With the Autumn carnival starting to heat up and the first Group 1 of the year up next weekend here are some horses to forgive, forget and to follow the next few weeks.
Forgive
Flit – James Cummings
5th of 6 in the 1200 metre Group 2 Expressway Stakes
As a noted first up performer Flit was expected to feature in the finish on the weekend but looked a little plain, finishing 4.2 lengths behind the winner Savatiano. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be displaying a poor post-race recovery and may be the reason behind her below par run. We can forgive her after that run and expect her to bounce back wherever she heads next start, she will need to get a veterinary clearance before being permitted to race again, however.
Tagaloa – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
3rd of 5 in the 1200 metre Group 3 Manfred Stakes
There was high confidence coming from the stable that Tagaloa was back this preparation but he could only manage 3rd in the small field over 1200 metres. He has won a Group 1 over that distance however he now looks like a horse that needs 1400 to a mile. Being caught 3 deep the trip didn’t help his cause but is on notice and his next two starts will be very interesting on his way to a potential crack at the Group 1 Australian Guineas.
Forget
Frosty Rocks – Bjorn Baker
3rd of 8 in the 1500 metre Handicap
After the scratching of Mount Popa on Saturday morning Frosty Rocks was sent out favourite and once again disappointed punters finishing back in 3rd. The gelding has started $3.30, $3.30, $4.00, $4.00, $3.20 his past five starts with no wins which is why he has found himself in the forget section. You’d love to own this four-year-old gelding but as a punter he’s becoming far too costly at the moment and isn’t a horse to follow heading into the Autumn carnival.
Word For Word – Chris Waller
6th of 9 in the 2000 metre Handicap
The Chris Waller trained Word For Word was well backed over the weekend after punters were willing to forgive him after his last start failure (which had legitimate excuses). There were no excuses over the weekend though and was given every opportunity by James McDonald from a favourable gate to bounce back. He is another horse who probably won’t feature over the Autumn carnival.
Follow
Kolding – Chris Waller
2nd of 6 in the 1200 metre Group 2 Expressway Stakes
Looks to have come back very well this preparation after his 2nd placing in the Group 2 Expressway on Saturday. He looks a force to be reckoned anywhere from 1400 to a mile especially after his Group 1 George Main triumph in the Spring. Looking ahead to his preparation he does have a nomination for the All-Star Mile but is down in 28th on the voting leaderboard so would need a wildcard to get a run. Wherever he goes this Autumn he should be right in the finish and is a must follow.
Fortunate Kiss – Daniel Bowman
3rd of 5 in the 1000 metre Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes
Was the forgotten horse behind Enthaar running a bold 3rd on debut. While she probably won’t ever be competitive with the freakish Enthaar, Fortunate Kiss looks a promising stakes class filly. The stable already have the Thousand Guineas in mind during the Spring and with the form around Enthaar stacking up with Mallory coming out and winning the Widden Stakes, Fortunate Kiss could be one to keep an eye on.
