PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

The Cossack

Sensational jumper The Cossack was a month between runs at Hastings on Monday, having easily accounted for his rivals in the Ken & Roger Browne Memorial Steeplechase in early May at Te Rapa. Dropping from a Steeplechase over 3900m to a BM75 2200m on the flat, in-form jockey Kate Hercock gave him a soft run, just worse than midfield before working to the middle of the track where he put the field away with relative ease. A wonderful training performance by Paul Nelson & Corinna McDougal, who have the champion jumper in fine order for anything they target this preparation.

RIDE OF THE WEEK

Michael McNab - Tequila

Drawn wide aboard the Ben Foote-trained Tequila over 2000m on the Cambridge Synthetic last Wednesday, Michael McNab elected to take her back and find the fence in run at the tail of the field. McNab watched the race unfold, spotting the leaders a decent start coming to the turn, but held his nerve, sticking to the inside and picked a path through the field where the daughter of Redwood showed a dashing sprint and lapped up the 2000m. She looks like a horse to follow over staying distances and was assisted by a perfect steer on this occasion.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

Race 4 Hastings, 30 May

Fancy Like Lass

Having her second race start, the daughter of Hellbent was taken forward by Tayla Mitchell from a wide gate and found the fence and lead, with the short-priced favourite Imwonderfultonight settling just outside of her. The pair went to battle on the turn, spacing the rest of the field and it took the entire Hastings straight for the favourite to reel Fancy Like Lass in. The margin back to 3rd was 6 ¼ lengths and if she can hold her form into a maiden over a similar distance, she’ll be winning at short notice.

Race 2 Riccarton (Synthetic), 2 June

Watch Out

On debut out of the John & Karen Parsons yard, she came into this Fillies & Mares maiden with three trial wins under the belt. She was well supported in betting and that was justified with her performance as Jasmine Fawcett elected to take her back to the tail of the field, before angling out on the point of the turn to let her unleash with a strong spring down the centre.

Race 7 Wanganui, 3 June

Jay Bee Gee

What a tough effort this was from the Adrian Bull trained son of Complacent. Taken to the front by Mereana Hudson, they were quickly joined by Rocktilyoudrop and this ensured a strong tempo. Comparing the 1600m races on the card, Jay Bee Gee completed his first 400m in 26.68, the 3YO SW+P led by Hill Of Kings in 28.49 and Regal Rock in the Listed AGC Training Stakes in 29.59. Jay Bee Gee was able to kick off the quick tempo and hold off the late challengers, with Rocktilyoudrop finishing nearly 8-lengths behind. Provided he can bounce out of this tough performance, he looks an on-speed wet-tracker that we can follow for the winter.