Printable View
I've always found these things difficult to judge - comparing the quality and depth of different generations - but is this bunch one of the best 4yo crops we've ever seen?
Restrepo
Smolda
Fly like an eagle
Christian me
Scandalman
Philadelphia man
Chancellor cullen
You could write another 15 names and still be naming some top quality horses.
I'm sure more learned others here can name other generations just as good but in my limited experience this crop is right up there.
I don't think its as good as the current 5yos - so last years 4yos.
Sushi Sushi, Excel Stride, Caribean Blaster, Mustang Mach, Abettorpunt.
They're my top 5yos Aussies. And guess what, they finished first 5 in the 3yo Breeders Crown!
Then you add the Kiwi....dual NZ Cup winner...Terror To Love!
The current 4yos have a bit of catching up to do me thinks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by little fish
An amazing crop, wouldn't mind any you have named in my back yard. And some more.
Ideal Scott
Soho Valencia
Waldenburg
Magic Bliss
Major Post
Keayang Steamer
Texican
Real Hammer
Three Over Three
Gamechanger
Theartofdelusion
Im Victorious
Western Cullen
Quote:
Originally Posted by aussiebreno
The 4yos have a whole year to catch up Brendan.
I think they are just as good , some may be even better.
Smolda holds the NZ record.
Others mentioned do not have to improve much to be just as good as your named 5yos.
I think the depth of the 4yos is far greater than the 5yos.
Cheers
I think Terror to Love is in a League of his own amongst the 5yos. but I reckon the 4yos are every bit as good a crop, probably even better in terms of depthQuote:
Originally Posted by aussiebreno
The 4yos probably do have some more depth. But if you are going to be naming horses like Waldenburg, Magic Bliss then you have Jadahson, Saint Flash, Keayang Cullen, The Gold Ace, Bettor Cover Lover, Royal Verdict etc.
But I think 2 months into the season when most of the 4yos haven't even been cited yet is a bit early to be singing praises such as what you are doing. If you done a list of the top 4yos two years ago you wouldn't have even had Terrorway or Bitobliss. A lot can change in the next 10 months.
When you look at horses like a dual NZ Cup winner, two horse that beat home Smoken Up fair and square (Sushi and Excel), Country Cup and FFA winners all over the place and and trifectad/beat up the 5yos in 4/5yos championship races and compare it to the named 4yos in 12 months time I think you will be disapointed.
It might be the depth of the crop that has got me excited. Not going to say the best 4yo's will be better this year than last year but at this stage purely in terms of numbers it seems there are more horses in what you'd call the 'top bracket' than ever before.
A bit of fun Brendan. Wouldn't mind any of ALL the horses mentioned.
Should be a great year of racing regardless.
[QUOTE=mary;24083]A bit of fun Brendan. Wouldn't mind any of ALL the horses mentioned.
Should be a great year of racing regardless.[/QUOTE]
Too right, can't wait to see who really announces themself and takes it up a level.
Mary, thanks for recognising my horse in the same breath as many others much more deserving of recognition. Gamechanger hasn't raced for a year but is on his way back after overcoming a series of setbacks. He won't be contesting any features, just a suitable C0 on a Tuesday at Menangle!
The horse not mentioned is Charlie Machsheen, he is as good as any 4yo in my opinion and given the draw should be winning in about 15 mins at Melton.
I think this 4yo crop has amazing depth & will produce several grand circuit stars!
And Restrepo just made me look foolish! What a win, that was too easy.
I too thought Charlie had a big chance, but Restrepo too good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch
If he stays sound he could be the one Brendan. His 2 wins this time in have been awesome!! Can't wait to see him go up against Smolda & Fly Like An Eagle. Those 3 are the benchmark.Quote:
Originally Posted by aussiebreno
Charlie is a better chaser.
Charlie definitely a better chaser. Webster has another one called Kotare Roland - not as much natural ability as his other couple but is a professional and I think he will turn out a nice horse too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch
Only have to look at the times some of these horses are running. Who runs home in 25.9 that is pretty incredible. Might be the strongest chariots ever this year?
The Chariots could well rival the Vic Cup as the most exciting race of the year. Imagine this for a field:
Restrepo
Fly Like An Eagle
Smolda
Waldenburg
Ideal Scott
Texican
Chancellor Cullen
Ideal Scott
Scandalman
Grand Stride
Now thats a race I'd pay good money to go and see!!
P.S. My money would be on a FLAE/Restrepo quinella.
