Follow the stars

[followingthestars]

Would love to hear your thoughts on Follow The Stars and how far you think he will go ?

[brent_L]

As dominant a performance(s) as I've seen by a young horse. It looks as though he has all the attributes that will propel him to at least the equal of the best 2yo I've seen in Lombo Pocket Watch. From there it's the lofty heights of Courage Under Fire's 3yo term (ahh the memories, especially the Gold Coast Derby)......I know that's a big stretch but Purdon certainly has set the bar high in declaring he may be better than a younger Smolda. Can he be as special as the 'pocket rocket'?? 24 straight wins says probably not. From there he'd have to break the 'mould'. I am yet to see a champion 2/3yo turn out to be the grand circuits best (Blackie was robbed of his chance through injury but that may have been a blessing in disguise). Time will tell though Mark, but one things for sure, it will be exciting viewing.

[Triple V]

I am yet to see a champion 2/3yo turn out to be the grand circuits best (Blackie was robbed of his chance through injury but that may have been a blessing in disguise).

VVV- Golden Reign & Shakamaker spring to mind. Also Divisive and Smooth Satin.

[aussiebreno]

VVV- Golden Reign & Shakamaker spring to mind. Also Divisive and Smooth Satin.
Courage may not have been the best Grand Circuit but he was still bloody good and if those four get a mention so should Courage.

As for putting a ceiling or expectation on Follow the Stars, I am just happy to watch and enjoy!

[eliteblood]

Hondo Grattan, Paleface Adios, Westburn Grant,

[brent_L]

VVV- Golden Reign & Shakamaker spring to mind. Also Divisive and Smooth Satin.
Golden Reign was slightly before my time so I can't give an opinion.
What I was getting at is that I have yet to see the best 2/3yo turn out to be the best at their craft as an open class horse. Courage was very good but I don't believe he was a cut above in open class and Divisive & SS don't fit that criteria either IMO. Others that immediately come to mind who failed to replicate their juvenile dominance are Lombo PW, Captain Joy & Sushi. Just saying (in my time) it seems nigh on impossible to be the 'best' after dominating as a young horse. Here's hoping FTStars can buck the trend.

[Triple V]

Golden Reign was slightly before my time so I can't give an opinion.
What I was getting at is that I have yet to see the best 2/3yo turn out to be the best at their craft as an open class horse. Courage was very good but I don't believe he was a cut above in open class and Divisive & SS don't fit that criteria either IMO. Others that immediately come to mind who failed to replicate their juvenile dominance are Lombo PW, Captain Joy & Sushi. Just saying (in my time) it seems nigh on impossible to be the 'best' after dominating as a young horse. Here's hoping FTStars can buck the trend.

VVV- Both Divisive and Smooth Satin were exceptional juveniles that went on to win Miracle Miles. Not sure how much more they could have done. Golden Reign won the APG Final as a 2yo and went on to win an ID Final as an aged horse. Shakamaker the same. I forgot about Tailamade Lombo. Exceptional juvenile, exceptional Aged horse.

[Richard prior]

Brent, I think that Divisive done pretty well for himself,
Won 2yr old Breeders Crown
Won Vic Derby
Won Aust Derby
Won NSW Detby
Won Tas Derby
2nd 3yr old Breeders Crown
Won Miracle Mile
2nd Interdom
2nd WA Pacing Cup
2nd Fremantle Cup before injury finished his career, Another factor that might have been overlooked is the quality of his opposition, He raced some Superstars in his career and was right up there with them.

[Richard prior]

Very hard for a mare or filly to compete against the boys but Tailamade Lombo also done a pretty fair job,
Won 2yr old Aust Pacing Gold
Won Vic Oaks
Won Aust Derby
Won Aust Oaks
Won 2 Tas Pacing Champs
Won Qld Pacing Champs. Again there was a lot of quality opposition for her in the open ranks.

[Richard prior]

No doubt about Follow the Stars quality, He is an exceptional juvenile and I would love to see him reach the heights of the above mentioned but it's a long hard road and fingers crossed he has an exceptional career, It will certainly be fantastic viewing.

