Horse Racing Thread

[garryowen2323]

I am looking forward to it too but still looking forward to the end of season biggies in Europe, North America, Hong Kong, Japan and all the good stuff still to come in Australia.

It's just getting started over here lads! Commanding Jewel won the 1,000 Guineas at Caulfield yesterday at 9/1 beating my bet Dear Demi (10/1). Winner was ridden by Damien Oliver (of Media Puzzle fame).

Oliver hit the headlines here at the weekend amid reports that he bet $10k on the winning favourite in a race in which he finished second. He has been dumped for the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup ride on My Quest For Peace (Luca Cumani) and is going down the legal route of claiming his riding fee for the race. He also got jocked off Green Moon in the Cox Plate but since he's owned by the powerful Lloyd Williams it looks like he won't be making a claim there!

Barrier draw for the Caulfield Cup (Saturday) was made yesterday and favourite Glencadam Gold (see #1457 above!) along with Dunaden and Americain (Melbourne Cup winners) are drawn shockingly. Lights of Heaven for Moody/Nolan has been the main mover since the draw (8s from 11s). Colm O'Donoghue is over riding for Marco Botti in the race also. He seems to be jet-lag immune these days!

[Benny]

Nice one. I am looking forward to both the racing itself this weekend and your thoughts on it.

About time Colm was recognised too. He is, in my opinion, an underrated jockey.

[the plastic paddy]

Punchestown yesterday and Cheltenham today means the proper horses are back!!!

[fitzy73]

Punchestown yesterday and Cheltenham today means the proper horses are back!!!

I was at home in Limerick for the Munster national on Sunday. Good race. I'd forgotten just how cold it is there (and it was "sunny"!). Ruby rode two great winners and I was saved from ruin by a 16/1 winner in the last ...

[Benny]

Punchestown yesterday and Cheltenham today means the proper horses are back!!!

Yeah who cares about the best horse in the world when you can enjoy watching some old plodders trying to stay on their feet long enough to crawl over the finish line.

[Benny]

Mind you I like the look of the 3:55 at Cheltenham. Very interesting to see how Sea Of Thunder gets on. However I am having just the tiniest wee wager on Tour Des Champs. Ruby's horse is interesting as well. Of course now none of these 3 will win.

[Benny]

Race here...

http://tykestv.eu/tykes1.php

[Benny]

Well Ruby's horse Sire Collonges wins it by about 1.5l from Sea of Thunder despite a serious error at the second last. Tour Des Champs falls at the second last when looking booked for 3rd place after a decent run.

[Benny]

Great race this morning for the Caulfield Cup. Dunaden just getting up on the line to snatch it.

[Benny]

These are my interests today on what is certainly a great day of racing.

Ascot:
13:45: Long Distance Cup(Group 3): I'm going to take just a little chance that Fame and Glory will come back to form and take this on ground which should be no issue for him.

14:20: Sprint Stakes(Group 2): Two that interest me are Wizz Kid after her excellent win in the Abbaye and Slade Power who I was very impressed with in his runs this year and as a 3Y0 with just 6 runs he is still improving.

14:55: Fillies Stakes(Group 2): Sapphire will be favourite here for Weld and will be well fancied to win but I am looking at La Pomme Damour who beat Arc winner Solemia earlier in the year at Deauville.

15:30: QE2 Stakes(Group 1): One of the top mile races of the year and Excelebration is likely to be odds on. Easy to see why as he has only ever been beaten by Frankel(apart from his first ever run) However on this ground I wouldn't rule out Cityscape giving him a lot to think about.

16:05: Champion Stakes(Group 1) So it is mighty Frankel's final race and today he will face probably his toughest opponent ever in the shape of the truly top class Cirrus Des Aigles. If ever Frankel was to taste defeat today is that day. Everything is in Cirrus Des Aigles favour in terms of the ground. If he can display his usual brilliance he can give Frankel a run for it IMO. In a way it would be a shame if he was to be beaten, especially with Henry in such poor health, but there is no sentiment during the race. Anyway I'll have a tanner or two on Cirrus Des Aigles just in case.



