PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

West Coast

He has now earned his third start in this category this prep, as the performance of the week, but he keeps lining up and winning in a fashion that only a champion can. A mouthwatering clash of the titans, between The Cossack and West Coast to secure the throne as New Zealand’s (current) best jumper did not disappoint. With 6,500m and 32 fences to negotiate, the first three horses at the finish were separated by a mere 1.7 lengths. A drifter in the market, it was clear people were skeptical about West Coats’s chances on the drying Te Rapa track, but a masterful Shaun Fannin ride saw the big boy go to work, like we have seen him do all season under the massive 73kg. The challenge came on the line but the horse who is all heart held on dearly to cement his place in jumps racing folklore.

SECTIONAL STAR

Watch Out

A horse who is pulling together a very handy record in a small amount of starts (7:3-2-2). With her ‘get back’ racing style in a field of 15, she was spotting the leaders a huge start entering the straight. But her closing sectionals in defeat were simply electric. Clearly the fast 800m, 600m, 400m & 200m of the race Watch Out also managed to post the fastest closing 600m (31.87s) & 200m (10.92s) sectionals of the entire meeting. A feat that is always impressive, but even more so when the sectionals are quicker than the Open Sprint on the day managed to lower the course record. Watch Out is definitely a horse to keep an eye on, especially with races like the Gr.3 Windsor Park Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes in 2 months’ time during New Zealand Cup week.

FUTURES FOLLOW

Molly Bloom

“Here comes Molly”. Punters didn’t miss this smart filly at Taupo on Friday. She got back from a low draw and Kozzi Asano knew what he had under her because he didn’t panic and didn’t go around a single horse in the run. She spotted the leaders 4 or 5 lengths entering the straight but when she was presented, she put the race to bed within 100m. Now that she has secured the maiden win, the Wexford team will likely plot a path to Riccarton for the Gr.1 1000 Guineas and the TAB certainly haven’t missed that, enlisting her as $5 equal favourite for the Spring classic.

RUNNING HOT

Challa

Challa seems to save his best for the Riccarton dog leg and Saturday saw him put that best forward once again. Ngakau Hailey and Challa jumped and went to the front, dictated, and were never headed. A gritty win from the horse, not just because he held off the fast finishing Our Echo, but because he did it all himself in front and managed to lower the Riccarton 1200m course record at the same time. Clocking a very slick 1:06.72 proving his affinity with the Riccarton sprint course.

FLASHING LIGHT

Bonny Lass

A flashing light run from a very talented mare resuming at Te Rapa on Sunday. From the outside gate, with 60.5kg and the speed on, Bonny Lass got back with cover early and on a day where it was tough to make ground, she made it look easy late in the piece. She recorded the fastest last 800m, 600m, 400m & 200m of the race and got within 1.5 lengths of the race winner. With a race like the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes at WFA earmarked for her next outing (which she won last year), I don’t think it will be long before we see her back in the winner’s stall.