Liked the look of Gordo's run on Saturday, and he is due, could be a hope for the Doncaster just have to see what the track conditions are on the day.

I stand by what i said he is a placer not a winner......but if he wins i will be the first to get down on my knees and beg for forgiveness......lol

Every year for some reason there are booms placed on the VRC Derby winner as the next big thing in Aust. racing.

However history shows us that winners of the VRC Derby rarely if ever live up to it. Some even call it the "Derby Winners Hoodoo"

2003 Elvstroem - still to be determined
2002 Helenus - we know how well he went afterwards
2001 Amalfi - failed to win another race
2000 Hit The Roof - failed to win another race
1999 Black Friars - failed to win another race
1998 Arena - won 2 of his next 20 starts
1997 Second Coming - won 3 of his next 34 starts
1996 Portland Player - failed to win another race
1995 Nothin Leica Dane - won 1 of his next 17


Ironically 2nd place getters in the Derby have faired much better in their subsequent career (althought recent years are a ?)

2003 Kepimsky - who knows
2002 Hydrometer - failed to win again
2001 Zarek - a massive exception
2000 Universal Prince - can guineas, derby, ranvet, other top class placings
1999 Shogun Lodge - few G1 ones and a stack of other placings
1998 Sky Heights - Rosehill Guineas, Derby, Caulfield Cup, Yalumba amongst others
1997 Tie The Knot - no need to say more
1996 Alfa - failed to win again
1995 Octagonal - no need to say more

Doesn't help us make any money but interesting none the less. :smile:

Purpleheart, what would you call the derby, it certainly hasn't proved the best form guide since it was run. Look at the favourites for the AJC derby Niello, Special Harmony, Starcraft, Delzao.The best three year olds in the country all didn't run in the VRC Derby. I wouldn't go as far to say Elvis was a donkey but in subsequent races he has been beaten by three of these four fair and square. My tip is Delzao.

Cheers Ed

And a bit of news regarding the Doncaster, Hall said this morning Pentastic would definately run at 41/1 STAB fixed price not bad e/way value especially if it was lucky enough to rain.

Cheers ED

like the looks of Hawkesy horse Gordo.good value$$

[quote]
On 2004-03-29 23:35, Paddy wrote:
Doncaster Handicap - Prices at: 08:58:57, 29 Mar 2004 - Those under 100/1
No. Selection Win Place
251 Private Steer $3.25 $1.55
181 Grand Armee $7.00 $2.50
305 Titanic Jack $11.00 $3.50
(snipped the others)..

It's interesting the 3 top lines of betting are the horses that chased the Black Horse home yesterday.. 3rd, 2nd and 4th.. I think it will be an OK form line.. I think the winner will come from those 3 at this stage, but I aint sure which one yet...

anybody out there think special harmony is a chance in the doncaster? freedman obviously thinks it is. 41-1 on sportsbet in melb at the moment for a horse of that calibre is tempting.

Hope youre right xpt....backed Titanic Jack some time back at 25/1.....wasnt disappointed with his run behind Lohnro,hes never won at WFA and I think the Doncaster is the race he is in Sydney for....will have be right on his game to beat the other two though.
Staunched....Special Harmony will not run in the Doncaster thats why its 41/1

Stuanced, you'll find the derby is run on april 10th and the Doncaster on April 12th it is highly unlikely she would back up after one day off, Still unlikely but she would more likely to back up for the oaks on the 14th so 40/1 is probably unders for its chances of even running in the race let alone winning it.

Cheers ED