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The only horse in the field today that was a 3yo last year was Dylan Thomas.
Who isn’t shite.
I can hardly believe so many are prepared to play.
Bosranic, I refer you to my earlier question regarding the merits of this years 4yo’s. Perhaps this years Juddmonte was easier to win than usual, because last years 3yo’s were universally sh*ite?
I’m of the opinion that races are often rated on the value/perceived merit/historical significance of the race, rather than on the form actually displayed. .[/quote
I tend to agree with you to a degree thats why I compile my own ratings. Mine are compiled strictly on form.
Hold on a minute folks – the only horse that ran in the Derby that we know to be top class is Authorized. He is the only one to successfully win an all-aged Group race of any note since the Derby (unless you count Eagle Mountain’s cake walk in Ireland).
The rest have been winning in their own age group. So until another horse who was well beaten by Authorized at Epsom can demonstrate that he has the ability to beat the older horses and is actually any good outside of his own age group, how can anyone claim this was anything other than a substandard Derby?
Recent examples: Sakhee and Sindar – went on to prove themselves right out of the top drawer.
High Chapparal and Hawk Wing – with a future Dubai World Cup winner a mile back in third.
That’s not even touching the Derby’s of yesteryear which produced multiple all aged group 1 winners.
The Derby looks okay at the minute – and Authorised is top class. But it is too soon to say it was a great Derby, he could well have beaten a bunch of trees or (in the likely case of Soldier of Fortune) horses that did not turn up or handle the course.
how can anyone claim this was anything other than a substandard Derby?
and how can anyone claim that it is a substandard Derby?
how can anyone claim this was anything other than a substandard Derby?
and how can anyone claim that it is a substandard Derby?
Is anyone claiming that? If they are, then they are wrong – the jury is still out for both cases.
Perhaps you should be a bit slower to play Devil’s Advocate and actually think about what you post, but why change the habit of a lifetime?
Grassy’s being a bit mean I think but it’s not the best derby of the last 20 years. The 3yo milers are probably a better bunch than the middle distance mob and thats without the superstars that never were…
By definition, there is some middle ground between substandard and great. At the moment it looks like an excellent winner of an about average race. Flagship U – by posting "how can anyone claim this was anything other than a substandard Derby?" you are suggesting that you think it was substandard. (I’ve tried reading it several different ways, but it still says the same thing). I know more of the 3yos need to beat the older generation, but there haven’t been too many tested yet.
For as long as I can recall, every year the cynics yell, sub-standard Derby!
Even the truly great equine stars: Sea-Bird, Nijinsky, Mill Reef and Shergar were said to have won sub- standard Derbys. As the old saying goes; they can only beat what’s put in front of them.
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For as long as I can recall, every year the cynics yell, sub-standard Derby!
Even the truly great equine stars: Sea-Bird, Nijinsky, Mill Reef and Shergar were said to have won sub- standard Derbys. As the old saying goes; they can only beat what’s put in front of them.
You’re right, because it’s so easy to call the Derby as a sub-standard renewal at the time, especially if you get an unfashionable winner, or a short margin winner etc.
I dare say, the true merits of how good a particular Derby was, can only be assessed 12-24 months later when the 4 and 5 year olds are winning Group 1’s after Group 1’s all over the world.
I just think on this occassion, the form of this Derby is starting to work out very well indeed – but I totally understand the people who would rather wait until they see the horses as 4 year olds before drawing their own conclusions.
Mike
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