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Do you not think that Deep Impact was the best horse to run in the 2006 Arc. Flash?
Rail link was the best on the day by far, and possibly the best of the entire field. But Hurricane Run and Shirooco were top class at their best aswell. Theres no doubt that Deep Impact was a very good horse, and very consistent, just not good enough on the day though. His presence made it the most fascinating PM market Ive ever seen.
I wouldnt mind seeing Curlin in the Eclipse, King George or Irish Champion but wouldnt personally fancy him for the arc.
The absence of a prep run, and his jockey changing the tactics that he employed with breathtaking success in his other umpteen runs were the reasons for his defeat imo, rather than any inherent lack of ability on the day.
Deep Impact was the best horse in the ’06 Arc by a mile, but not the best horse on the day. Not having time to do a prep run was crucial.
Out of interest, has Curlin ever run right-handed?
How can Curlin(great horse i admit) be rated best horse in the world if he has never ran on grass, USA must view things different to me then.
Blackbeard to conquer the World
The absence of a prep run, and his jockey changing the tactics that he employed with breathtaking success in his other umpteen runs were the reasons for his defeat imo, rather than any inherent lack of ability on the day.
Agreed Smithy.
To all those people who are casually stating lay lay lay. At what prices and to what risk would you want to lay him though? You’d be loony to even think about that if you had to lay say anything bigger than 8/1. Even at 4/1 I’d like to see how many people on here would be willing to lay him for serious cash. It’s easy to shout lay lay lay but when it comes time to pull the trigger I doubt there are more than two or three people on here who would go in with the potential of losing a thousand or more. If you’re laying a tenner to lose sixty, then you’re simply wasting space.
I’d also like to point out that it was not too long ago when a US turf horse by the name of Hard Buck ran second in a grp1 turf in Dubai and shock of all shocks in the King George. He was nothing special and if the best middle distance horse in the world by the proverbial mile (LGR’s quote which I wholeheartedly endorse) decides to come over and give it a try I will be more than happy taking my chances with all you bold layers out there.
I remember the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Carry Back coming over to run in the Arc in 1962, where he finished 10th over a distance further than he cared for and given a feeble ride by Breasley.
He was a proper horse, running in 61 races in his four seasons in training. His Arc run must have been getting on for his 20th start of the season, so he was entitled to run a little flat.
I don’t see why Curlin shouldn’t do a lot better, provided the going isn’t too soft. He’ll be a lot fresher than Carry Back, that’s for certain!
I wouldnt think Curlin would really have any stronger a chance than henrythenavigator would have in the arc to be realistic about it.
IMO you can bring these american dirt breds over and put them on a gd-fm surface (eg Hard Buck) and they will go well, put them in an arc, on good to soft or worse with a strong pace likely and thats a totally different kettle of fish.
Curlin is one of the most visually impressive beasts I have seen (admittedly on TV) both in terms of his physique and his performance on the track. The Arc is a completely different test to the dirt races he is used to, but if it came up testing, does anyone really think the likes of Youmzain, for example, would bother this horse?
IMO you can bring these american dirt breds over and put them on a gd-fm surface (eg Hard Buck) and they will go well, put them in an arc, on good to soft or worse with a strong pace likely and thats a totally different kettle of fish.
Curlins built like a chaser!! I think he’d be fine on any surface. I would not want to be a layer.
Brendan – what price would you say would be a value price for backers – right now, as thing stand? Say, for the sake of argument, you were backing it to win a grand. What would tempt you?
You are right of course – pointless to say I’d lay it without mentioning a price – I have one in mind but wondered what price you’d back it at.
The horse will get the trip ( he finnished beaten a head in the Belmont over the arc trip), though i would be happier too see him have a run a grade one on the grass in the US before they deside toosend him over.
I agree about the Foy before the arc, if h ran like a drain they could sen him home.
Tungsten Strike gets too miles and he and curlin share the same sire….
Looking at Smart Strike’s progeny that have raced in the UK and Ireland. The vast majority of them are effective on soft ground.
Brendan – what price would you say would be a value price for backers – right now, as thing stand? Say, for the sake of argument, you were backing it to win a grand. What would tempt you?
You are right of course – pointless to say I’d lay it without mentioning a price – I have one in mind but wondered what price you’d back it at.
Those prices I quoted above relate to him showing up on the day. If "right now as things stand" I would not take less than 20/1 simply because I think the odds of him even coming to dance are at least 10/1 and I have not even factored in any other unknowns at this point like the surface or the fact he would be going right handed for the first time. I can think of another 3-4 things on top of that and thinking about it 20/1 is probably too skinny but what the heck I like to roll the dice on occasion so if you’re up to it I’ll give you the opportunity for a free 50 quid at regular antepost terms. We can of course wait till things shake out and then you can come with the heavy lumber.
I was lucky enough to see him at Monmouth and, believe me, this horse is what you can honestly call a beast.
Dubai Millenium asked a great question. Has the horse ever gone right-handed?
I wouldn’t think that turf, even on soft ground, would make too much of a difference. I know it’s a completely different ball game, but he handled the conditions at the Breeders’ Cup (which were the most atrocious I have ever seen), so I get the feeling this horse could handle any surface.
The main worry would be the right-handed track and the European style. European turf races are run very differently to American turf, not to mention their dirt races.
I’d love to see him take his chance and, considering the lack of quality we have over here at the moment, think he would have a great chance.
I’d love to see him run in the Juddmonte. York, a galloping, left-handed track, is as fair a turf course in the country and the long straight will surely suit. The race has attracted same top class foreign raiders in the past and I think it would be a fantastic opportunity for the horse.
Deep Impact was a much better horse than he was able to show himself in the Arc. (Would you expect me to say anything else?
A few days ago at a booze up in Hong Kong I was busy slagging Take yet again for not going after him in the way he did in his subsequent runs in the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen, and I got well told off by someone who knows Japanese racing. They said he wasn’t right in the Arc, and that was why Take looked after him as he did. I was also told the Japanese don’t make excuses. They think it’s shameful to do so.Anyway. It would be great to see Curlin in the Arc. I’m definitely one of those he would shut up if he won, or even if he ran a place.
The team at Stonestreet have certainly done their homework to come up with the consideration of the Arc for Curlin. It’s not just them chasing more riches, like most American owners would do.
With a paddle and floaties, he murdered the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
It would definitely be first time right-handed however. And those sharp + sweeping turns all in one could shave off 3-6 lengths on the day.
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