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I’ll raise my hand straight away – I’m an Aussie. I watched the race the other night (as I do will ALL races at the RA week for the past 7 years) and I seriously cannot believe some of the criticism of the HORSE, So You Think.
Yes, European racing at 1600m – 2400m has far more depth than Australian racing so this European adventure was always going to be tough. Our middle distnace ranks have been pretty average for a few years now. SYT has been arguably our best horse for 8 years (since Northerly) some say since Might & Power or Kingston Town.
What Team Coolmore asked SYT to do the other day was insane IMO. Firstly a pace maker. Why? This horse doesn’t need nor want one, it doesn’t suit his racing style. The pacemaker misses the start, fantastic, is the sooled up and fires up SYT – crazy stuff. The jockey (R.Moore) then takes off at the top of the straight, again crazy. This played right into the winner’s hands whom I believe is better known as a 2400m horse?
I’m not saying the better horse on the day didn’t win, Rewilding is a deserved winner & Frankie road a top class race (why does he butcher them when in Oz??).
No, So You Think isn’t the best horse since Shergar but he is a very good horse, I hope that you all get to see that. I truly believe that he will beat Workforce over 2000m. 2400m is another story…
By the way Zarkava (great name by the way), so you believe that SYT had no excuses but Planteur was clearly "off his game". C’mon mate. How do you think he would have coped with the ride SYT had?? He had a much cheaper ride and was "tucked up in bed" before "Neighbours" whilst SYT was toughing it out at the end of the race.
Should be a great European season with the likes of WF, SNA, Rewilding, Snow Fairy, SYT & of course the 3 yos.
I just hope that Coolmore wake up to themselves and run this boy right and I ask you all to see through the hype, it’s not the horse’s fault, just greedy stud owners. I have no doubt that you will all be impressed when you can see what he really can do.
It’s not the first time that world class jockeys have made grave judgements of error re pace at a Dubai meeting. In 2006 Lemaire got away with murder in the Sheema on Heart’s Cry. Also, Rawiller on Elvestroem in the Duty Free (not 100% what year). Initiative can win you many races when you are on a world class galloper..
The only horse that we can use as a formline is the Group winning mare Ortensia, who is a very smart galloper. She ran a fine 5th in the HK Sprint last year at her 2nd run in & was beaten only 1.5 lengths. At her 1st run that term she ran well, 3rd behind Black Caviar over 1200m in the Patinack albeit beaten around 5-6 lengths.
I personally think that given even luck Black Caviar would be unbeatble at Ascot over the 5F and probably the 6F too. She is by a long way a better pure sprinter than any of the other horses that Australia has sent over in the past, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti & Choicir included.
Newmarket over the 6F may be different as we have not seen her run over more than 1200m in Melbourne and that 6F is really equivalent to 1400m IMO.
Have a look at the youtube clips. She destroys horses from the 600m to the 200m and then the race is over.
I hope that she travels o/s next term but she has to get through Sydney & Brisbane first!
My apologies for some misleading information in my previous post…
SB’s good form is not in the 1200 – 1400m range, it is mainly at 1200m. I got a bit ahead of myself there. He is G1 placed at 1600m in 3yo company, that is correct…
IMO there is no doubt that Scenic Blast will stay the Newmarket 1200m. His record at 1400m is good & is placed behind Weekend Hussler at 1600m. Having said that, he will want to do everything right to beat Paco Boy.
Be very wary judging Scenic Blast’s ability of running a strong 1200m on his King’s Stand win. In Oz he is not a genuine 1000m horse. Apart from the G1 Lightning Stakes all his good form has been at 1200 – 1400m. he was even touted as a Cox Plate (2040m) hope last Spring and was backed accordingly pre post. Unfortunately things didn’t go right for him and he was spelled after an impressive first up win over 1200m (no where near Group class). He’s a very good horse but, IMO, no Takeover Target (at his peak around 4 years ago). He should run a very honest race. Steve Arnold is a very, very good jockey too so he is being steered by one of the best.
Thx reet hard
Not saying that our horses are superior. Some will be, some won’t be. The July Cup looks to be a tougher race with Paco Boy too. He’s also a very good 1400m horse. I am of the belief that a 1400m-1600m horse is required to win the July Cup. I think that Scenic Blast is a good hope but will need things to go his way…
"ps to MD
Imo, Scenic Blast wouldn’t have won the GJ either, nor will he last home in the July Cup, for exactly the reasons above.."I’m of a different view with Scenic Blast. He has very good 1400m form here in Oz and ran a good 2nd to Weekend Hussler (when that horse was flying) over 1600m in the Caulfield Guineas. In short, IMO, Scenic Blast is a better 1400m horse than Takeover Target & Choisir and if ridden patiently with the speed on can repeat his King Stand’s performance at Newmarket, I’m hoping so anyway
Should Scenic Blast arrive safe and well in your neck of the woods, he’ll win with something to spare.
Scenic Blast still a few points behind Sacred Kingdom on the latest world rankings:
Whilst I’m not as confident as Matt, I don’t put that much credence into the ratings when a horse like Scenic Blast is yet to race against the top international sprinters. Australian racing is dissed big time by the raters until the said horse races internationally. I’m sure that Choicir wasn’t rated highly when he won the King Stand though he blew a quality field away (coming down the wrong side of the straight track by himself) in the G1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington. His rating, internationally, didn’t improve till he won the G2 (as it was) King Stand Stakes..huh?
I’m certainly not dissing the Euros, always hard to beat on home turf and some quality performers, Kingsgate Native is a favourite of mine as was old Red Clubs. I will have to aquaint myself with the form of many listed on this thread but as far as I’m concerned, all things being equal, Sacred Kingdom is the yard stick. TT is too old now, won’t disgrace himself but better chance in the King Stand.
Scenic Blast is interesting, especially for the King Stand. If the pace is hot up front – watch out! Youtube his Lightning & Newmarket Stakes wins. On his form & ability alone he is a great EW chance in anything he contests.
