Darren Weir made the news once again, fat pockets could ensure a slot in The Everest and Baccarat Baby got a well deserved blacktype win. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.
KEY NEWS:
No Premiership For Weir
Racing Victoria made the move to make sure a PR disaster was averted, creating new rules to ensure that banned trainer Darren Weir, who still clearly leads the Victorian metro premiership, won’t receive that award. RV Integrity General Manager Jamie Stier said “We reached a position that a licensed or registered person who commits a serious breach of the Rules of Racing should not be celebrated and we will enforce the criteria with immediate effect.”
Everest Slot For Sale
With Racing NSW taking away the slot held by Damion Flower, the opportunity to be a 1/12 chance in the $14 Million Everest is up for grabs, with Racing NSW putting it up for sale during the week, but there’s a twist. The slot won’t go to anyone with fat pockets. The guidelines state that the slot holder must ensure a unique take on the race whether it be promotion or the horse that’ll represent the slot. At this stage, Godolphin look most likely at getting it.
Blacktype Success For Baccarat Baby
She’s been a real model of consistency this Winter in some good races and on her home track, Baccarat Baby won one of the features at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, taking out the Guineas despite sitting three and four wide throughout. She was there to be run but once Michael Hellyer asked for the big effort, she responded and put them away really easily.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:
How can you ignore what Zaniah did at Scone on Monday. Okay, she didn’t beat much, but it was the way she put them away. She was under a hold from Aaron Bullock and made them look like camels. Bred to be a good one and she is indeed that. Likely to have one more run at the provincials before coming to town and off what she’d done to date, she’s a city winner in waiting, perhaps a Stakes winner in waiting.
DEBUT OF THE WEEK:
The normally straight bat Jason Coyle couldn’t play it straight after the debut win of Covert Operation at Randwick on Wednesday. The horse did everything possible to lose the race but he still surged hard over the concluding stages to get the win in a race which looked to have depth. Looks a really exciting prospect with so much upside so keen to see where he heads next.
RIDE OF THE WEEK:
Didn’t win, but love seeing a horse get every chance and Jim Byrne on Zavance was a peach in defeat. Could have eased back for one wide cover, but he forced the issue and kicked through, getting the back of Baccarat Baby and the filly looked to be absolutely bolting when presented clear air but the horse just wasn’t good enough. Still, loved the ride and initiative.
SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:
He’s been really good since he has come back, but it was a really poor steer from Aaron Bullock aboard the heavily backed Lifetime Quest at Newcastle on Saturday. The Kris Lees trained galloper was backed with real confidence and yes, the wide gate was always going to be tricky, but stuck four wide for the trip when there was a chance to ease back for cover but remained wide and first up, that was just a huge task and he did a remarkable job to get as close as he did.
HORSES TO FOLLOW:
Waking Moment – She’s flying
Carzoff – No chance given the tempo. He’s going well
ONE MORE CHANCE:
Drachenfels – Cut back to the quicksand when running quicker than the winner. He’s ready to win
New Universe – Just got too far back from the wide gate. Inside gate and he will go close next time
Five Kingdom – Missing the start far from ideal
NEVER EVER AGAIN:
Persuader – Running okay. Just not winning
Eurack – Hasn’t come up
