An in form sprinter got a well deserved big money race win, a local saluted in the Cranbourne Cup while a leading jockey is the subject of strong rumours re the covid jab. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.
KEY NEWS:
Lost And Running Dominant In Hunter
The jury was out on Lost And Running after his opening two runs for the prep but his Everest and Classique Legend efforts confirmed he belongs at the top level and was rewarded on Saturday at Newcastle when spanking his rivals in the $1 Million The Hunter (1300m). Despite sitting wide no cover for the trip, class came to the fore and he was miles too good. Top Ranked, making his Australian debut, was the hype horse leading and battled on well for third albeit having every chance.
Local Wins Cranbourne Cup
King Magnus has been the find of Melbourne racing the past six months and his consistency was confirmed via a strong win in the Cranbourne Cup (1600m) on Saturday, providing a local win in the feature. 12 months ago he was beaten in a 64 race, but the past few months, he has gone through his grades, ran so well in the Group l Cantala Mile and is now a Stakes winner.
WA Racing Rumour Mill In Overdrive
In one of the more fascinating stories in recent weeks, gun WA hoop Willie Pike has been the subject of rumours over the past week that he is yet to get the covid vaccination and won’t be getting it, which could leave him in limbo if that is the case given WA Racing has announced that all participants will need to be double jabbed once WA hits 90% double dose rate, which will come early next year. Leading WA journalist Ernie Manning said on Saturday morning that speaking to some close to Pike that due to family reasons, he won’t be getting jabbed. Stay tuned for more.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:
The Newcastle track. 119mm of rain the last seven days, starts off as a Soft5, ends up being a Good4. Flemington gets the due plaudits as one of the best tracks to cope with rain in Australia, but I think it could almost share top spot with Newcastle. It’s the best track NSW has, by a mile, and why it doesn’t get used more as a metro track I have no idea.
DEBUT OF THE WEEK:
I don’t think it was a strong race, but I was impressed by Sir Loft at Bendigo on Wednesday. Led throughout under Newitt and what I liked was that he was there to be run down, but found under pressure, fended them off and was too good, proving strong on the line. Ran quicker time than the 64 on the same day and looks a likely type.
RIDE OF THE WEEK:
Peach from Jenny Duggan aboard Torrens. This horse loves racing on the fence, but drawn wide on Saturday, that looked tricky. Duggan took matters into her own hands, going to the front, controlling the race and really, pulled the pants down of the beaten brigade, making a mess of them. Great initiative.
SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:
I couldn’t find one (rare). Rare day off on the butchering front re riders. If anything, I could give the Canterbury bias on Friday night a pasting, but that is the norm for these meetings. On speed/fence is gold.
HORSES TO FOLLOW:
Vancouver’s Crown – He’s the horse I want from the 2YO race at Newcastle. Still very raw and new but has talent
Casino Kid – Flying without winning and luckless once again
ONE MORE CHANCE:
Cream Rises – Ridden very positively and didn’t find a great deal. Perhaps with a sit next time he can be more effective
Kiss The Bride – He was terrible. One more chance
April Rain – Has let punters down, badly. But she just wants more ground. 1600m next time and clear air
NEVER EVER AGAIN:
Sacred Command – Beware the unlucky horse in a poor race
Love Tap – He might just be a fresh horse. But he was plain all the same
Shared Ambition – He’s had enough, and not as good as what some think
Gravina – Congratulations Gravina. You’ve now earned your “old mate” ticket #LifeBan