After the weekend of racing, we assess the horses you need to forgive, forget and follow.
Forgive
Wegobam – Leon and Troy Corstens
- 2nd of 10 in the 1200m Fillies and Mares Benchmark 70 (Flemington)
Jumping from barrier 9 up the straight six, and with champion jockey Damien Oliver on board, I don’t expect many envisioned this mare being boxed in for the majority of the race.
With Lady D’oro on her outside and a tiring Dee Keepa in front of her, Olly was forced to stop the horse in her tracks before coming across heels and getting to the outside only with 150m to go. Once unleashed, she made up several lengths in impressive style, but went down by 0.75L to the progressive Rose Quartz.
Unfortunately for connections it was a similar story first up, however the horse has come back in impressive order for the Corstens’ barn – If she can get the change of luck she is due for, she will be winning a Saturday mares race soon enough.
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Forget
Real Sensation – Luke Oliver
- 5th of 11 in the 1600m BM84 (Flemington)
There was a bit of a tip around for this honest 4YO Gelding, who jumped as the $4 second favourite, but he just battled home over the last part of the race.
He is a horse who always seems to be thereabouts but just doesn’t have the desire to win, and looks to be a real ‘pack animal’, who is more than happy just running amongst the other horses.
He didn’t get clear air until late in the race but was entitled to finish off far better than he did – Can’t seem him starting at those odds again anytime soon, and if he does, you’d be pretty keen to bet around him.
Odeon – Simon Zahra
- 9th of 9 in the 1400m Handicap (Flemington)
First up after a six month spell, the super consistent Odeon could not have looked much plainer, finishing 5.5L last, on the back of a perfect run in transit on the back of the favourite and eventual winner, Second Slip.
He travelled nicely throughout the run but as soon as the other horses quickened he was left wanting, indicating he may not have returned the same horse he has been in previous campaigns.
He is an 8YO who has won connections just under one million dollars – I expect if he puts in another showing like that next start he might be off to a nice grassy paddock to live out his days.
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Follow
Squid Game – Patrick Payne
- 1st of 7 in the 1200m 3YO Benchmark 70 (Flemington)
This 3YO Gelding looks a serious professional with a big future. Not only is he talented, but he is extremely versatile, showing that he can sit on speed as he did on debut, whilst today he settled last in running and came with a sustained run down the outside.
The Price Bloodstock ownership group would ordinarily have this boy on the next flight to Hong Kong, but fortunately for Australian racing enthusiasts, it appears that he will be staying put on our shores, with trainer Patrick Payne telling Channel 7 that he had failed the necessary vet examination.
A disappointing result for connections back pockets in the short term, however, I anticipate they might see a decent return on investment in terms of prizemoney in years to come.
Himalaism – Chris Waller
- 3rd of 5 in the 1200m 2YO Handicap (Randwick)
This nicely bred colt (I Am Invincible x Snitzerland) was steady in the market off the back of a couple of nice trials.
Similarly to Wegobam (see Forgive file), supporters of the debutant probably didn’t anticipate that traffic issues would cause the colt any grief in the five horse field.
Hitting a flat spot at the 400m mark, the colt started making ground with 250m to go but had to check off the heels of the eventual first and second placegetters. Once in clear air, he knuckled down to the task nicely, giving every indication he will be better with race experience under the belt and potentially further distance in the future.
A promising colt to follow over the coming few weeks, provided he pulls up well from the debut.
