Posted on 07 Jun 2010 at 16:24 PM by
markyourcard
It seems to me that the hacks are rather going overboard with the near superstar status given to Workforce after his Derby success. Whilst I agree it was an impressive performance in a track record time, I just wonder what the rest of the season will bring for this colt and for the rest of the field.
Track records are not always a reflection of the ability of the horse, after all many track records are held be handicappers. The ground and the pace of the race play a massive part in the time of a race, so when you consider the Derby was run on pretty quick ground with a massively fast pace set by the pacemaker its not really surprising the record went.
The 100/1 pacemaker is also a worry, this horse was out on its feet in the final furlong but no other horse apart from the winner had the ability to go past him and when you consider that AT FIRST SIGHT has never been considered good enough for Murtagh to ride in any of his 5 races, his 2nd place is very worrying. The 3rd Rewilding, didn't handle the track and looks an out and out stayer too slow for 1m4f and as for the 4th and hot Fav JAN VERMEER it appeared to me that this horse doesn't stay the 1m4f trip. So WORKFORCE actually beat a 100/1 pacemaker, an out and out stayer who didn't handle the track and a horse that doesn't get 1m4f .... it's no wonder he won by 7 lengths !!!
Prior to the race there was just one horse Jan Vermeer who had won at Group 1 level and from what I've seen, the O'Brien runner and Workforce look likely to be the only Group1 winners from the field come the end of the season.
Talking of A P O'Brien I'm still slightly puzzled about all this Dante business with CAPE BLANCO. No doubt he'll be hit with a decent fine after the BHA inquiry takes place but whether we ever get to hear the true story I very much doubt. For a trainer who always gives the impression that his horses welfare is the number one issue, his determination not to let the BHA's veterinary officer look at the horse after the race is something that doesn't sit well with me. O'Brien's statement that he didn't want the horse trotted up for its own welfare is weak to say the least. He seemed more than happy for HORATIO NELSON to be trotted up and down prior to the 2006 Derby .. or perhaps it's that memory which plays on his mind.
MYC