Given that he's the market leader, i think this horse deserves a thread of his own to talk about the merits of the horse. Forget who has backed him and who hasn't, and forget the attention seekers please. Even against lesser opposition he has shown enough to suggest that he definitely deserves to head the market at a short price, although some will have their opinions as to how short. It was funny how the horse didn't want to be restrained when he pulled up beside Picture editor and gave him a couple of looks early on before having none of it(restraint). He picked up very nicely and if that was over a mile he could have won by what he wanted to. Very nice indeed.
So far so good Graeme but those who oppose him will be quick to point out he ran a bit free, beat nothing and hung his head.
I'd put that down to the fact nothing was going and everything was happening way to slow for Frankel.
He never really got going but in the last quarter of the final furlong he was just starting get going when Tom Queally had to start pulling him up, which he apparently found more difficult than winning the race.
I really hope Wooten Basset makes it to the Guineas as he will go at such a clip we will see just how special Frankel is. He'll have to be to beat the Fahey horse IMO but I think he will.
I'm amazed he's not shorter. He's beat the so called best around, he's trained on, he's unbeaten and the only time he's got into top gear is when his pilot raced a train
So far so good Graeme but those who oppose him will be quick to point out he ran a bit free, beat nothing and hung his head.I'd put that down to the fact nothing was going and everything was happening way to slow for Frankel. He never really got goin
He's got the Guineas sewn up imo. The horse desperately needs further than 8f imo and my first impression from when he first won about him being a Derby horses still lingers on. He just looks like he is crying out for a step up in trip but everything connections are saying is the complete opposite.
He's got the Guineas sewn up imo. The horse desperately needs further than 8f imo and my first impression from when he first won about him being a Derby horses still lingers on. He just looks like he is crying out for a step up in trip but everything
Rondetto a horse like Wooton basset tho aint going to go like the clappers having had a training setback last thing you want to do is blaze off & set it up for Frankel. The biggest danger to him is a small field slow gallop. If thats the case can see queally letting him go quite early & get into that powerfull stride.
Rondetto a horse like Wooton basset tho aint going to go like the clappers having had a training setback last thing you want to do is blaze off & set it up for Frankel.The biggest danger to him is a small field slow gallop.If thats the case can see q
Agree that only a tactical race can beat Frankel in the Guineas. Can't oppose him with anything else we've see this season and if you fancy one of the colts unraced so far in 2011 it's a guess IMO.
Watching him race today I was amazed at how heavily built he is - he's like a tank - you don't even see 5 year olds looking like that. For that reason alone I can't see him running over middle distances.
Agree that only a tactical race can beat Frankel in the Guineas. Can't oppose him with anything else we've see this season and if you fancy one of the colts unraced so far in 2011 it's a guess IMO. Watching him race today I was amazed at how heavily
I wouldn't quite say he has it sewn up as there are one or two potential mines in the field. He does look a bit special though it has to be said, and he's not one i'd lay. As Ron alluded to in his post, he began to really pick up in the last quarter to demonstrate the huge reserve of fuel he still had in the tank. He didn't even break sweat. With regards to him getting the derby trip, i'm not so sure. He has so much pace and is so strong that their plan to stick to a mile with the potential for 10f could be the right decision for the time being. I wonder if he puts on a good performance in the guineas if they would ever consider the BC classic given who he's named after ?
I wouldn't quite say he has it sewn up as there are one or two potential mines in the field. He does look a bit special though it has to be said, and he's not one i'd lay. As Ron alluded to in his post, he began to really pick up in the last quarter
AT Ive quite a few photos of him from last yr(mates a racehorse photographer/artist) & I thought he really looked to have strengthened up & put on weight/condition particularly over the shoulder . Im sure his style of racing & powerfull stride is that of a miler @ this stage.
ATIve quite a few photos of him from last yr(mates a racehorse photographer/artist)& I thought he really looked to have strengthened up & put on weight/condition particularly over the shoulder .Im sure his style of racing & powerfull stride is that
Was never totally convinced that it would be correct to aim him at the Derby until today. As big a fan of Galileo as I am I just didn't see him getting a good run over a trip. The way he pulled away in poor ish ground was really taking. Plus he looked well too. Really looking forward to his future.
