Saturday was all about D Oliver and the champion hoop climbing up the Group l ladder, plus a mare finally getting her day in the spotlight. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.
KEY NEWS:
Spright FINALLY Wins A Major
Prior to today, Spright was the best horse in Australia yet to win a major but that all changed after the Robert Sangster (1200m) at Morphettville with the mare producing an unbelievable finale from the back to overhaul them and claim her maiden Group l, bring up Group l win number 117 for Damien Oliver, who 35 minutes prior won his 116th aboard Princess Jenni. The mare is now favourite for the Goodwood and will take some beating no doubt.
Peas & Carrots For Jenni In Oaks
The punters launched into Princess Jenni late in the Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville and they got it spot on, with some help from a D Oliver special, diving and weaving his way through nearer the inside to claim a Group l win for the filly, his 116th and the first for David Briedoake. She put the writing on the wall a couple of weeks back at Caulfield over the mile and justified the strong support from punters.
Nobu Stamps Derby Claims
There weren’t many highlights on the Kensington track at Randwick, but the standout was clearly Nobu in the 1800m race. He made sure he would be on the plane to Brisbane for the Derby after a commanding performance, helped by a sweet steer from an in form Tommy Berry, who sat off the fast speed before presenting on the turn and putting them away with ease. Stablemate Duchess Of Lennox was very good in second and she’ll head to Brisbane too.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:
How can you go past the effort of Zed Em in the Grand Annual on Thursday, atoning for the heartbreaking loss from 12 months prior. The Patrick Payne/Steve Pateman combo have been lethal so far in 2019 and they continued on via this grand warrior, who was near the speed all the way and despite a couple of poor jumps, his champion qualities came to the fore late when it mattered.
DEBUT OF THE WEEK:
The trial pervs were all over Harbour Views when he debuted at the Bool on Wednesday. Opened $11 on Monday and bottomed out at $2.60 before starting $3.20. Gee his win was something else. Spotted them a decent start on the turn and looked as if he’d be an eye catcher…he was, but it turned out to be an eye catching win as he savaged the line. Looks a promising animal.
RIDE OF THE WEEK:
There were some great rides at the Bool, but hard to top the effort from Olly on Princess Jenni. It looked a potential nightmare at one point given he was surrounded by rank outsiders but he probed and waited for the gaps to appear, and the filly rightfully took them and she surged/dashed for a strong Oaks win, largely helped by a 12/10 from the champion hoop.
SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:
It’s not a ‘Crucify Him!’ type slaughter from Ethan Brown aboard Bel Sonic in the last at Flemington. Just made the wrong split second choice. Could have got on the back of the eventual winner Milwaukee and peeled off, but chose to probe nearer the inside of the pack and it was just an awful watch if you were on. Should have won, wrong decision made, but once he made the decision, he couldn’t do anything.
HORSES TO FOLLOW:
Duchess Of Lennox – Oaks might be too soon for her, but the trip away could work wonders. She’s very good
Kapajack – His run was good. First up off one soft trial, he just ran out of condition late. Coming winner with the right placement
Fragonard – Paraded quite big, but ran well. Second up usually flat, so perhaps wait for third up
No Doubt – Should have run a placing. No luck at all in the straight
Articus – Give him a wet track and he’ll be winning races
Live And Free – He’s a Winter Cash Cow if he stays in Sydney.
Fabric – Just had no luck
Another Dollar – Ridden like she was in a barrier trial. In for a good prep
Surprise Baby – Good luck beating him in the Andrew Ramsden
Youngstar – She’s ready to win
Clearly – Clearly should have won. Normal luck and she’ll win the Centaurea in two weeks
ONE MORE CHANCE:
Tribal Wisdom – Crying out for a dry track now
NEVER EVER AGAIN:
Covert Ops – Bit of a milk drinker when it’s crunch time
Charge – I wouldn’t back him in a 900m race at Cessnock
Fighting Teo – He’s a plodder, a proper plodder
