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Grimes – I’m not sure of that one.
Two reasons:
1) It’s a proper dirt horse and the world cup is run on an all weather surface this year.
(This Tapeta seems to suit turf horses better than dirt ones)2) It’s flop in the February Stakes of 09′ was put down to it not taking to a bit of turf they run over at the start of the race.
See here for yourself:
2009 race:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8y1magEDK8
But just to confuse you – his trainer did say he took to the turf better this year – hence his victory!
2010 race:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6tur2hWQzI
Thanks, Zenjah. I think if he does take to the tapeta OK, they won’t see which way he went.
I was alerted to Twice Over immediately the prices came out, because it was so short. I rated the horse on its form against New Approach, but when I checked it, he was pretty well-beaten. Also, I have a suspicion, Zenyatta shouldn’t have won that race, having been so far back, but it was substandard. I wonder how the time of the race stacked up?
Grimes/everyone – here’s the quotes for ‘Espoir City’ : (post race)
“Last year, his start was poor because he couldn’t handle the patch of grass turf very well, so that’s something we’ve been working on all long as we got him ready for this race,” he said, referring to last year’s race in which Espoir City came in fourth.
“He came out of his stall beautifully today and now that the race is over, I can say in hindsight that he was perfect, but before I was worried really about the grass at the start. But he got through it without a hitch today, and things like that speak about how much better of a horse he has become since last year.”
This one is interesting re: his perfect trip – (note the furthest he’s run is 9f)
Trainer Akio Adachi says the mile, counterclockwise, is the ideal condition for his horse. Victory on Sunday will take Espoir City overseas, most likely to the 2,000-meter Dubai World Cup on March 27 at the brand new, state-of-the-art Meydan Racecourse.
The world Cup is over 10f
– to save any confusion!
Re: Zenyatta (she won last night) I feel that it’s wrong to doubt her.
Taking times from the pro-ride or any all weather is tricky due to what they do with the track.
This year (pre Breeders’ Cup) they were saying that they had put a lot of water on the surface to try and make it ride more like dirt (for the home team).Now I would have thought that would make it ride faster than last years?
All I can do is put up times for people compare:
Raven’s Pass 1m2f – Im 59.27s – 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic
Zenyatta 1m2f – 2m 0.62s – 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic
By looking at the sprint where they normally go a true pace in the States it looks like the track was slower in 09′.
Breeders’ Cup Sprint 2008 – 1m 7.08s
Breeders’ Cup Sprint 2009 – 1m 8.14sThe key horse from the classic
is ‘Colonel John’ – he ran in 08′ & 09′.
Raven’s beat him – 5l
Zenyatta by – 4 1/2lMaybe ‘Gio Ponti’ didn’t go through with his run
– he looked to be traveling all over Twice Over then didn’t put much between them after what looked like a race winning move ‘Richard’s Kid’ – (formline to Gitano Hernando & again Colonel John) – didn’t seem to put in any sort of a run that day – (behind Zenyatta)
Here’s that race: (won by Gitano)
Thanks for that Zenjah. Also, specifically, about its ideal distance. Still, it did win one Group I over 9 furlongs by further than any of his other wins: 3 1/2 lengths, I believe. We shall see.
You say he’s racing today. That’s interesting, too.
We got crossed lines there – no race for him today – or before the world cup – if he goes…
It’s worth bearing in mind that the Japanese have had their biggest wins on World Cup Night on the turf – with the likes of ‘Stay Gold’, ‘Hearts Cry’ and ‘Admire Moon’.
So far they have failed to fire on the dirt in the big one itself (did win the mile)
‘Vermilion’ their old champ tried twice when it was on dirt – and was stuffed.‘Casino Drive’ – was another with a big rep before the Breeders’ Cup – he has form lines to ‘Espoir’ through ‘Success Brocken’.
P.P. just cut him to 10’s…
I would want double that and then some!
Of course that’s just my feeling on this – I could be well wrong!
Best of luck!
The entries for the Dubai World Cup:
Purse: US$10,000,000: 1st: $6,000,000 2nd: $2,000,000 3rd: $1,000,000 4th: $500,000 5th: $300,000 6th: $200,000
Horse Country TrainerAllybar UAE bin Suroor S
Crowded House GB Meehan B
Furthest Land USA Maker M
Gio Ponti USA Clement C
Gitano Hernando GB Botti M
Gloria de Campeao France Bary P
Lizard’s Desire South Africa De Kock M
Mastery UAE bin Suroor S
Mr Brock South Africa De Kock M
Red Desire Japan Matsanuga M
Richard’s Kid USA Baffert B
Take the Points USA Pletcher T
Twice Over GB Cecil H
Vision d’Etat France Libaud EHope that you held fire on your fancy Grimes?
