As our resident Aussie, what is your opinion on the second part? Was he an 'early' sort, and now others have caught up? Did he use himself up as a younger horse? Or do you expect him to bounce back? Etc....
Darley pushed Sepoy big time. As you know, big time breeding is all about stallions. From the very outset Sepoy was shoved down our throats. He Won the second biggest 2yo race in the country, the G1 Blue Diamond in Melbourne as a 2-5 shot. He was then a shock second in Sydney before he flogged them in th G1 Golden Slipper, the biggest 2yo race in Australia. He was brilliant that day. He went back to Melbourne and won his next 5 with panache. He then beaten out of a place in his last race here, an open company G1 before the flop in the middle East. He's a top flight horse. He was very precocious early on, but his last two runs have been a worry. If he decides to switch on he'll take a power of beating. I think there's a bit of the rogue in him. Below is a list of slipper winners, Sepoy comes in at 21 minutes into the film. He in maroon and white, third on the fence. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTyTQoxyL_M
I fear that because they pushed him so hard early he has nothing left to give. Godolphin also run a famously punishing fitness schedule for their beasts (which many can't take, hence their disappointments) and I do wonder whether he is the next name on the list. I gather that 2yo racing is far more prestigious in terms of 'making' a stallion in Australia than it is over here? I seem to remember Moody saying that Black Caviar being injured and not racing so much as a young horse is a reason why she's been going strong for so long.
Zen we have the same problem with early retirement to stud that you have. With you it's 3 year olds, with us it's 2. In 08 I think it was, Sebring won 5 of 6 winning the Slipper and was then retired. The word was he was injured, but I think the value of the horse was at the back of their minds. He was bought for a rumoured $30,000,000. Slipper winners have has a huge impact on Australian racing since the early 60s.
It looks to me like it's a pretty poor renewal! I funnily enough find myself agreeing with Boris, I think Ortensia is the best bet! Il always forgive a horse 1 bad run, so i think she's worth backing*
Laid off to get my stake back after the defections and consequent price collapse. That was part of my thinking originally, that conditions would come 'in his favour' and against others who might be pulled out, but on this ground anything can happen. It wouldn't surprise me to see anything win it. P.S. Laid off at 4.5 and 1.85 win and place. Before anyone accuses me of aftertiming.
There was a young sprinter named Mayson Whom all the others were chasin' Nearest was The Cheka But nowhere near the fecker So puzzling it was truly amazin'
Nice one Zen. Not very good at this but I'll have a go: Now let me tell you a story of a jockey called Frankie Dettori thought he would steal the thunder with the chestnut from down under but didn't cover himself in glory
I backed Strong Suit to be winner With the money I'd saved for my dinner Mayson went to the front No-one caught the C... Oh well, at least I'll get thinner
So I was the Pommy on Sepoy, Fell for another Aussie decoy, He failed in the damp Chased the shadow of the Champ, Now off to be a naugh-tee boy.
