I walked the track about 11am on Friday morning. The rail was back in it's true position after been out 4m for Windsor Park day and 2m on the first day.
The difference in the quality of going between the inside say about 2 horsewidths and that next section of track was like night and day.
As a consequence if you were making your runs further out than 2 horse widths on Kelt day you were severely disadvantaged.
There were two races on the Kelt card both with different end results which supported this theory. They were the Guineas and the last.
In the Guineas the went like cut cats up front after the Hombre and others drawn wide were keen to find the rail. Sure the runs of Keyora and St Germaine were impressive coming down the outside in the worst part of the track but they didn't distance the leading pack when conceivably they should have.
I wouldn't drop The Hombre on that run. Apparently John Barry had felt he hadn't come through his middle day run as well as he could. He sweated up markedly on the day, the horse that is not John, which sometimes indicates all is not 100%. I will be interested to see if they give him a break now.
The two up front went quickly in the last too but there wasn't quite the pressure of the Guineas and the jockeys rated Mamasan and Pinnafero expertly. They kicked off the corner and the race was over.
This rail bias, rather than on pace bias has played a relevant part now on two out of the last four Kelt days and on both occasions - Legs in 2006 the other - it has come on the back of a wet second day.
Logic says you reserve the best ground for your feature day but maybe it's worth looking at racing in the true position on the first day, before going out 4m on the second day. That way the rail won't be true virgin turf on Kelt day.
It may encourage more of the serious punting fraternity to open their wallets on the final day. I note turnover on Kelt day was down as much as 19% which is probably mostly to do with the times but worth considering all the same.
Ánd I won't be dropping Thundermore on his Guineas run. He'd gone on tremendously physically from his first day win and I'm a sucker for the good looks. I just wished when I stood in the tote que that I had reminded myself he had only two lifetime starts. The Guineas was a pressure cooker race. Maybe it's more symptomatic with colts but inexperienced horses can often switch off when they get crowded. Like Denman he'll keep.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Some Light On The Caulfield Cup
So the Godolphin and Cumani charges have landed in Melbourne. I can hear the cynics already.
I shouldn't be amongst them - Jardines Lookout helped me to a decent share of a big Melbourne Cup trifecta one year.
Sure the list of casualties is long but when the NH visitors turn up with their A game, they are a multiple players delight. Taufan's Melody the winner of the demolition derby which doubled as the 98 Caulfield Cup was friendless down under at 66/1 and last years winner on the Heath, All The Good, returned almost 50/1.
Before you run to your computers to study race records, here's a tip - if these sorts of prices didn't already tell you - the Vinnie Roe's and Vintage Crop's aside, there's little in the way of a form pattern to the performances of the NH horses downunder.
But as with most things, try something enough times and those with the perseverance and resources will eventually find a formula that works as best it can opposed by the nuances that are staying handicaps in a different timezone and climate.
It's a formula that is starting to pass the experiment stage and two key ingredients are the Godolphin and Cumani stables.
So am I in the camp of the foreigners? I have been impressed with what I've seen of Kirklees's races. He has good tactical speed enabling him to race on the pace, where he settles well, and kick for home. It''s difficult to win Caulfield Cups with 56kgs but the other fundamentals are there for him to be in the first three.
Cima De Triomphe looked to me to be a different kettle of fish. He seems to switch on and off and looks to need to be held up. I just got the impression - rightly or wrongly - that he may not be the toughest. Who am I to question Luca Cumani and Damien Oliver but I'm going to lay him in this race.
I''ve liked Light Vision for a while now. He's just that slow maturing, patiently handled staying horse who gets in these type of races with little or no fuss and weight. And a particularly good attribute he has for Caulfield is his ability to race on the pace. Although initially disappointed with his wide barrier there is not a great deal of speed in the race and he should be able to possie up in the first 4 or 5 by the 1800m. I feel he's a similar type of horse to the likes of Duoro Valley and Barbaricus who have placed in this race at long odds the last two years.
My other banker today is Roman Emperor trained by the master whose eyelashes can be seen from outer space. 'Bart has given him a slow build up and the last two starts he has looked to come into the race but just lacked a finishing kick. The blinkers go on today for the first time since his AJC Derby triumph and that should be the touch that can see him sprint more keenly off what should be a handy in running spot from barrier 4.
Horses that run well in this race tend to be either the class horses dropping back in weight from WFA racing who can position reasonably handy to the pace, the less classier handicappers which I described above or the real improving types who have literally jumped through the briddle during the spring and beaten the handicapper. In the later category horses like Ethereal and Railings come to mind from recent times. Further back and you come across the likes of Arctic Scent.
Viewed and more significantly Predatory Pricer because of the greater weight drop, fit into the first category. Viewed was a touch unlucky in this contest last year and I don't believe the weight rise this year needs to be a consideration - he s good enough and physically more mature enough to cope. It's his pattern of racing to get back and a lot of the time - not all the time - those horses don't win this race. He's good enough to be in the money though.
I predict Predatory Pricer will be ridden agressively to get handy this afternoon. I see there is likely to be a dead at best track which won't help him. If he had drawn better and the Melbourne weather was more settled he would have been clearly my top selection.
Allez Wonder fits into the final category and can resurrect the very good record 4 year-old mares had in this race in the 90s and early this century.
Although asked to carry 1.5kgs more than Allez Wonder, another four-year-old mare the kiwi Daffodil is in form and her final 100m of the Kelt was strong. She has shown she can travel and the rain around Melbourne is going to help her.
The best of the longer priced runners I feel is Red Lord who carries no weight and should be ridden more patiently today than he has recently.
In summary I feel Roman Emperor and Light Vision can be in the money at good odds and you could look to take them in multiples around Kirklees,Predatory Pricer, Daffodil and Allez Wonder, with Viewed, Master O'Reilly and Red Lord to run third.
It's traditionally a difficult race for punters and this years contest is no different with an $8.50 favourite.
I shouldn't be amongst them - Jardines Lookout helped me to a decent share of a big Melbourne Cup trifecta one year.
