Driven by stand in Stuart McDonald when stable driver Gary Hall Jnr opted to drive the more sought-after Better Eclipse, my watch list was back on track with four from his second row draw on the inside.
The race featured the highly rated Hugotastic, who was backed by a solid favourite, with Better Eclipse also receiving strong support.
MY WATCHLIST JAN 9 REPEAT
Hugotastic was reduced to a one-out sit early after not showing much speed. Hall Jnr seized the moment and flew across the field with Better Eclipse to take the lead with little effort. Emily Suvaljko realized that with Better Eclipse in front it would be difficult to get from far back, so she let Hugotastic go around outside the leader.
Better Eclipse and Hugotastic really put the pressure on their rivals with a 27.6 second third quarter, but in doing so broke the field and this allowed My Watchlist to make a clear run from its inside position. Despite holding off Hugotastic, Better Eclipse could not withstand My Watchlist’s devastating run and fell just over two meters back with Hugotastic in third.
Hugotastic lost no friends with his brave third place, but he will have to improve to get a reasonable score on the key parts coming up. A Nullabor invite would obviously depend on how well he performs in the near future.
Now seven years old, My Watchlist had five starts in New Zealand for two wins before arriving in the stables of Gary Hall Snr some four years ago. Since then he has raced just 19 times for eight wins, including his last four races at Gloucester Park. His limited racing is due to his tricky feet.
McDonald, who was occasionally associated with My Watchlist while in Australia, reflected on the gelding.
It was frustrating. From day one we knew how good he was. It’s just a matter of getting him healthy and 100 percent good so he can show it.
It’s funny when you let them win once or twice in a row, and they just keep winning. It will be suitable for this heavier class, especially if ridden like this. Obviously he has to get lucky, but he certainly has the ability to deal with it.
Probably in a few months (he might make the grade) leading or sitting up right now will be his best way to go. He’ll get better, he hasn’t had many starts. It takes a while before he gets used to this caper against the better horses. He certainly got to know it well.
From about 1000 meters I was looking for someone to push or get out from under. In the end I didn’t even have to wait until the top of the straight to take someone out
It worked quite well. I thought all I needed in the 400 was a clear run to win.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
#Watchlist #continues #winning #form