Was never totally convinced that it would be correct to aim him at the Derby until today. As big a fan of Galileo as I am I just didn't see him getting a good run over a trip. The way he pulled away in poor ish ground was really taking. Plus he looke
Lovely horse. Reminds me a lot of Deep Impact with his - I don't give a dam about the opposition attitude.
I'd like to see them keep him at a mile.
Irish Guineas, St James Palace, Sussex, QEII then a nice clash with Goldikova at the Breeders Cup.
dont get the whole fascination with the Derby to be honest with you......
Lovely horse. Reminds me a lot of Deep Impact with his - I don't give a dam about the opposition attitude. I'd like to see them keep him at a mile. Irish Guineas, St James Palace, Sussex, QEII then a nice clash with Goldikova at the Breeders Cup. don
I equally don't get all this worry about his stamina. but it's great in a way because he's trading at an incredibly generous 5-1 for the derby. to be honest the race i'd see him as being more vulnerable in would be the guineas. that's a harder race to win than the derby for me these days and if he hoses up at newmarket, they can all run scared for epsom.
I equally don't get all this worry about his stamina. but it's great in a way because he's trading at an incredibly generous 5-1 for the derby. to be honest the race i'd see him as being more vulnerable in would be the guineas. that's a harder race t
I agree with Graeme that the BC Classic has to be a thought, having said that it make it a seriously long season.
So far I think its safe to say he appears to have trained on, although obviously tougher (Irish) opposition will need to be taken on next time out. Also his demeanour pre-race yesterday was about as laid back as you could hope for which bodes well for the parades.
No point in re-stating my views and interest in the Derby. From now on everything depends on connections.
I agree with Graeme that the BC Classic has to be a thought, having said that it make it a seriously long season.So far I think its safe to say he appears to have trained on, although obviously tougher (Irish) opposition will need to be taken on next
Can he get away with pulling like that in the classic races? maybe,he is a good one alright,but i will be watching with interest with no bet on him,too short imo for a horse that dont settle.
Can he get away with pulling like that in the classic races? maybe,he is a good one alright,but i will be watching with interest with no bet on him,too short imo for a horse that dont settle.
Anyone think he was hanging right a bit yesterday?
As he went to the front he threw his head to the right and he ended up right on the rail. In the Dewhurst he kinda dossed around in front when clear then wandered towards the middle of the track.
Arguably he looked most professional at Ascot, straight as a die up the rail.
All bodes well for something like the Eclipse, and he might get away with it in the Guineas but Epsom? He's such a bull of an animal and so powerful I feel convinced that a mile will be his best trip; maybe class can get him up to 10f, but 12f and up hill and down dale Not for me.
Anyone think he was hanging right a bit yesterday?As he went to the front he threw his head to the right and he ended up right on the rail.In the Dewhurst he kinda dossed around in front when clear then wandered towards the middle of the track.Arguab
You know i'm now beginning to wonder if he would get the derby trip. Yeah so he's big, but surely balance is more important than build. The derby isn't a tough 12f. It's got an easy enough run in, and Rip Van Winkle got it well enough, who was an 8-10f horse in actuality. The key thing with regards to his head hanging to the right is wrong in my opinion. I think he just looks for other horses to play about or keep him company. In the Dewhurst his head went to the left where the opposition were. Yesterday it 'hung' to the right because that's where Picture Editor was. Once he drew away from Picture Editor he went straight, until he felt the Botti horse coming behind him, then he tried to have a week look at that horse. Once Queally told him to behave himself and stop playing with the opposition, he pulled away and put the opposition away with no problem whatsoever. My conclusion is the horse has character, and some some head carriage imperfection. He's having fun whilst everything about him is 100% focused. It's almost as if he's cheekily mocking them.
You know i'm now beginning to wonder if he would get the derby trip. Yeah so he's big, but surely balance is more important than build. The derby isn't a tough 12f. It's got an easy enough run in, and Rip Van Winkle got it well enough, who was an 8-1
Rip Van Winkle got it well enough but not enough to win it.
Take your point about hanging into other horses and you may well be right. However:
On debut, just for a moment when asked to assert he goes slightly right but this is the one occasion he's had opposition (Nathaniel) to his right and he stays straight thereafter.
