I really feel the only race over 8f he should run in now is if Black Caviar takes him on. Beating Excelebration by 5 lengths every time is pointless and will be an anticlimax. There's not another miler who's going to touch him so why keep a horse in training for a number of effortless gallops. Abdulla hardly needs the dosh. The horse Frankel has to be compared with is Brigadier Gerard, who started his 4yo career in the Lockinge. He then went to 10f, running at Sandown, Royal Ascot and Sandown for the Eclipse. The Brigadier did go back to 8f at the Ascot September meeting but by then he'd run 5 races over 10 and 12f. So that proved his versatility. I can believe Frankel is better than Brigadier Gerard, but he has to prove his versatility.
Just wanted to point out Andrew BaldingsStature in Newmarkets 4.50. Upped to 10f today, this is a Montjeu colt with ability and if it doesnt happen today, keep close tabs on what his handicap mark will be next time
Fair points Bustino but the Queen Anne over Ascots straight course will be his next race imo and not the POW on the round course where he ran his worst race last season.I still think he won't run over 10f until York in August,a lovely flat course rather than the stiff Sandown finish where the Ballydoyle goblin and his pacemakers may concoct a devious plan to upset things! Could be just him and old Bullet Train in the Queen Anne..!!..
I'm sure you are right Dex. It could get a touch tedious though, and you don't want that about such a great horse.
Thats about it in a nutshell. The main priority of connections is to maintain/extend his unbeaten record.Not easy to do this and minimise risk. I don't think we'll ever tire of watching him and not his fault he's likely to scare everything else away,aside from his first pop at 10f..there may be a few who think they're hard enough to have a go!...
Frankel will not run the Eclipse...Three runs in seven weeks seems unlikely imo,even if they are hack canters.
Evening lads just back from footy another poor days punting for me so no change. Frankel was awesome and Camelot wouldn't get near him his turn of foot is blistering. Grand run from Bullet Train would love him to pick up a little prize by running on his own merit somewhere this season - sure he is still up to listed class
Noble Mission ran a great race today as well conceding 5lbs to the field and only beaten a neck by a horse Gosden considers the best in his yard apparently. NM shaped as if he needed further than the 1m2f.
At present Frankel is rated 20lb higher than Camelot and, over 8f, weight for age would reduce that gap by 12lb to 8lb. Over 10f the WFA allowance is 15lb which would make the difference 5lb Camelot has the "p". However, if they met in the latter half of July that WFA allowance would be down to 10lb so Camelot will need to improve by 10lb to be competitive against Frankel over 10f in late July. On that basis it would seem that the only way Camelot could beat Frankel over 10f (which, as things stand, I would think is the only distance over which they will ever meet) is if Frankel fails to perform to the same level over the extra 2f or Camelot improves even further over 10f. Both scenarios are conceivable but the way he won today augurs very well I would think.
Riot of Colour getting just beat cost me a large sum as had in a good double with Mince and treble with Mount Athos, fancy getting beat by Joseph o'Brien.
Evening all, just got back from Newbury and all I can say is wow! He looked stunning in the pre-parade ring, I heard one man say "Jesus, he looks like a sprinter!", and he did! I had tears in my eyes as he romped home, Tom Queally took several furlongs just to pull him up! I'll put pictures up later tonight/tomorrow. Fantastic horse!
He'll be more than useful in 12f handicaps Jongleur, nice enough type he is Just regarding Bullet Train RV, I'd love to see him go trailblazing over 6f at some point this year. He's a funny character that horse. Just seems to enjoy pissballing across fields throughout the UK. Here's a thought for the day- Born To Sea, July Cup. Genius idea or have I been drinking? You decide.
Joseph O'Brien some boy - nice double for Haggas Toppy he is staying at a mile mate - Oxx was on ATR the other day saying the guineas is a right off- way too free.
cheers RV, 3 out 4 in my Canadian thus far, need the Haggas horse CAPE CLASSIC 8.20 Donc to land some tasty bets so glad he is in the winners already today
