Kenedna showed she was a 2000m specialist, Zoustyle showed class again and Despatch continued his amazing purple patch. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.
KEY NEWS:
Kenedna Wins Doomben Cup
She got the suck run behind runners, weaved through to win the Coolmore Legacy and two starts later, Kenedna repeated the dose, this time in the Doomben Cup, aided by another peach of a ride from Johnny Allen. The mare appreciated a decent tempo set by Archedemus, who had a bee in his bonnet and just wasn’t himself. Allen got the splits through the ruck and proved too good. Of those behind, Sixties Groove was excellent while Shillelagh couldn’t take advantage of the inside gate and was never a factor after that.
6/6 Zoustyle
Just how good is Zoustyle? The answer to that is not sure. But all you can do is win and that is what he did at Doomben when resuming over 1200m and winning brilliantly once again, again in good time, albeit a couple of lengths slower than Quilista but jockey Brad Stewart was kind on him late. He now potentially heads to the Moreton Cup en route to the Stradbroke or goes to the 3YO race on Stradbroke Day before something later in the Carnival.
Depatch Wins The Goodwood
Sustained speed will win you more races than lose races and Despatch is Exhibit A. He won 3/3 to start the prep before going into the Goodwood, where he was a $21 chance, with most speed maps looking as if he’d cop too much pressure and crumble. But he got a decent mid race breather and he does have a very good turn of foot, which won him the race, over a very unlucky Behemoth, who you could easily make a case he should have won. Spright had to be re plated behind the barriers, then Olly had to go back to the inside to ride for luck, which he did, but those in front just got that breather.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:
There were better highlights in terms of wins/performances, but in terms of actual merit in a run, cannot go past Plenty at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. He was pulling, working in the run, pouring the pressure on three wide, where those in front went 32.5 between the 1200-600m. He was entitled to be the first to give up, but it was those inside, including the well supported and horse I liked Smart Horse, who gave in rather meekly, leaving Plenty a sitting shot, which Billy Owen on Bergen was more than happy to take advantage of. Plenty is a coming winner if that hasn’t busted him.
DEBUT OF THE WEEK:
Visually, Exceedance was stunning. Did she back it up on the clock? My word she did. Three lengths quicker than the other 1100m maiden, her last 600m was just 0.01 seconds slower than River Bird as fastest of the entire meeting, her last 600m was three lengths quicker than anything in the race, but what I loved was the last 400m. 400-200 was 11.47 but then her last 200m she went 11.38, which was over four lengths quicker than anything else in the race. She’ll eat up further, likely will win in town before being spelled with a Spring prep in mind. She’s exciting.
RIDE OF THE WEEK:
An absolute masterclass from D Oliver on Clearly. Race was over after 200m when he lobbed into the 1/1, compared to the first two runs for the prep where she was out the back. I think most had her back last, but I think some forgot she did show gate speed in jumpouts prior to the resumption, so they had that up their sleeve and Olly used it to perfection. 100% won her the race.
SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:
Those behind Bubba Tilley in the first at Doomben. Fair dinkum. That was farcical stuff. Race was over when he found the front and stacked them up. First 1000m in just under 62 and given the way Doomben looked to play at times, that was just game over. Horses out the back had no hope, including Sacred Day, who got a definite pass mark given where he was.
HORSES TO FOLLOW:
Live And Free – Right placement, he’ll win next start
Fabulasnki – Lovely looking horse, just too new at this stage
Sacred Day – Definite pass mark given the race shape
Duchess Of Lennox – She’s got Oaks written all over her
Guise – Think Eagle Farm would suit her better. Not dropping off
ONE MORE CHANCE:
Hulk – Thought the blinkers would work. They didn’t. Pulled way too hard. Another look when they come off
Jazzland – Another look because he was pretty weak late
Superhard – Straight track racing is his go. They just didn’t go quick enough
Phoneme- Wide no cover, total forgive
NEVER EVER AGAIN:
Burning Crown – He’s entering milk drinker territory. Talented horse, but doing too much wrong
Special Alert – Wtf was I thinking with this