Mitch
You have overlooked Christen Me. Right now he would be very near the top of the tree.
Regards
Harvey
Quote:
Originally Posted by mightymo
Morning Harvey,
Who has Christian Me ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch
Why do you reckon your fella will not come back as good as he was Mitch ??
Cran Dalgety - He is VERY, VERY goodQuote:
Originally Posted by mary
Yes Harvey, him and many others. Demonstrates the depth in the 4yo's this season. Just an amazing crop.Quote:
Originally Posted by mightymo
Mary, he has only had 1 start in 18 months - beaten 40m. He has had a lot of problems and its simply unfair to put any expectation on him. IF he does make it back I and all the owners would be over the moon he if could win a C0. We have tried to do the right thing by the horse in getting him back to the races but I am willing to pull the pin and retire him straight away if he suffers another setback.Quote:
Originally Posted by mary
Given the depth of the current 4yo crop I am living in fairyland if I think he can come back and match it with the likes of Restrepo.
Fingers crossed he makes it back.
hi guys
new to here.
thought id jump on and see what your opinions of the WA 4yos are.
i believe with automatic entry into the Chariots this year for the winner of the Golden Nugget we may see a WA horse if they can beat Chancellor Cullen this Friday Night.
Few times they are running over there with Im Victorious and Westerm Cullen appear to be ok as well.
Im Victorious for mine seems to be the better of the lot.
IMO
Must be gut-wrenching for you Mitch, knowing how good he is and not getting to see it. Hope you catch a break with him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch
Cheers Brad. I'm sure many others forum contributors have suffered similar fate. It only happens to the good ones apparently!Quote:
Originally Posted by broncobrad
Good luck with him, he was such a top 2yo.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch
Cheers
Quote:
Originally Posted by ifyousayso
I reckon if Im Vic can lead, then he could win. Great horse.
Smolda showed he is ready to take on all challengers with a nice win in the Franklin Cup.
What about the list of horses targeting the Chariots - they can't all make it but gee its going to be a couple cracking weeks of heats!
Its been made all the more interesting by the defeats of Smolda and Restrepo in the past fortnight. They all get beat but I thought Restrepo had every chance in his race and to be honest though Smolda looked really average behind the Gold Ace. His action looked really choppy.
Grand Stride looked really good winning in 52 last night and Fly Like an Eagle is confirmed as coming.
The Chariots could well steal the show from the Interdom as being the most competitive and exciting race of the day/afternoon. I've said it before - I think they'll break 1.50 this year!
Christen Me was also outstanding in defeat in NZ today. Sat parked and then 3 wide in going 1.55 over 2300m. Huge run for 2nd
Just saw a replay Harvey. Christen Me super, winner Jason Rulz also very good. Had the softer run but was still able to quicken when asked and sprint past some very good horses.Quote:
Originally Posted by mightymo
Amazing crop of 4yos we have.
Grand Stride was sensational last night. As was the $5 :)
I was wondering does anyone know the full list of qualifying races for the chariots this year? Hondo gratten & Paleface Adios I know - something in NZ? - Nugget in WA I know - are there any others? Anything in Vic?
FORM 700 CHARIOTS OF FIRE (MS) OF $200,000 +
TROPHIES + RUG
For 4yo Pacers that qualified from selected races in NSW (Hondo Grattan and Paleface Adios Stakes), Western Australia (Gold Nugget, 7-12-12), Victoria (4yo Bonanza,16-2-13), Cambridge NZ (4yo& 5yo Sprint, 11-1-13), Marlborough NZ (4yo& 5yo Sprint, 13-1-13). In NZ a 4yo that finishes 1st or 2nd will receive invite, or only the winner if 2 4yo’s finish first and second. Only one horse will be invited from a 3rd place from either race if no 4yo finishes in the top two placings. A horse that qualifies outside of NSW, must make an acceptance in writing with HRNSW no later than 10am Friday 15th February 2013. Horses which accept the positions into the Chariot of Fire cannot nominate for the Hondo Grattan or Paleface Adios Stakes. A 4yo already qualified for Chariots Of Fire but competes in either Hondo Grattan or Paleface Adios forfeits automatic invite. The balance of the field will be selected from horses that competed in the Paleface Adios and Hondo Grattan Stakes on finishing positions. RBD – 1609 Metres
1st = $120,000, 2nd = $30,000, 3rd = $20,000, 4th = $10,000, 5th = $5,000, 6th-10th = $3,000 each