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Yeeeeeehiiiiii! We’re back for another go!!! Can’t wait for another season and am feeling refreshed and raring to go. Last year was our only loss-making year and it was all down to some rash decision making right at the back end of the season. I am determined to show much more discipline this year and get back to winning ways. I love doing this thread because a) it helps keep me disciplined (I only bet what I put up on this thread) and b) I get such wonderful contributions from you guys – please keep them coming and feel free to chip in with your thoughts/insights. Obviously the horses I’m really looking forward to seeing are the Frankel 3 year olds but there is plenty more to look forward to including a potential superstar in Churchill who I think will be even better at 3 year and even better over further than a mile. I will be away for much of August and have a few work trips lined up but, apart from that, I hope to keep posting throughout the season.
So, here goes. I always like to start at the superb Meydan World Cup meeting and this year is no different. I’ve had some good nights here and am hoping for another one today. But, boy is it competitive! I have focussed on 4 races. I start with the Long Distance race in which I have gone for the ultra-consistent Sheikhzayedroad who loves it here and has the benefit of a run. I have always liked Beautiful Romance and I think she could make up into a decent stayer. In the Sprint it is all about the favourite but I like Jungle Cat who never runs a bad race and Limato who is pure class and is reportedly fit enough for this. In the Dubai Turf I like Ribchester. I think this colt is going to have a big year as he kept improving last season and, for me, is the class horse in this race as long as he stays. Finally in the Sheema I am keeping faith with a horse I have always loved in Jack Hobbs. Things didn’t go for him last year as he got injured in his comeback but he has always been highly regarded and has some top class for in the book. Apparently they are very excited about him at Johnny G’s yard and I think he will go well.
Fingers crossed we get off to a flyer!
£25ew Sheikhzayadroad 9-1 and Beautiful Romance 6-1 – 12.50 Medan both placed
£25ew Jungle Cat 6-1 (lost) and £50w win Limato 3-1 (lost) – 2.00 Meydan
£100 win Ribchester 3-1 – 3.00 Meydan lost
£50ew Jack Hobbs – 7-2 – 3.30 Meydan winner
£1ew Lucky 15 +£37.82"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Good luck joni – some of your selections were inspired last year so here’s hoping you can provide some again this time around.
Jack Hobbs can run well first time out as seen at Wolves and Sandown, but last season on all accounts was a bit of a disaster as you say. His best form is on a faster surface so i’d be a bit concerned that the rain may blunt his speed, but perhaps back over 1m4f he can bring his stamina into play. They say flat racehorses reach their peak at 5 so here’s hoping it’s a good season for him! Judging from his recent runs I feel Postponed may have lost a touch of pace and zest so think his price is a bit short, despite having a wonderful time the previous two campaigns. I’m not keen to back any of O’Brien’s this early in the season so although HR is an admirable front-running horse I don’t think he’ll be fully wound up personally. I don’t think the others are of this class, bar 7th Heaven but she petered out a bit last year so I’ll agree that JH is the one to be on this time.
The same sentiments from me Joni, as Joliff said, some inspired selections last year. Good luck and i”m sure you will not be long in getting out of the starting blocks
Thanks for the lovely words guys!
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Best of luck Joni, your thread is always very worthwhile and very popular, if only they all knew about your hidden talent eh.? I’ve promised not to tell anyone on here but TAPK may spill the beans when one of his famous coups land and the champers start to flow, he might let your secret passion out of the bag.
I agree strongly on Churchill he could be the seasons superstar, Skybet are offering 16/1 he’s unbeaten in 2017, worth a few pound I think, already nearly 3 months unbeaten.Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Great to have you back Joni and wish you a successful season with so much ahead of us to look forward to.
Half expected you to be writing this Thread trackside at Meydan you’re such a Globetrotter
…I like all of your choices but especially Beautiful Romance,she’s a tough cookie. Also not in your choices I have Thunder Snow with her and have doubled them up….here’s hoping for a flying start.
JacThings turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Thanks guys! So nearly off to a flyer there with BR and the Sheikh 2nd and 3rd. Pipped at the post. Still – very exciting.
Nath – if I have a few winners I might just post it myself – on this thread only of course!
Jac – thanks a million as always. I AM off to Dubai next month but alas not today!
VTC – very funny! With LB my worry would be that he runs today over the dirt. If he goes well he could well be Kentucky bound……."this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Look forward to seeing your opinions Joni.