Sure the list of casualties is long but when the NH visitors turn up with their A game, they are a multiple players delight. Taufan's Melody the winner of the demolition derby which doubled as the 98 Caulfield Cup was friendless down under at 66/1 and last years winner on the Heath, All The Good, returned almost 50/1.
Before you run to your computers to study race records, here's a tip - if these sorts of prices didn't already tell you - the Vinnie Roe's and Vintage Crop's aside, there's little in the way of a form pattern to the performances of the NH horses downunder.
But as with most things, try something enough times and those with the perseverance and resources will eventually find a formula that works as best it can opposed by the nuances that are staying handicaps in a different timezone and climate.
It's a formula that is starting to pass the experiment stage and two key ingredients are the Godolphin and Cumani stables.
So am I in the camp of the foreigners? I have been impressed with what I've seen of Kirklees's races. He has good tactical speed enabling him to race on the pace, where he settles well, and kick for home. It''s difficult to win Caulfield Cups with 56kgs but the other fundamentals are there for him to be in the first three.
Cima De Triomphe looked to me to be a different kettle of fish. He seems to switch on and off and looks to need to be held up. I just got the impression - rightly or wrongly - that he may not be the toughest. Who am I to question Luca Cumani and Damien Oliver but I'm going to lay him in this race.
I''ve liked Light Vision for a while now. He's just that slow maturing, patiently handled staying horse who gets in these type of races with little or no fuss and weight. And a particularly good attribute he has for Caulfield is his ability to race on the pace. Although initially disappointed with his wide barrier there is not a great deal of speed in the race and he should be able to possie up in the first 4 or 5 by the 1800m. I feel he's a similar type of horse to the likes of Duoro Valley and Barbaricus who have placed in this race at long odds the last two years.
My other banker today is Roman Emperor trained by the master whose eyelashes can be seen from outer space. 'Bart has given him a slow build up and the last two starts he has looked to come into the race but just lacked a finishing kick. The blinkers go on today for the first time since his AJC Derby triumph and that should be the touch that can see him sprint more keenly off what should be a handy in running spot from barrier 4.
Horses that run well in this race tend to be either the class horses dropping back in weight from WFA racing who can position reasonably handy to the pace, the less classier handicappers which I described above or the real improving types who have literally jumped through the briddle during the spring and beaten the handicapper. In the later category horses like Ethereal and Railings come to mind from recent times. Further back and you come across the likes of Arctic Scent.
Viewed and more significantly Predatory Pricer because of the greater weight drop, fit into the first category. Viewed was a touch unlucky in this contest last year and I don't believe the weight rise this year needs to be a consideration - he s good enough and physically more mature enough to cope. It's his pattern of racing to get back and a lot of the time - not all the time - those horses don't win this race. He's good enough to be in the money though.
I predict Predatory Pricer will be ridden agressively to get handy this afternoon. I see there is likely to be a dead at best track which won't help him. If he had drawn better and the Melbourne weather was more settled he would have been clearly my top selection.
Allez Wonder fits into the final category and can resurrect the very good record 4 year-old mares had in this race in the 90s and early this century.
Although asked to carry 1.5kgs more than Allez Wonder, another four-year-old mare the kiwi Daffodil is in form and her final 100m of the Kelt was strong. She has shown she can travel and the rain around Melbourne is going to help her.
The best of the longer priced runners I feel is Red Lord who carries no weight and should be ridden more patiently today than he has recently.
In summary I feel Roman Emperor and Light Vision can be in the money at good odds and you could look to take them in multiples around Kirklees,Predatory Pricer, Daffodil and Allez Wonder, with Viewed, Master O'Reilly and Red Lord to run third.
It's traditionally a difficult race for punters and this years contest is no different with an $8.50 favourite.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Ratings
I see Timeform earlier this week gave See The Stars a provisional rating of 140 stating " He is a once in a lifetime horse".
Timeforms top ratings over the years they ve existed, which is about 50 I think, are;
Brigader Gerard 144
Mill Reef 141
Sea The Stars 140
Dubai Millennium 140
Dancing Brave 140
Shergar 140
I was in the UK in 2002 and saw Rock of Gibralter who I think ended with a Timeform rating of "only" 135. I still consider him the best horse I ve seen in the flesh. How good must the Brigader or little Mill Reef have been.
Timeforms top ratings over the years they ve existed, which is about 50 I think, are;
Brigader Gerard 144
Mill Reef 141
Sea The Stars 140
Dubai Millennium 140
Dancing Brave 140
Shergar 140
I was in the UK in 2002 and saw Rock of Gibralter who I think ended with a Timeform rating of "only" 135. I still consider him the best horse I ve seen in the flesh. How good must the Brigader or little Mill Reef have been.
Despite the best analysis, ratings are still subjective and given the variables, particularly track conditions, it must be difficult to line up horses from generation to generation, let alone from race to race.
Still over the years Timeform have developed a reputation for their objectivity and accuracy.
I ve seen a couple of new rating systems spring up over the last year or two which attempt to take a more global look at performance.
It would be an extremely useful tool for breeders and bloodstock buyers if a thoroughly global ratings system existed. Of course it would be too much to ask that it was as comprehensive a job as Timeform do of the UK form but even if it concentrated on stakes racing it would be decidely beneficial.
It would need to be less clynical than the NZ Free Handicap which I've often struggled with. Can someone explain to me how a horse who wins a four horse Listed two-year-old race on a wet track at Wingatui can be rated above a place getter in a competitive Matamata Breeders Stakes? Believe me it happens.
The English seem to do impartiality well - remember Chamberlain - so my vote would go to Timeform to manage a global system.
Just looking at those ratings, what a year 1971 must have been in the UK for racing fans.
The three year old crop featured Brigader Gerrad, Mill Reef, My Swallow ( who rated 138 I recall) and the french colt Caro.
Not too many would argue Timeform got those ratings right.
