The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – May 2nd Edition

The main focus for racing on Saturday was at Doomben for the 10,000, but it was the events of 24 hours prior that dominated the news. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Currie Gets Four Years

Ben Currie, regarded by some as the new face of Queensland racing and the next superstar of the sport in the sunshine state, is a trainer no longer after being handed a four year ban by Queensland stewards in relation to evidence where there is believed to be intention to use jiggers on two horses. Currie took to Twitter to voice his anger and disbelief at the decision, where the matter now heads to the Supreme Court. If Currie can win that, he’ll then head to QCAT where he will look to get a stay of proceedings, but as it stands now, Ben Currie the trainer is no more.

The Bostonian An Upset 10,000 Winner

Most had the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) as a race in two between Nature Strip and Osborne Bulls, but it was the Tony Pike trained The Bostonian, who got the dream split nearer the inside to claim an upset Group l win. It was the longest price winner of the race in over 10 years, the first major for jockey Michael Cahill since the 2009 Tatts Tiara and the first time a kiwi trained horse has won the race since 1983. Nature Strip and Osborne Bulls were both tardy away and that put pay to their winning chances, both running brilliantly in defeat.

Qafila Wins SA Derby

The quick back up had a positive effect on Qafila in the Spring without winning but the back up certainly paid off at Morphettville on Saturday with the Hayes/Dabernig trained filly, after a luckless effort in the Oaks last Saturday, romping clear to win the SA Derby (2500m). Under a lovely ride from Cory Parish, the filly took the lead upon straightening and she never looked like getting beat. Favourite for the race Mr Quickie was very good in defeat after getting well back in the run.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Hard not to get excited about Libertini and where she can get to. Her win in the Woodlands was arrogant, jumping brilliantly from the wide gate to land outside the speed and from there, it was painless. Tommy gave her a shove and she just cruised through her gears like a top class horse in the making. Clock will say time was just fair relative to the day, but she was eased down the last 100m. She’s a star.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

California Zimbol landed some really good bets at Canterbury when a debut winner on Wednesday. She had been tardy away in trials, but during the week she was clean to jump, landed near the front and it was all over from that point. Loved the way she put them away when asked by Schofield. Not sure where she heads to now, whether she heads to Brisbane, but her future is bright.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Hard to top the effort from Robbie Fradd on Le Juge. There was a moment at the top of the straight where he could have eased to the outside Igraine and potentially would have been a nightmare, but he stuck inside, got the splits and the horse repaid the ride by bursting through and winning. Ride clearly won the race. Also a notable mention to Olly on Muswellbrook at Morphettville. That was a 12/10 ride. Horse just didn’t put in.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

The same race last year, the Denise’s Joy, a couple of jockeys just got a mile out of their ground and it happened again in 2019 with Jason Collett on Prophet’s Thumb. Should have finished much closer after getting back to near last and instead of peeling to the outside, he probed between runners. No run there, momentum lost while those in front were off and gone. If she heads to Brisbane, particularly to Eagle Farm, I’d be backing her. The steer from Schofield on Signore Fox wasn’t flash either. Very little initiative showed there as well.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Wagner – Was going to burst through but Americana Magic rolled out, causing the gap to close
Snow Valley – Follow her as she heads back home
Victorem – I think he might well be the Kingsford Smith and/or Stradbroke pony to bet on
Outback Barbie – You could make a case she just about wins if she got the run instead of The Bostonian

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Leonardo Da Hinchi – Just went way too keen. Needs to relax to warrant a trip to Brisbane and be competitive
Tequila Time – Saddle slipped. Not ideal
Muswellbrook – Is he looking for further now? Was good past the line…just lacks the turn of foot

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Lord Gododdin – He can win without me in the future
Lanciato – His winning days look just about done
Into The Abyss – Given every chance to win, she just didn’t want to. No more
Kemono – Back to Japan for you
Warragul – Really surprised she was well fancied by some. That Wagga race, what she beat, was awful. That’s her level
Araaja – No surprise she’s Tom Melbourne’s sister