In the Doncaster exercise gallop, he does the same thing but is unpressured and canters in.
At Ascot, he comes round the field hits the front then scrapes paint up the rail. Arguably this is his most impressive performance.
Against better animals in the Dewhurst, the last half furlong shows him going markedly to his right.
And yesterday he masters Excelleration in the middle of the track then by the time he hits the line he's on the right hand rail.
None of this may affect his ability to win races but people seem concerned about his pulling early in his races and to my mind this is potentially just as feasible an issue. As I say, it might not be a problem at Newmarket and it might be more of a problem on faster ground. If there's anything in the Guineas field to challenge him then the draw could become very relevant and you'd have to question whether Epsom would be his track. (As I ponder this, I wonder whether the camber would keep him straight )
His next races will be the acid test. They will be better than the races he has run in and won. If he has chinks is his armour they will be exposed. Classics have been won and lost due to a horses quirks or preferences and this season may will be no different.
Rip Van Winkle got it well enough but not enough to win it.Take your point about hanging into other horses and you may well be right. However:On debut, just for a moment when asked to assert he goes slightly right but this is the one occasion he's h
Biggest threat to Frankel at Newmarket might be that the race is a mess. Noone's going to want to set a strong pace and Frankel's pacemaker looks like being Monopolize who'll probably be too slow. Even if the field is small it could split and the jockeys on the other fancied runners will do whatever they can to steal the race. To ensure a true test Frankel might have to take up the running from a long way out.
Biggest threat to Frankel at Newmarket might be that the race is a mess. Noone's going to want to set a strong pace and Frankel's pacemaker looks like being Monopolize who'll probably be too slow. Even if the field is small it could split and the joc
Actually today Teddy Grimthorpe talks about a pacemaker here http://j.mp/eYhItf and it looks like there won't be one. Cecil/Juddmonte's Monopolized isn't even mentioned although it's in the entries lists I've seen.
Actually today Teddy Grimthorpe talks about a pacemaker here http://j.mp/eYhItf and it looks like there won't be one. Cecil/Juddmonte's Monopolized isn't even mentioned although it's in the entries lists I've seen.
I dont think a Galileo has even made the frame on dirt. I know one that won at Santa Anita but that was back on proride. But then again I dont think many have tried.
His sire was well beaten in the classic at belmont but didnt O'Brien blame himself for training him a bit bad ie going for the King George???
Hmmm who knows...horse seems capable of anything. Good cruising speed and if maybe he can use that midrace turn of foot of his to get out of the kickback if its a bother.
Not a bad year to try it....Most of the top older horses from last year have retired so its just the classic generation to beat.
interesting. wonder if Cecil would stick with Queally if they went for the Classic? A local might be better.
LOL you guys got me thinking now!! I dont think a Galileo has even made the frame on dirt. I know one that won at Santa Anita but that was back on proride. But then again I dont think many have tried. His sire was well beaten in the classic at belmon
I like the horse and i hope he wins for Henry Cecil.
Is anyone concerned that things could happen a bit too quick for Frankel in the guineas ? To me he looks like he needs a lot of winding up before he hits top gear, in a race like the Guineas it could be over before he gets into top gear. If you watch the race yesterday he didn't really accelerate away like a speedster once he hit the front, its like his one stride is equivelant to one and a half strides of other horses due to his shear size.
If their's something quick in the race that likes to be up with the pace and is guarenteed to stay i'd rather be on one of those types of horses at bigger odds than Frankel at 4-6 ish, they could be gone before he hits top stride.
A tactical race would surely beat him, they can't risk that so i'd expect him to be there abouts throughout the race.
I could be wrong though and i hope i am as like i said at the start i hope he wins for Henry Cecil.
I like the horse and i hope he wins for Henry Cecil.Is anyone concerned that things could happen a bit too quick for Frankel in the guineas ? To me he looks like he needs a lot of winding up before he hits top gear, in a race like the Guineas it coul
Those that need reassuring that FRANKEL is a worthy favourite for this years 2000gns dont need to worry about race tactics,this fellow could make all and win,he doesn't need to be held up and his races have shown he actually resents it,the pace of the race wont affect him either,what could cost him dearly is if Tom Queally messes up which would be unfortunate but because FRANKEL is such a complex character its a possibility,i still think the most likely way of beating this horse is the horse beating himself,he just comes across as a pressure cooker waiting to explode,i hope for the sake of those with nice prices about him dont see the lid come off before he reaches boiling point.
