PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Johny Johny

He has turned in to a winning machine this prep. With 5 wins in his last 6 starts and now four in a row, he scored a very well-deserved stakes success at Te Rapa on Saturday. His racing pattern always sees him having to fight them off late and Saturday was no different in the Group 3 Sweynesse Stakes. Ridden by apprentice Jim Chung to perfection, the tough son of Charm Spirit held them all off with another dogged performance. He is now the winner of 10 races from his 17 starts.

FUTURES FOLLOW

Bozo

It was a pretty classy display from this lightly tried filly at Trentham. She raced away from a handy field of 3YO’s to announce herself as a Group 1 1000 Guineas contender next month at Riccarton. From the stable of legendary trainer Kevin Myers, she has now shortened to $7 for next months classic. Shaping as an even race for the 3YO fillies, I expect her to shorten on race day, should she take her place.

RIDE OF THE WEEK

Warren Kennedy - Mehzebeen

Given a peach of a ride, Mehzebeen was put to sleep in the back half of the field throughout, but it was in the straight where Warren earnt this recognition. Our premiership leader, and arguably the most in-form rider in the country at the moment, Warren went searching for runs on the race favourite and things started to get tight. It was his experience that told though as he was able to safely navigate the traffic and dart through a for him and Mehzebeen to score a comfortable win in the end.

FLASHING LIGHT

Prince Alby

From his wide draw Prince Alby and in-form apprentice Denby-Rose Tait were luckless when searching for a place to settle with cover in this event. Parked wide without cover for a large stretch of the race, the tough stayer was very game when presented at the top of the straight. With just one horse able to run past him even though he had a an ardoise run. Keep an eye on him as he progresses towards a likely start in the New Zealand Cup next month.

BIG BLOWOUT

Mr Fahrenheit

This one was a big win for the bookies. It was an open race on paper, and it proved to be that in the results. Mr Fahrenheit scoring at $72.50, leading home a $5,549.90 trifecta. This notably brought up a race day double for the rider/trainer combination of Jess Allen and Niall Quinn. Returning to the flat after a jumps campaign, Mr Fahrenheit was friendless in the market, but it was his fitness and staying prowess that carried him to a blowout win here.