The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – December 11th Edition

A tough nut secured a start in the best mile race in Australia, a progressive sprinter stamped his cards for a Group l target while a high class four year comfortably earned Stradbroke ballot exemption. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Brutality Wins Villiers, Now To The Doncaster

Joe Pride is a thinker and can come up with a plan. His plan with Brutality was indifferent, backing the horse up three weeks on the bounce. But the plan worked, with the third run being the Villiers (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday and he got the job done after being smashed in betting. The win secures the gelding a start in the Doncaster in the Autumn.

Goodwood Contender Unearthed In Christmas Handicap

Outlaws Revenge put his hand up to be aimed at the Goodwood next year after winning his second straight Stakes race at Morphettville on Saturday, taking out the Christmas Handicap (1200m), helped by an absolute peach from Dom Tourneur. That followed an electric win in the City Of Marion, with the horse now to likely be spelled and be aimed for big races.

Apache Chase Secures Stradbroke Start

Apache Chase looked the good thing of the weekend in The Gateway (1400m) at Eagle Farm and those who took the short odds didn’t have a moment of concern, with the four year old producing a commanding display from on speed, and with that win, he’s not got ballot exemption for the 2022 Stradbroke.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

How about Joe Pride and the effort his stable has produced with Brutality. Third week on the bounce he raced and the end result is a Group ll win and a golden ticket into the Doncaster. Whether he’s good enough, I don’t think so, but the effort from the stable to keep him up deserves a spot in the best mile Australia has to offer.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

This is the right time of year to see horses graduate to metro level from the provincials and Vermentino from Hamilton on Tuesday will be one I think. It was a sharp win from the front. Ran time, quicker than the other race on the same day and did it from the front. He’s in the right camp to keep winning.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

I thought it was a peach from McEvoy aboard Bachanalia at Randwick. He jumped well and could have pressed forward, but he saw Lady Banff and Dragonstone wanting top spot so he snagged to get their back and from the 600m, it was race over and a dominant win. Helped by a great steer.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Not sure if a rider has got this gong two weeks on the bounce but Ben Price has it again this week. His stats aren’t improving and his choice during races is getting worse, summed up by Lake’s Folly. If he follows the eventual winner, then gets the back of African Awesome, peels out, he wins. But he tried to find a gap between slow horses and it just didn’t eventuate. He’s young, he’s going to make the grade. But he is going through a really lean patch at the moment.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Lake’s Folly – Bursting to win
Rushaway Lad – Got the massive jockey upgrade and voila, he ran up to what he showed in trials. Smart horse
Casino Lord – He’s ready to win a Highway
Snapdancer – Good return and she’ll measure up at the Gold Coast
Bermadez – Excellent run. Hopefully it hasn’t busted him

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Rock The Ring – End of prep run. He’ll come back in the Autumn and be Stakes class
Incredulous Dream – Just wants a rise in trip now
Royal Order – Back up in trip next time, he deserves another look

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Riverina Cyclone – Into the breeze, so some sort of excuse, but becoming very costly
Miss Einstein – The term ‘Life Ban’ can be temporary…she well and truly has life
Media Starguest – He’s got a life ban as well. Terrible effort
Saracen Knight – Teased as if he was going to do something. He’s gone
Guardian Spirit – Not a Saturday metro horse
Brisbane 2YO Form – I don’t think the Magic Millions winner is coming from the Eagle Farm meeting