Those that need reassuring that FRANKEL is a worthy favourite for this years 2000gns dont need to worry about race tactics,this fellow could make all and win,he doesn't need to be held up and his races have shown he actually resents it,the pace of th
Irish Guineas, St James Palace, Sussex, QEII then a nice clash with Goldikova at the Breeders Cup.
dont get the whole fascination with the Derby to be honest with you...
Those Mile Races are 2nd Tier Group 1s ( possible exception QEII) which he will be wasted on if he is as good as looks like being.
They would be 4 runner races.
I'd like to see them keep him at a mile.Irish Guineas, St James Palace, Sussex, QEII then a nice clash with Goldikova at the Breeders Cup.dont get the whole fascination with the Derby to be honest with you...Those Mile Races are 2nd Tier Group 1s ( p
Tobermory: you must be a traditionalist. I don't understand the obsession that people have with the Derby. The most important race to win is the the Arc. It has an aura. The winner is the best horse on the planet at 12 furlongs. I can't see Frankel contesting the Derby never mind the Arc. However, going up against Goldikova would be something to relish. It's a pity that Cecil never targeted the race when he had the horses but i suppose his owners were more focused on the St Leger. Those Group 1 races that you dismiss as second class is a ridiculously unjustified comment. So you are saying that milers are inferior to middle distance horses?
Tobermory: you must be a traditionalist. I don't understand the obsession that people have with the Derby. The most important race to win is the the Arc. It has an aura. The winner is the best horse on the planet at 12 furlongs. I can't see Frankel c
I don't think Frankel will need to truly stay 12f to win this year's Derby - he'll be that far clear, his stamina could start to give way and he could still win easily.
I don't think Frankel will need to truly stay 12f to win this year's Derby - he'll be that far clear, his stamina could start to give way and he could still win easily.
Agree with that totally. If he is that much better than them wether he 'stays' or not at 12f (which just means his optimum trip is 10f) won't matter .Usain Bolt probably doesn't stay a mile but i expect he'd beat me at the distance.
Madrugada, So you are saying that milers are inferior to middle distance horses?
In a way . I think the very best horses do gravitate towards the 10f - 12f Group 1s . They just have more prestige . Certainly i don't think anyone would question that the 2 Mile + horses at Group 1 level are inferior (rather than being 'specialist stayers') , i think most top class 12f horses could win the Ascot Gold Cup with ease as there would be nothing to get them off the bridle . Also the 6f Group 1 horses are plainly not in the same class as the Milers .You can see how many horses from Sprint Handicaps go on to Group 1 level at 6f . Hardly any middle distance handicappers can ever improve enough to contest the King George etc.
I think it would be a shame if Frankel's summer just consisted of a few facile wins against 3 or 4 runners .
^^Agree with that totally. If he is that much better than them wether he 'stays' or not at 12f (which just means his optimum trip is 10f) won't matter .Usain Bolt probably doesn't stay a mile but i expect he'd beat me at the distance.Madrugada, So yo
i really dont want to take away from this horse, he is absolutely brilliant on what he has shown so far but hes not pegasus, people literally think he can win from other horses by as far as he wants. hes just a horse, u cant flick a switch and make him go as fast as u want, he has limitations like any person or animal. just like usain bolt or another human, they will never win the 100m by crazy distances as no matter how good the best is, the gap to the next best human or horse in this case will never be THAT much. they are all finely tuned machines. i mean 'how far clear' do u expect him to get? a furlong![:(]
i really dont want to take away from this horse, he is absolutely brilliant on what he has shown so far but hes not pegasus, people literally think he can win from other horses by as far as he wants. hes just a horse, u cant flick a switch and make h
I prefer waving at girls but that's beside the point
I would imagine Tom Queally will be under instructions to win as far as he can.
You have to remember Frankel may not be a Derby horse so a fantastic memorable performance in the 2000 Guineas may be their best opportunity he ever gets to make a lasting impression in the minds of breeders.
