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Author: moonchase Timestamp:- 19/4/2004 7:19:51 PM Subject: Re: HORSE OF THE YEAR - Dance Hero??
Message: no way. i am a huge fan of the horse and he is a certainty for 2yo of the year, but to give him horse of the year over the likes of lonhro and private steer is crazy.
Author: Bell Flight Timestamp:- 19/4/2004 7:59:07 PM Subject: Re: HORSE OF THE YEAR - Dance Hero??
Message: Lonhro gets it for sure - even with the Aust. Cup as his only big win. If Mummify or Makybe Diva had won the BMW, might have been different.
Funny isn't it that poor Ethereal missed out a few years ago and she won the Cups Double and the BMW, yet Lonhro will get it this year with the Aust. Cup and only lead up G1's!! Seems wrong doesn't it?
Author: Tontonan Timestamp:- 19/4/2004 8:17:43 PM Subject: Re: HORSE OF THE YEAR - Dance Hero??
Message: I have strong prejudices.
I am prejudiced against 2YO racing as far as the HOY is concerned, and I am definately prejudiced against the Magic Millions - a restricted race - even coming into consideration . The emphasis on 2YO racing and those sales restricted juvenile races is sucking the quality out of the Australian Thoroughbred as far as I am concerned....but that is another rant, and akin to complaining about getting older - its going to happen and there isn't much I can do about it.
For mine, the Horse of the Year is a foregone conclusion : Lonhro, the outstanding thorughbred in season 2003/04.
2yo : Dance Hero 3yo : Starcraft HOY : Lonhro Mare : Makybe Diva .... but it will be close, Private Steer has much to recommend her.
Author: Hitchcock Timestamp:- 19/4/2004 10:16:32 PM Subject: Re: HORSE OF THE YEAR - Dance Hero??
Message: I personally don't believe that any horse that doesn't win outside of age-restricted (or otherwise restricted) company should even be eligibile for HOTY honours, let alone considered.
HOTY : LONHRO, but like others have suggested, if Mummify had've nosed out Grand Zulu in the BMW, he should have got the honour ... I dare say he wouldn't have tho.
2YO : DANCE HERO would be the obvious choice as 2yo of the year.
3YO : NIELLO would get my vote as 3yo of the year. He won Group 1s in the Spring and Autumn. So did Special Harmony, but they were all in fillies grade. Starcraft close as well.
Mare : PRIVATE STEER. Close with the Diva, but Private Steer was devastating in winning events with more depth to them and deserves to be acknowledged. I would also take into consideration that Makybe will be honoured with the Stayers award.
Author: catweazle Timestamp:- 20/4/2004 8:16:22 AM Subject: Re: HORSE OF THE YEAR - Dance Hero??
Message: Hitch, I'm with you 4 out of 5.
Lonhro is the best of good things for HOTY.
With the 3YO, I wouls go for Starcraft. Starcraft beat Niello in the race that matters most and deserves it more. Niello did win 3 G1's, but failed in the "classics" he raced in, the 3YO of the year has to win at least 1 of the real majors.
It's probably out of Starcraft and Special Harmony, however I'd go for the colt, also because he rolled SH in the Derby.
For sprinter of the year, it's clearly between Exceed & Excel and Reg Gal, with E&E in front by a whisker (unless RG runs amok in Brisbane).
Author: return-of-infidel Timestamp:- 20/4/2004 12:03:58 PM Subject: Re: HORSE OF THE YEAR - Dance Hero??
Message: I can't believe that Bounding Away won HOTY as a 2yo. Who were the contenders?
Shows how much interest I have in worthless trifles like awards. I was keenly interested in racing in 1987, but had no idea of Bounding Away's great honour, until I read about it here yesterday.
The only honours worth winning are those you win out on the field/track. All the rest is hot air.
Author: CK Dexter-Haven Timestamp:- 20/4/2004 12:31:23 PM Subject: Re: HORSE OF THE YEAR - Dance Hero??
Message: Did they change the rules (after Choisir) so that overseas performances are included? If so, a couple of victories in England would push Exceed & Excel into contention?
Author: Tontonan Timestamp:- 20/4/2004 12:50:39 PM Subject: Re: HORSE OF THE YEAR - Dance Hero??
Message: Infidel,
I am more a Hall of Fame man myself. The HOY is too limited in its scope. That Bounding Away should have one of her mantlepiece and Luskin Star doesn't makes the point nicely. Luskin Star raced the same season Surround (rightly) won the HOY and he never had a chance despite the triple crown, massive margins, fantastic times. He beat 2yo's, she beat all comers.
There were no Surround's in Bounding Away's year. The other contenders would been the kiwi Bonecrusher (who won the HOY the following season) and Tristarc. Bonecrusher won the Tancred and the Derby. Tristarc won the Underwood, Yalumba and Caulfield Cup and returned in the Autumn to win the QE Stakes. The only other contender was probably Hula Chief who won a Lightning and Doncaster that season as a 3yo.
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