If The Grey Gatsby is taken as a strict form line, then Australia is home and hosed because Kevin Ryan’s grey was six lengths behind him at Newmarket, whilst he has won both his races since. Nobody was crabbing the Prix Du Jockey Club run (or at least I was not). Ryan Moore rode an excellent race, saving ground on a horse that he knew did not want a yard beyond the extended ten furlongs, he got the gaps when he needed them and won well. Amongst the fancied runners in the ‘French Derby’ two or three of them failed to stay (stepping up from running in the Poulains over a mile) and the favourite was given a hopeless ride, flying home for third once the race was over. In my opinion The Grey Gatsby showed much improved form to win at Chantilly unless the home team are really mediocre; and I hope they send him to Sandown for the Eclipse. I hope Arod and True Story run well for their supporters at Epsom but back in May when the Dante was run, the fact that you could throw a blanket over the whole field suggested that it was not very good form (the last was four-and-a-half lengths behind the winner).
Guess a small e/w on the Derby so it's Romsdal at 25/1 for me. Australia 13/8 at the moment with the next one 10/1......
I guess that you cannot sign up for “Watch Channel 4” over in France, Ron... True Story does look a picture. Romsdal has got a bit worked up, on his toes in the parade; whilst Western Hymn is also unsettled (although Clare Balding says that is normal for him).
Well im quite pleased with that. Think i called it fairly well. Kingston Hill ran a mighty race but just beaten by the better horse on the day. Western Hymn ran a good race too, looked to be struggling 4/5 furlongs out but finished his race really well and must be near the top of the market for the St Leger after that. Time will tell how good a derby it was but my initial thoughts are that it may work out to have been one of the better derbies of recent years
Unlike young Joseph who is clearly upholding the family tradition in announcing him the best as soon as he has passed the line I have learnt to wait for form to play out and wait for subsequent races before making claims about a horse. What I would say at this time is that he looked very good, especially in the way he travelled. He definitely stays and 12f is clearly going to be his optimum trip. He looks much better than the previous best ever in Camalot and will be exciting to watch in the coming months. At this point however it needs to be proved before he can be spoken of in the manner of Galileo and High Chaperel. I hope they will allow Australia to take on older horses this year as there could be a lack of opposition for him in his own age group as the form aside from the first two is a much of a muchness. Some exciting races to look forward to if allowed, Australia Vs Cirius De Aigles perhaps or Treve as this is where he will prove if he really is ' the best we have ever had'. As is always the case many did not take to the course and ran no race, Orchestra being one as noted by the turn around in form with Romsdal whilst Geoffery Chaucer virtually pulled up and was never happy.
It was a very good time so a truly run Derby. Australia now strongly challenging Treve for favouritism in the Arc with Kingston Hill 14/1
Now we have trouble, some of us are starting to agree... Hype must be genetic with the O’Brien family. I would like to see the horse go to the King George and perhaps face Treve, but I am not holding my breath. They could opt for the Eclipse and maybe set up a showdown between the two ‘Derby’ winners (if The Grey Gatsby goes to Sandown); however, I suspect the Irish Derby is more likely. I think Romsdal may have lost his race before he got to the start as he got very agitated in the preliminaries.
They do tend go the Irish route and I am never quite sure as it rarely provides further stock to the horses form lines, the natural route to challenge the horse should now be the King George which takes him a further step up the ladder, with of course the end of season target of the Arc.
Simple as this Australia won easily without being given a real scare ! What makes the performance even better for me is the fact the stable has been in awful form and Geoffrey Chaucer and orchestra running no race is maybe to point there is still problems within the yard! Will be almost untouchable over 10f
Must agree with QM that True Story looked magnificent. I also thought Australia was far from Coomore's best looker, but he was far and away the best. I couldn't have True Story because of the York run so backed the long way last Geoffrey Chaucer!! Cirrus des Aigles also looked really good. Talent had been into the pies I thought.
Finally managed to watch the recording True Story is a gorgeous looking horse, very much like his sire Manduro The outsider Red Galileo finished well Australia got a clean run and had no trouble en route so in effect O'Brien Jn just had a steering job Hope Cirrus Des Aigles is okay after his race
Stunning performance and could be called the winner a long long way out. Must have a massive chance of winning the Arc. True Story was never ever going well enough to be in contention even bustled up to be handy in the early stages while Australia ran the race in cruise control. Australia/Taghrooda would be a really interesting match up in the Arc.
Posting the same reply on two different threads here, but I do not see Australia showing up at Longchamp. I can see him dropping back to ten furlongs to utilise his pace and going to the Eclipse Stakes, the Juddmonte International Stakes, the Irish Champion Stakes and then Champions Day. Taghrooda does appeal for the Arc if she continues to show a clean pair of heals to all the three year old fillies.
Seriously WTF?!?!?! Australia saw out every yard of the twelve furlongs yesterday and off a decent pace on ground that had taken a proper drenching in the morning. Unless there were better prizes to be gained dropping back in trip why the heck would you?
