Horse Racing The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – 27/8/2022

A bonny mare claimed her second Group l, a boom horse tasted defeat while at Rosehill, there was a shock in the feature. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Snapdancer Wins Memsie

Quality mare Snapdancer won her second Group l on Saturday, leading throughout to win the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Ethan Brown rode a peach front running race on the mare, like he did when winning on her in the Robert Sangster. She got a mid race breather, kicked on the turn and had enough in hand to fend off I’m Thunderstruck, who was excellent in his return and appears cherry ripe for the Makybe Diva.

Passive Aggressive Beaten in Cockram

The Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday was supposed to be all about Passive Aggressive maintaining her unbeaten start to the career, with the punters backing her as if she was unbeatable. But, it was another unbeaten mare that spoiled the party with Chain Of Lightning producing an electric finale to claim her first Stakes win, and probably not her last. Passive Agressive led but was plain late to finish fourth.

San Domenico Shock

The feature race at Rosehill on Saturday was the San Domenico Stakes (1100m), where all eyes were on the return of Golden Slipper runner Best Of Bordeaux, but he failed to fire, as did a couple of other likely types, and instead it was left to Sweet Ride, at big odds, to spoil the party and record a Stakes win, popping the baloon and denting the reputation of Best Of Bordeaux and co.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

The jury was out on It’s Me, with connections saying as much. The first up run at Eagle Farm on Saturday would determine whether they keep racing her or send her to be a mum. Well, she’s back in a big way, producing an electric finale to give them a start and a beating, clocking outstanding late splits to win and off that performance, she’s straight away gone to #1 seed to win her second Kosciuszko. Outstanding return.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

Death, taxes and the Price/Kent camp producing a sharp first starter. They had a real flex on Friday on the Pakenham Synthetic, winning a couple of races with first starters, the more impressive being Kaygeebee, who produced sustained speed from the front, spanked them and ran time. The signs are there that this stable could dominate the 3YO races this season, and this horse is on his way I think.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

He’s #1 in SA IMO is Barend Vorster and he showcased that on Saturday, producing a 12/10 to win aboard Tony Montana. The race was very even on paper and that it would take a gun ride to win the race. He produced it on this guy. He stayed nearer the inside whereas most were hooking wide. He saved the ground, sliced his way through and drove hard late to win. He’s lost the backing of the McEvoy camp but he is showing he will be fine without them.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Riding cute instead of riding to win is something I hate watching. Ben Thompson did that IMO aboard Maktaffy at Eagle Farm on Saturday. He saved a length or so in grounding by staying inside horses, but lost much more with his momentum halted looking for clear air. He got the clear air but it was too late. If he stayed wider on the turn and angled wider to let down, no doubt in my mind he wins the race.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Frumos – She’s a good horse and don’t drop off her. The winner looks to be on the up
Herb – If he can find a Midway over further, he’ll go close. Sneaky good run
I Wish I Win – He might be a Toorak/Golden Eagle horse. Electric win
I’m Thunderstruck – Makybe Diva moral
Turnbull – Turnbull moral
It’s Me – She’s back big time

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Grace And Harmony – She’s better than that surely
Quick Tempo – 1200m next time will be D-Day
Passive Aggressive – Has credits in the bank to forgive
Illation – Too bad to be true

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Il Affare – She’s a plain thing not finding much
Head Of State – I think he’ll be on the road to Queensland for a Class 3. He’s not Sydney class anymore
Kerrin McEvoy – He’s heading towards G Boss territory. Only a decent rider in important races
Shalatin – He’s a pretender
Isotope – Teases but doesn’t deliver
Elephant – Not a Group l horse