I doubt if TQ will be trying a Lester Piggot lookalike. He'll be out to open Frankel up and show everyone just how good he truly is.
If he's not Pegasus he's the nearest thing I've seen to him. Awesome horse and with the Fahey horse out of the race he should be no better than 1/4 to win. Or as they say in France, he's a fookin certainty
I prefer waving at girls but that's beside the point I would imagine Tom Queally will be under instructions to win as far as he can.You have to remember Frankel may not be a Derby horse so a fantastic memorable performance in the 2000 Guineas may be
Did not get anything in that interview to question Frankel's stamina. What I did get was the fact Henry thinks he's exceptional. I was frantically trying to load up more AP for next year's classics as he powered away in final furlong. The Godolphin horse wouldn't have got near him. It was almost like a Zafonic moment regardless of it being ordinary 3-horse race. Just annoyed I wasn't quick enough to get the 33s for Guineas. Talk of possibly being supplemented for Dewhurst and given his pedigree... I think he could do Guineas/Derby double.
johnnyrant 21 Sep 10 15:07
I've followed Flat racing for over 25 years. Call it intuition but Frankel's first time out win told me he was very decent - winning cosily despite hating the ground. His win second time out screamed that he is something very special indeed. It's all guesswork at such an early stage of his career but I genuinely believe he could be one of those very rare racehorses who turns out to be in the Dancing Brave/Sea The Stars category.
johnnyrant 25 Sep 10 18:09
When HRAC says Frankel is the best 2-y-o he has trained since Wallow – and Henry is a gentleman trainer not known for talking up his horses – and you see what Frankel did round the turn accelerating past them like they were trees, off a slow pace, that didn't suit, and still clocks a time a second quicker than the Filles' Mile winner, and on ground slower than ideal for him... I think there are a fair few clues there. Clutching at straws to say he has beaten nothing of note and top notch 2-y-os don't always develop into top notch 3-y-os. That's stating the obvious. People were no doubt saying that about Zafonic. He could tread on a stone and go lame on the eve of the Guineas... The gamble you are taking is on him making it to the post. 5-2 is quite generous imo, and given the way he was able to settle today off a dawdling pace suggests to me he has every chance of staying the Derby trip.
johnnyrant 26 Sep 10 15:12
Why are people saying he is a soft ground horse when this is patently untrue. Cecil and Queally were on record as saying he hated the ground at HQ first time out. Frankel will be seen at his best on quick ground. The whole 2-y-o-only debate is an absurd non-starter. Henry is simply stating the obvious - he's the best 2-y-o he has trained since Wollow. He can't say he's the best 3-y-o simple because he's not 3 yet and hasn't raced yet at 3.
johnnyrant 27 Sep 10 10:14
Caution is best advised with any horse that saunters home in the R.Post Trophy. Soft ground and that time of year can exaggerate the winner's superiority - I was totally unconvinced by SNA and Crowded House and happy to lay them both for the Guineas. Frankel is a totally different proposition. We've heard what HRAC has said and seen what he can do – SNA and Crowded House simply didn't have the same visual impact, at least on me. He doesn't want soft ground and will be better on quicker ground. At Doncaster he clocked a time faster than standard despite having to gallop on his own quite effortlessly to the line. To say a horse is a lay because he is 2-1 AP during the winter is quite illogical. George Washington was 9-4 and went off 6-4 on the day. I imagine Zafonic was sub-2-1. He is no great value but 2-1 might look big if he wins easily in the Dewhurst. He is only a lay for those who want to lock down a profit having backed him at big, double figure prices for the Guineas and Derby.
Well done AP backers of Frankel for Guineas
johnnyrant 10 Sep 10 20:29 Did not get anything in that interview to question Frankel's stamina. What I did get was the fact Henry thinks he's exceptional. I was frantically trying to load up more AP for next year's classics as he powered away in f
reminded me a lot of Bobby Frankel's Ghostzapper who romped the Classic in a very similar fashion.
Like I said...He's got that I dont give a dam attitude. anything possible with Frankel. reminded me a lot of Bobby Frankel's Ghostzapper who romped the Classic in a very similar fashion.