being at the valley he has little or no chance in a race like the cox plate, what with his seeming inability to cope with large noisy crowds or tight circuits.

he's much more likely to be at home at tracks like flemington or sandown.

heres hoping the owner still get the $mil on as its all the better for the odds on my nag.

just wondering how a horse who has won an ajc derby cant get 2000m, and be labelled a miler??


i think he can, and probably will win the cox plate. if he runs straight, seems he has has his head sideways in almost all his runs this campaign, anyone know why?

3yo staying races are usually very poor guides as class often prevails. Do you think helenus was a genuine 2500m horse. I certaintly dont nor do i think special harmony is a stayer or starcraft is a stayer., In fact the trainer publicly stated that starcvraft didnt get the ground in the derby and would never run further than 2000m again.

cheers
umrum

Ra Sun, I said this because of his comprehensive (my interpretation) ability over the mile (5 wins from 6 starts) in good company as opposed to >2000m (2 from 2 and not great fields). Starcraft won the Derby but so what? That's history. I'm talking about 'current' form and this clearly shows he is not performing at the moment. It's not to say of course, that he won't/can't win. I simply don't think he is showing enough. He either needs a hood or needs to get his mind back on the job.

This is only my opinion and you are perfectly entitled to yours. Thank you for taking the time to post Ra Sun. I await with interest to see how he goes between now and the Cox.

Is anyone actually taking into account that his "DISMAL FAILURE" on the weekend (3rd place, no less) was him backing up from an international flight? And nobody has commented on Super Impose running dead last in a field of 6 before he went on to win his 2nd Epsom and Doncaster... I get the impression you don't want there to be a super horse unless you won money on it at incredible odds before it was famous!!! Why not just enjoy a horse that's a good athlete?

I actually backed starcraft in the debonair at $36. I dont care about money won or lost in the past. This is about him NOW. At the moment I would be laying him all day in a cox plate. think grand armee will win. Starcraft hasnt done enough to be a champion. sure he's freakish galloper in the mould of a saintly but what has he done really. His derby was pretty good but I want to see him do more before we go on saying how great he is.

cheers
umrum

Starcraft you aren't comparing apples with apples. I know you are passionate about Starcraft and that's great, but what we are talking about Starcrafts CURRENT form, New Zealand included.

Current campaign/form:
Yalumba (2000m) His run for 3rd on Saturday was just that; a run. Yes his last 800-200m and 600-200m sectionals were great, but he didn't finish off. He peaked with 200m to go in a race 'set up' for him. Fast pace set by St Reims ensured off the pace runners should have got home. The straight is 367m long. The 'Valley is only 173m.

His run in the Kelt (2040m) wasn't that great. He was fired up before the race, dumped Boss, pulled and reefed and Boss gave him 'his head' and went to lead. I accept that there was no true pace in the race, but a Might & Power or I know you don't like her, Sunline would have led and buried that field, with the exception Balmuse. He didn't have his customary 'kick' at the end. For the record I heavily backed Balmuse.

In the Stoneybridge (1600m) he was slow away and alledgedly 'hit in the head' by the starting gate. Went around the field at the turn and won well enough. But not in the same way 1st-up. You may be interested to know that Balmuse has faster overall 1600m times than Starcraft.

Mudgway (1400m). 1st run in a foreign country. Nothing short of sensational. What a win. What acceleration. But we didn't see the best of Starcraft.

My point to this novel is that Starcraft started his campaign well enough, but hasn't carried it on. There is no dispute that he is a lovely looking horse and has great potential, both on and off the track. I have written this synopsis of Starcrafts current campaign with a cold, dispasionate heart. I have no loyalty when betting. I'm only interested in making money. I need it to live.

PS I don't want you to think that I'm a Starcraft-basher I'm not. I just think he's not in good enough form.

PPS For the record my Cox selections are Grand Armee, Elegant Fashion and Starcraft. Subject to weather and scratchings of course

[ This Message was edited by: fast eddy on 2004-10-12 14:32 ]

[ This Message was edited by: fast eddy on 2004-10-12 15:01 ]

I'll get in early and tip one for you..... Regal Roller (if he can run the distance) cos I think his last few wins are getting more and more impressive!!!

i backed a "Starcraft-Makybe Diva" Cox plate-Melbourne cup double @ $25 before the C Cup yesterday, and had $10 on it...great odds now...

Chuck

I see Starcraft has drawn the 1 'box' for the Cox Plate. If Boss rides him back he'll get boxed away and you can send me your money now because he won't win from there, unless major gaps open on the fence. Do you think a jockey worth their salt wll allow that? I don't think so. Remember the home straight is a paltry ~170m long. Yes he worked well on the StrathAyr (is this the correct spelling?) surface but he'll need to monster the field before the turn.

Conversely, if Boss rides him forward AND he settles, then watch out, it'll be an interesting race thats for sure.

Good luck everyone.