The World Thoroughbred Rankings have just been released.
Sea The Stars wins the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp
(photo: Boris Horvat)
There is no doubt - and no controversy entertained - that Sea The Stars is deservedly in number one position. His dominance on the world scene evident with his ranking of 135 - a significant five pound gulf between himself and the mighty mare Goldikova - her brilliant end of season victory in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (Group One) fully illustrating the esteem held for Sea The Stars by the panel assigned to compile the rankings. Only a super horse could expect this margin over a champion mare who has proven resilient season after season.
The battle for prominence between Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra is given added fuel by the significant 3 pound difference on World Rankings.
Youmzain is prominent again - just as prominent as he always is in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (always the bridesmaid - but always there at the end).
3 year old bay filly by Fastnet Rock out of Aspen Falls (USA).
Irish Lights in full flight
(photographs by Neil Murray)
This exciting filly was a star of the Melbourne Spring. She would win three consecutive races (from four starts) with her pinnacle being a victory in the Group One Thousand Guineas (Caulfield 1600 metres) when ridden against her usual pattern and holding a more forward position off a muddling pace at her first test at a mile.
Subsequently she would suffer her only defeat for the campaign when an unlucky 5th in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes at Group One (Flemington 1200 metres). But her Spring mission had already been accomplished.
Irish Lights parading
Her first up victory at Flemington on the 5th of September alerted me to her ability and potential. This day she would sweep aside the brilliant sprinting filly Avenue and stroll home for an untroubled 3 length victory. This would be the only time Avenue would suffer a defeat in the Spring.
Irish Lights hails from one of the great family's in the thoroughbred world.
Her second dam River Crossing is a half-sister to the wonder producer Fall Aspen, a USA Broodmare of the Year who produced 13 winners, including G1 victors Timber Country, Northern Aspen, Hamas and Fort Wood, along with G2 winner Bianconi, who has become a successful sire in Australia.
Another of Fall Aspen's progeny was the G2 winning mare Colorado Dancer, who later produced Dubai Millennium – unquestionably one of the very best horses to race in the world over the past decade. - racingandsports.com.au
To date Irish Lights has won 3 races from her 6 starts, and just over $450,000.
Zenyatta today produced an historic and electrifying performance to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Group One - 2000m).
Zenyatta!
(photo: Jae C. Hong / AP)
She remains undefeated after 14 starts.
She is the only female to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
And yet she still may not be voted Horse of the Year in a year that boasts another female equine superstar in Rachel Alexandra. But somehow I think this win has an emotional and historical significance that will give Zenyatta the edge. How could you explain a horse with such credentials not winning?! My opinion on this matter has changed several times this past year. Horseracing in the US is blessed to have two such great champions. Perhaps it is best that they should never meet in a race.
Mike Smith (jockey, Zenyatta, 1st) – “I still never got to the bottom of her. That’s the
amazing thing. She still had run left. She’s incredible. She’s sent from heaven. She’s gods
horse. I was able to cut the corner with her off the turn, and that made the difference right
there. When we loaded the second time, she sure stood there when the gates opened. I needed to help her out of there, but once I got out of there, she settled into stride really well. She started to get to them in the stretch, and the crowd started screaming. Then she started
looking at the crowd, so I had to get after her a little bit, but she still won within herself.”
John Shirreffs (trainer, Zenyatta, 1st) – “There are tears coming to my eyes. I can’t believe it.
She is a great, great filly. She is all heart. The way the crowd took to her was just amazing.
They cheered for her, they clapped for her; they love her. What a wonderful relationship.
When asked if she is Horse of the Year “You tell me.” - from Breeders’ Cup website.
and another word on the controversy:
“If they don’t reward her with Horse of the Year, it would be a travesty, or at least co-Horses of the Year,” said Bob Baffert, who trained sixth-place finisher Richard’s Kid. “It was the only time in horse racing that I didn’t mind getting beat in a big race. Zenyatta made the Breeders’ Cup, and the way she won! I’ve never seen a crowd so captivated.” - NBC Sports.
Shocking produced a stunning performance to claim victory in the 2009 Melbourne Cup.
