The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – May 15th Edition

A horse beaten 10+ lengths in a Darwin Cup won a Group l, a top sprinter continued a stellar Autumn while a top rider counts his lucky stars. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Savatoxl Wins Goodwood

Savatoxl was beaten over ten lengths in the Darwin Cup back in August…fast forward to May 2021 and he is now a Group l winner given he won the Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday. The Team McEvoy trained gelding was given a peach steer from Barend Vorster, staying towards the inside and that was the winning move, comfortably beating Instant Celebrity with favourite Gytrash a solid third.

Eduardo Throughout In 10,000

He was probably at the end of his prep and looking for the paddock, but class is permanent and Eduardo produced that to take out the Doomben 10,000 (1200m). He copped early pressure, running the first 600m in around 34.3. He was there to be run down but found under Nash to claim his second major of the prep. Was it enough to say he’s an Everest contender? I’m saying give him another look when he comes back in the Spring.

Unlucky Walker On The Sidelines

Michael Walker has had little luck with injury the past five years and his torrid run will continue for potentially 12 months after a seemingly harmless incident that led to a fall at Pakenham on Thursday night went nasty quick, with the rider requiring emergency surgery on his leg, stopping the potential risk of amputation. With a torn ACL as well, the kiwi is looking at a long stint away from the saddle.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

The McEvoy camp to get Savatoxl as a Group l winner. He looked a solid Stakes class horse and keep in mind was originally transferred to the stable to target the Balaklava Cup in the Spring of last year. They’ve trained him as a Sprinter this time in and the result is now he is a Group l winner.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

She didn’t win, but the debut of Set The Sails at Geelong on Friday was very good. No fault of Jamie Kah, she played the percentages from the wide gate. Just didn’t get luck in the straight but got clear and charged late. It was an electric finale and despite being beaten, I think she can come to town and win.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

J Mac produced a peach from a wide gate last week with Zaaki and he did it again at Doomben, this time with Outback Barbie. She was a while out of the winners list, but drew 13/14 and after 300m, she slotted in three wide with cover, getting the perfect drag up. Yes, only got there in the last stride, but the ride won the race, clearly.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

I’ll give this to J Mac as well for his steer on Wild Ruler. It seemed like he wanted to try and hold out Eduardo, or at very least cross Splintex…I can’t work that out. It just gassed the three year old and he was the first horse beat. Whether the horse was good enough, not sure, unlikely, but the ride gave it none.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Palladas – Crying out for Eagle Farm now
Warning – He will only improve. Brisbane Cup looks his race
Senor Toba – Eagle Farm and he’ll give Explosive Jack a shake in the Derby
Trekking – Dry track is his key. If he gets it in the Kingsford Smith/Stradbroke, he’ll run well
Hasta La War – 2000m now

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Newsreader – She needs dry ground
Persan – He’s racing like a tired horse. Not sacking him but he needs a break now

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Prime Star – Was dug in the rubs early, but terrible late
Eleven Eleven – Jury is well and truly out re Brisbane. He was plain
Gytrash (At 1200m) – When it comes to taking on the big boys at 1200m…he isn’t effective from a betting perspective
Rubisaki – I’ve had enough of her now. She did her job in the Sangster
Ranting – He’s just no good
Bumper Blast – Really plain finale from him. Expected much more
Dirty Deeds – Fast becoming a nonny