After the weekend of Group 1 racing we assess the horses you need to forgive, forget and to follow heading into a huge Autumn carnival.
Forgive
Sir Dragonet – Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace
7th of 9 in the 1400 metre Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes
Everyone has seemed to jump off him after Saturday’s run but we have to forgive him. Trialled well leading into it but when the whips were cracking in the Group 1 he just couldn’t match it with genuine 1400 metre horses. The Queen Elizabeth over 2000 metres with a wet track looks his type of race and shouldn’t discount him off Saturday’s effort.
Sierra Sue – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
9th of 11 in the 1200 metre Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes
To the eye she was poor on the weekend however she shouldn’t be judged off that run after jockey Michael Walker reported the mare felt short behind in its action. The Busuttin and Young yard have always had a big opinion of this lightly raced mare and expect her to bounce back next start.
Forget
Mystic Journey – Adam Trinder
2nd of 7 in the 1400 metre Thomas Lyons Stakes
Could come back to bite me but she looks to be past her best and ready for the breeding barn. Was happy to forgive her first up but she got beaten fair and square on the weekend. Trinder has confirmed ‘Betty’ will push on to Melbourne and will run in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes. Connections will then decide if she is going well enough for a crack at the $5 Million dollar All-Star Mile.
Parlaphone – Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)
7th of 7 in the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes
Has really gone backwards since her Lightning Stakes win over in Adelaide. Started $5 versus September Run ($15) in a listed race down the Flemington straight last preparation and how both gallopers have gone different directions since!
Follow
Imaging – Chris Waller
2nd of 9 in the 1400 metre Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes
This horse looks in for a successful campaign after his first up effort over the weekend. Loomed up to Streets of Avalon in the straight and almost headed him but tired late after a wide run. He also conceded race fitness to the winner and should improve off that run. Where he heads next will be interesting, naturally you would head to the Futurity but that looks to be a hot race with the likes of Behemoth, Arcadia Queen, Probabeel and Ole Kirk all heading that way. Nevertheless he is a horse you need to follow heading into the Autumn.
Prime Star – Richard & Michael Freedman
2nd of 11 in the 1200 metre Inglis 3yo Sprint
Went a little away from the obvious and found Prime Star as one to follow as he is one that continues to go under the radar. Won the 2yo Inglis Millennium last year at $26 and ran around on the weekend at $16 beating home Ole Kirk. He continually is underestimated by the market and if he finds the right race in the autumn he can go close to winning.
