The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – June 22nd Edition

This week was dominated by racing at Royal Ascot while the Group l season in Australia ended with more history being created by Chris Waller. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Waller Makes History In Tatts Tiara

Chris Waller confirmed his status as one of the all time great trainers when breaking the Group l record in a season via Invincibella, who recorded her first ever major when saluting in a thrilling edition of the Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm, also providing Jason Collett with his first Group l. The win saw Waller get to 18 Group l wins for the season, passing the record that TJ Smith created since the 1979/80 season.

Blake Shinn Caps Off A Brilliant Winter

The decision to base himself in Queensland for the Winter Carnival proved to be an absolute master stroke for Blake Shinn as the gun hoop capped off a remarkable Winter Carnival at Eagle Farm on Saturday, winning three races on Saturday and just missing out in the Tatts Tiara aboard Pohutukawa. His final ride on Brave Song was an absolute peach and it summed up how well he has done the last couple of months.

Sesar Destined For Better Things

He’s already a Group ll winner and a Group l performer, so the career of Sesar post racing is sealed via Aquis buying in, but Team Hawkes could enhance that CV if the first up win at Randwick is any guide. Not sure he was entirely happy on the surface off the good speed, but had to love the way he went to the line late when full of running despite being first up. Team Hawkes are the best stable in the business at crafting out a top class stallion. Keen to see what they do with this bloke.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Blake Shinn gets the honours. As I said, he’s had an outstanding Winter Carnival in Brisbane and it was perfectly summed up at Eagle Farm, finishing top three in all seven rides with three wins and a narrow second aboard Pohutukawa in the feature. He now heads to Hong Kong and I don’t think anyone will begrudge the success he has over there despite limited opportunities due to his weight.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Excused had trialled up really well on a couple of occasions for the Hayese/Dabernig team prior to debuting at Sandown on Wednesday where he did a bit work from the wide gate but looked to be going easily and when asked for an effort by Willow, he put them away rather quickly and was dominant in solid time for the day. Interesting to see how far he can get to.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

That man again Blake Shinn and his 12/10 steer on Brave Song in the Healy. Was further back than most anticipated and for a few strides it looked like an ugly watch, but the patient hands of Shinn waited for the gaps to appear, which they did, and the horse did the rest, sprinting hard late to score a well deserved win, but a large portion of the win has to be from the ride.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Safe to say Live And Free should have won. Gee it was a horrendous watch if you were on. Bossy was building the revs nicely on the gelding, but just took the wrong option when the horse needed to get clear and from there, it was just ugly viewing, with Boss high in the irons checking off heels and when clear, he charged to the line. Clear air from the top of the straight and I think he wins.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

High Power – He’s ready to win
Sesar – He’s got better wins in store
Deity – Loomed to win but just knocked up. Coming winner

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Jack’s Bar – Looked to be going sweetly, but as soon as pressure was applied, the wheels were spinning
Smart Coupe – Crying out for a firm track
Laure Me In – Just found them too sharp fresh. Keep following
Five Kingdom – Awful tactics. He’s going well

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

I Thought So – Barrier trial star it seems and need fat pockets to continue backing him
Pelethronius – He’ll run well on these wet tracks. Just not sure he’ll be winning at metro level
Sweet Victory – Very disappointing and jury out on how well she’s come back
Noble Joey – Softened up in front but the horse that was four wide throughout kept finding, so hardly an excuse
Flying Krupt – Wet tracks aren’t her go, but still very plain and I’ve had enough of her
Cincinnati Red – She’s a milk drinker
Last Week – Given every chance on speed. No more
Egg Tart – The love affair is well and truly over