- This topic has 40 replies, 24 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 6 months ago by
.
- Posts
A BHA rating of 127 (compared to Frankel’s 147) puts Australia’s ability, calibre, and career into perspective.
That said, here was a colt that excited Me more than a number in recent years.
The pedigree obviously caught the eye – though Ouija Board had actually produced nothing of note prior to him – and it was fab to see a horse with an out and out Derby pedigree aimed at the 2,000 Guineas where he ran a superb race, in what proved a very good 2,000 Guineas, for one so inexperienced.
His Derby win lacked the wide-margin sensation of a Troy, a Shergar, a Slip Anchor, a Nashwan, a Generous, a Motivator, a Workforce or a Camelot, but the effortless manner in which, under modern day ”Long Fellow” Joseph O’Brien he came through to win from Kingston Hill (laudibly given a full traditional Triple Crown Classic campaign) evoked for Me memories of Nijinsky under Piggott, even if it proved impossible ever to rate him as highly.
Unlike the over-rated, Triple crown chasing (hence then 4yo Frankel swerving) Camelot and Ruler Of The World, Australia went on to win an all-aged Group 1 – the International Stakes.
But yes, he had his limitations. He was never even risked on soft ground and while Aidan O’Brien claimed he was the best Flat horse he ever trained, the ratings do not support his assertion.
it will be fascinating to see how he does at stud.
He could well produce a Derby winner, but I’d say he’s more likely to wind up a Jumps sire than ever produce a 2,000 Guineas winner.
But maybe he will cover a sprint mare and prove me wrong.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"When it comes to horses at stud the ratings they had are only a factor in the fees for the first few years. The odds are that Frankel is unlikely to produce an offspring anywhere near as good as him whereas Australia,with top class form at 8to 12f maybe could unearth a gem or two. I would imagine Australia will be sent mares with form over 10to 12f and the likes of tapestry and Chiquita would certainly produce offspring worth a fortune. You can never tell how horses will do at stud but I’ve a feeling Australia will be in demand and could be a very good sire of top class horses. We are all waiting for the next Galileo but have no idea who it will be. Glad I’m not the one spending millions on yearlings.
Nothing surprising and, if anything, serves to make us all appreciate the NH game even more.
Two months until Sprinter Sacre vs Sire De Grugy in the Tingle Creek!
If he covers sprint mares he will probably throw six furlong horses, most of the stamina is from the dam’s line. There has only been one Derby winner from a sprint bred mare and that was Nimbus.
Okay the Derby doesn’t count now, right?Makes you wonder what owners and breeders want. The latest fad for the big movers and shakers is for milers/10f horses. Shame really as some of the greatest horses have been 10to12f horses. Dancing brave,Nijinsky etc. I suppose the ideal is one that is equally as good at a mile and at 12f. Coolmore wanted that in Australia hence the reason they will be expecting big things at stud. Why do owners not want an ardross anymore.he was a fantastic racehorse and nearly won an arc. Beats me.
Nothing surprising and, if anything, serves to make us all appreciate the NH game even more.
Two months until Sprinter Sacre vs Sire De Grugy in the Tingle Creek!
And that will probably be the only decent race till the King George then nothing till the Cheltenham Festival.
I digress ………
Australia – Obviously a very high class horse and I think a very good Derby winner. I don’t believe his defeat to The Grey Gatsby in Ireland to be a very satisfactory result as I think if you swap jockeys on the two horses Australia wins comfortably.
Australia is a Derby winner that had the speed to drop back to ten furlongs and win an all aged Group one (at York) and had the speed to go very close in the Guineas.
Is he an all time great? No, not for me. He was beaten too often in too few starts. I believe he was certainly a superior horse to Camelot and probably on a par with St Nicholas Abbey. Not as good as Sea The Stars and probably not as good as Treve although maybe slightly more versatile trip-wise than the filly.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.