Speaking of three-year-old crops, this seasons in NZ is shaping up nicely. The HB Guineas could be the highlight of Kelt Day.
But how good is the Australian crop? I wondered if I d see a better vintage than the 99/00 season which contained the likes of Redoutes Choice, Testa Rosa, Commands, Align, Pins and Diatribe.
Denman, Trusting, More Than Great, Black Caviar, Shoot Out, Manhatten Rain and So You Think are a pretty good starting point, but time will tell. It maybe a good opportunity for a pro active studmaster to strike.
Pity Real Saga was retired. I wonder how Timeform would assess Denman?
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Mudgeway
Organic whitebait?? And I thought some studs were pretty creative with their marketing.
Fair dinkum, I saw this sign on the way down to Hawkes Bay on the side of the road, south of Cambridge I think it was.
Speaking of things creative, I got told a good story at the races on Saturday about a guy who asks for extra gluten with his cake at cafes.
I like that one. I 'm going to order that, along with one I ve been wanting to ask for for a while, the double shot decaf. I guess as long as it's chic, some cafe in Auckland will serve it to me.
There's something pretty theraputic about coming over that rise on the Naiper Taupo Rd and seeing the splendour of the Hawkes Bay before you. And does it ever rain down there?
Well that should guarantee Graham Avery's allowance for a couple more months at least. I could do with it as you ll see.
Beautiful spring day, firm track, good horses, it was time to blow the cobwebs off the wallet.
I 'm not superstitious but I kind of knew I was in trouble when I ignored the winners of the first two races despite getting tipped into both.
And it got progressively worse. As you do, you then start to search for odds instead of sticking to your hunches - which shallow person said punting on the horses isn't a reflection of life.
Just to rub salt into the wounds my surething multi - The Pooka/Mufhasa/Wall Street went Waipukurau courtesy of Tavistocks head.
Anyway I'll stop playing the violin and here are some observations from the day.
Hastings must be one of the more picturesque courses in the country. You never tire of looking at the Kawekas especially this time of year when dappled in snow and the parade ring is sited perfectly to view the horses. I 'd love to grab an architect for the other facilities though. Put a second story with balcony on the Cheval Lounge and a sweeping carriageway on the back of the Members. The Lowry Public stand has probably the best views of any Public stand in the land and you wouldn'y have to do too much externally. Internally, it's a different matter. I 'll see if the Cloak Room is interested.
So Royal missed the jump in the first and was no hope afterwards but got home nicely. She paraded looking bright and is one to follow through the spring.
Thundermore - doesn't that name have a great ring to it - is clearly the horse to follow out of the 2nd and the blinkers should improve him further although he still needs to find a couple of lengths to match the Heckler, Flying Fulton, Kings Ransom and co in the Hawkes Bay Guineas.
Don't write off Benny the Ball on that run. He got a nasty check with 600 to run. He's a nice mover and there is a good word around for him.
One thing that did occur to me is that that horse of Rogersons, Gaston who beat Thundermore at Taupo must go okay. The third horse that day Rampant is highly regarded and remember Rampant pushed The Hombre on debut last season. I see he's nominated for the Wanganui Guineas this Saturday.
The Hombre was probably the most impressive winner on the day - he was over half a second quicker for his last 400m than Thundermore and Morelle - although I fancy some of those behind him will improve significantly. Corsage in partcular was very big in condition and she's likely to still be a run short going into the Gold Trail.
Blessed with the most magnificent of strides The Hombre is a sight in full flight. A big framed type he still has a bit more filling out to do and I trust they don't over race him in the spring because in 6 to 12 months time I feel he could be very exciting.
What odds Lucky Owners to top our second season sires list? With the Heckler still to step out this season, would Widden consider a shuttle?
It was good to see The Pooka return to form but I question what he beat. While he looked better physically on Saturday than he did the couple of times I saw him last season, he still doesnt carry the muscular definition he did when he was a two-year-old colt. Will he return to the form he displayed in the 2000 Guineas beating Alamosa and Rios?
I made a point of trying to watching as many of the Kelt contenders post race and All In Black certainly had the biggest blow. I though her run held merit. Not many could sustain runs around the outside all day and she came to the end of it 100 out. She may still have maturing to do physically and I think her best form could be in the autumn.
Racing horses is all about emotion and it was great to see some well sized groups of owners in the likes of Thundermore, The Hombre and Tavistock really enjoying the moment.
I've been to a few Mudgeways in recent years and I can't recall seeing so many of the main race looking so forward. Usually there's a few behind in their coat or sporting a partial winter girth but not last Saturday. I wonder if connections of some who won't contest one or both of the remaining legs thought here was their opportunity to take a Group One particularly with likes of Mufhasa going in fresh and drawing wide.
Mufhasa looks to have grown and thickened. To me last season he had a slight boyish look about him but on Saturday he looked liked he grown out of the jeans and tees into the three piece suit. I'd love to see him go to Aussie at the top of his form.
The aptly named Tavistock retains a lot of the classical looks of the English thoroughbred. Whilst not as appealing to the eye as say Nom De Jeu, particularly through the body, he has a lovely head and eye which befits his kind temprament.
Can he win the Kelt?
Not for me. I think the three tough races in 5 weeks may just find his constitution out. I would love to be proven wrong because the post race party would be huge and secondly he becomes a legitimate stallion prospect for our industry.
For mine the Kelt winner wasn't at the Bay on Saturday. He was getting home nicely enough in a much more sedate 1200m contest 4 hours north of there. And his hardest foe was standing in her box at Awapuni.
Fair dinkum, I saw this sign on the way down to Hawkes Bay on the side of the road, south of Cambridge I think it was.
Speaking of things creative, I got told a good story at the races on Saturday about a guy who asks for extra gluten with his cake at cafes.
I like that one. I 'm going to order that, along with one I ve been wanting to ask for for a while, the double shot decaf. I guess as long as it's chic, some cafe in Auckland will serve it to me.
