Wrong Horse!
January 14th 2009 04:47
Although they must be congratulated on the formation of an all inclusive (northern and southern hemisphere) yearly rankings system, the international panel of handicappers who rate and rank the racehorses of the world, must take criticism for their decision to rank New Approach and Curlin as equal best horses in the world for 2008.
(Photograph: Michel Euler/AP))
World Thoroughbred Rankings 2008
130 New Approach, Curlin
129 Raven's Pass
128 Zarkava
127 Duke Of Marmalade
125 Big Brown, Conduit, Goldikova, Henrythenavigator, Montmartre, Youmzain, Zenyatta
It is a staggering conclusion to rate the undefeated French filly (winner of the 2008 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in devastating style) as only fourth best thoroughbred in 2008.
Of course some may say that given the rankings are weight-based, then with a mares allowance Zarkava is actually ‘weighted’ best on what would be 134 pounds. But that is sleight of hand. That is not good enough.
It is not necessary to decry the brilliant performances of equal best ranked horses, Curlin and New Approach, to elevate the status of (and case for) Zarkava.
Zarkava would emphatically win each classic race presented her - dominated her age and sex - until culminating in a brilliant victory against all-comers in the greatest race of the turf, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Oh - except that all did not come. Reference (by the panel) is made to the lesser quality of the 2008 Arc - a reason given to downgrade the performance of Zarkava.
Well, they were welcome. Curlin’s connections toyed with the prospect. But did not show. New Approach’s connection’s toyed with the prospect. Another no show.
In winning the Arc she demolished Duke Of Marmalade (weighted only one pound inferior) as well as Youmzain. That she defeated two horses ranked in the current top 10 - Duke Of Marmalade (5th) and Youmzain (equal 7th) would attest to the Arc being a stronger test than the Champion Stakes at Newmarket won by New Approach - which is his benchmark race.
Perhaps I was overconfident in my belief that common-sense (facts and figures) would prevail - and Zarkava would be given her true position. But no. Not to be. And the lack of logic is almost indefensible.
Curlin is clearly the best dirt horse in the world. No debate. Fact.
At year’s end Curlin was defeated by Raven’s Pass and Henrythenavigator in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on a synthetic track. His season was brilliant - but not perfect.
But this year the turf horses have (in my opinion) exceeded that of the best on dirt. Except that I don’t believe New Approach is the best turf horse of 2008. The aura of his Epson Derby win the elevation to great heights - but it was to be his six length win of the Newmarket Champion Stakes that was the deciding factor in his equal first ranking. Please! Inferior opposition (Septimus showed in Melbourne the value of demolishing a field supposedly Group One standard with his utter failure when tested here). Second to New Approach in the Champion Stakes was Twice Over - who is ranked outside the top 50 horses in world rankings. New Approach should have been at Longchamp running in the Arc.
Oh - there was some problem in granting a ‘pony’ to lead the notoriously fractious New Approach to the barrier in France - as had been done in England to delay the starts of the 2,000 Guineas (oops...beaten by Henrythenavigator) and the Epsom Derby. Perhaps the French could have asked for someone to stand behind Zarkava’s barrier to scare her into jumping with the field - as she so notoriously missed the start by lengths on many occasions.
And New Approach was beaten each and every time by Henrythenavigator. New Approach’s season was brilliant - but not perfect.
Really, only one horse had a perfect year of 2008. And that horse was the incomparable Zarkava.
Raven’s Pass - third on 129 pounds - is a logical decision. Winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (no Mickey Mouse event this - defeating Henrythenavigator and Curlin) and after a consistent season he developed into a horse of the highest calibre by seasons end.
I return again to my old friend Henrythenavigator. Never once defeated by New Approach - and a brilliant end of season second to Raven’s Pass in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Frankie Dettori’s ride on Raven’s Pass a gem - and perhaps the difference between two horses of almost equal ability).
The Cartier European Horse Of The Year of 2008 went to Zarkava - who defeated Raven’s Pass, Henrythenavigator, New Approach and Duke Of Marmalade. They got it right!
I still believe my own assessment/predictions to be valid for year 2008.
My suggestions for top 10 for 2008:
(the official rankings for 2008 in brackets)
1 Zarkava (4th)
2 Curlin (equal 1st)
3 New Approach (equal 1st)
4 Raven's Pass (3rd)
5 Henrythenavigator (equal 6th)
6 Duke Of Marmalade (5th)
7 Big Brown (equal 6th)
8 Conduit (equal 6th)
9 Goldikova (equal 6th)
10 Zenyatta (equal 6th)
10 Montmartre (equal 6th)
10 Vodka (equal 41st...I was pushing for the Asia/Pacific region...still think this ranking is wrong too)
10 Good Ba Ba (equal 13th)
Watch Zarkava win the 2008 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The call is in French (enjoy) but she is easy to find back inside near the rear of the field in green colours and nose roll - and she is lengths clear at the finish:
Zarkava: Horse Of The Year (well, she should be!)
