Hi Jonibake,
You know what I would like but I will nevertheless state it in simple terms.I would like Frankel to do credit to Galileo and run over distances beyond a mile.He is such a wonderful specimen of the thoroughbred,beautifully formed with muscles bulging and neck arched like a stud waiting for his brood to arrive.The most beautiful racehorse I have ever seen He has to be better than just a miler and I want to see him show it to the world.I want to see him ascend the throne like Pegasos.To be the greatest racehorse we have ever watched winning races over various distances,until nobody can challenge him.I don’t want to live with the excuse that Henry was afraid to take on the world with the greatest racehorse in the world.The greatest racehorse in the world deserves better.
Andyod,
I am sure Sir Henry is not "afraid" as such. Frankel is by Galileo, but there are other things that contribute to trip bias. Dam Kind was by sprinter miler Danehill out of Rainbow Quest mare Rainbow Lake. Danehill has got plenty of horses who stay further than he himself. Rainbow Quest finished 4th in one of the best ever 2000 Guineas in 1984 (behind El Gran Senor) but excelled at middle distances, winning the Arc (on disqualification of Sagace). Rainbow Lake won the Group 3, 1m4f Lancashire Oaks by 7 lengths.
Despite plenty of stamina in Kind’s pedigree she failed to stay further than 7f and best at sprint distances, winning listed races at both 5 and 6 furlongs. Where as Kind’s siblings tended to stay further, including half brother Powerscourt (by Saddler’s Wells) who stayed 1m4f well, winning Voltigeur and disqualified in Arlington Million.
As well as breeding;
temperament
plays a big part in how far a horse stays. One that wants to get on with it, taking a hold – will often not stay as far as breeding suggests. A lazy or relaxed horse who settles very well – will often stay further than his/her pedigree suggests.
Frankel was far too free in the Greenham, not letting his pacemaker Picture Editor lead. Which was no doubt the reason why connections decided to let Frankel make all in the 2000 Guineas. Even so, again ran free and very much doubt it was the plan to be so far clear at halfway. Immediately afterwards I laid Frankel for the Derby, no chance of settling enough to stay 1m4f.
In the St James, was allowed to go too fast early (jockey error) and scraped home.
Settled a bit better in Sussex Stakes…
And a bit better still in QEII, but it took time for him to drop the bit.
I was there at Newbury and it is encouraging to see a more relaxed Frankel in the preliminaries. Though still has a lip chain. A similar type, Dubai Millenium also had a lip chain to help settle him in the prelims. Although not entirely settled in the race itself early on; it seems to be getting better with every run.
Despite his breeding, before Saturday I did not believe Frankel would be as good at 1m2f, due to wanting to get on with it a little too much. But although there’s still a few doubts in my mind, I now think he’ll probably be equally effective at the longer trip…
However, I don’t blame Sir Henry for wanting another race (or two) at a mile, by that time Frankel should be entirely settled and ready for another quarter mile.
There might not seem that much difference in speed of a 1 mile race and mile and a quarter. But there is between a strongly run mile and slowly run mile and a quarter. Where as at a mile Sir Henry is happy to see his charge go to the front and go at his own pace; doubt if he’d be over the moon at the longer distance if Frankel starts to race freely. Might not get home. All considerations when upping a horse in trip.