced a couple of lovely rides at Randwick on Saturday, but the steer on Stella Sea Sun was a beauty. Hooked back to get on the best ground, the inside, and he just sliced his way through the field with the mare showing her class in the end for a good win. Notable mention to Tommy Berry on Poetic Charmer.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Nothing stood out in this regard

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Bad Boy For Love – Just call this horse Qantas #Flying
Elaborate – Excellent in defeat. Can win soon in a similar race
My Swashbuckler – If he found a Class One/Maiden over 2000m+…bet of the year
Spencer – Dry track please
Danon Roman – He can keep winning
Alcyone – He’s screaming out as a 2000m+ horse. Might be a sneaky Derby prospect
So You Swing – Wants 1600m now
Curragh – Coming winner if he finds genuine wet ground

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Broken Arrows – Back to Rosehill/Needs a firmer deck
Superium – He was asked to chase from a long way out. Wants it firmer
Rich Charm – Not given much hope with the ride. Want to see again
Hold The Line – Don’t sack her off that. Just never went a yard
Reckless Choice – Back to Eagle Farm or Sunny Coast, want to give him one more look

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Southern Lad – There to win, but turned it up
Misteed – Trying hard…just not winning
Bigboyroy – He’s a bit overhyped IMO. He had every chance to wear them down
Montenegro Man – Two disappointing runs now. He can warm the pine
Alfarris – Every chance. Poor
Mr Marathon Man – Four wide throughout. Still gave in quickly