The Mark Kavanagh trained 4 year old son of Street Cry raced three wide for the duration of the 3200m trip - facing a headwind that had been the undoing of lesser horses throughout the day
On the eve of the running of the 2009 Melbourne Cup it's time for a brief photographic look back at some of the stars, and some of the highlights of the Spring so far.
If Sea The Stars had raced last year I would have written thousands of words about his brilliant exploits. Zarkava caught my imagination then and was the subject of several articles written. This year time commitments and some health problems have seen me reluctantly quiet on many subjects and topics that I would love to have covered.
I apologise to Sea The Stars for this - and set to right this now at the announcement of his retirement
The 2008 Group One Prix Vermeille (2400 metres) was won by Zarkava. The 2009 running of the Prix Vermeille was much anticipated given the appearance of new French champion filly Stacelita, who is treading the same path as Zarkava last year, trying to remain undefeated after easily winning the Prix Diane (French Oaks) and on the journey to a start in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Stacelita winning Prix Diane in less controversial circumstances
If the Australian Racing Board (ARB) was in charge of promoting the case for, and benefits of, measures instigated to combat the effects of global warming, we would end up with a pretty hot planet, pretty quickly. They would most likely pander to climate change sceptics.
Jockeys around the nation went on strike today to protest against the inability of the ARB to be more flexible in allowing a slight modification to the new whip rules. As I stated in a previous post, it is a wish to have all jockeys able to ride their mounts with vigour to the line in the final 100 metres of a race which is the stumbling block.
I agree with your views on Unsung Heroine. She was a very good staying juvenile in England - her St Leger effort behind Conduit was very good. A second to Conduit looks to be an exceptional form line. Be very interested to see her Australian debut.
Vigor has the advantage of being adaptable and able to get up on the speed. Would need to take another step up this campaign to beat the very best though - but that may not be beyond him (his current speedfigures not quite at Group One level).
Changingoftheguard (racing tomorrow in UK) is another likely visitor of great interest.
Speed Gifted looked sensational with his Winter win here - but just average speedfigures. But he can only improve over ground (and what a brilliant turn of foot!).
Shocking could be anything this next campaign.
Can’t discount Master O’Reilly either as he has had superior staying speedfigures for the past two years now.
and...
Hopefully Luca Cumani will improve his recent Italian acquisition, Basaltico, and bring him to Melbourne. The Melbourne Spring would not be the same without the ‘Cumani’s’ in attendance.
My main criticism of Damien Oliver is that he often rides for luck (or show) - on horses that just need to be kept out of trouble. Last Spring a shocker on Heart Of Dreams when beaten by Tindal, and last week on Keano a similar error of judgement (but he would not have won anyway).
Oliver rode an exceptional along the rails ride to win on All Silent at his first Melbourne run. Looked brilliant in execution - but it could just as easily have come unstuck and been a disaster if the seas had not parted in last 150 metres. Dwayne Dunn kept All Silent out of trouble and he won the Group 1 Emirates eased down by 3.5 lengths. There is no need to ride pretty or for luck on good horses. They really just need to be balanced and given clear sailing.
From my understanding Seventh Rock is a 'straight track specialist'. He hangs like crazy. They originally planned to take him to the grandstand rail (wish they had). Not sure if it will get much better (or easier) for him from here on.
I heard an interview on Radio National (The Bookshow) today about the work of Richard Yates who wrote Revolutionary Road. A seriously flawed individual, but sublime observer of the human condition. The literary expert said it (RR) was about reminding each of us that we are ordinary, and not special (as special as we think or would wish to be). Reality meets dreams.
Apparently the book is better (that's always a good debate).
I have not read the book, or seen the film yet. I enjoyed your review.
The reason that movies are so special is that they take us to so many places (in every sense). They don't need always to make us happy. I can easily move from Fight Club to Bowfinger to 21 Grams to Before Sunrise (not to forget Sunset) to American Beauty to Truly,Madly,Deeply or Memento. It sounds like Revolutionary Road takes us to places and thoughts we seldom visit.
Thanks for the tip about looking out for cars (parked or otherwise) on the way home from the movies. Great review.
I heard an interview on Radio National (The Bookshow) today about the work of Richard Yates who wrote Revolutionary Road. A seriously flawed individual, but sublime observer of the human condition. The literary expert said it (RR) was about reminding each of us that we are ordinary, and not special (as special as we think or would wish to be). Reality meets dreams.
