CRANBOURNE - 19 July 2021
LETHAL ENCOUNTER bolted in Heat 7 on Jul 19. The 3yo gelding sat just off speed along the fence, cruised up to the lead before being given a push at the 200m mark where he then opened up a big gap and won comfortably with the jockey looking over the shoulder as he crossed the line. He was 2nd in a Jun 15 jump out and 3rd in a Jul 7 trial to Hydro Star, but the blinkers went on today and they looked to really switch him on. A son of Squamosa, it was no surprise to see him handle the wet track here.
Only two times were sub 50s - one being Jigsaw and the other being HOLT in Heat 9 on Jul 19 who didn’t beat much, but won by a margin in nice time. We mentioned him after a Jul 5 jump out that saw him win well but we noted his poor starts. He was away better in this heat, but wasn’t clean. He jumped about midfield before mustering up the speed to lead and then kicked away in the straight as he was given a couple of reminders from the jockey. He can go well in a maiden on debut.
TRINITY’S REWARD is a 5 start maiden without a career placing, but you wouldn’t know that with the way she closed over the top of Ping Ping and Frenzy Lune in Heat 10 on Jul 19 in her first jump out for her new Brian McGrath stable. She jumped beautifully with the jockey electing to take a sit in behind the speed before she peeled out in the straight, was given a push and closed well over the top. Will note she won a jump out on Mar 31 when she was still with Cameron Templeton before then running 8th of 9 at $81, so will have to be careful. Think she will open big odds though and this was encouraging - hopefully another bit of work, but if not she’ll be a small bet at a big price first up.
OTHER
JIGSAW is smart and showed it again, taking out Heat 1 on Jul 19 by several lengths while clocking the fastest time of the morning by over 1.8s. Looked as though the blinkers went on him this morning and there is no doubt that he is travelling super.
Cindy Alderson’s runner under the breeding UNENCUMBERED x ENCHANTING WATERS looks to go alright. With Enchanting Waters being a Group 3 winner over 2600m, we suspect this runner may get over a bit of distance but that has had no impact on its jump out ability. Put away after wins on Mar 15 and Mar 29, this runner returned to win again in Heat 5 on Jul 19. Looked a bit green but closed really well and looks to have a nice action. Want to follow this runner, expect another jump out.
Mentioned in our reviews from a May 24 jump out under his breeding Eurozone x Dance Maiden, LANDERS has since won a Jun 7 jump out (2nd horse since 4th in BM58 by 2.8L) and finished 2nd in Heat 7 on Jul 19. Nothing special unfortunately.
Have to note STREET LORD, a big winner of Heat 13 on Jul 19 over 1000m, albeit in slow time. The gelding was 2nd to Holt on Jul 5 before stepping up to 1000m here and clearly appreciating the distance rise. Was a matter of straight to the front and kick away here.
BENDIGO - 20 July 2021
OTHER
BIG BOY’S GIRL another nice win, taking out Heat 1 on Jul 20 in testing conditions ahead of the 68-rated Mean Mister. Hopefully she pops up in a BM58 with a low barrier first up, keen to follow if so.
FOOLISH BOY has been completely untested in both jump outs, including Heat 2 on Jul 20. He is a 5yo who is a 7 start maiden, so doubt there is much improvement to come but these have to be encouraging as he looks set to resume for the new Jarrod Robinson stable. Maybe one to spec at big odds.
LAURION was previously mentioned after making good ground in a Jul 20 jump out, and he was untested in when 2nd in Heat 3 on Jul 20. It’s hard to get a gauge though as he’s up against un-raced horses or horses with minimal/ordinary form. Keep an eye out first up and watching any market leads.
CAULFIELD - 20 July 2021
Fair win by MIDNIGHT HUSSY. The 2yo filly showed incredible speed to take off in Heat 1 on Jul 20, lead and win by a huge margin in the fastest time of the morning. These kinds of wins can be worrying in that the horse doesn’t settle and that’s why it takes off, but she was well held and quietly ridden in a Jul 12 jump out at Cranbourne so don’t think this applies to her. It’s taking her a bit to get to the races though, with this being her fourth set of two jump outs. A $350k filly from the Inglish Melbourne Premier Yearling Sales, she looks to have some talent and look to be very speedy.
Loved the work of DIRECT in his return in Heat 5 on Jul 20 (green). He jumped cleanly but was heavily restrained to the back, with the jockey getting an arm workout throughout the heat. He eventually crept forward to win the heat as it looked like the jockey just couldn’t hold him back any longer. His form reads super now - he was 2nd to Paulele on debut who then won his next start with his prep ending in a 2.5L Group 3 victory. He was then 3rd and only 1.5L off the winner, Home Affairs, while just behind Rocket Tiger with his latest run being in the Group 2 Todman Stakes, finishing 6th but only 3.6L behind the winner Anamoe in a field that including Profiteer, Stay Inside and Remarque. He’s smart and very keen to follow him into the spring, especially down here in VIC.
OTHER
All eyes on Direct in Heat 5 on Jul 20, but an un-raced 2yo filly BELLUNA was 2nd and pretty much went to the line with him as well. The big grey looked to move just as well. Only her first jump out so one to keep an eye on.
OBFUSCATION turn of foot was on show again, taking out Heat 6 on Jul 20. As we said after his previous jump out, he looks talented and can win on debut.
PAKENHAM - 20 July 2021
OTHER
INORDINATE is yet to be fully tested at the jump outs, finishing 4th in Heat 7 on Jul 20 (red). Hard to know what’s on under the hood, so he’s one to keep an eye on.
THREEANDFOURPENCE looked pretty handy in his Aus jump out debut, ducking and weaving to finish 2nd in Heat 8 on Jul 20 under no pressure. Not much quality around him though.
