Weekly Review - June 7 to June 13
TRARALGON - 7 June 2021
OTHER
Nice Australian trial/jump out debut for DECURIO when going to the line alongside the race-fit and 64-rated Florent in Heat 1, only going down by a head but under significantly less pressure from the jockey, Ben Allen. Being an NZ gelding, expect the wet tracks to be no issue for him. Nice start to his Aus campaign, hopefully can bring it to the races now in a maiden.
The Group 1 gelding, RED CAN MAN was a very soft winner of Heat 3. The margin was only officially 0.3L but the win was a lot better than that, ridden extremely quiet and never let go by Jamie Kah.
TYPHOON HARMONY a massive 5L win in Heat 6, but the time was on the slow side for the day.
DOUCEUR beat Under The Dunes on debut (who then won her next start) where they gapped 3rd by 2.25L. She has a big finish on her, clocking the fastest L400m of the meeting in that debut run and coming from the back to win Heat 10 over the 950m stylishly. After quiet May 18 (navy) and May 27 jump outs, in typical P Payne fashion, she looks to be travelling super ahead of her return from a let up. She handled the Heavy8 track on debut very well too.
CHARLES THE GREAT a great win in Heat 12, leading from start to finish to win quite comfortably in the end with the rest of the field left chasing and struggling to keep up, running a nice time for the day in the process. A little 4-week freshen up for this gelding and looks in good enough order to get a second career win.
CRANBOURNE - 7 June 2021
TRUE PATRIOT impressive. The 3yo gelding has now had four jump outs, all a month apart. A quiet jump out on Mar 15 where he closed well but was beaten a long way, was followed by another quite trail on Apr 6 where he was only beaten by 1-2L by Safeeya (since 4th BM70 and 2x 2nd in BM64’s). His latest two saw win and beat home Gaga’s Belle on May 3 before this impressive win in Heat 11 on Jun 7. He sat in behind the speed here, waited for the gap to open up in the straight and then lengthened out nicely to win by several lengths over the 1000m. Working well and we can follow.
OTHER
The smart 2yo colt, JIGSAW was a class above in Heat 1 when winning comfortably. Time was around the average mark for the day.
As mentioned in last weeks review, DUTY DYNASTY was one we had to follow and the 2yo colt backed up that impressive jump out with a nice 2nd in Heat 3 where they top two gapped 3rd by a big margin. The winner was an unnamed Testa Rossa filly who might also be worth keeping in mind. They did run slow time though over the 850m.
BLOOD OATH looked like he was going to win Heat 4 by lengths, by it was the closing speed of WILLIAM THOMAS to finish 2nd and within a length of that gelding that was the eye catcher. GREAT DUCHESS was another that closed super and made up a lot of ground past the line out wide too.
BIG FLASH backed up his May 31 jump out to win Heat 5 by a big margin and in the fastest time of the morning. He led from start to finish here and can make a winning return. Will be hard to chase down first up.
No match for Aminatu in a May 24 jump out when 2nd, but the un-named Enver Jusufovic 3yo (EUROZONE x DANCE MAIDEN) showed some nice speed of his own to lead and win Heat 7 where he was kicking away late as he was challenged approaching and crossing the line. Potentially we’ll see another jump out before his debut, EJ places them well.
A bunched finish in Heat 9, taken out by the 3yo filly ALWAYS IN MOMENT who is returning following some issues. She’s now pulled up with an irregular heart rhythm in 2 of her 3 career starts with her other start being a very impressive 3.5L maiden win. If she is right to go, she is very good but keeps running into some issues. Hopefully she’s back to her best, expect them to go through the grades so worth following her.
CAULFIELD - 8 June 2021
Though RONIN put in another nice bit of work, winning Heat 1 on Jun 8 (pink) following on from his Apr 20 trial win ahead of Missed The Mark (since 4th by 4.6L in a MDN). As mentioned previously, this 3yo gelding is solely owned by Mick Price. He jumped okay, quickly getting into stride out wide where he then cruised up to the leaders before hitting the front under his own steam, never asked for an effort. Only really recent Flemington winner Romancer was making ground on him late. Want to follow him into his debut as a late 3yo.
