I would go for kingman in that race by the way, When he won over a mile so easily in the Irish Guineas it suggested that although he does have a scintillating burst he also stayed a true mile.
On your point about a horse remaining unbeaten risks not winning the hearts and minds of the punters I think it depends on what the public see. Frankel for instance retired unbeaten and whilst people can suggest he was protected the collateral form suggests he was the best and people will likely always regard him as such. Camalot even before coming unstuck in a sub standard St Leger was pulling the wool over only a few people's eyes even though unbeaten. I think beaten or not is the be all and end all, we know when a horse is avoiding the real tests that could be found. We respect needs of ground etc but we can also see a dodge. This is why Tagroodah is rightly lauded as she could have taken in a much easier option in the Irish Oaks but instead took on the boys and older horses...... and won.
Yes Blue and tomorrow Australia is taking on the two horses she beat at Ascot...what "dodge" or am I missing something?
12f is not Austarlia's trip imo and one could argue that Taghrooda is taking the soft option tomorrow or is she allowed to be campaigned hence forth exclusively at home and over one trip?..she has won over 10f this year after all.
Australia also put his credentials on the line over a trip too short in the 2000.
He ran in the Irish Derby because he is Irish trained and Magnier has always supported the race.
Absolutely fascinating to see how tomorrow pans out.
I'm still unconvinced by the Derby form and wouldn't have a washer on Australia at those odds.
I'm also still very much the unconverted regardless of the Coolmore rhetoric.