Thank you, Zenjah, but, alas, no. Nor on Mikael D’s entries, nor Dunguib’s CH entry, nor Long Run’s Arkle one, nor Pandorama’s RSA.
But, thankfully (I hope), I’ve still got lots of bets.
I’m sorry, but for the World’s richest horse race, the race itself is horrific. It almost needed the apparent "superstar" American Dirt horses, and the intrigue of the occasional Godolphin Turf horse when they never had a Dirt horse their selves. The Tapeta surface has done nothing for the race, and for me the Dubai Duty Free and Sheema Classic are more interesting.
Good Ba Ba taking on Presvis in the Dubai Duty Free might be something amazing in a battle of acceleration if Good Ba Ba turns up, stays the 1800m (he was remarkably staying on in the HK Gold Cup last time out at 2000m) and performs to the level of his 3 HK Mile wins at the age of 8.
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That’s a very weak looking World Cup. Agreed the races on the support card are vastly superior in depth and quality.
Gloria De Campeao is a ridiculous price at 20s. Just seems to be constantly overpriced on his achievements.
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Actually, scratch my earlier comment. The entire card looks very thin compared to previous years. Smallest looking fields ever at this stage and not enough quality.
Trends say that horses coming here without a prep have little to no chance. That gets rid of Vision D’Etat, Twice Over and a couple of others. A 1st or 2nd finish last time out is essential and a maximum of 2 Carnival runs.
Crowded House is one of the qualifiers but he’s been beaten comfortably by Alexandros and then by Allybar (who was beaten fairly comfortably LTO). Gloria De Campeao and Red Desire are the 2 remaining (fought out the finish of the Maktoum Challenge Round 2) and given that every World Cup winner has been aged 4-6, the Japanese filly gets the vote. Gloria De Campeao is however a ridiculous, ridiculous price at 20s. Will be doing a RFC and each-way singles.
Sorry, should add that Gitano Hernando is taken out because only Singspiel has won as an English-trained horse and Richard’s Kid is removed because all winners who prepped in America won or finished 2nd in the Donn Handicap.
Got 10s for Red Desire with Hills.
Sorry, should add that Gitano Hernando is taken out because only Singspiel has won as an English-trained horse and Richard’s Kid is removed because all winners who prepped in America won or finished 2nd in the Donn Handicap.
Got 10s for Red Desire with Hills.
Having the race on AW changes things up a bit. The Donn is a dirt race. Richard’s Kid has won stakes on dirt, but he’s really blossomed in California on the fake stuff. He’s my pick because he won his prep, he’s been successful on several different synthetic surfaces, and he really prefers 10f or more. He’s also a Maryland-bred
.Sorry, should add that Gitano Hernando is taken out because only Singspiel has won as an English-trained horse and Richard’s Kid is removed because all winners who prepped in America won or finished 2nd in the Donn Handicap.
Got 10s for Red Desire with Hills.
Eh, this makes no sense (might be just be though..)
Well Armed won the DWC but prepped in the San Antonio Handicap at Santa Anita. Richards Kid prepped in and won this very race.
Not sure how trends can stand up in this race this year Z? This is a whole new surface
Of the outsiders:
Re – Gloria De Campeao & Mr. Brock – 7 y/o’s have a poor record in this race, may lack gears to defeat these.
Can’t Have Lizard’s Desire, 5th behind Red Desire last time, only won a handicap at course.
Mastery – St. Leger winner, 3rd in BC Marathon, trip probably on short side.
Richard’s Kid – Pacific Classic winner, won Grade 2 on dirt latest, 3rd behind Gitano Hernando, bit "all or nothing" and inconsistent.
Allybar – ex French, 4th behind Red Desire last time, beat under-par Presvis in Winter, impressive win against Crowded House, hold up performer recently, adapted well to track, bit overpriced?
Furthest Land – BC Dirt Mile winner, poor since, behind Richard’s Kid last time, needs to improve, track?
Allybar my pick of the outsiders.
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