The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – September 12th Edition

Rothfire sizzled at Rosehill, a potential Everest contender won first up and a reliable galloper secured another Group l win. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Rothfire Brilliant In Run To The Rose

It took just 68.52 seconds for the entire racing world to realise that Rothfire is indeed the real deal when the Queenslander gave his Sydney counterparts a spanking in the Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday. Aided by a crazy tempo set by Hugh Bowman aboard Farnan, Jim Byrne aboard Rothfire had the perfect drag up and in sustained speed, he was too good for Ole Kirk and North Pacific. He’s now a dominant favourite for the Golden Rose.

Haut Brion Her For The Everest?

James McDonald had been talking up Haut Brion Her as a potential Everest contender this week and his confidence in the mare might well prove correct after the Chris Waller trained sprinter returned from around a year layoff with a win in the Sheraco Stakes, sitting on speed from the wide gate and proving too classy. Favourite for the race was Fasika, another talked up as an Everest contender, but on face value she was plain.

Fierce Impact Wins Makybe Diva

He might not be a flashy three year old colt winning a Guineas, but Fierce Impact is a multiple Group l winning son of Deep Impact and might well be the hottest property in Australian racing after another Group l win, this time the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Mark Zahra put him into a lovely spot just off the speed and was strong late in defeating Russian Camelot, who was enormous in defeat. The race was marred by tragedy with 2019 winner Gatting having to be put down after going amiss shortly after the start.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

How can you go past Rothfire? He had a setback leading in and was supposed to trial instead of an exhibition gallop, so he wasn’t 100% for Saturday, but even then, his performance at Rosehill against some big boys was outstanding and a real statement was made to show that his JJ Atkins win was no fluke and that he is indeed top shelf.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

There was a bit of quality about the debut win of Freedom Square at Scone on Tuesday. Led throughout under a positive ride from Mitch Bell and he gave his rivals a spanking, running good time as well for maiden company. Paul Messara stable is flying at the moment and are placing their horses superbly. He can win again next start.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Sweet steer from J Mac aboard Haut Brion Her from the wide gate. Took the bad luck out of the equation after around 200m when coming over to get on speed rather comfortably and once Fasika got that pair or two further back, it was her race to lose and she took advantage. The mare has returned in super order but the ride was a beauty.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Bowman aboard Farnan was a bit easy to find, but I want to be critical of the ride from Pike aboard Schabau. He gave it a real dig in the ribs early to be positive, but as soon as he found the front, he strangled it back looking for cover and from then on, the horse just went too keen in the run. If you dig in the ribs, be positive and remain positive.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Yonkers – He’s flying. Just needs a more positive steer
Mo’Unga – Nearly a case of any price in the Spring Champion
King’s Legacy – He’s on track for the Caulfield Guineas
Missybeel – Debuted R7 Kembla. He could be a sneaky Derby chance
Personal – Think she’s the Thousand Guineas winner

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Masked Crusader – Next start will determine if he’s a contender or pretender
Funstar – Similar to Masked Crusader. Next start is D-Day
Fasika – Too bad to be true
Schabau – Ride cost it the win IMO
Aktau – Wide throughout, but still a bit plain. Want to see again

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Overlord – Needs to drop back to maiden company or be gelded