The Forgive, Forget and Follow Files: 2/1/2022

After the weekend of racing, we assess the horses you need to forgive, forget and follow.

Forgive

Bermadez – Mike Moroney

• 5th of 8 in the 1600m Benchmark 84 (Flemington)

Looked the good thing of the day after a massive performance against boom horse Lighthouse last start, yet could not have been more disappointing as the well backed $1.65 favourite.

In a shallow field against some mediocre opposition, many would have expected Bermadez to blow them away. Instead, punters watched the horse over-race for jockey Damian Oliver, and show no turn of foot when asked to quicken in the straight, beaten only 2.85L but never looking likely.

The stewards report did not reveal any post-race issues, but I can’t help that feel the run had to be an anomaly – Perhaps the hot weather affected the horse, or maybe he is due for a spell after a few runs this prep.

I don’t want to sack the horse after one poor performance, particularly when we revisit how close he was to beating the star mare Lighthouse last start, so will be watching with interest next time he goes around.

Key Largo – Bryce Heys

• 5th of 12 in the 1100m Benchmark 72 (Randwick)

This 5YO Gelding is always around the mark and after some nice performances so far this preparation (two seconds from two starts), he looked a decent chance in an open affair.

Punters who backed him would have been on the floor however, as jockey Alysha Collett was left disappointed for a run everywhere she turned in the straight. The horse was absolutely travelling and flew home from near last, making up considerable ground only to be beaten 1.66L in fifth.

Worthy of a replay (R4 Randwick), it made for traumatising viewing for those punters who were on. Hard to beat in similar grade next time around, provided he can get some clear air sooner than he did yesterday.

Forget

Herman Hesse – Ciaron Maher and David Eustace

• 5th of 9 in the 2400m Benchmark 78 (Randwick)

The 5YO import was knocking on the door after his last two runs in Sydney saw him being beaten by small margins by some nice staying types.

Starting $2.25 favourite, he sat second with little tempo on, yet offered nothing in the straight when the other horses around him attempted to quicken. He possibly prefers to lead on his own and dictate races as he pleases, but the performance was very poor nonetheless.

Don’t expect we will see him starting around even money again and if we do, I will be happy to take him on.

Capriccio – Dan Bowman

• 5th of 13 in the 1200m BM78 (Flemington)

It is hard to forget the win of Capriccio back in late February of 2021, winning the $500k Inglis Dash after coming from well back in the field to knock off Bella Nipotina and some other nice types.

However, the mare is yet to win again from six tries since, and just doesn’t quite seem capable of recapturing the form from that day to pick off one of the off-season sprint races she seems to be being aimed at.

She appeared to travel into the race beautifully from the 400m onwards, but just didn’t have that brutal final finishing burst that we have seen previously. Won’t be getting any of my cash again, but I do hope that the horse can get back to her best at some stage, as she clearly has talent.

Follow

Latizia – Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace

• 1st of 6 in the 1000m 2YO Fillies Open (Flemington)

There were some decent wraps on this $475,000 debutant, and although she didn’t beat any stars, she looks to be a consummate professional who will go on and win her fair share of races.

She jumped cleanly and sat out wide making the pace on her own, four horses off the fence, and when the pace went on at the 200m mark, she quickened nicely before looking really strong through the line, running out an eventual 1.5L winner.

She looks like she will benefit from the experience and continue to improve as she matures – Really looking forward to seeing where she heads to next and what she can do with the smart debut win under her belt.

Clemenceau – Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes

• 1st of 10 in the 1100m 3YO BM70 (Flemington)

Despite being ‘just’ a Benchmark 70, this was in fact a really strong race  with some very smart young horses clashing, including the undefeated Squid Game, Clemenceau who has been flying, as well as Along The River, Button Blonde, and even Star Spirit who showed good ability in her first campaign.

The first three across the line were extremely impressive, with Clemenceau a little wayward but really strong over the line,  Sharp Response who looked the winner 100m out for Julius Sandhu (looks to be in for an exciting preparation), and Squid Game, who just got strung up in traffic but still finished the race off nicely.

There was a fair gap back to the rest of the field, so look to back any of these three wherever they head to next as they will be hard to beat!

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