Don't think there's much debate he's the standout 3 year-old colt. To run Kingman to a nose, (bearing in mind he was drawn on the wrong side) for a middle distance horse was truly remarkable. I think he'll be best over 10f and I can't wait to see him against his elders be that The Fugue in the Irish Champion or in the Juddmonte, time will tell. I'm just glad there's a flat horse around to keep me interested during the Flat season!
Merely soft jousting QM. I realise your contributions are often tongue in cheek,sometimes tongue full out when Coolmore are involved. I do,however,think that Australia's connections lead you to doubt the colt rather than his impressive collateral form and manner of victory thus far...slight bias. Still don't get why anyone is discussing the KG (long been an arse of a race) or Telescope....if you want a horse who has everything to prove then it is him. Herbert and the obese Barbadian have made O'Brien look reticent and taciturn when the hype of this future hurdler is analysed.
The connections of Australia do not enter into it, other than the trainer being a proven hype artist. The horse is clearly the best three year old over middle distances; however, as I said, he may be the best of a moderate bunch. Bring on the older horses – if he beats them easily then he can justify his trainer’s opinion. Until then, my jury is out. When Harbinger won the King George by a street and then suffered a mysterious career ending industry, I questioned the validity of the adulation that he received on the strength of one race (and I still do) and he was trained in Newmarket, not Ireland. He was so successful at stud that he now stands in Japan. Now we have another horse, Telescope, trained in the same yard, who has put up just one standout performance against Group 2 opposition and I want to see him repeat it. The King George has lost some of its appeal in recent times because the owner/breeders now prefer to drop back to ten furlongs with their three year olds thinking of their stud values. That is unfortunate but hopefully some decent animals will turn up at Ascot to test this year’s Hardwicke Stakes winner. How much longer can we keep the Saturday thread running?
A little bit longer QM please log in to view this image The power of this horse And look at his pedigree Also just behind that pedigree is the great Ribot. I have to pick you up on the dig at his stud career though. No-one else could afford him. That is why he was retired to Japan. Bloody shame that was. Harbinger had already showed his brilliance before the King George and was the stand out bet in that race. As expected, Harbinger proved to be far too good in the King George, winning by 11 lengths over a field which also included Irish Derby winner Cape Blanco, triple Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up Youmzain and Hong Kong Vase winner Daryakana. He was then made a short-priced favourite for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and officially rated the best flat horse in the world. I was getting very excited at the thought of cheering him home in the Arc. As regards the "mysterious" injury, Harbinger suffered a leg fracture while on the gallops. **** happens.
So there was Oddy. How did I miss the 7l winner of the Epsom Derby in record time? Harbinger demolished the lot with such ease Peslier almost fell asleep.
I see he's had a couple of 2yo runners in Japan already. No winners so far I don't think; but then you probably wouldn't expect it. I backed him in both his previous starts that year (John Porter and Hardwicke) and must admit I thought he was a bit of a stuffy colt. I think the race was run to suit him that day but have to admit it was a stunning performance.
It will be interesting to see how his offspring train on as 4yos. I wouldn't expect 2yo winners. He came good as a 4yo. It's a pity a lot of top 3yos get retired before they get anywhere near maturity. Money rules and it's quite possible (in fact quite likely) that they aren't run as 4yos because late maturers may develop past them and make a dent in the stud value.
Or it might be that the older generation just fill the void left by those retired from the classic generation and prove to be lesser likes than the formbook might suggest.
