Weekly Review - January 25 to January 31
CRANBOURNE - 25 January 2020
TAGALOA edging out the 2yo JIGSAW in Heat 1 was the main attraction. Both looked super and did the 1000m in good time. Jigsaw in particular as he is only a 2yo and they don’t generally jump out over 1000m at Cranbourne.
LARIMER STREET bolted in Heat 10 over 1000m ahead of ROLLING MOSS.
WITH EDGE won Heat 14 with ease following a 4-week freshen up and some below average runs this prep.
Highlighted in a Jan 12 jump out, Aristia’s half-sister in MARABI put in an eye-catching 2nd in Heat 3 on Jan 25 (light blue) over 1000m. She closed super from the back half of the field under no pressure from the jockey. Super bit of work and very keen to follow her.
Liked how GORGONADO closed on the race-fit Iskra to finish a close 2nd in Heat 4 on Jan 25 (white and blue). This filly cruised in behind the speed and went to the line under her own steam where they gapped 3rd. Nice bit of work for a 3yo in their first jump out over 1000m. Suspect she’ll be better over 1400/1600m as a result, but still one we can follow.
Following a 3rd on Sep 21 and a win Oct 5, FOUNEX was a nice winner of Heat 11 on Jan 25 (blue, red and white) in his first jump out back. The 3yo gelding jumped cleanly to lead and was too good for them late over the 800m where he won with a bit still in reserve. The Price Bloodstock runner’s are usually well prepared for trials and jump outs, so got to be mindful of that but none-the-less, this gelding still performed well.
JIMMY ROCKFORD looks like he goes alright. He took out a Jan 11 jump out sitting on pace / leading before displaying a nice turn of foot from the back half of the field to almost take out Heat 13 on Jan 25 (maroon). He was making good ground late on Melba Storm in this heat who has won a couple of races. He’s jumped out super ahead of a debut.
WARRNAMBOOL - 27 January 2020
These were pretty much just glorified track work. Hard to follow much when the trainer has the entire field in each jump out.
CAULFIELD - 27 January 2020
The 650m are hard to follow any with confidence.
SOVEREIGN LEGEND should’ve won Heat 5 over 1100m by lengths. He was not allowed to run at all but still finished a very close 2nd. Super.
MORNINGTON - 27 January 2020
We weren't too keen to follow many out of this set of jump outs. No stand out 2yo's and then the more experienced horses were the pick of the day, but you'd expect them to jump out well.
PROHPET’S THUMB a very easy winner of Heat 3 over 1000m, but was done so in really slow time.
BARONESSA was probably the pick of the maiden’s, winning Heat 12 on Jan 27 (blue) quite well in the end over 750m. The 3yo filly showed great gate speed to take up the front early and was way too speedy throughout as well. This follows a speedy Jan 20 600m jump out win as well, so she might have some talent but the query will be as she gets out further than 750m.
GEELONG - 28 January 2020
ANCESTRY was a sizzling winner of Heat 1, but it was PINKHAM who clocked 0.1s quicker over the 1000m in Heat 2 and was the standout performer for the day. The 3yo filly has a bit of talent that’s for sure.
SIX BELLS is worth following from Heat 2 as well. The 3yo maiden was 2nd to Pinkham by a long away but finished in amongst some other handy gallopers.
ANDERS very easily won Heat 12 and looks to have overcome a disappointing end to his last campaign.
DOMINUS was very impressive for his new Phillip Stokes yard when winning Heat 7 on Jan 28 (white and black with yellow sleeves). He had some nice gallopers covered here with Mr Mogul 2nd and Golden Gorge 3rd. He had a pretty quiet Jan 20 jump out over 800m when not asked for an effort but clearly appreciates a bit more distance and we’d love to see him in a BM58.
Of the 2yo’s, SCORCHED EARTH was the most impressive winning Heat 10 under no pressure at all while SAUCY SPIRIT was 2.9L back but also quietly ridden in comparison to those around her and worth following. LA ROCQUE was the next best, winning impressively in Heat 11. UMGAWA closed super from the back in Heat 8.
MCILROY finished 2nd but it took a bit from Crosshaven to run over the top of him. The 3yo gelding led them up in Heat 14 on Jan 28 (navy and light blue) and looked really nice in doing so, mainly due to the quality he faced in Crosshaven and the nice time he ran for the 1000m. His 750m jump out on Jan 6 was just okay so treading carefully. Nice bit of work here none-the-less.
FLEMINGTON - 28 January 2020
ALMIGHTY RISING was bolting for a run in Heat 5 on Jan 28 (orange). He was slowly away and urged along to keep in touch with the field due to missing the kick, but he did muster that speed quickly and was bolting for a run when bunched up amongst them midfield and made good ground past the line with clear galloping room. Would like to see another jump out before the debut, but this was a nice bit of work.
Few nice jump outs now for KERMALAW who looks to be improved ahead of his second preparation. Last in a Jan 8 jump out before a nice Jan 15 jump out behind subsequent winner Safe Passage and a nice win now in Heat 6 on Jan 28 (blue and black) ahead of Zelify. Ignore his latest run when last on a Heavy9, his 2.9L 6th on debut at Moonee Valley will read good enough for a mid-week country maiden after these jump outs - he looks ready to go.
He’s been pretty consistent without winning, with STONEFIELD making a nice return to the jump outs to win Heat 8 on Jan 28 (black) where he led on the outside fence and was clearly in front past the line. The time was below average for the day, but he certainly travelled extra distance being out so wide and looked very comfortable in doing so. He can break the maiden early this preparation.
He was forced to take a sit in a Jan 8 jump out and as a result, over-raced and didn’t look comfortable. MCGRATH took up the lead instead in Heat 10 on Jan 28 (green with white sash) and bolted in, defeating the smart Celestial Sol in the process and clocking the fastest time of the morning. Super impressive and keen to follow this 3yo into his debut.