Horse Racing The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 16/7/2022

Team Snowden continued their love affair at Grafton, an unbeaten showcased class at Rosehill while at Flemington, there was an upset in the feature. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Team Snowden Win 5th Ramornie

Peter and Paul Snowden have had great success when sending runners to Grafton and that trend continued on Wednesday with the much improved Ranges taking out the Ramornie Handicap (1200m), providing the stable with their fifth win in the race. The gelding sat on speed and was too tough for his rivals in a driving go.

Fabulous Frumos At Rosehill

Promising mare Frumos made it 3/3 to start her career, with the step up to Saturday grade being no issue with her with a dominant display at Rosehill. The mare is lightly raced but each time she has won, she has looked very good and her late splits suggest she is destined for better things.

Byerley Blowout

The feature race at Flemington on Saturday was the Byerley Handicap (1800m) and most had penned down Quang Tri to get another and get ballot exemption for the Oaks. Instead, outside Skyphios secured a Derby berth via a strong finale from the back to wear down Quang Tri, who was very brave after sitting wide no cover.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

I’m not far off being #1 in the Frumos fan club and it’ll be a fan club that will grow if she keeps winning like she is. Her two Newcastle wins were against weak opposition but on Saturday at Rosehill, she stamped herself as a horse of the future. Again, didn’t beat much, but it was arrogant and the change up speed was instant and there to see. She’s Stakes class for sure, and potentially Group l class.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Ammahell was a strong debut winner at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. Somewhat unwanted in betting, but he finished best in the mud and showed good ticker late to get the win. Checking with RISA, he’s spelling, so will be interesting to see what they do with him, but he has an engine.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Initiative wins races and Craig Williams showcased that aboard Horrifying at Flemington. He took the enigma straight to the front and got absolute control, running 14 second sectionals in a farcical race, but credit to Willow for being the lone rider to show positivity and it won him the race.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

It’s been a lean 2022 for Steph Thornton compared to previous seasons in terms of riding winners, and I just wish she showed a bit more vigour, a case in point being aboard Lethal Warning at Eagle Farm. It was a very patient steer and just waited a bit too long to take gaps. For a horse that needs room to build, I just thought she could have done a bit more.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Alberich – Don’t drop off him. Nice horse
Sir Ravanelli – Coming Highway winner…just get a new rider
Frumos – Gee she’s good. Really good
Shades Of Rose – Should have won
Through Irish Eyes – Enormous given the race shape

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Irish Legend – Too bad to be true surely
First Light – Firmer footing, hard fit next time, D-Day

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Zousonic – She’s got life