True. But he is in a new country and up against alot. Plus at least he's earning his keep now!!! LOL

nah, you have taken it the wrong way. I was stating that i have never watched or heard about SA racing, due to an alinghi or starcraft or makybe diva ever going over there to contest one of there big races. I never knocked the talent or potential of there horses, its just i have absolutely no idea who or what they are.

I will state the reason for this is i do all my betting through the TAB or with bookies when i get to the melbourne meetings (nearly every week during spring), so if i can't bet on it (which is the case with most overseas races) i will show little interest.

Sorry Real, I understand the DeaL! I don't know anything about SA racing either except that all the ones that come over here always end up being pretty decent.

SS, here is what Ozeform has to say about the Starcraft situation:

Breeders Cup Mile for Starcraft

September 28, 2005 The lure of being proclaimed “Worlds Best Miler” seems to be too much for owner Paul Makin to turn down with his 5 year old chestnut Starcraft now set to take on the worlds best in New York. Having claimed champion miler of Europe status with a comprehensive win over Godolphin champ Dubawi in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Saturday, Starcraft is now set to take his place in next month's $1.5 million Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park. Makin has already issued a challenge to the connections of Dubawi declaring, "I do not think Dubawi could beat us over any trip, ground or time," "He came over to join us in the race and actually hung into us, but then when our boy realised there was still a race, he pulled away.” "Dubawi had his chance and had his ground. If Frankie can persuade the boss into a sporting wager, maybe we can get a match on.” "It doesn't matter where it is or what the distance is, we'll just turn up on the day. It would give me a lot of satisfaction." Makin will however have to pay either a $400,000 or $800,000 fee to run the son of Soviet Star in either of the Breeders' Cup Mile or the mile and-a-quarter Breeders' Cup Classic which will both be run on dirt. "Money doesn't come into it with Starcraft and we'll have to go where our convictions take us, but I don't think it will be the Champion Stakes at Newmarket," he said. "We brought him over here to race against the best in the world, not to take on pussycats. Leroidesanimaux (the early favorite with English bookmakers for the Classic Mile) is one we'd like to beat."

This is beginning to sound like Seabiscuit the movie.

Love it though and love the horse. Would love to see him back for the Newmarket here in March or Even Australian Cup which was talked about very early (Makin also mentioned he wanted ollie to return to ride him that day) but it is no chance i think.

Thanks Merri, That Makin is comical!!!! He is a real character, ain't he???

Any suporter othis horse should watch the replay of Racing Retro on TV tonight they have Makin on there and he has the trophy for the QE II on there which I must say was a very impressive lump of gold. Aparently it is about 6kgs of solid gold. He also half tipped his hat whic way he might go with Starcraft in America highly liely that it will the dirt race or atleast it looked asthough he was leaning that way anyway. He also said he has had offers of $16 million to send the horse to stud which he basically didn't even consider then he was asked whether he would sell him for $20 million he basically said he wouldn't even consider it saying money isn't something he really needs anyway.


He is the type of owner it is a shame we don't have more of in this country he has plenty of money and unless he gets a ridiculos offer he gets more honor out of the feats of this horse than going for the shotgun sale as Lloyd Williams has done on more than one occasion. If the horse comes through america fine then it is a very strong possibility he goes to Hong Kong the maybe the $3 million race in Dubai next year either way he certainly wants to win as much as he can with this horse and good one him he has gone the right way about it rather than a hit and run mission.

I have changed my mind on Makin aswell after that interview this morning he does seem to be a very down to earth bloke he just has a very very good horse who he loves and thinks he can win anything.

Phar Lap
 

If Makin had given up on Starcraft after the Cox Plate like everyone else it would have been a very sad end indeed. Sea Biscuit-esque indeed.

By the way, how many horses had been sent overseas when Woodcock sent Phar Lap to America in 1931? Or was he actually the first?

Couldn't answer that Starcraft no idea if Pharlap was the first horse to travel or not I would imagine not. Thought I would add another little tidbit here Paul Makin who now also owns Private Steer has booked her to american champion Ghostzapper who off memory was great between 1200-2000m not certain of that though could be an interesting cobo anyway.