OTHER
GOLDEN VITRINE (NZ) is a full brother to the very smart 5yo WA Galloper, Showmanship (who has 7 wins from 8 career starts) and was a $500k NZ Karaka purchase in 2020. He was away poor in his May 18 jump out, similar to Heat 3 (light blue) here but he was able to muster some speed to keep with the field and ultimately come around them to finish a very close 2nd whilst being ahead by a couple lengths past the line. Treading carefully due to his starts, maybe another jump out prior to that debut but if he doesn’t, he’s one to follow.
CLAP was clearly too good for the 2yo's, winning Heat 4 comfortably.
GEELONG - 9 June 2021
OTHER
CROC LURKIN' showed nice early speed to take up the lead and then never looked like being caught in Heat 4 over the 1000m. The 3yo gelding looked to do it nicely throughout. He was well held in a May 26 jump out behind Vistabelle and Land Of The Brave as well. One to keep an eye on.
WANGARATTA - 9 June 2021
OTHER
REAL GUN an easy winner of Heat 2. Sat outside leader (Call Me Stirling), kicked away late as that runner dropped out to finish last.
KORE a huge winner of Heat 5, leading from start to finish. Last two starts have seen her last at the 800m mark of both races - she might be better when ridden with that lead like this jump out.
DENTE'S INFERNO was clearly away the worst in Heat 8, a good 5L off the field shortly after jumping. The 2yo colt finished 2nd here to an un-raced 3yo. He made up a lot of ground, but that start is worry. Only his first jump out, watch for another.
SPEED WHEEL is now with Andrew Dale (previously M Price & M Kent Jnr) and won Heat 12, but didn’t beat much in terms of opposition.
PAKENHAM - 10 June 2021
OTHER
NKWAZI’S PRIDE caught the eye as he cruised to the line in Heat 4, despite being a reasonable margin back in 4th. Only his first jump out so a horse worth keeping an eye on.
HELL OF A BOY was ridden out to win Heat 5 in the fastest 1000m time of the morning, defeating stablemate HIGH REWARDS by a pretty easy 2-3L with a similar margin back to 3rd.
FLEMINGTON - 11 June 2021
CHARACTER went stride for stride with recent maiden winner Mynumerouno in a May 28 jump out and was the only one not off the bridal and pushed out in Heat 9 on Jun 11 (blue). The 3yo colt travelled beautifully on speed throughout with (who looked like) D Oliver on board and looked as though he could’ve taken over and won if asked. He debuted in NSW at $4.60 against Finance Tycoon and Shquero before stepping up to 1300m and finishing a 2.6L 4th. He’s a big watch in a VIC maiden.
ZAPATEO was super, the stand out performer of the jump outs with his massive win in Heat 15 on Jun 11 (blue). He was quiet when asked of nothing in a May 28 jump out, but his talent really showed here. He jumped about midfield, but pushed his way forward with D Oliver and really kicked away around the bend to put up lengths pretty quickly. He was a clear class above here and ran good time for the day too. He’s a must follow.
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AIDENSFIELD was a class above, winning Heat 4 (yellow) and looking to have a bit to give late. She’s returned in good order.
Thought the un-raced 3yo ATLANTIC SEAS (orange) didn’t look out of place as well in a field of much higher rated and more experience gallopers. Interestingly enough, she went to the line alongside her 5yo half-sister Part Time Lover. Only her first jump out this preparation so we’ll keep an eye on her.
ELTEECEE had superior late speed to get over the top and win Heat 7 (white) despite travelling the clear widest throughout. This geldings first jump out back.
In her first VIC jump out, the NSW filly FOUND OUR THRILL looked to be hard held throughout Heat 8 (pink) and was able to get over the top of Melisende with Too Viennese chasing. Her form is poor, 3 career starts for 0 placings so think she’s one to put on the watch list for a second jump out. A country maiden will suit but need to see another bit of work first.
JUPITUS caught the eye as he closed off in Heat 12 (purple) to finish 3rd. The leader got away around the bend but this colt looked to have a nice action as he chased and made ground late. Slow time but only his first jump out, on the watch list.
The import MR BRIGHTSIDE jumped out in a good field on Jun 4 (white) and wasn’t disgraced, returning for his second bit of work in Heat 16 (red) with a nice win in nice time for the day, running over the top of the field as he attacked the line.
The 2nd horse HEROIC CHIEF (blue) is a big watch first up. He was 2nd to subsequent group-placed Litchfield County on debut before running 3rd at $2.70. Looks as though he’s returned gelded here and this was a nice first bit of work. Must watch.