THE WEEKEND WRAP – Traffic Warden – Ben Clifton

 Weekend Wrap

Star Performer of the week

Rosehill Race 8 – won by Traffic Warden.

Date: 14/09/24

Race Overview – They didn’t go overly quick early but really good late sectionals.

Horses to Follow:

• Traffic Warden – Just keeps improving. Had shown ability early in its career but never produced a figure like this. Could be a star.
• Anode – Returned a better horse and will be competitive in anything.
• Storm Boy – Missed the kick slightly and worked around them. They went slowly early but he did do some work. Pass mark but would need to find its early speed again.
• Linebacker – I love this horse. Absolute barrier trial here and can win a good race.

G1 Review

Makybe Diva Stakes – won by Mr Brightside.

Date: 14/09/24

Race Overview – Usual strong tempo when Pride Of Jenni is in the race. On a day when it was hard to make ground from the back there are plenty of horses that can be forgiven.

Horse to Follow:

• Mr Brightside – rumours of his demise were greatly exaggerated (by me!). Showed grit to win when in the recent races against Pride of Jenni he has struggled with the early tempos.
• Pride Of Jenni – Back to somewhere near her best off her forgivable first up run. Nearly ready to show her best.
• Antino – Went ok but he’s just not up to these horses. Struggle to find his race this campaign.
• Via Sistina – Went from a slow tempo on a good track first up to a fast tempo on a heavy track here so it was a completely different scenario. Forget about this. She will bounce back.

Highlight Races from the Weekend

Rosehill Race 6 – won by Sunshine In Paris.

Date: 14/09/24

Race Overview – Fast early tempo with Belclare taking off early. Margin to 3^rd. Race has gone pretty well.

Horses to follow:

• Sunshine In Paris – Rarely runs a bad race and is a legitimate G1 horse. Has come back well and is a chance in an Everest.
• Mumbai Muse – Going well. Think she can find a race down the straight over the Flemington carnival.
• Joliestar – Another who went from a slow tempo to a fast tempo. Love that she kept to her task and should be forgiven.

Maiden Winner/s of the Week:

Date: 12/9/24

Lismore Race 1 – won by Scripted.

Why: Out fast and home fast. Big margins and good late sectionals.

Horses to follow from the race:

• Scripted – Trialled well leading in and couldn’t have been more impressive. Good horse.

Other Notable Horses/Jockeys:

• Chrysaor – Where did this performance come from? Looked like Phar Lap. Can we trust it?
• Nicolini Vito – 2^nd in very fast race. Ready to win.
• Growing Empire – Real conundrum for me this horse. Keeps winning impressively to the eye but just hasn’t put a figure down yet. Might have to trust my eye with him.