I guess unless he does something by the next time they release the figures, he'll take a drop Ron. It makes me wonder just how many horses are actually rated well above what they can now produce on race day.
Know zilch about rankings, Ron, but Benbatl is a very good racehorse. Given a perfect ride by Oisin Murphy, the colt won this year's Group 1 Grosser Dalmayr-Preis over 2000m in Munich with the improving Stormy Antarctic second, and last year's winner, Iquitos, beaten into 4th place. Won this decent event doing hoofstands, and beautifully ridden from the front by young Murphy. (Dare I say it, but Crowley is NOT the rider for Benbatl, IMHO. Restrained him early-on in the Juddmonte, when all Benbatl wanted to do was to get on with it).
The way Roaring Lion won the Juddmonte it would not have stopped him winning, but had Benbatl been sent to the front straight away a lot of his opponents would have been thoroughly shagged at the end of the race? Might have even made the podium?
Last Sunday the first leg of the European Tour of the French Trotteur was contested at Wolvega in the Netherlands. The G2, 2600m race went to one of my favourite horses Valko Jenilat. This could be a big season for him. No 1. Red, green diamonds, white striped sleeves.
The younger generation of Trotters are looking pretty impressive in France. A couple of 6 year olds went clear of the field at the top of the straight at Pornichet and crossed the line in track record time for the 2715m trip. The winner No 12 Cleangame is in white, dark sleeves and maroon cap. No 3 Ceyland Dairpet tried to lead all the way. https://translate.googleusercontent...700214&usg=ALkJrhhkqh2EOIYyyGvOOujkesg3ZazS2A
Oh my goodness, this is a very good, very smooth trotter, with a great turn of foot at the finish, When I lived in Holland (daughter born there) in the late 60s cannot remember Wolvega, damned if I can. Used to go to Duindigt, Utrecht, and one or two others quite regularly. Think Wolvega was quite a long way off, near the German border I think. or up north somewhere.
I'd never heard of Wolvega until I started following European trotting a few years ago. Wiki says it in the municipality of Westellstellingwerf in the Province of Friesland. http://satellites.pro/Wolvega#52.875500,5.996910,8
There are heaps of fantastic races around the globe. The Epsom Derby, Kentucky Derby, Grand National, Arc, Breeder's Cup etc, and of course the Birdsville Cup. Earlier this month 237,416 people fought a pitched battle at the front gate, looking to grab one of those precious $400 entrance tickets. As the new Prime Minister tried to make his way into the members stand, he was pelted with piss cans, much to the delight of the well primed punters and the 7 topless lady fighters from the boxing tent. The race was a wide open affair when it came to the bastards who call the odds. Palace Tycoon started favourite at 4-1, just ahead Boggoms and Expat Envy. The race went to the top weight Blue Jest who started at 17-1. I think the second horse may have lost the race on the home bend when the jockey came 38 deep on the corner.
After putting the mighty Bold Eagle to the sword in this race last year, the sensational Aubrion du Gers returned to Vincennes looking to go back to back in the G2 Summer Grand Prix over the 2700m journey. Although the field was short on numbers, (7) it didn't lack class. Bird Parker rolled up to contest the event along with Traders and Charly Walnut. These three did their best to bring the champion unstuck. A Mec Of Heripre flew the start and crossed to lead but was soon headed by Charly Walnut who's driver made sure that Aubrion du Gers had to spend some fuel if he wanted to cross to the front. But as soon as the champ claimed the lead, Traders attacked him. All the while Bird Parker was being driven a cold race as he sat out the back. Aubrion du Gers then had to be taken off the fence for fear of be trapped as Bird Parker began to take close order. This left Aubrion du Gers with Bird Parker, his arch enemy, sitting on his back. It then became a race between the big boys. A brilliant win. The replay. https://translate.googleusercontent...700214&usg=ALkJrhiqMS0giM7_6rbmNa3uQk0dLuyjCw
This seemed the most appropriate thread – if a couple of years too early. please log in to view this image Handsome looking fellow that Sheikh Mo has paid $2.2m for at the Keeneland September sale: American Pharoah ex Kindle (Indian Charlie). Presumably the plan will be to run him in the USA under the auspices of the Godolphin America operation.
We'll never see her like again Cyc, we should enjoy every performance I would love to see her in the flesh but we are down in Australia for Christmas and New Year and they seem to put her away after the Cox Plate each year and bring her back out in Feb or March.
In Melbourne the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes was run. I'm not sure whether I like the winner's name, but he has some ability. No 12. Purple, gold armband and cap.
The 3000m G1 PRIX DE NORMANDIE, an event restricted to 5 year olds attracted a field of 12 at Vincennes yesterday. 8 of the starters were fillies. They took 4 of the top places, 1,2,4&5.The mounted race went to No 11 Durzie. https://translate.googleusercontent...700214&usg=ALkJrhjnzXAyLldE17UiCLCRSHCBfgfsmA
Also on the same Vincennes program was the G1 PRIX DE L'ETOILE run over the 2200m. Eight 3 year olds all started off the front while the two 5 year olds conceded 50m. The winner Davidson du Pont came off the 50 for a very nice win. He tooks like a bright prospect. No 9, green,yellow sleeves & red cap. https://translate.googleusercontent...700214&usg=ALkJrhjkxLe7GZo8TABDvwHdkhnZxQO0tA
The mighty Propulsion stamped himself as the monarch of Scandinavian trotting when he took out the G1 Trotting Master's Final over the 2140m trip. Readily Express ran a monster of a race after being trapped three deep for the last lap. Propulsion, No 2.
It looks as though Poet's Word is finished for the year. Is he about to be retired? Sir Michael Stoute: "Poet’s Word has sustained an injury and will not be able to race again this year." “His owner, Saeed Suhail, will soon be coming to England and will make a decision on his future.”