Cheltenham.

14:00: Talkonthestreet

14:30: I'd like to see Tartak coming back to his best. The other one I'd look at would be Bobowen

15:40: I wouldn't rule out a good run again for Chicago Grey in this. The other one of interest to me is Darna.

[Benny]

Frankel with all the class does it again. I actually think that is his most impressive performance given the horses which finished second and third and his poor start. Cirrus Des Aigles is top class as is Nathaniel and he won with enough ease but as I suspected did not brush Cirrus Des Aigles away with contempt......In one way it was kind of like Montjeu's win in the King George. A wonderful ending to a fantastic career and I'm delighted for Henry Cecil and Khalid Abdullah who have boty given so much to this sport over the years.

Excelebration was hugely impressive as well.

[garryowen2323]

Well lads I finally got to see the weekends racing. Frankel as convincing as ever! Fair play to the boys for training him on as a 4 year old. Without him this year would have been a boring affair! Apologies for lack of tips over the last few weeks. Gold Coast 7s and Bledislow came calling.

I'll be doing my annual write-up on the Melbourne Cup in the next week or so. Few of the Aussies here don't know the European form and vice versa with the lads at home. It doesn't guarantee a winner unfortunately but I'll be giving form facts and figures and then my own opinion on each starter. If anyone here wants me to include them in the list just PM me your email address.

[garryowen2323]

Some cracking racing this weekend in Moonee Valley for Cox Plate weekend. Weight for age races mainly. Starts with an evening meeting today (early morning in Ireland) and tomorrow is an afternoon meeting (overnight in Ireland). My main interests below:

Friday
R4 - Angelic Light
R5 - Counter Sign EW
R6 - Bel Sprinter EW

Saturday
R1 Diva Dee EW
R6 Midas Touch (watch the Cumani horse Ibicenco over from UK)
R6 Fictional Account EW
R7 Silent Achiever

R8 Cox Plate (7.15AM in Ireland)
4 horses in single figure prices. Green Moon (5.5), Ocean Park (6.5), More Joyous (7.0) and Pierro (4.2)

Green Moon - Carrying too much weight for me and is just one of those horses I don't like
Ocean Park - On a roll this year but again just doesn't do it for me
More Joyous - Complaints about the barrier (11) that Gai picked against the owners wishes. For me she picked the stall to let the mare bounce out, dictate the pace and kick on from the front. Great chance
Pierro - Disappointing in the Guineas beaten by All Too Hard (Black Caviar's full brother). I'd be willing to forgive him that run
All Too Hard (10.0) and Proisir (10.0) are next in betting. The former has flattered to deceive too many times for me and the latter shouldn't beat his two stablesmates (More Joyous/Pierro)

Winner for me in More Joyous. Written off by many, I think she can bounce back to form and lead from pillar to post. Pierro will probably stalk her most of the way. For those looking for each way value, if they go a fair clip from the front (very likely if More Joyous doesn't take it up or is challenged) then look no further than Ethiopia (21.0) who will be powering home at the finish and swallowing up half the field.

[the plastic paddy]

Garryowen2323, thought you might be interested to hear that Harry Fry, who is now training Rock on Ruby in his own right, ably assisted/ tutored by Richard Barber, has made a fantastic start to his training career. His first six runners have yielded two wins at 10s and 6s respectively a second at 20s and a close third (to Carlito Brigante) in a very hot novice chase at Cheltenham. He is making as much use as he can of Noel Fehily who is riding beautifully: his ride on the winner of the 4.15 at Ludlow yesterday was as good as I have seen from anyone since Barry Geraghty's miracle ride on Riverside theatre at Cheltenham. Everyone is writing off Rock on Ruby's champion hurdle success, but his style and profile reminds me a lot of Hardy Eustace. The most talented hurdler might well be Hurricane Fly but I don't think the horse gets up the hill, something which Rock on Ruby relishes. Harry Fry brings another great bonus because his horses tend to lengthen in the market rather than start 3 points too short and shorten further as horses trained by Nicholls do.

