2000 Guineas

We're not comparing like with like, though, EC1. You use different standard times.

I have Intense Focus on 110+wfa compared with New Approach's 126 (+5 wfa) in the Champion Stakes later that day.

New Approach 115+wfa only won by ½l (Literato's Champion wasn't true-run so I didn't give it a figure)
Teofilo 118+wfa won by a sh hd (Pride's also slowish)
Sir Percy 104+wfa won by a neck (cf DAvid Junior 116 +5 wfa)
Shamardal 110+wfa won by 2½l (cf Haafhd 121 +5wfa)
Milk It Mick 102+wfa (cf Ratki 126)
(Don't have 2002 to hand for some reason)
Rock Of Gibraltar 88+wfa (cf Nayef 112 +5wfa)

So you see there's quite a variation.

According to my figures, Intense focus isn't far behind New Approach or Teofilo, both of which were reckoned outstanding 2yos, better than Sir Percy, who wasn't rated highly, equal to Shamardal, who was, and far better than Rock Of Gibraltar who improved with racing to become a legend at 3yo.

I reckon the Dewhurst form from last year will stand the test this season and the well beaten fifth has already won the Free Handicap quite handsomely.
 
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I agree i do use my own Standards - for the simple reason I don't like the RP ones - looking at Gareth's thread that seems a fair decision too.

lets just remove the standard times for a mo

I make the challenge stakes in most of those years a fair marker - compare the Dewhurst time and you will get pretty good figures for the dewhurst - not exact to the nearest lb obviously - is owt?

yes its just one race time...but as its a decent marker- and its the same distance

there is no way I can get IF's figure close to Teofilo or NA's
 
its interesting that Delegator as hung either right or left on all his runs bar one..when he ran on rain softened ground..it could be fair comment that he needs softer ground to be comfortable...I really don't fancy him for it anyway..even less so when looking at his form in that way- + the trainer comment

looks a massive lay to me on fast ground
 
A bit of emotional blackmailing from meehan already.....

Personally Im fed up with all this water ground all over the flat courses, just becasue they are related to sadlers well and needs a bit of a dig.... I long to see flat racing on good/firm ground. Somethign we will never get anytime soon in England due to political correctness and trainers like Meehan moaning. Flat horses should run on fast/good ground.
 
The going description in England is actually not great Gareth compare to somewhere like Hong Kong. Clerk of the course say what they want from their going stick. There is a very good thread about going description on the Betfair forum..under ante post horse racing. There seems to be no consistency between Clerk of the courses.
 
Personally Im fed up with all this water ground all over the flat courses, just becasue they are related to sadlers well and needs a bit of a dig.... I long to see flat racing on good/firm ground. Somethign we will never get anytime soon in England due to political correctness and trainers like Meehan moaning. Flat horses should run on fast/good ground.
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You need the weather first...

The going description in England is actually not great Gareth compare to somewhere like Hong Kong. Clerk of the course say what they want from their going stick. There is a very good thread about going description on the Betfair forum..under ante post horse racing. There seems to be no consistency between Clerk of the courses.
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They're still far, far better than the clerks at the big Paris tracks for whom the ground is never faster than 'Good'.
 
Problem in France is that they take the going at the start of the day at something like 9am hence the problem....
 
Will said:
A bit of emotional blackmailing from meehan already.....

Personally Im fed up with all this water ground all over the flat courses, just becasue they are related to sadlers well and needs a bit of a dig.... I long to see flat racing on good/firm ground. Somethign we will never get anytime soon in England due to political correctness and trainers like Meehan moaning. Flat horses should run on fast/good ground.
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Would agree with that.
 
Could not agree more sick and tired of this constant watering of tracks,sandown was great on saturday they only put water on nh course the good flat track allowed good horses like paco boy pipedreamer tartan bearer to run to form,you need good good to firm ground to give everyone a chance.
 
From O'Brien's stable tour in the Racing Post today:

Mastercraftsman -

"He did very well last season winning two Group 1s. He's won on ground ranging from heavy to good to firm so he has shown that he is adaptable. He is a big colt and a very good mover with a long low action that covers a huge amount of ground. For those reasons, we think he should appreciate better ground. Everything has gone to plan with his 2000 Guineas preparation and while he has another bit to do in the next couple of days, we are very happy with him"

Rip Van Winkle -

"He had a hold up early in the year but everything has gone well with him since he worked at The Curragh late last month. He is a very good mover, like Mastercraftsman and has alot of class. He is a natural athlete and is a colt with a lot of speed. He's a horse you just have to mind, as he doesnt need a lot of work, he is naturally very fit and clear winded. The 2000 Guineas is the plan. Being by Galileo we are hopeing he will get further than a mile but we will wait and see how things go at Newmarket"
 
I'm pretty sure where I want to be this year. Just waiting for the 5-day confirmations and any supplementary entries now.
 
5 day stage:

Rip Van Winkle
Mastercraftsman
Delegator
Evasive
Arazan
Sea The Stars
Intense Focus
Cityscape
Westphalia
Lord Shanakill
Finjann
Ashram
Himalya
Gan Amhras
Monitor Closely
Shaweel
Zafiso
On Our Way
Set Sail
Imperial Guest
Oceans Minstrel
Pure Poetry
Ouqba
Grand Ducal
 
Fairly happy with my position. I went over board on Raven`s Pass last year without any cover.

£100 win Mastercraftsman at an average price of 63/10 (14s down to 5/1)

£25 win Crowded House :confused:

£20 win RvW @ 72/10
 
Galileo said:
5 day stage:

Rip Van Winkle
Mastercraftsman
Delegator
Evasive
Arazan
Sea The Stars
Intense Focus
Cityscape
Westphalia
Lord Shanakill
Finjann
Ashram
Himalya
Gan Amhras
Monitor Closely
Shaweel
Zafiso
On Our Way
Set Sail
Imperial Guest
Oceans Minstrel
Pure Poetry
Ouqba
Grand Ducal
Click to expand...


Great Gal! Are you sure Ouqba has been supplemented and that he's the only one. I can't seem to get confirmation of this?

Are these official... why not in alpha order?


Note that Westphalia and Set Sail are virtually certain to return to Longchamp rather than Newmarket.
 
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