There's something pretty theraputic about coming over that rise on the Naiper Taupo Rd and seeing the splendour of the Hawkes Bay before you. And does it ever rain down there?
Well that should guarantee Graham Avery's allowance for a couple more months at least. I could do with it as you ll see.
Beautiful spring day, firm track, good horses, it was time to blow the cobwebs off the wallet.
I 'm not superstitious but I kind of knew I was in trouble when I ignored the winners of the first two races despite getting tipped into both.
And it got progressively worse. As you do, you then start to search for odds instead of sticking to your hunches - which shallow person said punting on the horses isn't a reflection of life.
Just to rub salt into the wounds my surething multi - The Pooka/Mufhasa/Wall Street went Waipukurau courtesy of Tavistocks head.
Anyway I'll stop playing the violin and here are some observations from the day.
Hastings must be one of the more picturesque courses in the country. You never tire of looking at the Kawekas especially this time of year when dappled in snow and the parade ring is sited perfectly to view the horses. I 'd love to grab an architect for the other facilities though. Put a second story with balcony on the Cheval Lounge and a sweeping carriageway on the back of the Members. The Lowry Public stand has probably the best views of any Public stand in the land and you wouldn'y have to do too much externally. Internally, it's a different matter. I 'll see if the Cloak Room is interested.
So Royal missed the jump in the first and was no hope afterwards but got home nicely. She paraded looking bright and is one to follow through the spring.
Thundermore - doesn't that name have a great ring to it - is clearly the horse to follow out of the 2nd and the blinkers should improve him further although he still needs to find a couple of lengths to match the Heckler, Flying Fulton, Kings Ransom and co in the Hawkes Bay Guineas.
Don't write off Benny the Ball on that run. He got a nasty check with 600 to run. He's a nice mover and there is a good word around for him.
One thing that did occur to me is that that horse of Rogersons, Gaston who beat Thundermore at Taupo must go okay. The third horse that day Rampant is highly regarded and remember Rampant pushed The Hombre on debut last season. I see he's nominated for the Wanganui Guineas this Saturday.
The Hombre was probably the most impressive winner on the day - he was over half a second quicker for his last 400m than Thundermore and Morelle - although I fancy some of those behind him will improve significantly. Corsage in partcular was very big in condition and she's likely to still be a run short going into the Gold Trail.
Blessed with the most magnificent of strides The Hombre is a sight in full flight. A big framed type he still has a bit more filling out to do and I trust they don't over race him in the spring because in 6 to 12 months time I feel he could be very exciting.
What odds Lucky Owners to top our second season sires list? With the Heckler still to step out this season, would Widden consider a shuttle?
It was good to see The Pooka return to form but I question what he beat. While he looked better physically on Saturday than he did the couple of times I saw him last season, he still doesnt carry the muscular definition he did when he was a two-year-old colt. Will he return to the form he displayed in the 2000 Guineas beating Alamosa and Rios?
I made a point of trying to watching as many of the Kelt contenders post race and All In Black certainly had the biggest blow. I though her run held merit. Not many could sustain runs around the outside all day and she came to the end of it 100 out. She may still have maturing to do physically and I think her best form could be in the autumn.
Racing horses is all about emotion and it was great to see some well sized groups of owners in the likes of Thundermore, The Hombre and Tavistock really enjoying the moment.
I've been to a few Mudgeways in recent years and I can't recall seeing so many of the main race looking so forward. Usually there's a few behind in their coat or sporting a partial winter girth but not last Saturday. I wonder if connections of some who won't contest one or both of the remaining legs thought here was their opportunity to take a Group One particularly with likes of Mufhasa going in fresh and drawing wide.
Mufhasa looks to have grown and thickened. To me last season he had a slight boyish look about him but on Saturday he looked liked he grown out of the jeans and tees into the three piece suit. I'd love to see him go to Aussie at the top of his form.
The aptly named Tavistock retains a lot of the classical looks of the English thoroughbred. Whilst not as appealing to the eye as say Nom De Jeu, particularly through the body, he has a lovely head and eye which befits his kind temprament.
Can he win the Kelt?
Not for me. I think the three tough races in 5 weeks may just find his constitution out. I would love to be proven wrong because the post race party would be huge and secondly he becomes a legitimate stallion prospect for our industry.
For mine the Kelt winner wasn't at the Bay on Saturday. He was getting home nicely enough in a much more sedate 1200m contest 4 hours north of there. And his hardest foe was standing in her box at Awapuni.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Beats a Berocca
Where is a good cup of coffee when you need it? Certainly not in Tahuna at 9am on a Sunday morning.
Devoid of sleep (blame the AB's and Mr Cuervo) I was beginning to question the trip in favour of a lie in and a cooked breakfast in the Village.
Thankfully a sense of direction is one of my few virtues, for although it must have been close on 20 years - it was known as Evergreen Lodge then - I managed to find Rich Hill in the early morning mist and drizzle.
Maybe it's the setting in the rolling hills that makes the very aptly named Rich Hill a little different. Most NZ studs I ve visited are pretty flat but contours have meant this place is set out a little differently and it works; from the paddock overlooking the farm gates with mares and their days old foals, to the grassy pitched stallion yards.
I was particularly looking forward to seeing the farms latest recruit, the English Derby winning three-year-old Sir Percy. I guess it had something to do with a friend having booked a mare into his court and taking criticism from a few people including yours truly, plus despite the malignment of winners of Derbies these days, you still rarely get to see the winners of such prestigious races in these parts and from good "old" English stock to boot, rather than that "common" line our friends across the ditch are so enamoured with.
He did not disappoint.
I remember reading an article once on a leading agent, an English chap I think he was. Starting out in the business he had recommended a mating to a client based on a stallion he had only seen in photos. The stallion was in fact very different in the flesh and did not suit the mare on physical compatibility and the result was not pretty. From then on, despite the horrendous gas and motel bills, he made a point of getting to some far flung posts around GB to physically inspect every new commercial stallion.
The photos I had seen of Sir Percy where of a washy bay, almost a little coarse and weak.