[Benny]

Some cracking racing this weekend in Moonee Valley for Cox Plate weekend. Weight for age races mainly. Starts with an evening meeting today (early morning in Ireland) and tomorrow is an afternoon meeting (overnight in Ireland). My main interests below:

Friday
R4 - Angelic Light
R5 - Counter Sign EW
R6 - Bel Sprinter EW

Saturday
R1 Diva Dee EW
R6 Midas Touch (watch the Cumani horse Ibicenco over from UK)
R6 Fictional Account EW
R7 Silent Achiever

R8 Cox Plate (7.15AM in Ireland)
4 horses in single figure prices. Green Moon (5.5), Ocean Park (6.5), More Joyous (7.0) and Pierro (4.2)

Green Moon - Carrying too much weight for me and is just one of those horses I don't like
Ocean Park - On a roll this year but again just doesn't do it for me
More Joyous - Complaints about the barrier (11) that Gai picked against the owners wishes. For me she picked the stall to let the mare bounce out, dictate the pace and kick on from the front. Great chance
Pierro - Disappointing in the Guineas beaten by All Too Hard (Black Caviar's full brother). I'd be willing to forgive him that run
All Too Hard (10.0) and Proisir (10.0) are next in betting. The former has flattered to deceive too many times for me and the latter shouldn't beat his two stablesmates (More Joyous/Pierro)

Winner for me in More Joyous. Written off by many, I think she can bounce back to form and lead from pillar to post. Pierro will probably stalk her most of the way. For those looking for each way value, if they go a fair clip from the front (very likely if More Joyous doesn't take it up or is challenged) then look no further than Ethiopia (21.0) who will be powering home at the finish and swallowing up half the field.

I missed today's racing but I am really looking forward to tomorrow...Cox Plate especially. Love More Joyous since you highlighted her last year. Would be great to see her bag this big prize.

[Benny]

Garryowen2323, thought you might be interested to hear that Harry Fry, who is now training Rock on Ruby in his own right, ably assisted/ tutored by Richard Barber, has made a fantastic start to his training career. His first six runners have yielded two wins at 10s and 6s respectively a second at 20s and a close third (to Carlito Brigante) in a very hot novice chase at Cheltenham. He is making as much use as he can of Noel Fehily who is riding beautifully: his ride on the winner of the 4.15 at Ludlow yesterday was as good as I have seen from anyone since Barry Geraghty's miracle ride on Riverside theatre at Cheltenham. Everyone is writing off Rock on Ruby's champion hurdle success, but his style and profile reminds me a lot of Hardy Eustace. The most talented hurdler might well be Hurricane Fly but I don't think the horse gets up the hill, something which Rock on Ruby relishes. Harry Fry brings another great bonus because his horses tend to lengthen in the market rather than start 3 points to short and shorten further as horses trained by Nicholls do.

Nice one TPP. I like Rock on Ruby and looking forward to seeing him this year. Noel Fehily still underrated by many. I think he's very good.

[Benny]

Excellent Listed race on in Dundalk this evening. Starspangledbanner is favourite but I find it hard to see him winning. Racing Post is going for Balmont Mast with Murtagh on board but I'm not sure about him here. I actually give a bit of a chance here to the old boy Borderlescott. He showed at Beverley he is still a bit of a force and he has a lovely draw. To be honest though you could run this 5 times and get a different result each time.

[Benny]

TPP....Good race tomorrow at Aintree, The Old Roan Chase....This signals the start of the NH season proper for me and is always a race I look forward to. I see one of my favourites is in here, Wishfull Thinking but there's plenty of horses here who you could make a case for. Noble Prince is the current favourite.

