Races

It Pays To Follow

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

Wednesday, September 18 @ Belmont

Race 2 – JACKPOT BINGO

This colt remains a maiden after four starts, including two this time in, but you would be surprised if he is winless by the end of his current campaign. Forced to go back second-up over 1400m, JACKPOT BINGO was then inconvenienced by another runner, forcing him to settle further back than anticipated. Once he balanced up and saw clean air, he attacked the line powerfully to run a half-length second to SNIPPY SEAN. It appears a win is around the corner.

Race 6 – SUNNY HONEY

If you were with SUNNY HONEY, you were entitled to be disappointed. The gelding looked to have plenty to give, but just couldn’t get into his stride at full pelt when it was needed in the straight. Would he have beaten the well-backed EMPRESS OF INDIA? Maybe. Maybe not. Those mounting an argument he would have … well they would have their supporters. Let’s put it that way.

Saturday, September 21 @ Belmont

Race 2 – RED AUTUMN

Considering this bloke was backing up six days after making his debut in a 3YO maiden at Northam when placing fourth, his effort to run third behind a dual Saturday winner in KEEP ITA MYSTERY and Supremacy Stakes winner and Perth Stakes runner-up SIR DREAMALOT was full of merit. Last turning for home, he was angled back towards the fence upon straightening and easily produced the fastest last 600m of the race to fill a minor end of the placings. He will start extremely short in a 3YO maiden off that if Dion Luciani chases a kill.

Race 8 – SIMPLY

He is lightly raced and still working out the racing caper from a mental side of things. But there is genuine staying ability. Ditto upside. And that is why SIMPLY is worth following after closing intently to finish second behind IN GOOD ORDER, who unleashed a wicked turn of foot. The four-year-old wanted to roll about a bit in the straight and was also bumped at about the 300m mark, but got to the line nicely at his third run this preparation. He remained at 1600m on the weekend just gone and gave the impression he was looking for 2000m plus.

Sunday, September 22 @ Kalgoorlie

Race 6 – SENTIMENTAL HERO

At his first start on the Goldfields and only his second under the eagle eye of redoubtable Kalgoorlie-based trainer Peter Fernie, this gelding was impossible to miss. Carrying 62kg, SENTIMENTAL HERO was held up for a brief stage in the straight and poked through late to grab third behind COLOSSAL and STARALIGN. He was beaten only half a length after peeling off 33.01sec for his final 600m, all of which came after he was slow to step. Shortly past the post, he was in front of both COLOSSAL and STARALIGN. It was a terrific Hannan’s Handicap trial.

Monday, September 23 @ Bunbury

Race 4 – OLYMPIC PARK

We have been waiting for too long now for the cerise and white to have a headline horse. I’m happy to declare that Bob and Sandra Peters might have struck gold with OLYMPIC PARK. A $460,000 yearling purchase, the three-year-old had tongues wagging on the public holiday when he was angled through the field by Clint Johnston-Porter after being nearly last turning for home. The turn of foot was first rate and while he might not have taken down any superstars and will no doubt meet stiffer opposition in the future, it was the debut of a horse going places.




Recent Articles