The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – November 27th Edition

A legend bid farewell, a stunning Group l winner at Ascot again and the Golden Eagle form stood up. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Legend Calls Time

Glen Boss, the best big race rider in Australia of the modern era, officially retired on Saturday at Caulfield after a long, decorated and outstanding career, which resulted in 90 Group l wins, highlighted by his association with legendary mare Makybe Diva. A great quote from Boss regarding the mare and her Melbourne Cup three peat was that he “felt like the first person to climb Everest”. A lack of opportunities and results meant the hoop, 52 years of age, calls is quits.

Graceful And Arrogant In Winterbottom

The speed map looked awful for Graceful Girl, but the speed in front was crazy, setting it up for the swoopers. That said, I don’t think anyone could anticipate the stunning finale the mare produced from last year, winning with similar arrogance to that of Western Empire last Saturday in the Railway, and the win gives Pike/Peters/Williams the chance to create history and win all three majors in WA in the same year.

Ellsberg Wins Festival

The Golden Eagle form stood up again, with Ellsberg proving to be a dominant winner of the Festival (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday. Admittedly he was helped by the track pattern but even allowing for that, he was still a strong winner, once again confirming how strong the Golden Eagle is and will be as a form reference.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

How about Mariamia on Friday night at the Valley?! Where on earth did that come? She was kept quite safe in the market, but I don’t think anyone could have predicted what she produced, an all the way win by seven lengths and on raw times, she would have gone close to winning the Manikato won by Jonker. Keen to see where she goes next and if she can reproduce.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

There was clear intent with Ebhaar at Caulfield on Saturday in the Merson Cooper. Give her a look at Caulfield and if she passes with flying colours, head towards the Blue Diamond. And she passed well and truly. There to be beaten but she found under Olly and was strong to the line and through it. She looks above average.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Love a jockey that shows initiative and Mick Dee aboard Burning Power was a beauty. The pace was an absolute crawl on Friday night so he made the mid race move to sit outside the leader without spending too many petrol tickets and the move won the horse the race. Great ride.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

The gap between ‘Good Pike’ and ‘Bad Pike’ is still far too great. He produced a couple of peaches at Ascot on Saturday, but he produced a couple of really ordinary rides with little initiative, namely Secret Plan and Midnight Blue. Can forgive the latter given there is a Perth Cup on the agenda, but the Secret Plan ride, it was all about riding to beat Triple Missile and not winning the race. Nightmare watch.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Tricky Gal – Replay will tell the story
Cloudy – Good effort first up
Cup Night – If he follows Graceful Girl. he goes close I think. Desperately unlucky

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Tambo’s Mate – Head to the side throughout, give him another chance
Order Again – Loomed, but condition just gave out
Blaze A Trail – Can confirm now he’s not a wet tracker
Sacred Command – Unlucky, but becoming costly

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Port Louis – Won’t be winning good races as a colt. Gelding might change that
Surprise Baby – He was first up in over 12 months over a trip clearly short of his best. But still, a really plain effort