posted Sep 27, 2008

Just found these comments from the RP which shed some light on it


Henrythenavigator has the same two options, and he, too, is unproven in both areas. He is 4-1 with Stan James and VCbet for the Mile. He had looked a superstar in running up his sequence of four Group 1 wins, and while the bubble had been burst behind Goldikova at Longchamp, it was possible to excuse that on account of the softish ground. Although it clearly was not soft here, conditions may still have been a partial excuse, for he clearly loves it really firm and it was still loose on top here following Thursday's watering and two heavy dews. The other factors that need taking into account are his late arrival at the track owing to fog, for he had little time to settle in and was warm in the preliminaries, and a suggestion from experienced paddock judges that he did not look as hard fit as had done earlier in the season. That said, he was a long way clear of the others and it is conceivable he ran to his best and was simply beaten by a rival who has been closing on him all year and has now simply overtaken him.


Plus

Tamayuz, beaten previously only from a poor draw in the French 2,000 Guineas, was hugely disappointing, leading only briefly in the straight and quickly being left behind by the principals. He had taken the notable scalp of 1,000 Guineas winner Natagora at Deauville after beating Raven's Pass (given plenty to do) in the Prix Jean Prat, but he just didn't run his race here. Connections were mystified, although Freddie Head did point out he got very warm in the preliminaries. That may have been a factor, and he was also effectively making his own running until the rider of stablemate Racinger realised the pacemakers were going too fast and were too far clear of the pack, and so he tooka bit of a pull and waited for him.

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posted Sep 27, 2008

The Ascot Turf is a farce, Hidden Fortress. Everything about it stinks. How can races run on good to soft so comfortably be run in a time under standard?

The draw is a farce, always will be. I don't even know what to look for anymore. It started off with a heavy stands' rail bias, then one race the first 3 finished 4L clear of the stands, then the far rail got the bias and now everything seems to go up the middle.

The track is a farce, much like the watering policy.

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posted Sep 27, 2008

For me there is no doubt that HTN peaked for the Guineas/St James Palaceand his form has at best just plateaued from there whereas other milers appear to have improved throughout the season - Ravens, Goldikova and Tamayuz (until today).

I also feel that the horse (HTN) now needs 10f and when (or if) he tackles this distance we may see the brilliance of early summer return.

Whether the BC Classic is the race to test this out in though I don't know, but I don't suppose at this stage of the season there are many other options.

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posted Sep 28, 2008

HtN will now clearly go over 10f with DoM going for the Arc.

To refute the pacemaker argument above I would have to say that it worked perfectly for Ballydoyle. Tamayuz was broken although he's not a great horse and has won poor races. Raven's Pass was not meant to be able to handle the ground and that strong a gallop and surprised even his trainer.

It still looked like the Nav was fighting for his footing and wasn't making any inroads as a result. I hope they both go to Santa Anita. I don't want to oppose Curlin who is an absolute bull of a horse or Big Roid Brown but I really think that if Henry gets the breaks from a mid division ride he has the frame and build for a massive turn of foot on the new surface.

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posted Sep 28, 2008

And Curlin passes Cigar's all-time earnings record, yet STILL has never beaten a good horse...

Could Curlin be the most overrated horse in history?

Probably.

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posted Sep 28, 2008

The Lockinge, Sussex Stakes, Queen Anne stakes hold just as much prestige as the QEII.

Clearly, Henry the Navigator (Henry-TN) is Champion Miler of the year. I was concerned about how Henry-TN would recover from his run on heavy ground in France earlier this month. I think he put up a splendid fight against a very good horse yesterday on ground that wasn't quite right for him. I hope he runs again as a 4 year old (only on firm ground).

As for the Breeders Cup, the event is far too late in the year for most European 3yo horses. Luckily Coolmore are a very sporting bunch and always give it a good go.

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posted Sep 28, 2008

I'll be amazed if we see HTN next season.

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posted Sep 28, 2008

So because Raven's Pass won the QEII he is now Champion Miler? Sorry, not having that. Henry has beaten him more times than he has been beaten, doesn't make sense.

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posted Sep 28, 2008

Andy - it is generally considered the QEII is the championship mile race of Europe. Obviously it does seem like Henrythenavigator should be it, as he's beaten him a few times, but Raven's Pass has probably just improved past him now.

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posted Sep 30, 2008

HTN remains with Goldikova and Zarkava the top milers.

Though as i posted earlier in the year if Ravens pass was ridden correctly he would beat HTN. Twice gave HTN a length and first run going down by under a neck in close races.

Be interesting to see how the handicappers rate this race.

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