[the plastic paddy]

Love the dedication to Monet's garden, still going strong after all his problems. In that race, I like the Nicholls horse Pacha du polder; they almost routinely operate on their horses after every season and I have a feeling he is a horse that could sprout wings early season for a bit of soft pallet tweaking.

[Benny]

Excellent Listed race on in Dundalk this evening. Starspangledbanner is favourite but I find it hard to see him winning. Racing Post is going for Balmont Mast with Murtagh on board but I'm not sure about him here. I actually give a bit of a chance here to the old boy Borderlescott. He showed at Beverley he is still a bit of a force and he has a lovely draw. To be honest though you could run this 5 times and get a different result each time.

Well the Racing Post got it right. Seems I have a long way to go to trouble their experts.

[Benny]

Love the dedication to Monet's garden, still going strong after all his problems. In that race, I like the Nicholls horse Pacha du polder; they almost routinely operate on their horses after every season and I have a feeling he is a horse that could sprout wings early season for a bit of soft pallet tweaking.

Ah old Monet's Garden. I remember backing him in the Novice Hurdle at Aintree back in 2004 when he was beaten by Garde Champetre. Stuck with him and he came good the following year in the Liverpool Hurdle. Always had a soft spot for him. Probably because of him being a grey but he was seriously classy as well.

Pacha De Polder is an interesting one alright. The way he won at Ayr last year suggests he could be pretty good. Bit of an ask straight out of Novice ranks and only a 5YO but he has a nice weight here and it wouldn't be the first time Nicholls won a big chase with a 5Y0.

[garryowen2323]

A couple of winners this weekend. Nothing to write home about unfortunately. The Cox Plate wasn't run the way I thought it would be either. Mopre Joyous never made it across to lead or dictate pace and mad to work hard 3 wide all the way around.

Some cracking racing this weekend in Moonee Valley for Cox Plate weekend. Weight for age races mainly. Starts with an evening meeting today (early morning in Ireland) and tomorrow is an afternoon meeting (overnight in Ireland). My main interests below:

Friday
R4 - Angelic Light - Won well at 4.25
R5 - Counter Sign EW - 5th at 10.0
R6 - Bel Sprinter EW - A poor 7th at 12.0

Saturday
R1 Diva Dee EW - 2nd by a short head
R6 Midas Touch (watch the Cumani horse Ibicenco over from UK) - Stinker trailing in second last. Riden all wrong from the front
R6 Fictional Account EW - NR
R7 Silent Achiever - Winenr at 6.0

R8 Cox Plate (7.15AM in Ireland)
4 horses in single figure prices. Green Moon (5.5), Ocean Park (6.5), More Joyous (7.0) and Pierro (4.2)

Green Moon - Carrying too much weight for me and is just one of those horses I don't like - Never in the race finishing 7th
Ocean Park - On a roll this year but again just doesn't do it for me - Still on a roll winning at 6.0. Very impressive chasing down the lighter 3 year old to win
More Joyous - Complaints about the barrier (11) that Gai picked against the owners wishes. For me she picked the stall to let the mare bounce out, dictate the pace and kick on from the front. Great chance - The draw killed her in the end. Failed to get across from the start and ran wide all the way around. Nothing left in the tank at the finish then
Pierro - Disappointing in the Guineas beaten by All Too Hard (Black Caviar's full brother). I'd be willing to forgive him that run - Ran his race but wasn't good enough. Hasn't trained on as well as All Too Hard at 3 I think.
All Too Hard (10.0) - Very impresssive second place. Best of the 3 year olds now I think. Changed my opinion of him completely now. and Proisir (10.0) are next in betting. The former has flattered to deceive too many times for me and the latter shouldn't beat his two stablesmates (More Joyous/Pierro)

Winner for me in More Joyous. Written off by many, I think she can bounce back to form and lead from pillar to post. Pierro will probably stalk her most of the way. For those looking for each way value, if they go a fair clip from the front (very likely if More Joyous doesn't take it up or is challenged) then look no further than Ethiopia (21.0) - Ridden from the front for first time in his career! Battled gamely to finish in 4th. Wouldn't rule out of Melbourne Cup equations yet who will be powering home at the finish and swallowing up half the field.

