1 BEL ESPRIT John Symons D Oliver 15 55.5
2 CHOISIR Paul Perry G Boss 2 55.5
3 HALF HENNESSY Bede Murray 14 55.5
4 DELAGO BROM Tommy Hughes S W Arnold 12 55.5
5 GREAT GLEN Leon Macdonald K McEvoy 6 55.5
6 COOL TRENT Dean Lawson B Prebble 13 55.5
7 TITANIC JACK Tom Hughes (Jnr) P Payne 4 55.5
8 HELENUS Leon Corstens Steven King 7 55.5
9 ROHATYN (NZ) Robbie Laing N Callow 10 55.5
10 TYCOON RULER Jim Marconi 3 55.5
11 ALL OF ME Mathew Ellerton D Nikolic 1 55.5
12 KING WELLS Jim Marconi 11 55.5
13 C'EST LE REVE Alan Bailey 16 55.5
14 ACEE DEECEE (NZ) Dean Lawson C Newitt (a) 8 55.5
15 BUNKER (NZ) Trevor McKee 5 55.5
16 GRAND LOVER Sonja Kumpikas 9 55.5


Early selections are no 2 Choisir, no 7 Titanic Jack & no 9 Rohatyn

I reckon Bel Esprit will be far too classy. Would love to get the 9-2 they are talking about!

7 TITANIC JACK, 8 HELENUS & 15 BUNKER

I'm with you Punter, i'll stick with Bel Esprit, although it will be an extremely tough race, i think the class that you speak of, will get him home.

Titanic Jack, Choisir

Choisir Rohatyn Helenus.

Bel Esprit will be catching the train home.

:wink:

I'll go an outsider, and say ACEE DECEE.
Next for 2nd & 3rd: Bel Esprit, Titanic Jack.

#5 GREAT GLEN (6)

My inital assessments: (TABQ)

Bel Esprit 13/4 (11/4)
Bunker 7/1 (16/1)
Great Glen 15/2 (11/1)
Helenus 10/1 (13/4)
Titanic Jack 11/1 11/2)

whole field 100%

Doesn't appear to be much value here (as I see it)

Not sure about the kiwi horse but it rates quite well. Anybody with any knowledge of its racing pattern would be most helpful. I would need to know more before it attracted my money.

Great Glen may be slightly over the odds but at 15/2 I hardly think it's a standout.

In my opinion Oliver can lead on Bel Esprit if he wants, else should be no further away then 4/5 hopefully no more than 2 wide.

There is the obvious query at the trip but his form is clearly superior to his own age. Back from running in open class where he was only narrowly beaten in good time at his last two starts he is a genuine chance. As a pure hypothetical, if he had drawn inside 8 I would rate him about 2/1.

If there is sufficient interest I will update this in the morning and provide thoughts on a couple of other races.

1. HELENUS
2. TITANIC JACK
3. BEL ESPRIT
4. CHOISIR

1. HELENUS
2. TITANIC JACK
3. BEL ESPRIT
4. CHOISIR

Bel Esprit Even
Helenus 92
Choisir 14
Great Glen 14
Titanic Jack 14
Bunker 20

Thekey I agree with your assessment of Bel Esprit against his own age. However I cant put as much emphasis on his bad barrier as you do. With his speed and the top jock aboard I expect him to get across quite easily. Ideally he will get some cover and if he settles I think you will see his accelleration carry the day quite easily. Obviously from my price assessment you can see I do expect him to come back to the rider.Its a great day of racing and this race is very interesting. Fours looks great odds to me.

8 - Helenus.
2 - Choisir.
7 - Titanic Jack.

bel esprit

Helenus selected by BettyBoop, Equine Investor, INTUITIVE & TESTAROSSA – well done group. Welcome aboard INTUITIVE !

Not one of my picks but BEL ESPRIT should have won! What a run!!
I for one have a higher opinion of BE for races over 1600m & even further, after yesterday’s event!


_________________



[ This Message was edited by: Rogan Josh on 2002-10-13 07:35 ]

The previous knockers of Bel Esprit are deafening us with their silence. If the horse that can't run a strong 1200 was mine I'd be aiming at the Cox Plate, even the Vic Derby beckons.

I think having an outside barrier definitely helped Bel Esprit and with a champion jock (D.Oliver) on board he didn't listen to all the "experts" which said he HAD NO CHOICE but to lead and settled at the back.

I wasn't one of the knockers but i did think he wouldn't run out a strong 1600m by leading , i always thought Bel Esprit would be a better horse by relaxing just behind the lead and then unleashing his great sprint.

I think the outside barrier showed he could do this and i hope connections teach him how to relax in his races and if they can i would definitely not rule out him running a Derby distance.

I hope Bel Esprits run won't detract from the winner Helenus , it was a great win and its win in the Stutt Stakes was just as impressive.

Also thought Choisir and Great Glen ran super races especially Choisir which burned to the lead and set up the fastest Caulfield Guineas time ever and still managed 3rd.

The way Helenus stretched out over the final 200m shows that this horse is something special.

Oliver should not be criticised for his ride on Bel Esprit. He knew the horse couldn't lead and win over the distance, so tried different tactics which very nearly paid off. Oliver said he was hampered by Titanic Jack when trying to obtain a run.
I wouldn't consider Bel Esprit a chance over 2000 metres still. I would rather see them put the horse away for a while, freshen it and take it to the Hong Kong Sprint.
Then I'd be taking the odds!