Nakayama Sprinters Stakes 2006

[Lingfield]

Quote: from Venusian on 7:42 am on Oct. 2, 2006[br]"The result of the L’Abbaye proves my point. <br>Ryan second string wins- presumably not even rated the best there, least of all Europe!

So what do you make of the middle distance brigade now that a stable’s third string has won the Arc?"

Wouldn’t necessarily have had it as third choice myself though I could understand punters latching on to the proven Shirocco and Hurricane Run.<br>Rail Link was a younger horse with potential, from the favoured generation and winner of the Prix Niel- a favoured trial.<br>It needed to step up and did.<br>As regards sprinters on other threads, hard to imagine Oasis Dream or Dayjur starting their seasons in Musselburgh h’caps like Desert Lord who I assume is now a contender for champion sprinter. They were group class juveniles who became champion sprinters.<br>As regards stayers, Yeats is in a different league. Full of admiration for Sergeant Cecil whose h’cap exploits made him my horse of the year last year.However no-one wants to breed stayers these days other than the jumps boys so I expect the division to get weaker and weaker.

(Edited by Lingfield at 7:21 pm on Oct. 2, 2006)

[Smithy]

My memory isnt all it used to be but hard to describe Dayjur as a Group-class juvenile. Another example of a horse that got better with experience.

[cormack15]

Dayjur did finish 2nd in a Listed race at 2 (to that world beater Rushmore!).

[jackane24]

Just watched the race now – Takeover Target was brilliant, and Benbaun and Les Arcs both ran admirably.

[Lingfield]

Quote: from Smithy on 7:50 am on Oct. 3, 2006[br]My memory isnt all it used to be but hard to describe Dayjur as a Group-class juvenile. Another example of a horse that got better with experience.<br>

You’re right and I stand corrected.<br>Think I can stand by Oasis Dream though

[Galejade]

I know Timeform ratings are just an opinion but here is their recent list of Champion Sprinters

2005   Pastoral Pursuit   127<br>2004   Somnus                126<br>2003    Oasis dream        129<br>2002   Kyllachy                 129<br>2001   Mozart                   131<br>2000   Namid                    128<br>1999   Stravinsky              133

after Stravinsky the best in the 90’s was Lake Coniston 131

In the 80’s were several in the 130’s and best was Moorestyle 137 followed by Marwell 133 HOWEVER I do not have Dayjur’s!

Takeover Target is currently rated 127.  There certainly hasn’t in Timeforms opinion been a very good sprinter since Stravinsky.

Possible reasons that sprinters seem to win in their turn even at the top level are :-

a) draw has more effect over short distances,<br>b) 3/4 lbs = 1 length at 5f but  2/3 lengths at 12f so for a sprinter to be outstanding and always winning by 1length+ it has got to be 3/4 lbs clear  on ratings ( and a lot more if it has a bad draw)<br>c) luck in running much more important.

Be interested in Dayjur’s rating if anyone has it.

[seabird]

Timeform had Dayjur at 137.

Colin

[empty wallet]

Probably more competitive nowadays, hence the term "they take it in their turn"<br>

[empty wallet]

You could argue, (as hinted at in some of the above posts) that if one or two horses are dominating a division, then that division has no strength in depth, instead of saying those one or two horses are  of the highest class

(Edited by empty wallet at 1:56 pm on Oct. 3, 2006)

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