Irish 2000 Guineas 2018

[CharlesOlney]

Ugh, almost had that spot on but a miss is as good as a mile.

Strange race; favourite was in trouble a long way out and the runner up is unfortunate to be mown down after doing so much.

That was certainly an improved run from Gustav, I thought he was coming to win a furlong out and it will be interesting if he can continue on this upward trajectory form-wise.

I see little reason why the front 3 shouldn’t all go to the St James’ Palace, especially the winner who looks like he could go on to be anything.

[stevecaution]

Mark Johnston pathetic effort yet again.

He was talking about the Dante but it looked like Elarqam wouldn’t get the Kings Stand trip there today.

The trainer was bullish but once again bull***t was more appropriate.

Shocking result but US Navy Flag gave it a good go but doesn’t last the mile. The aggressive ride is questionable to some no doubt in terms of lasting at the trip.

Winner Romanised is a massive horse but he had seemed exposed after a promising start last year. I thought he looked all over a sprinter but he’s stayed on best today.

I keep promising myself with Mark Johnston but keep getting suckered in. No rhyme nor reason to whether they will bolt up or run like a drain. Feeble effort from the favourite, beaten miles out.

It sort of leaves the St James Palace picture in tatters but I am happy to have Without Parole for that, unbeaten and not getting mucked about.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[Mike007]

Can’t believe what I’m reading from people who are blaming Crowley.
I backed him and the horse was rubbish ran below his guineas run cudnt keep up with US Navy Flag and beaten 4 out.

There may be a reason for it when they bring him back. Otherwise he just didn’t show his first run promise.

[Austin]

Not sure if many noticed, but there was a clear tactics from Ballydoyle runners to stop Elarqam. If you look at the race closely, Elarqam was running clear along the rails but suddenly US Navy Flag and Threeandfourpence drifted left to check Elarqam and he couldn’t get a way out of traffic. Similarly Gustav Klimt was trying to come in the way of Symbolization. But Romanised came out of syllabus and won the race. All in all a very poor Guineas.

[Triptych]

Thanks Austin Having watched the race again I see now you are spot on that is exactly what happened and the cause of all the jostling about mid race, they really spoiled it for poor old Elarqam who got off to a flyer, although I’m not sure he will would have won anyway. I

In the end neither landed the spoils and maybe if they had just let the horse run his race things might have turned out better for Ballydoyle it’s not the first time they’ve done this and the Stewards say nothing.

Apologies to Jim Crowley who was just as much a victim as Elarqam and trying to get the horse back on track again, it was a race to draw a line through, Ballydoyle don’t need to employ these tactics, it’s not fair on owners or punters (even though I only had Elarqam in a small double that went down before the race I would obviously have loved to see him win today..Jac

Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...

[Jonibake]

I’m not a fan of Jim Crowley but I couldn’t blame him for that abysmal run from Elarqam today. I wouldn’t blame Ballydoyle either. You always see pictures of AOB walking the course with all his jockeys before racing and there’s a good reason for that. Watch the race again and you’ll see that all of his ran four or five wide of the rail for the first half of the race and then moved over towards the end. Clearly that was where they thought the ground was at it’s best. Perhaps something will come to light with Elarqam or perhaps he will improve for further or perhaps that’s just how good he is.

"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"

[Degaussed]

My amateurish view on Elarqam was that he was so revved and fit up for Newmarket that he has effectively bounced in this. I wouldn’t be a massive fan of Johnston training these well-bred Classic hopefuls at the best of times, but maybe Johnston might stick to what he knows best and campaign this horse aggressively.

[ham]

I think steve is more on point with elarqaam, horse is talented but johnston for whatever reason doesnt really seem to know what to do with them anymore apart from run them every other week, “needs further” then reappears at the same distance and “should win”, i dont think with any sort of run yesterday he would have gotten any closer

I dare say if he was with someone else, gosden etc that he would be showing more than he currently is, i can see him being turned out quick again and running poorly (if something doesnt come to light beforehand).

[KevMc]

Johnston did very well to get Dee Ex Bee trained to go so close I thought.

[Author]

Posts