- This topic has 38 replies, 19 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 11 months ago by
.
- Posts
The flat racing season is so close that we can all smell it with the Lincoln Handicap the race that sets the season on its way.
What 5 flat horses are you really looking forward to seeing race this year?
For me it’s got to be…..
1. Bushranger (Will he end up running in the Guineas before being reverted back to the top class sprints? I hope so!)
2. Patkai (There’s unfinished business with this horse and I really hope he gets put forward for all the top races by Sir Michael)
3. Overdose (Just how many sprint prizes can this beast win this year? Could he do the unthinkable and win everything??)
4. Mastercraftsman (The stride pattern is perfect, can this horse start my flat season off in style over what seems to be the perfect trip for him?)
5. Cuis Ghaire (This could be the new superstar for Jim Bolger. Underperformed in her last few starts but looks the type to grow into a classy 3yo filly. The forgotten horse of 2008)1.
The Rainbow
Rock n Roll…
2.Presvis
Superb improver who could take high rank this year.
3.Finjaan
Valiant defeat in the Dewhurst presages high rank amongst sprinters.
4.Taamer
Hayley Turner’s Derby ride? Highly thought of at Kingsdown.
5.Middle of Nowhere
As good as any horse I saw at Southwell this year. Travelled on a carpet of air and probably seriously handicapped.
Halfway, interesting 5, i see Patkai as a stayer 2m+, Cuis Ghaire a 1000gns sort, Bushranger a 7f Jersey stakes type, Overdose an obvious sprint candidate and the mighty Mastercraftsman is the one to beat in the guineas!
My 5 would be MASTERCRAFTSMAN, PROPORTIONAL, AGAIN, BLACK
BEAR ISLAND, AGE OF AQUARIUS, Good luck!1. Jukebox Jury
The most likely winner of the derby as I see it. Cant wait to see him in one of the trials, and hope they avoid the Guineas like the plague.
2. Montaff
Really like this horse of Channons and hopefully he will emerge as a force to be reckoned with this season.
3. Fantasia
Recent reports have suggested she’ll go for the Nell Gwyn which isnt good but I hope they just go straight for the Musidora and the Oaks with her.
4. Intense Focus
Really like the Coventry form, and Dewhurst form and this one along with Lord Shanakill went through a mid season dip in form before picking up towards the end to confirm they were as good as they had looked early on. Art Connoiseur went a bit down hill but would love to see him come back to his best for Lucky Storys stud career. However on the basis of who is handling them, form, and likeliness to be a strong sort on guineas day I’ll go for Intesnse Focus above the rest.
5.Serious Attitude
Think she’ll win the 1,000 guineas and it will be good for Rae Guest to have a big stable star (he also part owns her), he isnt bad with fillies and so hopefully she should go well thoughout the season.
Some really good selections guys!
I completley forgot about Presvis! I’ve been a fan of that one ever since he won a small £5k Sandown handicap in the summer. I’d put this one on par with Spanish Moon (another I missed off my list!).
Bulwark, definitely with you on JJ. He’s a mouthwatering prospect for the Derby.
GWILSON, Again – classy filly that. Might have gone a lot better in France if luckier with the draw last time out IMO.
Zarkava…oh wait, she was retired!
New Approach…oh wait, he was retired!
Raven’s Pass…oh wait…On a serious note I’m looking forward to seeing how good Conduit is, and for Goldikova to dominate the mile division.
Zarkava…oh wait, she was retired!
New Approach…oh wait, he was retired!
Raven’s Pass…oh wait…On a serious note I’m looking forward to seeing how good Conduit is, and for Goldikova to dominate the mile division.
I’m with you on Conduit. I hope he is given the credit he deserves when he first appears in being a St. Leger winning Breeders Cup winner. A true feather in the cap of the oldest (and my personal favourite) of all the classics.
PACO BOY
Outstanding sprinter/miler has turned the corner last season, and hopefully with a Winter’s improvement has evolved into more of a clear-cut miler. It’s definitely not clear sailing for the Classic horses in the Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II.
ZACINTO
Loved his debut, appreciated his Champagne run under the soft conditions. I reckon he’s a bit of a complete package. Very excited for his return.
FANTASIA
Since Zacinto is bypassing the 2,000 Guineas, I’m likely to take Fantasia for the Oaks as an ante-post bet. She can, and IMO will improve 6-8 lengths over this Winter.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN
Now it’s time. After he wins the Dubai Sheema Classic (fingers crossed), I’d expect him to be the benchmark in the Prince of Wales’ and King George if those are the plans (I assume they are).
CASUAL CONQUEST
He is still in training, right? What I saw in the Derrinstown Trial justified he was a future star. The win reminded me of St Jovite, and I think he is an outstanding type, capable of going ahead of Tartan Bearer (another still in training hope).
ZACINTO
Loved his debut, appreciated his Champagne run under the soft conditions. I reckon he’s a bit of a complete package. Very excited for his return
I knew I’d read this somewhere
Heres another injury story for you sir…http://www.setanta.com/uk/Articles/other-sports/2009/03/03/Racing-Zacinto-to-miss-Guineas/gnid-42789/
I knew this a few weeks back Dan. Someone told me they were passing the Guineas because he wouldn’t be ready. I only learned of an "injury" last week.
Are CC and TB retired?
Travelled on a carpet of air
Take a look at this – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzW0r9MzHLU
Really looking forward to Naaqoos this year. Magnificent stride.
Would love to see Yeats get another Gold Cup.
Also Knot in Wood win another Scottish Stewards at Hamilton in July.
I knew this a few weeks back Dan. Someone told me they were passing the Guineas because he wouldn’t be ready. I only learned of an "injury" last week.
Are CC and TB retired?
Who’s CC and TB?
My brain is rubbish this morning. If CC is Curtain Call he’s still in training
Is TB Tartan Bearer? ? ?
Aha! Thats the one!
I was under the impression Tartan Bearer was also still in training. Hope nobody can tell me any different, he hasnt run since being out of luck in the Irish Derby has he?
Not quite what you had in mind with your question, halfway, but this season I am hugely looking forward to the first offspring of Dubawi, Oratorio, Shamardal, Footstepsinthesand, Rakti and Antonius Pius. These last two erratic racehorses could produce great speed and/OR horses with serious attitude problems.
Most of these stallions should produce two-year-olds ready to shine, so we won’t have to wait till next year.
With the mares the Sheikh must have bred to Dubawi, I don’t think he can fail. I also think Oratorio will have considerable success.
Re 3 year olds and older horses, I found it difficult to limit to 5, so again I fail your remit. FWIW, here’s my list in alphabetical order:
Conduit (going from strength to strength?)
Famous Name (will he justify his trainer’s faith?)
Fantasia (quality over 10f and further)
Gan Amrhas (like him a lot)
Goldikova (please don’t follow the example of Alexandrova,
Peeping Fawn and even Mandesha as 4 year olds)
Overdose (looking forward to seeing how good he really is)
Paco Boy (we’ll find out soon how far he can stay – hopefully he’ll
be a top class miler – think Archipenko will beat him in
Dubai)
Rip Van Winkle (will he/won’t he wake up?)
Sea The Stars (my Derby horse at this stage)
Heres another injury story for you sir…
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.