Why did Beautiful Romance go to the front? Obvious has plenty of speed and only served to test stamina even more.
Value Is EverythingLook forward to seeing your opinions Joni.
Why did Beautiful Romance go to the front? Obvious has plenty of speed and only served to test stamina even more.I don’t think the jockey had a choice Mark. He needed to get across from a wide draw and so was travelling upsides throughout. At the top of the straight the choice was sit and wait with the fading leader or go for home. To my mind she almost stole the race rather than had it taken away.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Well done with Jack Hobbs Joni
if you listen carefully you can hear Buick talking to the horse down the home straight
I think I can make the words out as follows“As you glide in your stride
With the wind as you fly away
Give a smile from your lips and say
I’m free, yes I’m free, now I’m on my way”Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Best of luck this season Joni.
This looks a pretty open Classic season apart from Churchill in the 2000 Guineas. The other races look ripe for something to come from the shadows.
I also did Jack Hobbs today. I already had a bet on him from last night but when I saw him today I had to have another bet. He was pick of the paddock by a mile and looked magnificent, ready to run for his life. He demolished them today.
A re-investment of the spoils seemed in order, so I have backed Jack Hobbs at 14/1 for the Arc De Triomphe.
When you think about the odds Postponed was last year and that he was handed his ass on a silver salver today, 14/1 seems crazy value. Paddy Power only offer 6/1.
Maybe Jack Hobbs will bounce but I have had a maximum bet on him at 14/1. Where is there better value in the race?
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Well done with Jack Hobbs Joni
if you listen carefully you can hear Buick talking to the horse down the home straight
I think I can make the words out as follows“As you glide in your stride
With the wind as you fly away
Give a smile from your lips and say
I’m free, yes I’m free, now I’m on my way”you are sooooo naughty Hughes!!!!
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Best of luck this season Joni.
This looks a pretty open Classic season apart from Churchill in the 2000 Guineas. The other races look ripe for something to come from the shadows.
I also did Jack Hobbs today. I already had a bet on him from last night but when I saw him today I had to have another bet. He was pick of the paddock by a mile and looked magnificent, ready to run for his life. He demolished them today.
A re-investment of the spoils seemed in order, so I have backed Jack Hobbs at 14/1 for the Arc De Triomphe.
When you think about the odds Postponed was last year and that he was handed his ass on a silver salver today, 14/1 seems crazy value. Paddy Power only offer 6/1.
Maybe Jack Hobbs will bounce but I have had a maximum bet on him at 14/1. Where is there better value in the race?
Thanks Stevie. You are right – he looked an absolute monster and it bodes seriously well for the rest of the season as you would expect him to come on a ton for this. 14’s is a great price for the Arc. I have to say that when the decs came out for this he was not my first choice. But as the week went on, the noises coming from Team Gosden persuaded me that they had him back at his best. He was the only British winner on the night and the only horse to win without the benefit of a previous run this year. A special performance and he did it in such impressive style. I remember a certain TAPK telling me not to get too excited about this one after he won a handicap by 9 lengths a couple of years back. I think we can get excited about him now!!
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Great tipping Joni and you are on your way. Jack Hobbs a great choice for your first post on your Thread this year.
Well pleased with Thunder Snow today just a small return but just pleased to see him win. We were unlucky with Beautiful Romance beaten by a neck by the French horse..will have to look out for them when they come to Newmarket this season.
Lincoln Handicap to sort out next Saturday, the flat is back.
JacThings turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...+£128.45
So a fantastic start to the season and a profit on the day. But I can’t help thinking about what might have been. Beautiful Romance looked like winning all the way until the last 50 yards but I think the best horse probably won the race. Jungle Cat failed to get placed by a whisker and the deluge meant Limato had no chance. Ribchester ran an absolute cracker. I am sure he lost his race in the first few furlongs where he was, for some reason, asked to lead. It was only when his stablemate came across and gave him a lead that he really settled but I think that extra furlong and the petrol he wasted early did for him. He looks huge though doesn’t he and I am sure he is in for a great season. I’ve talked about Jack Hobbs above. A superb training performance from his master trainer and all roads must lead to the Coronation now followed by the King George and hopefully Arc. It’s early days but it will take a good one to beat him. He travelled so sweetly and was still on the bridle a furlong out. He has the speed of a high class 10f horse and the stamina of a 12f one. As long as he stays fit he should have plenty more big days.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
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