After the weekend of Group 1 racing we assess the horses you need to forgive, forget and to follow heading into the next few weeks.
Forgive
Najmaty – Peter & Paul Snowden
8th of 9 in the 1200 metre Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes
Came into the Group 2 as hot favourite after kicking off her career with two impressive wins. However, it wasn’t to be as it all went wrong for her on Saturday with the stewards report detailing throwing up a viable excuse for her poor run, “A postrace veterinary examination revealed the filly to be slow to recover.” The lightly raced filly heads for a spell now and is one to watch when she steps out next preparation.
Odeum – Mick Price & Michael Kent
12th of 13 in the 1600 metre Group 1 Queen of the Turf
Her race was all but over after 100 metres coming out a clear last. The second-elect in the market behind hot favourite Probabeel missed the jump by four lengths and never was in the hunt after that. She is a clear forgive after her super run last start behind Isotope, who franked the form on Saturday by almost taking out the Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint.
Forget
Montefilia – David Payne
5th of 10 in the 2400 metre Group 1 ATC Oaks
Had her in our forgive file last after her brave 4th in the Australian Derby against the boys and were expecting her to bounce back back against her own sex in the Oaks. However, she once again loomed up looking like the winner before peaking on her run half way down the straight. Does she run out a strong 2400 metres? Her trainer David Payne certainly thinks so, touting her as a Melbourne Cup horse earlier this preparation. Until she can prove herself over the longer trips she is one to ‘forget’ for now.
Follow
The Big Easy – Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace
2nd of 12 in the 1100 metre VOBIS Gold Dash
Has always had a nice turn of foot on him but he demonstrated his best on Saturday against some handy horses. He rarely wins but if he can put it all together he can certainly string a few wins together. Has been up for a while now so might be ready for a break but one to follow next preparation.
Prague – Annabel Neasham
3rd of 10 in the 1200 metre Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint
Another one who rocketed home this time though at Group 2 company and he looks to have a big win in him. He has been nominated for the Group 1 All Aged this weekend and if he were to go there he can certainly run a bold race if he produces that sort of run. One to follow heading into this weekend.