Actually he's a rather elegant horse of a rather rich bay clouring. A typical miler on type, he's of medium size and bone with good balance and a deep strong symetrical shoulder (a physical trait of his father Mark of Esteem) which is probably where he would have got that muscular wind up acceleration he displayed in most of his victories.
Probably the clincher for me was a lovely intelligent head and eye. Stood up in front of me for a time, I 'm sure he was looking me over, thinking, serves you right you silly old b...... for thinking you still a teenager and staying up half the night.
Slightly bigger than I had imagined, Pentire is your typical classic English thoroughbred and while some of those refined features, particularly around the girth (sounds all too familiar) after 12 odd years of Matamata grass are a little harder to disseminate, I don't imagine Pentire would have carried a lot of condition as a racehorse rather living on the nervous energy he displayed while paraded today.
A little short in front Pentire is possessed of a longish barrel which is offset by a good gaskin and hind quarters.
I was lucky enough to see Lion Hunter one day early in his racing career and had thought to myself then what a gorgeously made horse. Sure there was the dapled grey coat which is enough to make any horse lover weak at the knees but he had esquisite balance coupled with a beautiful way of moving.
Any Suggestion didnt take my breath away like dad but it's easy to see why breeders rushed to him last season with over 130 mares. It's no Banjo Paterson or even Tony Morris but "big" is the first word that comes to my mind after seeing him.
But he's not coarse at all, there's good balance, a big overstride, a pronounced wither and a lot of athleticisim. It's going to be fascinating to see what size yearling he leaves.
Before today I wasn't so sure about Sir Percy, the pedigree worried me slightly and despite been impressed with his race performances on DVD his photos were hardly inspiring.
Revigorated by my morning (and some Warehouse Songs and Stories) the question I kept asking myself as I headed home was is he going to be another English Derby winner to flop as a sire joining the ranks of Oath, High Rise, Benny the Dip, Erhaab and Shammit just some winners since 1990 who have been major disappointments in the breeding shed.
The critical difference is that Sir Percy had the speed to win a Grp 1 as a two-year-old. And no it wasn't a 1600m 4 runner slog in the Curragh mud but consistently the most competitive two-year-old race in Europe, the Dewhurst at 1400, where he beat the high class and subsequently ill fated Horatio Nelson.
And when you look at some of the more recent Derby winners who have gone onto become leading sires it is that 2 year-old speed that differentiates them from their contemparies.
Galileo, High Chaperal and Generous spring to mind from more recent times. Yes I can already hear someone demand of me to mention Dr Devious or Dr Who as I once saw him described. He didn't set the Ganges let alone the Thames on fire as a stallion. And Michael Phelps brother drowned in the bath...
Which got me thinking about pedigree. Did he outrun his? I'll save this for a rainy day for I have chores to do before the working week. Suffice I think it's a better pedigree than it looks on paper which is probably symptomatic of how insulated we have become down under over a couple of sire lines but thats a whole topic in itself.
Regardless of how he fares, hats off to John Thompson and the team for having the nous and kahunas to bring Sir Percy to our shores. We need more English Classic horses to revigorate our breed especially those blessed with his mile speed and type. Remember most were put off Pentire 12 odd years ago for reasons of his pedigree.
Devoid of sleep (blame the AB's and Mr Cuervo) I was beginning to question the trip in favour of a lie in and a cooked breakfast in the Village.
Thankfully a sense of direction is one of my few virtues, for although it must have been close on 20 years - it was known as Evergreen Lodge then - I managed to find Rich Hill in the early morning mist and drizzle.
Maybe it's the setting in the rolling hills that makes the very aptly named Rich Hill a little different. Most NZ studs I ve visited are pretty flat but contours have meant this place is set out a little differently and it works; from the paddock overlooking the farm gates with mares and their days old foals, to the grassy pitched stallion yards.
I was particularly looking forward to seeing the farms latest recruit, the English Derby winning three-year-old Sir Percy. I guess it had something to do with a friend having booked a mare into his court and taking criticism from a few people including yours truly, plus despite the malignment of winners of Derbies these days, you still rarely get to see the winners of such prestigious races in these parts and from good "old" English stock to boot, rather than that "common" line our friends across the ditch are so enamoured with.
He did not disappoint.
I remember reading an article once on a leading agent, an English chap I think he was. Starting out in the business he had recommended a mating to a client based on a stallion he had only seen in photos. The stallion was in fact very different in the flesh and did not suit the mare on physical compatibility and the result was not pretty. From then on, despite the horrendous gas and motel bills, he made a point of getting to some far flung posts around GB to physically inspect every new commercial stallion.
The photos I had seen of Sir Percy where of a washy bay, almost a little coarse and weak.
Actually he's a rather elegant horse of a rather rich bay clouring. A typical miler on type, he's of medium size and bone with good balance and a deep strong symetrical shoulder (a physical trait of his father Mark of Esteem) which is probably where he would have got that muscular wind up acceleration he displayed in most of his victories.
Probably the clincher for me was a lovely intelligent head and eye. Stood up in front of me for a time, I 'm sure he was looking me over, thinking, serves you right you silly old b...... for thinking you still a teenager and staying up half the night.
Slightly bigger than I had imagined, Pentire is your typical classic English thoroughbred and while some of those refined features, particularly around the girth (sounds all too familiar) after 12 odd years of Matamata grass are a little harder to disseminate, I don't imagine Pentire would have carried a lot of condition as a racehorse rather living on the nervous energy he displayed while paraded today.
A little short in front Pentire is possessed of a longish barrel which is offset by a good gaskin and hind quarters.
I was lucky enough to see Lion Hunter one day early in his racing career and had thought to myself then what a gorgeously made horse. Sure there was the dapled grey coat which is enough to make any horse lover weak at the knees but he had esquisite balance coupled with a beautiful way of moving.
Any Suggestion didnt take my breath away like dad but it's easy to see why breeders rushed to him last season with over 130 mares. It's no Banjo Paterson or even Tony Morris but "big" is the first word that comes to my mind after seeing him.
