Glad your powers of observation are NOT waning.

My post of 20.47 was to sintonian.

agree sandown.done by the draw and an exceptional soft ground horse solemia imo

My way of looking at a race has stood me in good stead since 1953, what about yours?

you lot still licking your wounds?

or debating ones superior at reading races?


moving on, we hae  some interesting runners at woodbine this weekend.

David Wachman runners look good, that fire lily beat gordon lord byron in August, the 2nd won a Group 1 Prix De La Foret last weekend .

Re- SAPPHIRE (earlier in the thread)

Navel-Gazer 21 Sep 12 16:24 Joined: 12 Jul 12 | Topic/replies: 912 | Blogger: Navel-Gazer's blog
PS - that was the same meeting when everyone was saying the ground was appalling for Camelot, and they were eager to overlook that.

I don't necessarily believe that a horse that likes softer conditions, will perform at its best in a quagmire, and that was truly awful ground that day.

I think I've done my money on her for the Arc, but if she heads to Ascot for the Distaff on Champions' Day and there's cut in the ground, I'll be all over her, and she'll be a big price - I wasn't too disheartened by that defeat to Izzi Top, as I think she's improved this year and she's still progressing.


Navel-Gazer 05 Oct 12 21:35 Joined: 12 Jul 12 | Topic/replies: 912 | Blogger: Navel-Gazer's blog

I STILL can't understand why Sapphire especially wasn't considered for this (the Arc) as I really rate her - I hope there's soft ground at Ascot in a fortnight because she'll be a decent price - I won't be stung again in backing her ante-post.



ALAS...there was NEVER a sniff of a double figure price on her for the race earlier today, even in the AP market - I'm very disappointed I didn't win a bean but I thought she was poor value today, regardless of how much I thought she was a group one performer - that was a top race in all but name & grade today and makes her as good as any filly with the possible exception of Solemia.

There were obviously reasons for concern as she missed so many engagements, and Weld said earlier that she'd looked like coming into season a few times - I don't know why such information is kept from us, and there's no excuse in these internet times

She was a five figure winner for me in the Arc, and after a virtual no-hoper in Solemia won the race, it's irritating that Sapphire didn't make the gig as she had her ideal conditions of soft ground and 12f - then again...that extra fortnight may have helped her trainer get her in peak condition, so you can't win 'em all

I do get the odd one right sometimes

Just watched Sapphire's victory again and she's won over the same C&D as her stable-mate Princess Highway nearly as easily against the same opponent - they're two cracking Moyglare fillies (given their conditions) and you have to feel a bit of sympathy for a real trier in Shirocco Star who can win a cheap fillies' group one next season if she stays around.

It'd be really interesting to know how Weld rates his two excellent fillies who have yet to win a group one, though they're definitely up to it!

I think Sapphire would easily turn the tables on Izzi Top with a bit of cut over 12f (possibly even at 10f though she was beaten fair & square) and Great Heavens wouldn't concern me at all, even though she has excuses having run in the Arc just 13 days ago.

FS - I thought 6 was the maximum she hit in the AP book?

Nevertheless...as I mentioned with all the doubts about her well-being (and that's the most crucial point) her price was TOO short!

I don't mean to seem arrogant but I thought many months ago I saw a group one filly and (on that ground) her defeat to Izzi Top didn't concern me at all!
I feel fully vindicated now even though I didn't win a bean and she cost me a few quid in the Arc market!

She's a better filly than ANY of Gosden's in my view and that includes Great Heavens & The Fugue as well as Izzi Top!
Over 12f (with cut) that's a confident assertion...especially in the light of today's events.

I have posted on MANY occasions about jockeyship (or the lack of thought of some jockeys),
but ask yourself this, P.J.SMULLEN has been stable jockey to D.WELD and with great
success, why is this?
Another jockey with similar success is K. MANNING. first jockey to J. BOLGER.
both these jockeys do not do silly things on horseback, don't tootle along well
behind and give their horse a hard race, they are not flashy, but they are RELIABLE,
their employer can rely on them to produce the goods, I wish there were more of
their type.

I've just been watching a recording of the Sunday Forum on ATR (FFS that Chris McGrath is hard work - is everyone with that surname a total bore?) and listening to Dermot speak about Sapphire...he said he was quite confident of her yesterday despite the tough opposition (three Classic winners in opposition) and reckoned she was just a little immature to have gone to the Arc this year, and she will be trained for it next season!

That's great to hear such news but she looks ground dependent to me, and Weld virtually conceded that!
The way luck goes...it'll be rattling hard next season at Longchamp so they'll probably miss it again

Roo - it's hard to tell how far she can go but for Weld to have been considering the Arc for her, certainly bodes well, as he's not one for pipe-dreams.
I was very pleased to hear him confirm my views about her, and furthermore comment on her immaturity which is promising for next season.

What I would have liked to hear was him say was that soft ground wasn't a requirement for her, but he intimated that it was.