A great Derby coming up!
Who's gonna be top 3YO?
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A great Derby coming up!
Who's gonna be top 3YO?
Not sure Ash. I think Guaranteed might be a bit off right now & that's not good timing. Last time out I didn't he looked as sharp as he has been.
Quite true.Quote:
Originally Posted by Triple V
To b honest haven't taken a lot of notice of the Qld fella apart from obvious media reports and Kevin saying he is the Messiah.
Just had a peek at both their total race starts
MM 11 starts, 9 over 1mile only 2 over 2100m, the Derby is 2400. Fastest MR over 2100, 1:59.6 as a 2yo in May last year.
G 14 starts, 2 over 1mile but 12 over 2200m. Fastest MR over 2200, 1:56.2 winning Vic Derby Heat.
So, has MM been challenged yet and been put under pressure by any decent opposition over 2100 or more? I mean pressure like whips cracking flat chat from the 600, everything laid on the line.
Guaranteed certainly I think will b race tough, but again, tough race tough. However based on last week is he a little flat now?
Either way will be an intriguing final, can't wait.
Hopefully it's a great match race and these guys have a great rivalry like what is brewing with the Smolda vs RESTREPO scenario.
A couple of great battles shaping up for sure Ash, Majestic Mach V Guaranteed and Smolda V Restrepo. Racehorse wise, impossible to pick sides. Great for the fans.
Say what you want about the format of ID13; but the day of racing coming up on March 3 is absolutely outstanding.
Cannot wait.
My fairly recently developed dislike about the new ID format is that the Heats are conducted in seperate places (WA, VIC, NSW & NZ.) Initially I thought it would be Ok but having since seen it in operation I think it takes away significantly from the build up.
It would be a much better show all over if they were to have ALL the nominated horses together in the one place and then conduct ALL of the Heats AND the Final @ Menangle.
Surely for three or four 50k Heats followed by a 750k Final those from outside of NSW & of Oz would show up? Is there an underlying fear here that maybe they wouldn't?
Courage late in the stretch & a 1:57 & a piece MR in the slop for the journey, he didn't look entirely comfortable in the conditions but his Class prevailed. Congrats to connections, sharp drive from Puppet. Good result.
Guaranteed too good too tough. He worked 3wide first 900m or so into death, fastest mile rate and even 28,28 last quarters.
Majestic Mach, eased straight to death after 200m relaxed, won race time 3 seconds slower than Guaranteed, slower mile rate and last 2 qtrs, 28.2, 28.7 flat out didn't seem to b anything left to me. In that race Bit of a Legend was last at 800, 5-6 lengths from MM, then 3 wide from 750 around top bend to sit on MM's back at 400, only went down by half length!!! Top run
Guaranteed clear favorite to me Bit of a Legend second Fav then MM and Caesar and Macha to fight out top 4.
Everyone loves a good Qldr and as my moniker suggests Majestic Mach gets my verdict. Good solid blowout sitting in the death just dying for the ribbons to be released. Conditions by R9 were abysmal...thought he was in total control. Guaranteeds propensity to skip dance and wander about under pressure is a concern.
Bakers dozen is on the menu next weekend at Menangle and should be at a very 'palatable' price.
That's interesting Brad. I thought he looked a bit scratchy gaited too but put it down to the soggy going.
Best run of the night.Could have been flattered by being first use of track but tough,tough win.Quote:
Originally Posted by Maorisidol
Not sure what you saw Jaimie so watched the replay and not convinced about the 'scratchy gait'. Sat parked in the elements, travelled sweetly on a piece of cotton not fighting for rein but itching to go, finally allowed rein, lengthened beautifully on turning before having a bit of a look around for about 2 strides before Grant reminded him why he was there. Bang...immediate response was straighten up, head down bum up and dominate. Balanced. I think it was a calculated drive to answer some questions of the horse with good results.Quote:
Originally Posted by Triple V
Guaranteed is going to have to do everything right to beat him...cannot wait for the matchup. Not forgetting there are some pretty smart horses that can take advantage of any slip ups by the stars. Its MM and Dixon for me all the way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by broncobrad
I'm with you Brad. MM clear top pick for me. Stating the obvious here but positions in running will determine this. If Guaranteed ends up leaders back he may struggle to pick them up. Expecting MM to go back and come 3 deep at some point. BOAL is the key runner, has the gate speed to lead if he wants it but may let Caesar go and position for the 1 x 1.
Going to be a terrific race.
I think Dunn (BOAL) waits for Guaranteed v Caesar Augustus to play out. Not a great deal to gain getting involved there and if Caesar crosses I don't see Petroff giving the lead away. Alford will have to commit first over, BOAL leaders back either scenario. Very dangerous from there.
[VVV] I was talking about Guaranteed. On that score, watch him pacing from just into the home stretch & then onwards down to the wire. He shuffles and gets a touch scratchy two or three times.Quote:
Originally Posted by broncobrad
Yeah Triple now we are on the same page. Moccona does it for me or stiff bourbon. I only hope Guaranteed stays in his gear and they all get a fair crack...its a travesty in these races when the cream of the crop are denied some Black Type through sheer bad luck. Look at that horse that had to retire with broken gear in a heat...a killer for connections.Quote:
Originally Posted by Triple V
I think BIT OF A LEGEND crosses and than does the kiwi thing and lets CAESAR AUGUSTUS go to the front, GUARANTEED gets off the fence and ends up in the death and MAJESTIC MACH goes back and ends up first horse 3 wide. If they let CAESAR AUGUSTUS get away with too much he may well pinch it, however I think Majestic Mach will take massive improvement out of last weeks hit out, remember it was his first time he has been tested in a long time, only been beating moderate opposition, no doubt he has the ability and with that run nder his belt will improve no-end I beleive. Plan of attack may be to make a quick move down the back to get GUARENTEED running early because we know what happens when the pressure goes on him a fair way out at this stage. I think it will be a great race but my tick goes to MAJESTIC MACH.
I have a feeling that the one ready to strike is Bit of a Legend. Very unlucky in the Vic derby and his run in the heat was very strong after being driven quietly and letting Majestic Mach do as he pleased. From gate 2 that won't happen this week. I can see Majestic and Guaranteed applying the torch to each other down the back straight while BOAL waits behind and smokes his pipe. Another great race to look forward to
Yes Jamie he doesnt look to go fluently perhaps because he was under pressure. Can't split Bit Of A Legend and Caesar Augustus for mine .
After that little blip on the radar when getting bloused by Lennytheshark in the NSW Derby it was great to see Majestic Mach back on top and doing it in style at the Gold Coast last Friday night. Three wide early before rolling to the front before clearing out. Get ready for the commencement of a new picket fence beside his name as he apparently is staying at home and will be racing inferior animals for a while before he ventures south again. And when he does get back and if he ever races Lennytheshark again I will get the tape out and measure the margin between the two horses...has anyone got a tape that long they could lend me?
Car speedo would do the job Brad.