Chippy, I'd be surprised to see So You Think back in Australia to race. Breeding maybe. I could be wrong, but I think I read someplace that time would be a problem, quarantine and all that. I really can't see the horse having too many more races to be honest. If they got another G1 win out of him, it could be stumps. If I owned him, he'd be retired now. He already has a high enough profile as it is. If outside breeders are not into him already, another win won't make any difference. It would be a real eye opener if Cape Blanco made the trip though.
I suspect they are keeping him racing as it is too early to retire him for the 2012 northern hemisphere breeding season and it is too late for the 2011 southern hemisphere season. The stallions shuttling to Australia/New Zealand went into quarantine here in mid-July and shipped over about a week ago. Plus, most matings are booked months in advance, particularly for the high-calibre mares that they will want to attract. I heard at Goodwood last week that Juddmonte received around 300 applications to use Oasis Dream this year! I’m not 100% sure of how many he covered in the end, but it won’t have been more than 135 or so.
I see it's all happening in Sydney Cyc: Australian bomb-disposal teams have surrounded a house in Sydney, amid reports that a young woman has had an explosive device strapped to her body. Roger White, a reporter with 2UE Radio in Sydney, said police were appealing for local residents to come forward if they had seen anyone in the area who should not have been there. "We understand she had this device placed around her neck, with a ransom note attached to it, by someone who burst into her home and then took off," he said.
Most expensive stallion in the UK at the moment, at £85,000 a go. Pivotal was on £85,000 a few years ago but they dropped his fee to £55,000 due to the economic climate. Dubawi was increased to £55,000 this year on the back of his exploits last year and I can see his fee going up again if he continues in such fine form. Frankel's potential fee is a whole other ballgame, but to be honest I cannot see them making him the most expensive stallion in the UK on the back of his race record alone. He needs to produce the goods to justify a fee higher than the proven boys. Don't get me wrong, he will have a high fee that's for sure, but I suspect it will be around the £75,000 mark rather than any higher.
Todays NAP is 5.20 Newcastle Pattern Mark to go with rest of win lucky 31 3.40 Pontefract Hong Kong Island 5.00 Brighton Magical Speedfit 7.20 Kempton Encore Un Fois 8.10 Yarmouth Rosa Midnight
2.10 Pontefract HERRERA 8/1- The best jockey in the race is on Emperor of Rome, but he has a bit to prove after bombing out last time, and also his maiden form is not really being well advertised. Herrera ran a pretty good race last time out, making good headway before tiring to 7th of 16. Dropped back to 10f today should put it bang in the mix if the jockey is good enough. 2.40 Pontefract: SABORE 9/2 Looks the speedier of the two newcomers on paper, and I am of the understanding that Fahey will be bringing out some nice 2 Y Os around this time of year. Although the fav has the experience, it was never really threatening when 3rd of 4th and I suspect it is as short as it is on price tag alone, so I'm taking Hanagan to prevail on Sabore in a close finish. 4.10 Pontefract CHOSEN ONE 11/1 Looking as if the handicapper may have relented enough for this one to threaten the winners enclosure. Some good efforts scattered in her form this season in better races, and is well drawn here over the minimum trip. 3.30 Brighton CATALYZE 13/2 (NAP)- Hinted at return to the form of his 2 Y O days and if building on these two efforts (latest enhanced by Kingscroft on Sunday) can go very close.
Talk about behind the times. I have just been greatly saddened to learn that, as of August 2006 the Log Flume no longer exists at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The B#*tards!! Is nothing sacred?
Afternoon one and all, Sorry been rather busy today, first day back in the office after a long weekend which included Glorious Goodwood and also Bath races yesterday. Thanks for all the birthday wishes, another number ticked off the list. Yesterday wasn't a betting day, only had one dabble on the Fretwell winner, but it was a nice day out and its always a pleasure seeing the old boy The Tatling. Spic And Span was the usual quirky devil, playing up in the ring and refusing to go to post. I have some photos of the day out which I might post up at some point. Glorious was just that. It was very sad to see the incident including Ryan Moore, and I was shocked by how bad it was. The racing was great but that did sour the day. A couple of winners paid for the weekend, Midday is a star and Hoof It won very nicely. It was a shame that I didn't take the fancy antepost prices for the pair but they still paid for the weekend. I won't get onto how bad the jockeys were at both meetings, but lets say that we saw some unconventional techniques at both meetings. Also it was good to see well mannered racegoers at both meetings!! Things improve when people can't afford to get slaughtered. Nothing for me today, not even looked. I will be looking for a few winners tomorrow though. (btw failed on the PPot yesterday in the last and by one place. Frustrated.)
Quite High Info from me: 7;00 Kempton - Way Too Hot been working with a group horse and performed quite admirably. Decent bet for me.
‎2 more for later Sligo 6.20 Maarek 11/2 6.50 Asiya 16/1 The rain has come for Maarek and I think the trip should suit ideal. Seems a progressive sort and with Wayne Lordon in the saddle I am more than happy with the 11/2 available Asiya boats a perfect 2-2 record over C+D which is clearly a huge plus, including 1 in a higher grade. Has posted two excellent efforts recently with perhaps his latest effort at Dundalk stretching his stamina a little too much, while boasting a win 2 starts back. 16/1 looks huge to me