GEELONG - 21 July 2021
Hand-timed Times: Heat 1 - 1:02s | Heat 2 - 1:01s | Heat 3 - 1:01s | Heat 4 - 1:02s | Heat 5 - 1:01s
OTHER
He didn’t beat much at all, but ROCK MY SOCKS OFF was the clear pick of the day as he lead from start to finish to win Heat 5 on Jul 21. Did it easily and never asked for an effort.
BALLARAT - 22 July 2021
Archie Alexander might have a nice one here in EXCELLENT ARTIE. The 2yo gelding won Heat 3 on Jul 22 was easy as you would like. He jumped beautifully, pushed forward under a ridiculous hold from Dean Holland to take up the lead along the rail. As they entered the straight, he picked up 2-3L with ease and Dean even had a look over the shoulder wondering where they were. Kicked away from the 87-rated Barade who was given a push to win by 2.5L with a 3L gap to 3rd. He was never let go at any stage throughout this, similar to his earlier May 18 jump out. He looks talented.
We had a query on KYLE being untested beyond 800m after bolting in on Jun 30, but the colt has now put that to bed with a 3L win in Heat 5 on Jul 22. He has a stack of speed, showing it to lead this heat right from the jump and he did it relatively easy all the way to the line. He was even extending late so he certainly had a bit to give late, all while clocking an above average time. Expect this 2yo son of Shooting To Win to lead and be hard to chase down on debut.
OTHER
CORONEL was a lot better than the handy WOLFE in Heat 1 on Jul 22 over the 1400m. Will concede that he had the race fitness having had 5 runs this preparation, but 4 of those were over 1000-1200m with only one coming over 1400m (being his latest run) that resulted in a 2nd to Meehni. Thought the run was good and if he goes to a 1400m/1600m BM58 next, think he’s worth a bet at a potentially big price.
BALLARAT - 23 July 2021
We commented on the Kym Hann filly by Extreme Choice out of Aura D’oro after an impressive Jul 6 jump out. She was back to the jump outs in Heat 8 on Jul 23, winning by a massive margin in good time for the day. The 2yo filly showed nice gate speed to take up the lead along the rail before kicking away around the bend to put up lengths in a matter of strides. She was given a shake up at the 300m mark and continued to extend away. Her breeding is EXTREME CHOICE x AURA D’ORO so keep an eye out for a name as she looks a talented 2yo.
FLEMINGTON - 23 July 2021
Previously mentioned after his Jun 25, THE DUKE OF DUBAI put in another super bit of work in Heat 13 on Jul 23 (pink) after being very slowly away, he was a class above. He was given a push as they rounded the bend but the jockey quickly put it away as he made up lengths with ease to come over the top and win. He had a quiet jump out on Jul 9 (pink), and now looks primed for his debut. Keen to follow.
On the watch list after a Jul 9 jump out, now HYDERABAD is a must follow on debut as the 2yo gelding just cruised to the line behind the winner (talented 3yo Invincible Jet) in Heat 18 on Jul 23 as they clocked a slick time, the second fastest of the day. He was a $560k purchase and looks to move with class. Nice gelding.
COVERT was green in his Jul 14 win at Mornington over 1000m, stepping back to 800m at Flemington where he looked nice as he crossed the line in 2nd in Heat 19 on Jul 23. He travelled wide throughout, but looked comfortable on the bit throughout and was never asked for an effort. He looked a little green late but the jockey looked after him here with those around him ridden out and pushed. Looks to be a 2yo colt that might have some ability.
OTHER
Fair win by JULINKA, taking out Heat 1 on Jul 23 in the clear fastest synthetic time of the morning. The time was very impressive in only her first bit of work back. Keeping an eye on her.
GROUNDSWELL was arrogant in winning Heat 9 on Jul 23 by a big margin. Resuming off a 7-week let up, he travelled super here.
ORYX continues to clock nice jump out times but is yet to get to the races. He clocked the fastest time of the morning winning Heat 17 on Jul 23 (blue). One to keep an eye on.
NSW
MONEY FROM THE SKY - Mark Newnham (Joshua Parr)
Jul 19 (Hawkesbury) - $200k colt, son of Frankel out of the mare We Can Say it Now who won 2x Group 1’s in NZ - quite liked how he closed off here, coming through the pack but didn't have much room - was out the back and looked to have a really nice action - looks smart.
TRIFACCIA - James Cummings (James McDonald)
Jul 19 (Hawkesbury) - coming off a 13-week let up so would’ve had some slight fitness - was $5-$6 in a Group 2 last start - did a bit wrong here but closed really well once she straightened up and was allowed to go through the line.
HAVE MERCY -Edward Cummings (James McDonald)
Jul 19 (Hawkesbury) - $210k purchase - this was nice - fastest 800m of the 2YO heats and had the smart Ingratiating 2L back in 2nd - sat 3 wide on speed, pushed forward around the bend to take up the lead and kicked away late - this filly and Ingratiating had a bit on this lot.
TOCOMAH - Garry Frazer (Grant Buckley)
Jul 19 (Hawkesbury) - easily the fastest time of the morning and easily the fastest L600m - did have race fitness though having been 2nd on debut on Jun 29, don’t like that he was a $2 favourite beaten that day but he beat 3rd by 4L and the winner was $1.70 next start and ran 2nd in a CL1.
MIA ZOI - Mark Newnham (Zac Wadick)
Jul 6 (Warwick Farm) - defeated Bullet Hero (since 3rd MDN).
Jul 23 (Warwick Farm) - bolted in here by 13.5L - went straight to the front and never looked like being caught - did run a nice time too that was better than Academy in Heat 10 who won by 10L and was pushed out - going to be a matter of catch her if you can first up - will back if not too short.