But he's not coarse at all, there's good balance, a big overstride, a pronounced wither and a lot of athleticisim. It's going to be fascinating to see what size yearling he leaves.
Before today I wasn't so sure about Sir Percy, the pedigree worried me slightly and despite been impressed with his race performances on DVD his photos were hardly inspiring.
Revigorated by my morning (and some Warehouse Songs and Stories) the question I kept asking myself as I headed home was is he going to be another English Derby winner to flop as a sire joining the ranks of Oath, High Rise, Benny the Dip, Erhaab and Shammit just some winners since 1990 who have been major disappointments in the breeding shed.
The critical difference is that Sir Percy had the speed to win a Grp 1 as a two-year-old. And no it wasn't a 1600m 4 runner slog in the Curragh mud but consistently the most competitive two-year-old race in Europe, the Dewhurst at 1400, where he beat the high class and subsequently ill fated Horatio Nelson.
And when you look at some of the more recent Derby winners who have gone onto become leading sires it is that 2 year-old speed that differentiates them from their contemparies.
Galileo, High Chaperal and Generous spring to mind from more recent times. Yes I can already hear someone demand of me to mention Dr Devious or Dr Who as I once saw him described. He didn't set the Ganges let alone the Thames on fire as a stallion. And Michael Phelps brother drowned in the bath...
Which got me thinking about pedigree. Did he outrun his? I'll save this for a rainy day for I have chores to do before the working week. Suffice I think it's a better pedigree than it looks on paper which is probably symptomatic of how insulated we have become down under over a couple of sire lines but thats a whole topic in itself.
Regardless of how he fares, hats off to John Thompson and the team for having the nous and kahunas to bring Sir Percy to our shores. We need more English Classic horses to revigorate our breed especially those blessed with his mile speed and type. Remember most were put off Pentire 12 odd years ago for reasons of his pedigree.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
All Roads Lead To Te Teko
It had been a few years since I'd ventured to these trials - the days of Distinctly Secret I think.
To any budding Marco Polo's I'm pleased to report they ve now signposted the racecourse. Last time I ended up horendously lost - thank you AA.
The weather was fine throughout and the surface which was officially rated dead, did cut out on the inside gradually during the programme so I would ignore the slower times later in the day as they were scouting 4 and 5 horse widths off the rail from the turn by then.
I won't bother you with the obvious - the dailys are paid to do that tomorrow. I saw a few performances and a horse or 2 on type which you may like to paste away in your black book.
As far as the two-year-olds heats went I thought I was at Doremello Stud not Te Teko for a while, for there were Duelled's everywhere. For all I know Roggie may even have had the Clerks of the Course on one. As a type they did not strike me as two-year-olds, a rather unfurnished group, although the filly out of Tittletaat looked a runner.
The General Nediym - Zolius colt from Mark Walkers barn looked the most forward of all the babies out today. A typical well muscled example of his fathers get, it would surprise me if he is winless by Xmas.
Quiet trialists with scope for improvment were a couple from Peter McKays yard: the General Nediym colt from Little Deuce Coupe - a brute of a horse - along with a Commands colt from Apart.
Russianov (Keeninsky-Amy Cee) got home very nicely and out of a Yamanin Vital mare you d fancy him a bit later on and further than 600m! The Oaks crew should be happy enough with that start.
Finally from the babies heats, Savannah Prince was doing handstands and won have won by a gap if he had been let down.
Very little was asked of Prince of Wales, Six O Clock News and Tell a Tale with the later getting home very nicely the last 50m, a feakishly similar effort to his hitout at these corresponding trials last season.
St Germiane, after botching the start, found the line well under minimal urging. She look's to have developed during her break.
Il Quello Veloce who was hard held in second, paraded looking like she had thickened appreciably.
The easiest winner on the programme was La Bella Encosta. He d won another trail recently and I gather the agents have been circling.
The unraced Our Heir Apparent (Zabeel - La Quinta Gold by Encosta De Lago), who holds a VRC Derby nom, didn't really look to be handling the track but was doing some nice work late. A gorgeously balanced medium sized athlete - as befitting a 900k yearling - he looks an early winner once he strikes 1600m.
The John Sargent team who looked strong throughout, produced another nice trialist in Mr Thorpedo. The Thorn Park three-year-old who had run 2 solid races last season got home strongly.
Noel Harris only had a ride or 2 yesterday but his reason for attending became clear when he lead all the way for an easy win on Sandblaster, indicating the 5 year-old entire is well forward for a return to racing.
The terribly named Warrentherooster won nicely enough despite carrying a bit of condition. He had the most physical scope of the Savabeels I saw out at 2 so it will be interesting to see how he progressesd. This heat could have some form come out of it as the unraced One Cool Cat - Glenview Lass gelding who ran second, had won a trial at Rotorua last month and is well regarded by the Moroney stable.
It was getting chilly but I m glad I stayed on to see Penrickson take the 1200m Open Catchweight heat. A 6 year-old now, I had last seen him as a 2 year-old and he has furnished into a lovely lengthy horse. A roll forward horse he is going to pick up a nice race back in NZ this season.
Man I love the spring. Roll on Mudgway day.
To any budding Marco Polo's I'm pleased to report they ve now signposted the racecourse. Last time I ended up horendously lost - thank you AA.
The weather was fine throughout and the surface which was officially rated dead, did cut out on the inside gradually during the programme so I would ignore the slower times later in the day as they were scouting 4 and 5 horse widths off the rail from the turn by then.
I won't bother you with the obvious - the dailys are paid to do that tomorrow. I saw a few performances and a horse or 2 on type which you may like to paste away in your black book.
As far as the two-year-olds heats went I thought I was at Doremello Stud not Te Teko for a while, for there were Duelled's everywhere. For all I know Roggie may even have had the Clerks of the Course on one. As a type they did not strike me as two-year-olds, a rather unfurnished group, although the filly out of Tittletaat looked a runner.