Apparently the book is better (that's always a good debate).
I have not read the book, or seen the film yet. I enjoyed your review.
The reason that movies are so special is that they take us to so many places (in every sense). They don't need always to make us happy. I can easily go from Fight Club to Bowfinger to 21 Grams to Before Sunrise (not to forget Sunset) to American Beauty to Truly,Madly,Deeply or Memento. It sounds like Revolutionary Road takes us to places and thoughts we seldom visit.
Thanks for the tip about looking out for cars (parked or otherwise) on the way home. Great review.
This is a debate than needs to be encouraged to improve the welfare outcomes for racehorses. Horseracing is not the great sin that extreme views would suggest. And neither is it perfect.
Horseracing is an easy target because of its very high profile. The abolition of steroids and hormones is a must - though this is a problem primarily now more so for the US than other jurisdictions. And this year they have mandated in several states to be drug free. A national policy is gathering.
I wrote an article about this subject earlier this year after a tragic racetrack death. I will refer you to this for further reading.
Eagle Mountain won brilliantly at good odds ($5.70 with Sportingbet). Viva Pataca started odds-on favourite and ran 4th. Lush Lashes had a hard run in transit and faded.
This year's Melbourne Cup has thrown up a couple of anomalies.
The first being that Bauer actually ran 100th of a second faster than Viewed. Bauer was the fastest horse to cover the 3200m (microchip in the saddle). I thought he was certain to win 100 metres out - and even on the line I was not sure - but in the photo finish print you can see him 'tucked up' and not at full length. Viewed is around 17 hands - and Bauer 15.2 - so sometimes it seems that size does really matter after all.
When I wrote the first part of this story on the day prior the stewards' were not going to conclude the inquiry until Terry Henderson (part owner) returned from England. And they wouldn't declare openly the reason for the inquiry - apart from it not being drug related. The rumours and guesses were flying thick & fast and they were forced to bring forward the inquiry to the next day. Imagine leaving all this hanging for another week!
Yes - if Bauer had won I wonder if this would have changed opinions. But knowing that it was (would have been then) Bart Cummings & Dato Tan Chin Nam 2nd; Lloyd Williams 3rd & Danny O'Brien 4th - I doubt if any trainer/owner from this group would have pursued it further. I believe that their comments are sincere. They represent (much of) the cream of Australian racing. If a struggling owner & trainer were 2nd then a legal appeal may have been a possibility.
The Cumani's are extremely popular in Melbourne and well respected. Even though some racing journalists are taking a different line to me (and the QC & Racing Victoria) I think the outcome is the best possible.
And surely next time any veterinarian used and recommended by Racing Victoria will be well versed in the rules of racing! There is still an ongoing inquiry into the vet.
I will keep an eye and ear out for information about David while he is in Victoria. To date the local press have not really noticed - but that can change soon when he starts riding winners.
Good Ba Ba was beaten into 3rd placing in the International Mile Trial. Egyptian Ra (ridden a brilliant race by F Coetzee) lead all of the way and ran his rivals ragged. Good Ba Ba was 12 lengths behind in last position for most of the race before closing late to just grab 3rd position. All credit goes to the winner.
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Comment by Leonard Marlborough
on Melbourne Cup nominations: early thoughts
Racing Write
I agree with your views on Unsung Heroine. She was a very good staying juvenile in England - her St Leger effort behind Conduit was very good. A second to Conduit looks to be an exceptional form line. Be very interested to see her Australian debut.
Vigor has the advantage of being adaptable and able to get up on the speed. Would need to take another step up this campaign to beat the very best though - but that may not be beyond him (his current speedfigures not quite at Group One level).
Changingoftheguard (racing tomorrow in UK) is another likely visitor of great interest.
Speed Gifted looked sensational with his Winter win here - but just average speedfigures. But he can only improve over ground (and what a brilliant turn of foot!).
Shocking could be anything this next campaign.
Can’t discount Master O’Reilly either as he has had superior staying speedfigures for the past two years now.
and...
Hopefully Luca Cumani will improve his recent Italian acquisition, Basaltico, and bring him to Melbourne. The Melbourne Spring would not be the same without the ‘Cumani’s’ in attendance.