The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – February 5th Edition

Jye McNeil produced five of the best at Caulfield, Paulele resumes with a win while bets were landed in the Inglis Millennium. All that and more in this weeks edition of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’.

KEY NEWS:

Hi 5 For Jye

With the guns away, another gun played and that gun was Jye McNeil, who booted home five winners at Caulfield on Saturday, including the two features, the Chairman’s (1000m) and Manfred (1200m) aboard a couple of promising colts. That effort has seen him boot well clear in the Melbourne Jockey Premiership.

Paulele Wins Eskimo Prince

He sweated up prior, he was ridden against his usual pattern, but class came to the fore in the shape of Paulele, who took out the Eskimo Prince (1200m) at Randwick. Whilst to the eye, the win was good, the clock suggests that he got a picnic in front and the overall time stacked up quite poorly relative to the meeting, so times wise, the jury is out, but visually, he, along with Ranch Hand and Converge, look to have improvement to come.

Punters Spot On Millennium

#TeamThey got it 100% right in the Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday with Xtravagant Star producing an electric finale to take out the $2 Million feature. He was $11 on the NOP before being backed with confidence into $7.50 and he wasn’t getting beat from the 300m mark in an impressive display. Paris Dior battled on well for second while Sejardan produced a good return with eyes towards the Golden Slipper.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:

Have to give it to Jye McNeil. Five winners at any meeting is a good feat but even better at a Saturday metro meeting. He dominated the Caulfield card with a couple of peach steers in there as well. He’s an in form rider and it’s perfect timing with the first Group l of the season just a week away.

DEBUT OF THE WEEK:

It could be a case of how long until Sparring heads to Hong Kong. There was a lot of hype leading into his debut at Albury on Thursday off the back of a romping trial win. The market would tell you if he was a speedy squib or he might be pretty good. Well he was $1.80-$1.40, and he’s more than pretty good. He’s a very good horse. Spanked them, ran sharp time and did it easily. if he can stretch out successfully beyond 900m, which I’m sure he will, then the big offers will come in. The other impressive debut was Super Bright at Newcastle on Saturday. Follow her with confidence.

RIDE OF THE WEEK:

Beautifully judged front running steer from Jamie Kah aboard Frosty Rocks in the last at Randwick. The horse can be a tad suspect at the mile but she took bad luck out of the equation. Found the front and in the middle stages got a few 12.5 200m splits. Then 600m out, she pushed the button on the almost white horse and that was the winning move, breaking their hearts in behind.

SLAUGHTER OF THE WEEK:

Ethan Brown has done a really good job since coming back from the ‘Airbnb’ saga. But it was a really ordinary steer aboard Shezadandi on Friday night at Moonee Valley. Lack of awareness, asleep at the wheel, lazy…not sure what it was, but he had ample opportunity to slot in but stayed three wide and My Delight, who was last at one stage, punched forward to keep Brown three wide. The horse, IMO, fights the finish out if she got one off, so it was a poor ride. From Saturday, it was a fab January for Barend Vorster, but February hasn’t started too kind. He rode a couple of ordinary races at Murray Bridge on Wednesday and his steer aboard Miss Gobcain at Morphettville…he does have credits with trainer Mark Webb. I dare say he would have lost a fair few.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Markwell Dreamer – He might be a sneaky Country Championships horse after all. Really good run
Converge – Was going to win but lack of race fitness beat him late. Good return
Silent Impact – He’s not top shelf, but he can win races
Maotai – Brilliant return and off this, he can measure up in better races
No Compromise/Luncies – Lovely runs from both
Worthily – 2000m+ at Flemington and he’ll be blacktype quality
Desert Icon – He’ll keep winning
Pale King – He wins with clear air. He’s on track
Vepsertine – Horrible racing style, but is flying

ONE MORE CHANCE:

Renosu – Very weak finale. I’d want to give another chance to him
Wisdom Of Water – Wide no cover, a clear forgive
Kallos – Gate one/inside lanes a clear disadvantage for the meeting. Be forgiving

NEVER EVER AGAIN:

Plymstock – Pretty weak finish after getting every chance
Incredulous Dream – She well and truly gets a life ban now
Ziegfeld – He won’t be winning races in Australia

 

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