- This topic has 38 replies, 23 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 10 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
- Total Posts 438
I must admit that I was starting to think that Paul Haigh had finally lost the plot entirely, reading his paeans of praise to the Japanese star every week. Surely he’d had a few too many free drinks on his first-class flight to Tokyo? No horse could possibly be as talented as Haigh’s rantings made out.
Deep Impact justified all of Haigh’s eulogies this morning. Getting up ridiculously early, for a Sunday, just to catch ATR’s coverage of the Takarazuka Kinen, I had a cup of coffee to clear the sleep-addled brain and thought that I was not the only one still half asleep when I saw Yutaka Take sitting motionless about a dozen lengths off the leaders as they left the Kyoto back straight, with half a mile or so to run. Surely he’d sat too far out of his ground, especially on a horse dropping back five furlongs in trip after winning over two miles last time out?
One smack of the whip and it was game over. Deep Impact raced widest of all on the home turn and still hacked up, ears pricked. This despite being asked to make up ten lengths or so five horses wide around the home bend. I couldn’t possibly comment on the strength of the opposition, as my knowledge of the Japanese form book is somewhat limited, but as far as visual impressions go, this was stunning.
The Japanese rate their horse a far better one than El Condor Pasa, who only went down narrowly to the great Montjeu in a titanic tussle in the Arc seven years ago. If Deep Impact possesses even the same ability as his predecessor, he’ll go very close at Longchamp on 1st October; Hurricane Run apart, there isn’t a European candidate anywhere near Montjeu’s class this time. If the Japanese horse is, indeed, comfortably superior to El Condor Pasa, we may witness one of the great performances in recent history come Arc day.
Not to say that the Arc is a foregone conclusion, of course. Hurricane Run will be there, as will Shirocco, who is clearly a formidable opponent on softish ground, and the redoubtable Ouija Board. But there are three other things which may contribute to Deep impact’s downfall: he may or may not acclimatise; he seemed edgy and on his toes before today’s race (I don’t know if this is normal behaviour for him) and may boil over at Longchamp; and Take will not be able to give the leaders as much rope as he did today. Many of you will no doubt remember the 1994 Arc, when Japan’s most celebrated rider gave White Muzzle the task of cutting down all but two of his opponents in the home straight; flying down the outside, Peter Chapple-Hyam’s colt had narrowed the deficit with Carnegie to two lengths at the line but could still only finish sixth.
In all probablility, it will take another Take cock-up to prevent Deep Impact from winning the Arc.
Sorry to hear you’re bored with the Flat already, Chateau. Doesn’t seem to fit with what you’ve written.<br>Don’t think I’ve lost the plot on Deep Impact. Or at least not quite completely. I really do think he might be the best I’ve ever seen.
NB. I think he was even more impressive, if anything, in the Tenno Sho. There are lines to compare his form with European if you want to dig a bit.<br>Like you I fear Take more than anything else at Longchamp, although it will be very interesting to see how the great (I mean it) Hurricane Run performs today.
A gift, I hope you enjoy it…
Videos:<br>1 – Wachovia Stakes : 3yo : 10f<br>2 – Japanese 2000 Guineas : 3yo : 10f<br>3 – Japanese Derby : 3yo : 12f<br>4 – Japanese St Leger : 3yo : 15f<br>5 & 6 – Tenno Sho (Spring) : 4yo+ : 16f
Mr Zorro, I agree with you. I think this is the horse.<br>
(Edited by RobinFromIreland at 2:10 pm on June 25, 2006)
- Total Posts 438
Thanks for the links, Robin.
What’s Japanese for "How the **** did he win from there!" ? Every time he runs, he stands the leaders about fifteen lengths and cruises past the entire field as though they were selling platers. Now I can see exactly why Haigh was wetting his pants.
thanks for the links, has this horse got a weakness? his races are like a scene from seabiscuit. can he give the field 15 in the Arc?
his races are like a scene from seabiscuit
The St Leger victory was unbelievable. he was about a furlong behind when the leader hit the furlong pole.
I hope he wins the Arc, it would be great for racing.
Steve
Never seen this horse before, and would agree he looks pretty spectacular.
Something that amazed me even more from the Racing Post info was how prolific a sire Sunday Silence is (or was). He sired 8 of the first 10 home in the Arima Kinen, the race in which DI sufferred his only defeat :o
DI has also nver ran on anything softer than good, which may be a problem in the Arc. Does anyone know if SS sires top of the ground horses? Presumabely he does, if his offspring are so good in Japan (mainly firm conditions).
Wasnt Wind in her Hair (his dam) a filly which was trained over here?
Quote: from Zorro on 11:07 am on June 25, 2006[br]NB. I think he was even more impressive, if anything, in the Tenno Sho. There are lines to compare his form with European if you want to dig a bit.<br>Like you I fear Take more than anything else at Longchamp, although it will be very interesting to see how the great (I mean it) Hurricane Run performs today.<br>
I agree zorro. In that race he came from so far off the pace with a sweeping run that looked like he was on wheels. In todays race, there was just a moment when he wasn’t making ground so easily, but there was never any real doubt. He’s stunning to watch.
Wind In Her Hair was placed in the Oaks behind Balanchine. Given that she was trained by John Hills, that gives you some idea as to the raw ability she must have had.
Sh!t the roof, some horse…
Can’ think he can give the worlds best that kind of lead in the arc but it’s like there’s a nitrous button or something!
Y.Take must feel that only traffic problems can stop this horse, he’s about 8 wide coming off some turns!! Then runs him alone in the centre of the home straight whilst the others (who look in slow-motion) have the rail to help! To the horse’s credit, he runs very straight and the description of him ‘on wheels’ is very good, although he looks to have a Boeing engine driving it.<br>Looks the business, is there any information regarding his defeat to Heart’s Cry?<br>How is he priced up for the Arc? Could be a interesting proposition in-running if there are any ill-informed layers.
The defeat;<br> http://www.jra.go.jp/vi/doc/vg_g1bn/asx/05arimakinen_english_dsl.asx<br> Grant.
You could say that the straight perhaps wasn’t long enough and hearts cry had the turn of foot to nullify DI’s finishing speed, Take looks like he expected to win turning in as he was sitting still..
But I agree FSL not really much excuse fo the defeat… which is a little disappointing really after watching the other videos you expect it to win doing handsprings
- Total Posts 438
The usual excuses came up after that defeat, though, with Take reportedly saying that Deep Impact felt "flat" and the trainer saying that he "wasn’t quite right" on the day.
Could be the usual hot air but surely every horse is allowed one bad day at the office?
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.