The General Nediym - Zolius colt from Mark Walkers barn looked the most forward of all the babies out today. A typical well muscled example of his fathers get, it would surprise me if he is winless by Xmas.
Quiet trialists with scope for improvment were a couple from Peter McKays yard: the General Nediym colt from Little Deuce Coupe - a brute of a horse - along with a Commands colt from Apart.
Russianov (Keeninsky-Amy Cee) got home very nicely and out of a Yamanin Vital mare you d fancy him a bit later on and further than 600m! The Oaks crew should be happy enough with that start.
Finally from the babies heats, Savannah Prince was doing handstands and won have won by a gap if he had been let down.
Very little was asked of Prince of Wales, Six O Clock News and Tell a Tale with the later getting home very nicely the last 50m, a feakishly similar effort to his hitout at these corresponding trials last season.
St Germiane, after botching the start, found the line well under minimal urging. She look's to have developed during her break.
Il Quello Veloce who was hard held in second, paraded looking like she had thickened appreciably.
The easiest winner on the programme was La Bella Encosta. He d won another trail recently and I gather the agents have been circling.
The unraced Our Heir Apparent (Zabeel - La Quinta Gold by Encosta De Lago), who holds a VRC Derby nom, didn't really look to be handling the track but was doing some nice work late. A gorgeously balanced medium sized athlete - as befitting a 900k yearling - he looks an early winner once he strikes 1600m.
The John Sargent team who looked strong throughout, produced another nice trialist in Mr Thorpedo. The Thorn Park three-year-old who had run 2 solid races last season got home strongly.
Noel Harris only had a ride or 2 yesterday but his reason for attending became clear when he lead all the way for an easy win on Sandblaster, indicating the 5 year-old entire is well forward for a return to racing.
The terribly named Warrentherooster won nicely enough despite carrying a bit of condition. He had the most physical scope of the Savabeels I saw out at 2 so it will be interesting to see how he progressesd. This heat could have some form come out of it as the unraced One Cool Cat - Glenview Lass gelding who ran second, had won a trial at Rotorua last month and is well regarded by the Moroney stable.
It was getting chilly but I m glad I stayed on to see Penrickson take the 1200m Open Catchweight heat. A 6 year-old now, I had last seen him as a 2 year-old and he has furnished into a lovely lengthy horse. A roll forward horse he is going to pick up a nice race back in NZ this season.
Man I love the spring. Roll on Mudgway day.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Manawatu Stallion Parade 26 July
Palmerston North is a way from Auckland but there was an air of anticipation as I headed south.
I guess a lot of that feeling had to do with visiting farms I hadn't been too before, in particular the history ladden Fairdale establishment and the new kid in town Wellfield Lodge. Oh and of course, the chance to see Fully Fledged and Alamosa, two of the more interesting colonial bred stallions to go to stud in a while.
First stop Fairdale has seen much quieter times since the halycion days of Pakistan 2, but Fully Fledged gives them cause for optimism. First out though we saw Howbaddowantit. Looking taller than his advertised 16.1 hands he does'nt carry a lot of condition - maybe that's the nervous Nijinsky disposition coming through - he nevertheless looked in good condition for his 14 years.
Deep rich chestnut horses with white socks grab anyones attention but the next thing that struck me about Fully Fledged was his lovely kind honest eye. Having Bjorn Baker, on hand to extoile his former charges virtues was a nice touch and he certainly emphasised "Freddies" personality and nature.
Preconceptions are horid things and if you were like me, you were asking yourself whether Freddies tussle with the running rail at Trentham and some chicane manouveres at Ellerslie one day were a sign of some waywardness and dare I say it that word that no studmaster wants to hear -ungenuineness. His campaign in Sydney this autumn had shown me he was far from 'soft' and Sunday confirmed that these early indiscretions were simply maturity pains.
Not yet four years of age and only a little over two months out of training, Fully Fledged was un derstandibly not carrying a great deal of condition. This time next year I expect you'll see a different model.
A little light on pedigree but if you are looking for a good looking, sweet moving racehorse with a great temprament, Fully Fledged warrants consideration in todays stallion market.
Chinese Dragon and Goodwood Park were next. A more typical built sprinting type than the Fairdale pair, quite low slung with good strength in front of the saddle and a wide masculine head, the deep bay was not as tall as I had expected from the photos I had seen.
I like to play a little game when I see stallions and work out what ancestors they've thrown too. Chinese Dragon seemed to have picked up charcateristics of a number of his forbears significantly the Mill Reef head and the Stravinsky jowl.
At Newmarket Lodge we saw Columbia, Danger Looms and resident stallion Gold Circle. Despite his advancing years its not hard to see why Columbia was a one million plus yearling and Danger Looms is a strongly made short coupled type.
As a full brother to Elvstroem and half to Haradasun, Gold Circle has a fair bit going for him, however he's also an attractive looking horse, only medium sized at best but in proprtion with a good over reach and strong quarters.
Lucky enough to see "Elvis" when he was racing in Melbourne their are definite similarities between the two brothers in physical makeup, particularly behind the saddle.
Viewing a collection of Gold Centre's weanlings in their boxes he certainly stamps them with strong quarters and they are a bit longer in the body than dad.
Talking to a breeder on the day there are a few Gold Centre's going well in their early prepartions and it would not be a surprise to see a few out early. Apparently Laurie Christansen has a speedy type he is quite taken with.
The crowd had swelled to about 150 by the time the parade reached Wellfield, no doubt eager to see the public debut of Alamosa as a stallion.
Firstly we saw Hansome Ransom who was a tad shorter than I had imagined from photo's. Blessed with a strong middle you could see the engine room that contributed to his early speed on the racetrack.
I had last seen Alamosa live at Ellerslie in his two-year-old season and the charcateristics ( character being the operative word) that struck me then came flooding back; the lovely intelligent O'Reilly head and an air of confidence or more explicity, charcater.
