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A quick review of Henry’s 3YO career thus far…
Defeats champion 2YO and future Epsom Derby winner, New Approach, to land the Newmarket Guineas on his seasonal debut, the pair pulling four lengths clear of the third. Improves further to confirm the form in the Irish equivalent, beating the same horse by a wider margin.
Wins for the second successive year at Royal Ascot by adding the St James’s Palace Stakes to his Coventry Stakes victory twelve months ago. In the process, he becomes the first horse to win the treble since Rock Of Gibraltar six years earlier, breaking the track record.
The Rock vs Henry? I think it’s only fair to comapre the two on what they have/had achieved in their 3YO careers up to and including Royal Ascot.
The Rock was fortunate to land the Newmarket Guineas from Hawk Wing, a vastly overrated animal whos entire career was defined by one race. He subsequently beat a moderate buch to win the Irish equivalent before claiming the St James’s Palace Stakes in a decent renewal.
When you compare their respective form / performances, it’s hard to argue that Henry hasn’t surpassed the well decorated Rock Of Gibraltar at the same stage of their respective careers.
Henry clocked a faster time than Haradasun despite running round a corner. I think that tells you all you need to know….. Or am I being too simplistic?
It seems likely that Henrythenavigator would have won the Queen Anne, but the time comparison is indeed simplistic. The time of that race bears little relation to the abilities of the protagonists, due to the early pace, whereas the time of the St James’s Palace Stakes probably does.
I agree but you didn’t really answer my question. The bend would have to be factored into any comparison between the performances on the day or would it not?
Your question was "am I being simplistic?" and I did answer that!
Henrythenavigator ran a "better" time than Haradasun. It happens every day of the week that horses run times significantly worse than they are capable of, and it happened with Haradasun. Overall time is not a dependable measure of a horse’s ability in a one-off instance. That’s because horses are ridden to win races rather than run the fastest possible times. The early pace in the Queen Anne meant that Haradasun was very unlikely to run a time near what his ability suggests he should be capable of. Connections don’t mind though, as he won the race!
What the times of the two races primarily told us, in my view, is that Henrythenavigator is capable of backing up a 126 form performance with a 126 time performance, and that his race was probably run at a true pace that brought that to pass. It also told us that the run of Haradasun’s race, whether the pace was too fast early or too slow (as was the case), almost certainly militated against him running a good time.
I place a lot of store by time analysis, but analysis of overall times needs to be used in conjunction with a recognition of the limitations involved.
sberry
The question is not where would he have come in Darjina’s race . The question is where did Darjina come in Darjina’s race?But would he have come between Darjina and the winner or between Darjina and Finsceal Beo or after Finsceal Beo. He would have beaten all three easily since twice this year he beat New Approach the wonder horse who won the derby.Both the Queen Anne and St James’s Palace Stakes were above average contests and the Sussex Stakes promises to be an explosive renewal.
It will be an obvious target for the the first three home in both of the aforementioned races. I don’t know what Pascal Bary has planned for Natagora, but it would be fantastic to see her take part.
From what I’ve seen so far, it will take a very special horse to stop Henrythenavigator.
Oh…..You youngsters….
HTN, ROG, Ravens Pass, Zilzal and Georgous George …. yes all top milers but cant be mentioned in the same post as….
1. The Brigadier.
2. Dancing Brave.
3. El Gran Senor
4. Nijinsky
5. Pebbles.Maybe there should be a seperate section on the forum for us oldies!!
I’d like to see Henry v Zarkava.
Maybe they’ll both turn up to the Irish champion?
Steve
I personally don’t think we will see Henry run over 10f – Duke of Marmalade being the major reason for that. I also doubt we’ll see him run over further. Soldier of Fortune being the major reason for that.
I can see the all age G1’s in Ireland and the UK being dominated by Ballydoyle for the remainder of the season. All races from 8f – 20f would be included in that.. Sobering thought but there aren;t many horses bar New Approach, Coastal Path and Zarkava who are going to give them a run until the Arc where the competitio will be stronger.
I was going to start a thread about this but didn;t for fear of LGR losing his mind!
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