I for one would like to hear from folk overseas (especially NZ, UK & Europe) with regards to how you think your horses will perform in our big races (eg. Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup etc) over the next month or so.

Perhaps some of our many forum members who are already members of o/s forums, would consider extending this invitation.


_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2002-10-10 10:19 ]

Hi,
I'm in Yorkshire,England.

__________________
Nothing is left to chance anywhere on Ballydoyle's 500 acres, set in the rolling hills of County Tipperary in the lush south-west of the Republic, and they have even created replicas of both the final furlong at Ascot and the sharp left turn at Tattenham

I'm looking forward to Grandera in the Cox Plate.He'd be the best horse ever to be sent from UK to race in OZ.

G'day davyork, big welcome from OZ!

I've heard that Grandera is a class horse. How good is he?

A lot of punters down-under are a bit sceptical of O/S horses (except those from NZ) call them paper champions. I don't agree as I think many that have come to OZ have not been at their best for a number of reasons.

What is of Grandera's style of racing - is he likely to be up near the pace in the Cox ?

Appreciate your input davyork.

PS Is Grandera the only one worth looking at?

BB,
You havent seen a horse of this calibre from over here before.We don't send our top tier horses.They go for the Guineas,Derby,Arc etc.Aidan O'brien and Saeed Bin Suroor are the top two in Europe,have they ever sent a horse for the Cox Plate before?Don't ever judge our horses by the Melbourne Cup lol.
Grandera prefers fast ground and a very fast pace so he can settle.He races in mid pack or behind then is produced with a strong kick at the two pole.The faster the pace the better.
Dettori is going over to ride Grandera in preference to going to Chicago for the Breeders Cup,on the same day.
Godolphin will take over the grade 1 scene in OZ when they feel like it.

I hear that they have a higher opinion of the chances of Beekeeper than many other contenders.
What do you think?

Hi Equine,
Beekeeper is in good form,so is Vinnie Roe.The Melbourne Cup is a handicap,too tricky to get involved with.A bit like our Grand National Steeplechase.
Vinnie Roe would be thereabouts.He's a top notch stayer,equal of Vintage Crop.Depends if he gets a nice racing weight.If he carries a similar weight to Vintage did to win then get on him!!Beekeeper is a class below Vinnie Roe so will need to get weight from him.My bet would be Vinnie Roe to finish in the frame.
Grandera is the reason I cheched out this forum.He will want a strong pace,maybe Godolphin will run a pacemaker.

Thanks for that info Davyork. Is there a U.K. site that lists the horses previous form and placings in it's career?

I would be interested in doing further research, although your comments are of great help too.

Just got the odds available in UK at Coral Bookmakers.
5/2 Lonhro, Grandera, 4/1 Sunline, Northerly, 8/1 Defier, 14/1 Bel Esprit, 16/1 Magical Miss, 20/1 Fields of Omagh, 33/1 Victory Vein, 40/1 Ustinov.
Anything look out of place there?

Equine,
This site has interactive form.Go to home page and type a search for any horse at top of page,that will take you to all it's form.
Look at the PM figure,this gives a good indication of the quality of a field or a horse.It's a sort of speed figure.Any horse with a figure over 125 is top class indeed.
http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses