I look at it a different way, he got very lucky and nearly got easily the best horse in the race beat, different opinions and all that.
If he'd plotted the same exact course on any other horse in that field he'd have lost. That seems obvious to me and as such I can't see how that ride can marry up with such high levels of praise.
Robbie, there are many on here who are very serious and knowledgeable punters, but for some of us it's just a bit of fun, a bit expensive sometimes but it beats the hell out of fruit machines and roulette wheels.
First time in his life he has won more than one in a row with 3 in a row this season. Good 5f horse on his day, Champion Sprinter? Not for me.
Or to put it another way; take Hughes off Sole Power. Put Spencer on. The gap doesn't come. 10 posts about how bad a ride it was.
When on his day nothing over here, Stepper Point has been second in the 2 group 1s so the competition isnt up to much, Amber Sky put him away in Meydan, hes probably the best 5f horse in the world. G Force was a bit unlucky there, was starting to fly late but never got the run in time, wouldnt be surprised if he was towards the top of this divison next season.
Horse got him out of trouble, seen Hughesy do that lots of times, the gaps don't come and he looks like a wally. The horse was able to beat a poor field with his class.
I respect all the other opinions but Hughes plotted his course all the way. Even switched toward the rail to maintain cover for as long as he could. Picked his gap and had more than one option. Sublime ride for me and I havent always been his biggest fan. Last two seasons his race riding has simply got better and better.
Great ride by Hughes fellas but dont forget he needed the horse with the turn off foot to go through and he had. He had the Power In fact the more I think about it the horse got him out of trouble. 9 times out of 10 he'd have been beaten but thankfully for him he was on Sole Power.
Sole Power was like a Ferrari up against Ford Escorts at the business end of the race - took off like **** from a shovel. Amazing. With only 13 runners I think Hughes was pretty confident the gap would come - he made all the race decisions in the blinking of an eye. Could have gone horribly wrong though, but that's the beauty of this sport.
I agree Nass . Rubbish race to watch. Tight Wiggy won't be caught by anything if ground is reasonable with that huge weight allowance.
Backed Extremity in the last because of Moore and Palmer's record together. Each way for me when it was 11/2. I don't really understand the money for Munaaser myself.