[garryowen2323]

Garryowen2323, thought you might be interested to hear that Harry Fry, who is now training Rock on Ruby in his own right, ably assisted/ tutored by Richard Barber, has made a fantastic start to his training career. His first six runners have yielded two wins at 10s and 6s respectively a second at 20s and a close third (to Carlito Brigante) in a very hot novice chase at Cheltenham. He is making as much use as he can of Noel Fehily who is riding beautifully: his ride on the winner of the 4.15 at Ludlow yesterday was as good as I have seen from anyone since Barry Geraghty's miracle ride on Riverside theatre at Cheltenham. Everyone is writing off Rock on Ruby's champion hurdle success, but his style and profile reminds me a lot of Hardy Eustace. The most talented hurdler might well be Hurricane Fly but I don't think the horse gets up the hill, something which Rock on Ruby relishes. Harry Fry brings another great bonus because his horses tend to lengthen in the market rather than start 3 points too short and shorten further as horses trained by Nicholls do.

You're right Paddy............very interested to hear about Harry Fry and Rock On Ruby. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for him now. Saw the Old Roan Chase Saturday ngiht over here. Definitely a sign that the National Hunt season is kicking into gear. PM me your email address if you would like me to send on my Melbourne Cup preview to you (it'll be a few pages long so won't be posting here!)

[garryowen2323]

Anyone else getting excited about this weekends racing?! Breeders Cup, Derby Day, Laddies Chase, Champion Chase, Charlie Hall, Cork National, Melbourne Cup

[Benny]

Yes it is a fantastic weekend of racing. Any chance of a write-up on the Flemington action Garryowen2323?

Breeders Cup starting tonight and these are my interests. Picking 2 in most races

Juvenile Sprint: Hazardous
Marathon: Wouldn't rule out Sense of Purpose for Weld, also looking at Juniper Pass
Juvenile Fillies Turf: Flotilla and Kitten Point
Juvenile Fillies: Dreaming of Julia(Nap)
Fillies and Mare Turf: I like Ridasiyna but worried about her having the speed so also also looking at Zagora
Ladies Classic: Class race with at least 3 top class fillies. I am just going to side with My Miss Aurelia.

[Benny]

Outsiders party in the first two races.

But in the Juvenile fillies turf Flotilla with legend Christophe Lemaire on board cruises to victory for a brilliant win @ 8/1.

Can the same team do it again with Ridasiyna?

[Benny]

Disappointing run from Dreaming of Julia. She just never travelled and ended up coming third.

Great win though from Zagora @ 12/1 who showed her usual great turn of pace. The Fugue will be considered an unlucky loser and Buick said she'd have won with a clear run but I am not convinced. I don't think she would have had the finishing speed of Zagora. Ridasiyna ended up fourth after being held up and finishing like a train. She really wanted a bit more distance as did The Fugue in my opinion.

Now I am really excited about the Ladies Classic. This could be one of the races of the meeting. Just hope My Miss Aurelia can do the business to give me a third win today.

[Benny]

Brilliant race as Royal Delta leads all the way and wins the race for the second year with My Miss Aurelia finishing second.

[the plastic paddy]

Just had a bit of a word for Henryville in the 4.15 at Ascot. The yard had a very nice type finish second to a Nicholls good thing at Taunton this week in a bumper and this one is meant to be better. I have had a little bit EW with Mr Power at 12s.

[Munstermaniac]

Wouldn't have known much about the non EU horses at last nights Breeders Cup so stuck with the Racing Post recommendations. Had 2 nice winners in Flotilla and Zagora. They also tipped the winner of the BC marathon as well. Might just follow them over the cliff tonoght.

Flotilla was very impressive btw. Looked like only joined in at the 2 furlong marker.