(Photograph: Michel Euler/AP))
World Thoroughbred Rankings 2008
130 New Approach, Curlin
129 Raven's Pass
128 Zarkava
127 Duke Of Marmalade
125 Big Brown, Conduit, Goldikova, Henrythenavigator, Montmartre, Youmzain, Zenyatta
It is a staggering conclusion to rate the undefeated French filly (winner of the 2008 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in devastating style) as only fourth best thoroughbred in 2008.
Of course some may say that given the rankings are weight-based, then with a mares allowance Zarkava is actually ‘weighted’ best on what would be 134 pounds. But that is sleight of hand. That is not good enough.
It is not necessary to decry the brilliant performances of equal best ranked horses, Curlin and New Approach, to elevate the status of (and case for) Zarkava.
Zarkava would emphatically win each classic race presented her - dominated her age and sex - until culminating in a brilliant victory against all-comers in the greatest race of the turf, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Oh - except that all did not come. Reference (by the panel) is made to the lesser quality of the 2008 Arc - a reason given to downgrade the performance of Zarkava.
Well, they were welcome. Curlin’s connections toyed with the prospect. But did not show. New Approach’s connection’s toyed with the prospect. Another no show.
In winning the Arc she demolished Duke Of Marmalade (weighted only one pound inferior) as well as Youmzain. That she defeated two horses ranked in the current top 10 - Duke Of Marmalade (5th) and Youmzain (equal 7th) would attest to the Arc being a stronger test than the Champion Stakes at Newmarket won by New Approach - which is his benchmark race.
Perhaps I was overconfident in my belief that common-sense (facts and figures) would prevail - and Zarkava would be given her true position. But no. Not to be. And the lack of logic is almost indefensible.
Curlin is clearly the best dirt horse in the world. No debate. Fact.
At year’s end Curlin was defeated by Raven’s Pass and Henrythenavigator in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on a synthetic track. His season was brilliant - but not perfect.
But this year the turf horses have (in my opinion) exceeded that of the best on dirt. Except that I don’t believe New Approach is the best turf horse of 2008. The aura of his Epson Derby win the elevation to great heights - but it was to be his six length win of the Newmarket Champion Stakes that was the deciding factor in his equal first ranking. Please! Inferior opposition (Septimus showed in Melbourne the value of demolishing a field supposedly Group One standard with his utter failure when tested here). Second to New Approach in the Champion Stakes was Twice Over - who is ranked outside the top 50 horses in world rankings. New Approach should have been at Longchamp running in the Arc.
Oh - there was some problem in granting a ‘pony’ to lead the notoriously fractious New Approach to the barrier in France - as had been done in England to delay the starts of the 2,000 Guineas (oops...beaten by Henrythenavigator) and the Epsom Derby. Perhaps the French could have asked for someone to stand behind Zarkava’s barrier to scare her into jumping with the field - as she so notoriously missed the start by lengths on many occasions.
And New Approach was beaten each and every time by Henrythenavigator. New Approach’s season was brilliant - but not perfect.
Really, only one horse had a perfect year of 2008. And that horse was the incomparable Zarkava.
Raven’s Pass - third on 129 pounds - is a logical decision. Winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (no Mickey Mouse event this - defeating Henrythenavigator and Curlin) and after a consistent season he developed into a horse of the highest calibre by seasons end.
I return again to my old friend Henrythenavigator. Never once defeated by New Approach - and a brilliant end of season second to Raven’s Pass in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Frankie Dettori’s ride on Raven’s Pass a gem - and perhaps the difference between two horses of almost equal ability).
The Cartier European Horse Of The Year of 2008 went to Zarkava - who defeated Raven’s Pass, Henrythenavigator, New Approach and Duke Of Marmalade. They got it right!
I still believe my own assessment/predictions to be valid for year 2008.
My suggestions for top 10 for 2008:
(the official rankings for 2008 in brackets)
1 Zarkava (4th)
2 Curlin (equal 1st)
3 New Approach (equal 1st)
4 Raven's Pass (3rd)
5 Henrythenavigator (equal 6th)
6 Duke Of Marmalade (5th)
7 Big Brown (equal 6th)
8 Conduit (equal 6th)
9 Goldikova (equal 6th)
10 Zenyatta (equal 6th)
10 Montmartre (equal 6th)
10 Vodka (equal 41st...I was pushing for the Asia/Pacific region...still think this ranking is wrong too)
10 Good Ba Ba (equal 13th)
Watch Zarkava win the 2008 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The call is in French (enjoy) but she is easy to find back inside near the rear of the field in green colours and nose roll - and she is lengths clear at the finish:
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