The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – November 16th Edition

The racing on Saturday was highlighted by Zipping Classic Day at Sandown while at Newcastle, the inaugural edition of ‘The Hunter’ was the highlight for the novocastrians. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Pretty Brazen Wins Sandown Guineas

Pretty Brazen has been excellent since a little freshen up after Sydney and she recorded the biggest win of her career at Sandown on Saturday when taking out the Group ll Sandown Guineas (1600m), with the $700k purchase getting the inside split and driving hard late to win. The story of the race was leader Heart Of Puissance, who was a beaten horse 300m out but picked up again and likely wins in another 50m in a very strange run.

Savatiano Dominates Hunter

Savatiano races best when on speed and James McDonald made sure that was the case in the Hunter (1300m) at Newcastle, and really, after 200m, it was race over as the James Cummings trained mare led all the way and gave her rivals a galloping lesson, winning the biggest race of her career prizemoney wise. The disappointing runner was Graff, who had a good run off the speed but went backwards when asked.

Southern France Wins Zipping Classic

On the turn, Southern France was 1000/1…yet in a slog to the line, the horse with the best staying form finished best over the top of his rivals to claim the Zipping Classic (2400m), a consolation after his disappointing Melbourne Cup effort. The import was under pressure on the turn and seemingly going nowhere, but balanced up and surged hard best. The disappointment was Humidor, who had the right run in transit but when pressure was applied, he wanted to lay in badly with the head to the side, back to his old days when he first came over.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

He beat nothing, but it was a very impressive win from Quality Seeker at Hawkesbury on Wednesday. As I said, he beat, for the most part, scrubs, but it was the manner in which he put them away that impressed me under Tommy Berry, and he has rating points in hand. This time of year is good for a horse like him to pick off these off season staying races.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

900m 2YO form is fraught with danger, but Tilia Rose looked to have a touch of class about her when winning the Max Lees at Newcastle. Jumped beautifully, landed on speed, did everything and when clicked up, the change up speed was there and when challenged, she responded and put them away like a nice horse. Ran fast time as well, so keen to see how this form shapes up.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Tommy Berry is riding in career best form at the moment and it was there to see at Hawkesbury on Wednesday when steering You Too to victory. First starter for Chris Waller who sat outside the speed, set by favourite Giselle Annie, and what I liked from Tommy is that he put the pressure on a fair way out. Put the favourite away and the filly did the rest, digging in when required, but thought it was a very good ride re initiative.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Thought it was a very negative ride from James Doyle on D’Bai in the Kevin Heffernan. Limited options from the wide gate, but the horse was pretty much ridden like it was a barrier trial and just had far too much to do off a moderate speed. There were a couple of horrendous watches, namely Denmiss and So Taken, but they were a victim of circumstances in the run. Luke Nolen on Dane Clipper from Friday night not that flash either.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Sir Pippin – He is a coming winner
Denmiss – Don’t watch the replay
So Taken – Follow the advice of Denmiss

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Indy Car – Probably ridden too close. Don’t sack him
Myself – Another chance after an ordinary day on the tip/punt

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Graff – Poorly set up for the Hunter, but still a flop and hard to back with confidence from now on
Le Romain – He’s been a beauty…but is his winning days over?
Humidor – No more…he’s cooked
Easy Eddie – Gee that was poor. Can win without me in the future