After the weekend of Group 1 racing we assess the horses you need to forgive, forget and to follow.
Forgive
Chief Altony – Alexander Rae
4th of 13 in the 1400 metre Benchmark 78 (Flemington)
After being sent out a $2 favourite he could only manage fourth place. However, he was in limited room for a long time down the straight and once he got clear he produced his best work late. An ultra consistent galloper and can see him getting back into the winning stalls next start.
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Splintex – Mark Newnham
8th of 9 in the 1200 metre Group 2 Moreton Cup (Eagle Farm)
Was too bad to be true in the Group 2 and the Stewards Report featured a reasonable excuse for the ordinary performance with a post-race veterinary examination revealing lacerations in the horse’s mouth. He has been sent out for a spell off the back of that and must be a forgive as he comes back for his Spring campaign later this year.
Forget
Haky – Archie Alexander
5th of 6th in the 2500 metre Handicap (Flemington)
After arriving in Australia at the end of 2019 as a Melbourne Cup contender he has slowly dropped away and found himself finishing toward the rear of the field in a Winter staying contest. He ran well in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup last Spring running into third but hasn’t been able to replicate that form this preparation.
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Follow
Argentia – Anthony & Sam Freedman
1st of 10 in the 1100 metre Two-year-old handicap (Flemington)
Very nice two-year-old winner and the obvious horse to follow out of the meeting, beating home what could be a strong form race to come. The well bred filly lengthed nicely down the straight and the stable have earmarked the Group 1 Thousand Guineas as her target in the Spring.
