Weekly Review - November 30 to December 6
CRANBOURNE - 30 November 2020
WITH EDGE was no match for the 64-rated BOBBY ROCKS in Heat 8 on Nov 30 (dark blue) but this 4yo gelding travelled super to finish 2nd in the fastest 800m time of the morning. He is unlucky to still be a maiden after an ‘almost’ debut campaign that lasted 7 starts and he just never got any luck at all. Expecting him to have come back improved this prep and if so, he shouldn’t be a maiden for too much longer.
We are pretty keen on VERANSKOVA after the filly was scratched twice last week. Instead electing to jump out in Heat 10 on Nov 30 (white & yellow sleeves) over 1000m, she was only 1.5L off a ridden out MR EXCLUSIVE coming off a 6th in a Group 3 only 2 weeks earlier… if she finds a mid-week maiden, she will be hard to beat on debut.
Two consecutive jump out wins now for VICI. The first over 800m on Nov 9 and now over 1000m in Heat 11 on Nov 30 (yellow) by a big margin. Since changing to the Wendy Kelly yard, he has had two first up runs for a win a BM64 over 1200m and a 2.2L 4th in a BM70, so he travels well first up and will be competitive first up in a BM64 this preparation. Hopefully with a low draw as he’s certainly better suited when ridden on pace or leading.
TRARALGON - 30 November 2020
RUSTY LUCK (green) has previously featured in our reviews and again put in another really nice jump out when 2nd in Heat 4 on Nov 30 over the 950m. He showed plenty of gate speed to push forward and co-lead but was just overran late. Feel as though if he pushed along he would’ve put a space on them. They clocked the second fastest time of the morning at 56.40s and this gelding has some talent (and looks), no doubt.
Following the first two across the line in Heat 6 on Nov 30 being the 3yo filly’s SENSATIONALISATION (white) and ARLARK MOFEED (green).
SENSATIONALISATION was good in both her runs as a 2yo. She jumped well but was forced to drop back from the wide barrier. Michael Walker had her travelling really well but wide, where she rounded the field around the bend and showed a nice turn of foot late. She looks pretty classy and follows a Nov 24 win as well where she was able to lead the whole way due to the inside barrier in this jump out instead.
ARLARK MOFEED ran into Odeum and Annavisto in his last two runs last prep. He jumped the best of this heat and took up the lead when travelling 3-4 wide for the trip. She had superior late speed for everyone but SENSATIONALISATION but was under less riding and certainly has the talent to win a maiden.
WINE O’CLOCK has felt no pressure in both of his official jump outs. Egan did not move a muscle on him when he was 3rd on Nov 23 and likewise with Beau Mertens in Heat 8 on Nov 30 when he was 1st. He led up both official trials, which we would expect him to do on debut and he’ll be competitive.
COLAC - 2 December 2020
Big fan of the horses who have come from the mare ADMIRAL’S LADY. These include multiple-time winners in ADMIRAL’S JOKER, SHANTARA and LADY JACKIO and now the un-raced 4yo in FIRST MATE, who had a super first jump out in Heat 2 on Dec 2 (black). This gelding travelled under the strong hold of S Vella along the fence and literally just stayed there the entire trip under this hold with no room to move in the straight. He looked like he had a lot more to give and could’ve easily won.
MORNINGTON - 2 December 2020
The big swooping run around the field and down the middle of the track by MEXICAN STAR in Heat 3 on Dec 2 (yellow/red) certainly caught the eye. The filly settled very wide throughout, just off the speed over the 1000m jump out. Given a niggle around the bend, she really responded to take over and win by several lengths with ease in average time. Following on from her quietly ridden 2nd over 700m on Nov 25, she looks to have come back as a 3yo improved and ready to break the maiden.
SALE - 3 December 2020
The un-raced gelding JUST MALCOLM has absolutely bolted in in two jump outs now. The first on Sep 3 and then again in Heat 4 on Dec 3 (orange) when running a very quick time. He hasn’t beat much in terms of opposition but the times listed have been super quick so it’s certainly worth following him.
ECHUCA - 3 December 2020
Super win in quick time in Heat 2 on Dec 3 (white) by the Gwenda Johnstone runner the breeding BRAZEN BEAU x OUR LONA. This runner took up the lead along the rail and just was too good, opening up a big gap when asking for an effort in the straight. Well bred individual as well, with the mare OUR LONA winning several races including a Listed race at Caulfield over 1200m. We’ll be watching for a name and debut.
Quickest time of the day at 52.62s and another big win by DANA POINT in Heat 4 on Dec 3. This filly has had close to 10 jump outs and trials now in the last year, including three this preparation that include a 3rd on Nov 17 and an official trial win on Nov 23. Similar scenario to Brett Stanley’s runner El Salto that we saw debut the other week - she will be very well educated when she finally goes to the races and would expect her to go very close. Surely soon?
PAL’S REWARD has been quite unlucky not to break his maiden yet with 4 career starts for 4 placings. He showed his customary early speed in Heat 5 on Dec 3 to lead along the fence and never looked like being caught, sprinting away late from 60+ raters in NOT ALONE and SHE WON’T LEAVE. Looks like the blinkers were on here so check for the head gear and certainly follow this gelding first up, he’ll be competitive.
KYNETON - 4 December 2020
BUD was a very impressive winner of Heat 6 on Dec 4 (purple) in 50.1s (hand-timed). This 4yo gelding jumped well to sit just outside the leader but was too speedy and eventually took up the lead and travelling wide throughout. He was under a super strong hold and had a lot more to give. Super bit of work.
FRENCH STAR was slow out of the gates in Heat 7 on Dec 4 (blue), but showed a stack of speed throughout to make up the ground when travelling out very wide. Looked like he’s made up some 8L on the 69-rated METRO BOY while running past GLASS CEILING and gapping 4th - they ran a very slick 47.3s (hand-timed). This 4yo mare only had the one start for the her new Challis stable before a spell after previously being with Danny O’Brien where she has been a consistent runner. She goes well fresh.
FLEMINGTON (WERRIBEE) - 4 December 2020
Another super jump out by ZESTY BELLE, winning Heat 6 on Dec 4 (orange/white/black) very comfortably in the second fastest time of the morning (only 0.02s off the fastest). Will be shocked if she isn’t breaking her maiden early this coming preparation as a 3yo.
Blackbooking and following two from this heat.
ZAC DE BOSS was as green as anything in the straight of Heat 10 on Dec 4 (orange/white/black), but he looked like he had a nice turn of foot on him. This follows a quietly ridden jump out on Nov 27 when 2nd. He looks a nice mover.
GUMNUTS on the other hand was ridden as quiet as a mouse on the inside in Heat 10 on Dec 4. This follows on from okay jump outs on Oct 22 and Nov 13, but the key was the winkers going on for this and certainly think he’s better than maiden grade.