Flemington: Squid Game proves no flop to remain unbeaten

After failing Hong Kong’s notoriously tough vet exams, Squid Game made it two wins from two with a gritty win at Flemington.

Squid Game wins at Flemington under Michael Dee. Picture: Getty Images

Hong Kong’s decision proved to be a gain for Melbourne punters after Squid Game stayed unbeaten at Flemington.

Expat David Price has built a terrific reputation sourcing horses in Australia and New Zealand for Asian clients but Squid Game will be staying with trainer Patrick Payne.

Squid Game was set to join a stable overseas but failed the famously tough Hong Kong Jockey Club veterinary checks.

But favourite backers weren’t complaining after Squid Game made it two wins from two starts in the Lexus Holiday Plate (1200m).

Named after the bizarre South Korean television series, Squid Game ($2.10 fav) overcame a slow beginning when coming from the tail of the field to score by three-quarters of a length.

Jockey Michael Dee was also aboard for Squid Game’s debut win at Sandown last month.

Squid Game KILLS IT 🦑

A promising 1200M sprint which makes it 2/2 for the 3YO. pic.twitter.com/UmbNDPIrlR

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) December 18, 2021

He said the son of Shooting To Win had plenty of talent but the three-year-old would also improve with race experience.

“I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet but he’s certainly got good ability,” Dee said.

“He’s still very much a baby and he’s only going to learn as time goes by.

“He’s professional in what he does and he really wants to do it.

“He knows one thing and that’s to really run and put his best foot forward.”

Runner-up Umgawa ($21) made a solid return to racing for trainers Leon and Troy Corstens.

Troy Corstens said pre-race Umgawa would improve off his first-up run and would be better in races over 1400 or 1600m.

FLEMINGTON WRAP

- Gilbert Gardiner and Brad Waters

GIRL’S DAY OUT

LAVISH GIRL’s class shone through on Saturday, running out a strong winner in the TAB Trophy (1400m).

Apprentice jockey Teo Nugent rated the three-year-old Xtravagant filly perfectly, waiting until the closing stages to put paid to LUNA CAT and HONEYCREEPER.

The city win was just reward for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained prospect after placing in the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes last start.

“She got that all-important black type last start and I thought she’s been ever so consistent,” Maher said.

“She’s been up for a fair while, it looked a really nice race for her on paper.

“Teo’s got a really good record on her. Gave her a beautiful ride and you could see him waiting for a long way until he got a long way down the straight before he gave her the full bore, it was beautiful.”

RIDE OF THE DAY

One ride at Flemington is all jockey Michael Poy needed to make an impression, combining with SKELM for an all-the-way 2600m victory.

After stacking up the field to a crawl, with no horse or rider electing to challenge Skelm in the lead, Poy put the result beyond doubt, quickening at the 800m to go and post an emphatic three-length victory.

“Wasn’t initially the plan to lead but … there was no speed, I thought I’m going to take this up,” Poy said.

“Credit to my horse. He was tough late and never felt like he was going to be beaten.”

Favourite HIGH EMOCEAN whacked into second while FUTURE SCORE nailed the tiring WYCLIF for third.

Skelm lead from start to finish at Flemington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

NOT TO BE MISSED AGAIN

It was impossible to miss striking grey NOT TO BE MIST thundering to victory at Flemington, nailing It’sourtime on the post in the 1200m Benchmark 84.

RANTING and THE GAUCH rounded out the top four, while $2.60 favourite SIXBYSIXTYTHREE, who was crunched late in the betting, never threatened.

Nick Ryan-trained Not To Be Mist, who paid $21 with TAB after failing at Flemington on Cup day, was ridden perfectly by Rhys McLeod.

“Flemington, down the straight, no better feeling,” McLeod said.

“The six furlongs I was a bit worried about but he was running it out strong.

“I knew six would be nearly too short for him so I was happy to roll on the leader and he toughed it out really well.

“To his credit (the) second horse did too but... our horse stuck his head out at the right time.”

NOT A DRY EYE IN THE HOUSE

Trainer Mathew Ellerton had an extremely good reason to miss HIGH’N’ DRY’s win in the #Lovethehorse Trophy (1600m).

Ellerton wasn’t at Flemington as he was busy getting married to his long-time partner Leah.

Ellerton’s staff and apprentice Matthew Cartwright gave the trainer little cause for concern, presenting High ‘N’ Dry in great order at Flemington before the young rider did the rest on the $3 favourite.

Cartwright patiently rode High ‘N’ Dry well off the strong early speed before the geldind outsprinted his rivals in the straight to score by three-quarters of a length over TATUNKA ($10).

“I’d say he was a bit too good for these today,” Cartwright said.

NORDIC PRIDE ($15) showed he was worth following this time in with his solid third at his second run back from a spell.

Originally published as Flemington: Squid Game proves no flop to remain unbeaten