Alamosa won't ever be a bulky stallion and I thought there was a lot more Centaine coming through on physical type than O'Reilly.
Most of the crowd stayed around to see the LA stallions that had come up from Masterton.
The regally bred Zed who was first away, has let down significantly since starting stud duties in 2007. LA studmaster Sam Williams was on the money when he described him as a mesh of Zabeel and Danehill. He reminds me of a smaller version of his father Zabeel with some of the more refined Danehill charcteristics including markings, merged in.
With my work for LA I have seen a great deal of Towkay over the last two years but I haven't seen him looking any better than he was on Sunday. He's a well balanced and bodied individual who captures all the best attributes of the very successful Last Tycoon sireline.
Judging by John Cleese's frame, he doesn't eat a lot of pies but he would have been contemplating eating one of the humble variety should he have been on Sunday's annual event in an area much maligned by the British comedian. Conducted in glorious winter weather, the crowd were an enthusiastic and appreciative bunch. Talking to a few studmasters and nominations staff at the end of the day there was a good level of enquiry.
My only brickbat for the day was the absence of food to go with the refreshments at Wellfield. It had been a long day and some snacks would have facilitated more activity and ultimately business for the studs, instead of people having to rush off to the cheesecake shop in Woodville..
Thanks to the Manawatu branch and Hugh Taylor for putting on the event.
I guess a lot of that feeling had to do with visiting farms I hadn't been too before, in particular the history ladden Fairdale establishment and the new kid in town Wellfield Lodge. Oh and of course, the chance to see Fully Fledged and Alamosa, two of the more interesting colonial bred stallions to go to stud in a while.
First stop Fairdale has seen much quieter times since the halycion days of Pakistan 2, but Fully Fledged gives them cause for optimism. First out though we saw Howbaddowantit. Looking taller than his advertised 16.1 hands he does'nt carry a lot of condition - maybe that's the nervous Nijinsky disposition coming through - he nevertheless looked in good condition for his 14 years.
Deep rich chestnut horses with white socks grab anyones attention but the next thing that struck me about Fully Fledged was his lovely kind honest eye. Having Bjorn Baker, on hand to extoile his former charges virtues was a nice touch and he certainly emphasised "Freddies" personality and nature.
Preconceptions are horid things and if you were like me, you were asking yourself whether Freddies tussle with the running rail at Trentham and some chicane manouveres at Ellerslie one day were a sign of some waywardness and dare I say it that word that no studmaster wants to hear -ungenuineness. His campaign in Sydney this autumn had shown me he was far from 'soft' and Sunday confirmed that these early indiscretions were simply maturity pains.
Not yet four years of age and only a little over two months out of training, Fully Fledged was un derstandibly not carrying a great deal of condition. This time next year I expect you'll see a different model.
A little light on pedigree but if you are looking for a good looking, sweet moving racehorse with a great temprament, Fully Fledged warrants consideration in todays stallion market.
Chinese Dragon and Goodwood Park were next. A more typical built sprinting type than the Fairdale pair, quite low slung with good strength in front of the saddle and a wide masculine head, the deep bay was not as tall as I had expected from the photos I had seen.
I like to play a little game when I see stallions and work out what ancestors they've thrown too. Chinese Dragon seemed to have picked up charcateristics of a number of his forbears significantly the Mill Reef head and the Stravinsky jowl.
At Newmarket Lodge we saw Columbia, Danger Looms and resident stallion Gold Circle. Despite his advancing years its not hard to see why Columbia was a one million plus yearling and Danger Looms is a strongly made short coupled type.
As a full brother to Elvstroem and half to Haradasun, Gold Circle has a fair bit going for him, however he's also an attractive looking horse, only medium sized at best but in proprtion with a good over reach and strong quarters.
Lucky enough to see "Elvis" when he was racing in Melbourne their are definite similarities between the two brothers in physical makeup, particularly behind the saddle.
Viewing a collection of Gold Centre's weanlings in their boxes he certainly stamps them with strong quarters and they are a bit longer in the body than dad.
Talking to a breeder on the day there are a few Gold Centre's going well in their early prepartions and it would not be a surprise to see a few out early. Apparently Laurie Christansen has a speedy type he is quite taken with.
The crowd had swelled to about 150 by the time the parade reached Wellfield, no doubt eager to see the public debut of Alamosa as a stallion.
Firstly we saw Hansome Ransom who was a tad shorter than I had imagined from photo's. Blessed with a strong middle you could see the engine room that contributed to his early speed on the racetrack.
I had last seen Alamosa live at Ellerslie in his two-year-old season and the charcateristics ( character being the operative word) that struck me then came flooding back; the lovely intelligent O'Reilly head and an air of confidence or more explicity, charcater.
Alamosa won't ever be a bulky stallion and I thought there was a lot more Centaine coming through on physical type than O'Reilly.
Most of the crowd stayed around to see the LA stallions that had come up from Masterton.
The regally bred Zed who was first away, has let down significantly since starting stud duties in 2007. LA studmaster Sam Williams was on the money when he described him as a mesh of Zabeel and Danehill. He reminds me of a smaller version of his father Zabeel with some of the more refined Danehill charcteristics including markings, merged in.
With my work for LA I have seen a great deal of Towkay over the last two years but I haven't seen him looking any better than he was on Sunday. He's a well balanced and bodied individual who captures all the best attributes of the very successful Last Tycoon sireline.
Judging by John Cleese's frame, he doesn't eat a lot of pies but he would have been contemplating eating one of the humble variety should he have been on Sunday's annual event in an area much maligned by the British comedian. Conducted in glorious winter weather, the crowd were an enthusiastic and appreciative bunch. Talking to a few studmasters and nominations staff at the end of the day there was a good level of enquiry.
My only brickbat for the day was the absence of food to go with the refreshments at Wellfield. It had been a long day and some snacks would have facilitated more activity and ultimately business for the studs, instead of people having to rush off to the cheesecake shop in Woodville..
Thanks to the Manawatu branch and Hugh Taylor for putting on the event.
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