Sebring and Henrythenavigator
May 4th 2008 09:48
Henrythenavigator is the winner of the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket for 2008. He is the first horse to win this race by the official measure of a nose.
New Approach started favourite and was brave in defeat. This previously undefeated colt once again dictated from the front of the field, and although headed by Henrythenavigator he was rallying so strongly that he may well have won in another stride. Both colts will clash again in the Irish Guineas at The Curragh. Both of these colts are considered too brilliant by their trainers to be considered for starts in the more gruelling Epsom Derby.
In Australia the AJC Oaks was won (last Wednesday) by Heavenly Glow. No surprise to see her continue her strong form of late after a previous emphatic victory in the Arrowfield Stud Stakes. The surprise however was the disappointing run of multiple group winning filly (and Oaks favourite) Zarita. She looked a tired horse as she weakened into 8th place some eight lengths from the winner. It was her sixth run of this campaign, and the toll of rising to defeat quality opposition time after time appears quite evident.
The contrast comes from an unheralded horse racing last Saturday at Moonee Valley. Not A Copy was having his fourteenth start of a long campaign that began with a second at Benalla on the 7th of October, 2007. He looked set for consecutive victories this weekend when he got clear around the Moonee Valley turn, but was caught late by (fellow grey) In The Shadows. It is a credit to this horse’s durability, and the trainer’s (Nikki Burke) ability to have him up and competitive for such a prolonged time while still racing so consistently (only once out of a first four finish). Sometimes you can eke out a long campaign, but usually there are fluctuations in form, and towards the end a marked deterioration in performance.
On the same note Sebring was narrowly defeated by the expensive filly Samantha Miss (a 1.5 million dollar purchase at the Easter Yearling sales) after looking likely to become only the sixth 2yo to win the juvenile triple crown. Sebring had not been overtaxed leading into his success in the Golden Slipper, but has subsequently backed up quickly to win the Sires’ Produce Stakes and again (a brave second) in the Champagne stakes, each time rising 200 metres in distance. If at a peak (a balanced standard of fitness and freshness) to win the Golden Slipper, it cannot be expected that he would peak again two races later over an extra 400 metres. A great campaign from a most promising horse. And Samantha Miss repaid a great deal of her hefty price tag with this win, declaring that she has the potential to train on to be a classic 3yo, in addition to ensuring that in the future sales rings will be clamouring with interest for any foals that she may produce.
(News Limited picture)
Racing To Win was the most impressive victory of the weekend with a strong win in the All-Aged Stakes at Randwick. Although caught wide he sprinted quickly to claim Murtajill and win by a length, while Casino Prince continued his run of consistent performances in feature races with a closing third.
The Gem came back to Melbourne after failing in group company in Adelaide at her previous start. Quickly into the lead, and although very keen for first half of the (1533m) trip she had sufficient rest in middle stages to hold out Bird Of Fire (these two rated first and second by Speedratings).
New Approach started favourite and was brave in defeat. This previously undefeated colt once again dictated from the front of the field, and although headed by Henrythenavigator he was rallying so strongly that he may well have won in another stride. Both colts will clash again in the Irish Guineas at The Curragh. Both of these colts are considered too brilliant by their trainers to be considered for starts in the more gruelling Epsom Derby.
In Australia the AJC Oaks was won (last Wednesday) by Heavenly Glow. No surprise to see her continue her strong form of late after a previous emphatic victory in the Arrowfield Stud Stakes. The surprise however was the disappointing run of multiple group winning filly (and Oaks favourite) Zarita. She looked a tired horse as she weakened into 8th place some eight lengths from the winner. It was her sixth run of this campaign, and the toll of rising to defeat quality opposition time after time appears quite evident.
The contrast comes from an unheralded horse racing last Saturday at Moonee Valley. Not A Copy was having his fourteenth start of a long campaign that began with a second at Benalla on the 7th of October, 2007. He looked set for consecutive victories this weekend when he got clear around the Moonee Valley turn, but was caught late by (fellow grey) In The Shadows. It is a credit to this horse’s durability, and the trainer’s (Nikki Burke) ability to have him up and competitive for such a prolonged time while still racing so consistently (only once out of a first four finish). Sometimes you can eke out a long campaign, but usually there are fluctuations in form, and towards the end a marked deterioration in performance.
On the same note Sebring was narrowly defeated by the expensive filly Samantha Miss (a 1.5 million dollar purchase at the Easter Yearling sales) after looking likely to become only the sixth 2yo to win the juvenile triple crown. Sebring had not been overtaxed leading into his success in the Golden Slipper, but has subsequently backed up quickly to win the Sires’ Produce Stakes and again (a brave second) in the Champagne stakes, each time rising 200 metres in distance. If at a peak (a balanced standard of fitness and freshness) to win the Golden Slipper, it cannot be expected that he would peak again two races later over an extra 400 metres. A great campaign from a most promising horse. And Samantha Miss repaid a great deal of her hefty price tag with this win, declaring that she has the potential to train on to be a classic 3yo, in addition to ensuring that in the future sales rings will be clamouring with interest for any foals that she may produce.
Samantha Miss defeats Sebring
(News Limited picture)
Racing To Win was the most impressive victory of the weekend with a strong win in the All-Aged Stakes at Randwick. Although caught wide he sprinted quickly to claim Murtajill and win by a length, while Casino Prince continued his run of consistent performances in feature races with a closing third.
The Gem came back to Melbourne after failing in group company in Adelaide at her previous start. Quickly into the lead, and although very keen for first half of the (1533m) trip she had sufficient rest in middle stages to hold out Bird Of Fire (these two rated first and second by Speedratings).
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