[Triple V]

Back on the thread...Follow The Stars- the best Sthn Hemisphere bred 2yo I have seen in a VERY long time.

[Danno]

Seen truckloads of exceptional juveniles in my time, anyone remember the name of Grant Dixons superstar 2-Y-0 from about eighteen months ago? hows he going now? There are exceptions to the rule as named in the above posts, but gee it's a mighty big call putting superstar status on ANY 2YO.

[Lucky Camilla"s Lovechild]

Its only the media who put superstar status on anything.

[aussiebreno]

Back on the thread...Follow The Stars- the best Sthn Hemisphere bred 2yo I have seen in a VERY long time.

Full sister now 4 guessing she worth a bit breeding alone. What is the dams story? Aust database lacks a bit of info.

[brent_L]

My point was totally missed. I'm not trying to get anyone off side and by no means am I knocking any of the aforementioned horses but I don't care for exceptional/pretty fair/pretty well when I'm talking about the best. Scott Pendlebury is exceptional......Ablett is the best!! What I said was I don't believe I have seen a champion (best) younger horse turn out to be the best older horse of their time (golden reign does sound like a definite candidate but I was at milky bars, not pubs back then). It's rather similar with the thoroughbreds. I'm not a massive follower but Octagonal & Sunline are the only two that come to mind. I of course may be wrong (and I'm sure someone will be quick on the keyboard) but I just can't recall one.
Socks- good younger horse, not the best. A length or two below the top ones in a few Derbys.
Divisive- best younger horse, then BAFake. Was he maybe considered the best for a short time as an older horse?? I don't believe so.
Shakamaker- Courage UF way superior younger horse
Courage- Shaka caught up and probably went past as an older horse + Socks had his measure a few times.
Tailamade Lombo- great mare but not better than Christian Cullen, Sandy, Iraklis
Only others that come to mind are:
Elsu??- can't for the life of me recall him in any Derbys
Christian Cullen- was considered the best but injury prevented him competing for most of his 3yo term handing Holmes DG a bunch of Derby victories. Was this a blessing similar to BAF.
Auckland Reactor??- won NZ horse of the year a couple of times but I'm not sure of his 2/3yo stats
Cheers

[Triple V]

Full sister now 4 guessing she worth a bit breeding alone. What is the dams story? Aust database lacks a bit of info.

VVV-same maternal family as We Will See, Historic, Seven O'Clock, Dontgetinmyway, Magical Mike etc.

[Messenger]

Full sister now 4 guessing she worth a bit breeding alone. What is the dams story? Aust database lacks a bit of info.
You're looking in the wrong places Brenno - classic families is the way

http://classicfamilies.net/HorseDetails.aspx?HorseID=10166342
Click on one of his earlier dams and then use the descendants tab

or for the family
http://classicfamilies.net/cf/FamilyWinners.aspx?FamilyNumber=u24
(for families I like to click on the heading of the last column to put them in Gp1 order)

[aussiebreno]

You're looking in the wrong places Brenno - classic families is the way

http://classicfamilies.net/HorseDetails.aspx?HorseID=10166342
Click on one of his earlier dams and then use the descendants tab

or for the family
http://classicfamilies.net/cf/FamilyWinners.aspx?FamilyNumber=u24
(for families I like to click on the heading of the last column to put them in Gp1 order)
Cheers Kevin.
I reckon I can waste at least a few days looking through that website at different families.
Edit: On second thought make that a few weeks.

[Boydy]

I think this horse is obviously a freak, but can anyone tell me how a sales only race can be a Group 1.

I know the Magic Millions is not as it is a restricted to the sales race.

[Danno]

I think this horse is obviously a freak, but can anyone tell me how a sales only race can be a Group 1.

I know the Magic Millions is not as it is a restricted to the sales race.

Agree Adam,

Group 1 status races should be open to all comers in your category in my humble opinion.

[aussiebreno]

Not a bad list of winners.

http://www.apgold.com.au/apgold/index.cfm/race-series/2yo-series-winners/

[Boydy]

I suppose I am answering my own question now Brenno, but when we have sires stakes at Group 1s in harness and not in the gallops its really the same thing although the APG is probably stronger than some of the sires stakes series.