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I reckon Cinque got it right, Exosphere is a champion indeed!

Rosehill Gardens Racecourse. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)
Roar Guru
8th October, 2015
20

A few weeks ago, regular expert columnist, Justin Cinque wrote an article extolling the virtues and promise of Exosphere. He even went as far as giving the colt has a presence that reminded him of his sire, the champion Lonhro.

High praise indeed!

Justin’s comments preceded last Saturday’s demolition in the Roman Consul and his article is well worth the read if you missed it.

Over the last few years Justin and I have disagreed on some issues here and there but I’ve always done so with the greatest of respect – even though some of my written comments may appear blunt.

This time, Justin is leading the way with me panting behind trying to keep up.

And this time we are on not only on the same page, we are in the same paragraph and even in the same sentence!

Justin tagged his article by suggesting Exosphere is very capable of winning an open-age weight-for-age event as his father did as a spring 3 year-old in the Warwick Stakes (G2).

I’ll go one further and suggest after last Saturday’s 3 year-old Group 2 victory that this horse, barely 3 years old (D.O.B: 25-Aug-2012), is the best sprinter in the world right now!

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I’ve loved the ‘game-of-thrones’ that Terravista, Lankan Rupee, and Chautauqua, plus occasional competitor Brazen Beau, have played over the last 18 months but they now have been usurped by a baby giant both in physicality and performance.

To me, he really is that good and with the seasoning he is receiving in this preparation, who knows how good he will become.

This equine kid is something very, very, very special.

Will he be as good as the black mare? At the moment, I really don’t know, but I’d love to find out.

If Godolphin wimp away to contesting inferior 3 year-old Group races, it proves nothing. He already is the best by a widening margin.

The international community will say ‘Geez whiz, they say this Australian sprinter is better than anything since Black Caviar but then again, they say that every year, and the last couple haven’t been that good.’

Will Godolphin miss the chance to establish this horse in the very top echelon of Australian sprinter-milers as Justin pointed out?

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The royal blue should make every effort to establish him as one of their greats with age defying open competition.

If he loses a bit of gloss by not measuring up, drop him back to the original plan – nothing lost.

His bloodlines are still top-class and his service fee won’t be diminished but if he were to climb Everest who knows what he would command at stud.

For the record, I agree with Justin about the ‘miler’ comment. He would have bludgeoned this Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas field into the ground without so much as a heavy breath and done so from the outside gate if necessary; no worries.

There is nothing for Godolphin to be scared of except bad luck. I know John O’Shea has never walked away from a contest.

I also know the boss of Godolphin, HRH Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is a lover of champions and had a soft spot for the incomparable Dubai Millennium.

I hope he gives this youngster a chance to prove himself on the international stage. Sheikh Mohammed might even develop a soft spot for this giant as he sets about demolishing the world’s best (if he is allowed).

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I like many lovers of the thoroughbred sport hope Godolphin embarks on a global adventure with Exosphere, under the care of John O’Shea (no point in changing horses in midstream), he will prove himself to be exceptional, I have no doubt.

Well found Justin, and also John O’Shea who never doubted what he had on his hands.

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