SIRES
 

I'd like to hear everyone's opinions on your favorite sires and what you like about them. I love the Singspiel's, More Than Ready's, End Sweep's, Hennesy's, Dynaformer's, El Prado's, War Chant**, Unusual Heat**(Nuryev), Black Minnaloushe**, Giant's Causeway**, Lemon Drop Kid** to name some. The ones with ** are newer sires that are doing excellent here in the states on turf. I don't think I've seen many if any of these in AUS. Lemon Drop Kid's are taking to the turf like gangbusters and Unusual Heat is a California stalllion who's progeny LOVE 1)wet 2)turf(Long then short) 3)Distance on dirt 4) Sprints on dirt. They simply run on anything and Unusual could have been the best of his generation if he wasn't so fragile(maybe a point to keep in mind but so far so good), somewhat like Red Ransom(I saw his last race as a 2 yo at saratoga, getting beat in the Hopeful by Summer Squall). Next year Unusual Heat becomes a Kentucky sire and will start to get more recognition (dammit) so look out for his kids in Aussie down the line.

I have always liked the Hennessy breed but they certainly haven't been as good as they possibly should have been here. Probably the best of his progeny here would be Grand Armee & Half Hennessy whose career was cut short by injury he would have been a fantastic horse IMO. You can't knock what Redoutes has done only been through 2 years of his progeny and they are winning everything and Encosta De Lago has put together a very nice record aswell, One of his sons progeny is one I am waiting for the name is De Lago Brom absolutely loved this horse on the track and has the blood lines to succeed as a stallion. Lastly I can't wait to see the Giants Caseway's race here because it just might add some depth to our staying ranks and some competition to Zabeel in that category who at the moment looks to have a stranglehold on atleast one of the big 3.

With ya on all those Raw. Wait til you see some of these Giant's. They can be awesome. I had Giant when he just got beat in the Breeder's Cup Classic on the dirt, so I am partial to him. He was incredible, as Aidan O'Brien's big boys usually are. Did STRAWBERRY ROAD(aus) race in Australia or was he just an Aussie bred? I always loved his get on the turf, although I guess he's passed on by now. Any PRIZED's doing anything over there?

I agree with Raw Instinct, that Redoubtes Choice is "sweeping all before him" as his progeny continue to win at all venues throughout Australasia.
There are a couple in today and if you were wanting to just have a few small fun bets you could do worse than betting on any runner by this sire at any venue.

Cheers.

Testa Rossa
 

Only one racing crop so far, but what a start, almost twice as many winners as Redoultes Choice when comparing first seasons, and that result even with RC's far superior broodmare band.

He is really throwing himself into his progeny, most have massive hind quarters (a trait of the great testa) which can really upgrade many mares. Already three stakewinners, Testifiable will prove to be the best of his first crop, look for him in melbourne over the next week or two (I'm still hoping he's ready for the Caulfield Guineas)

By far and away leading the Australian second season sire lists, especially with tough horses such as Testa Reale and Speedy Rossa (big run saturday), I have no doubt things will only get better from here as his broodmare quality increases.

Still cant help comparing him to RC, but RC is still really struggling past 2yo races to get a good horse (cant count those 4 horse sydney stakes races) and the melbourne form will again prove far superior this spring, and the testa's will out perform them. And price wise, $250K to 32K I know where id be going.

Info on Strawberry Road:

http://www.cyberhorse.net.au/barnes/strawberryroad/

Funny you should mention him. I used to love Whiskey Road's progeny. Strawberry Road came out of arguably the finest crop of elite 3yo's I've seen so far. Emancipation, Marscay, Mr McGinty, Veloso, Cossack Prince & Grosvenor as well as the Straw :)

Nowadays, I dont care too much for bloodlines. If I rate a horse a chance, I'll back it no matter who the sire is. It just doesnt have a bearing on my punting. Is it the case in the US that certain sire's progeny won't run on the dirt, or turf, etc?

Thanks Tarbs, Xanny and Raw, I don't know why we didn't get together and play the Redoute's and Singspiel's exacta at Werribee! Anna's Chice and Spielmeister. At least I had the Dynaformer (Impetuous Amour in the first at Canterbury). The exacta 5/1 only paid $40 here (quinella $41!) and the tri with the favorite by Spinning World (Kosi Bay) in third paid over $250. Can't complain about hitting an exacta but it was a saver on the bottom and it was REAL short.

For some reason, those Dynaformer's don't like to quit. Big Hearts!
As for Testa Rossa, I don't see a whole lot of them, but now I know why. He's just getting started. I will keep an eye out for Testifiable. Thanks Tarbs, but with my luck it will be in one of the races we aren't taking over here.

How do you guys feel about End Sweep's, Shovog's, and Gilded Time's (He set the track record for 6 furlongs at Monmouth Park (1:07.4) as a 2yo in 1992 and went on to win the Breeder's Cup Juvenile (which AUTOMATICALLY killed any chance to win the Derby! LOL-big jinx there). The record still stands!

ABSOLUTELY Brave! The best example I can think of is the great CIGAR. I backed him for what seemed an eternity on the turf as he was regally bred for it and trained by turf master Bill Mott. Well, he didn't do anything for about 10 races until they finally tried him on dirt and he didn't lose for 16 straight races!!!

Of course you know when I jumped off him. LOL

I don't use breeding as an exclusive way of picking a horse by any means either, but I do think it can provide an accurate assesment of the horse's ability and distance limitations when you don't have much to go on like 1st timers. And there has to be some validity that certain sires produce winners more often than others and under certain conditions. I have been using sires more and more for turf races and 2yo and they do seem to replicate their papa's alot. When I first started on Australia I didn't know many of the trainers or jocks so I had to make some connection to the horse. I still go through the program and circle my sire du jour and any that I like.

I didn't mind the end sweeps when they 1st came out here but they don't really seem to have gone on from there. Shovog seems to produce some decent youngsters they can really get up and run after 3yo they don't seem to do alot though if they make it that far. I really like the Gilded Times however I think they seem to prefer the slightly wet tracks over here they really grow an extra leg there. Old Thunder Gulch was another I liked a bit not sure why but they have done ok. I amnot sure about Testa Rossa I hadn't been that impressed by them so far but I must admit I haven't followed them that well though. I amnot sure what type of horse Soviet Star was but out of the ones I have seen race here in Australia I have liked what I saw between Starcraft and Russian Pearl who now races in Hong Kong he produced 2 fantastic horses would be interested to hear what happened with him if anyone knows would love to see some more of his progeny.

Hey all,

testifiable is to resume this saturday at I see (he is nominated for a 3yo race as top weight and the Manikato stakes) interesting to see which way moody goes with him

So watch out!

Tarbs