Libertini continued her winning ways, just, while Samadoubt continued his giant killing run, and in Melbourne, Team Williams got a win on the board. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.
KEY NEWS:
Libertini Wins…Everest Off The Cards?
Libertini has showed throughout her career that she has class, but in the Furious Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday she showed she had ticker and courage because Villami turned up with her A game and with the pattern suiting those on speed, she was in for the fight but Libertini, despite wanting to hang in under pressure, proved too good, just. Part owner Gerry Harvey said post race that the Everest, in his opinion, is 100/1, but trainer Anthony Cummings may have different ideas.
Samadoubt #1 WFA Horse In Sydney?
A few months ago, you’d be laughing at such a suggestion, but this Spring, you can’t deny or argue otherwise. He’s the best WFA horse in Sydney as it stands after the Bjorn Baker trained gelding proved the Winx Stakes win was no fluke, bolting up to win the Chelsmford Stakes (1600m) under another ripping front running ride from Tim Clark, who pinched a couple of really cheap mid race sectionals and that sealed the fate of his rivals, including Avilius, but he was wide throughout.
Homesman Wins Feehan And A Cox Plate Start
Homesman, the Caulfield Cup runner up from last year, resumed in the Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday and despite a late drift in betting, he was commanding and dominant in winning, earning himself ballot exemption for the Cox Plate, a race Team Williams are yet to win but Nick Williams said post race said the Cox Plate is on par with the Melbourne Cup this Spring as the race they’d love to win.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:
What about The Inevitable at Moonee Valley on Saturday? That was just something else in a weirdly run race. Tardy away early before Williams elected to push forward and found himself three and four wide for the most part before going towards the leaders on the turn, under a hold, then clicking the button and the four year old showed an electric turn of foot to put them away impressively and he’s destined for better things. How far can he go? He can go to the top for sure.
DEBUT OF THE WEEK:
The overall time was slower compared to the other 1400m races on the day, but how about the win of Scottish Dancer at Benalla on Monday. Looked no chance at the top of the straight given he was back, wide, and skittled by other runners, forcing him wider, as Planet Warrior booted a few lengths clear, but he balanced up and just absolutely savaged the line like a really good horse in getting the job done. Not sure how good he is, only time will tell. But that was impressive.
RIDE OF THE WEEK:
Tim Clark on Samadoubt was a peach, you could pick any of Nash Rawiller’s at Randwick on Saturday, but I’ll go with Robbie Fradd aboard Fisticuffs at Ipswich on Wednesday. The well backed runner looked in a hopeless spot on the turn, but there was a narrow gap on the rail and Fradd veered hard there, nearly at right angles and for a moment it looked as if he’d go through the rail, but he straightened up and the horse did the rest. Outstanding stuff.
SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:
Nothing noteworthy, but do want to mention the steer from Mark Zahra on Five Kingdoms. A go forward restrained to near last and pulling its head off…never going to work. Not sure who came up with that plan, but clearly the wrong one.
HORSES TO FOLLOW:
Funstar – Outstanding return
Pierata – World class return, look out Everest
Probabeel – She won’t be out of place in the Flight
Finche – Outstanding Cups trial
Surprise Baby – Won’t look out of place in the Cup if he gets there
Te Akau Shark – Nice Epsom trial
ONE MORE CHANCE:
Nature Strip – Let him run please
Avilius – If he’s going to win a big race, he needs cut in the ground
Pin Sec – No luck at all
Sunlight – 1/5 lame, total forgive
Equal Balance – Can win with the right placement
The Chosen One – Wide throughout, good in defeat
NEVER EVER AGAIN:
Unforgotten – That’s enough of her
