Since the famed Northerly/Sunline rivalry, Australian racing has not seen a comparably competitive set of horses.
The rivalries of Black Caviar/Hay List and Pierro/All Too Hard were far too lopsided when they clashed (and in the case of the latter, cut short), leaving something to be desired in the way of a truly competitive rivalry.
Luckily for Australian racing fans, the reinvigorated Sydney autumn carnival is likely to bear witness to two great emerging rivalries.
Fiorente versus It’s A Dundeel
Triple Crown winner It’s a Dundeel was short of claiming glory in the Cox Plate last spring, yet was still highly impressive in being the only horse to lower the colours of the great mare Atlantic Jewel.
Meanwhile, Gai Waterhouse’s Fiorente enjoyed a campaign that culminated in a much deserved Melbourne Cup win.
Some questions remain as to whether Dundeel can match it with Fiorente, who impressed many with his return in Saturday’s Peter Young Stakes, flying home to win over 1400m.
There are no queries as to Fiorente’s ability on Sydney’s clockwise tracks with a scorching finish to come third in last year’s All Aged Stakes. Will It’s A Dundeel be fully recovered from the injuries that impeded his Spring campaign?
Importantly, Fiorente and It’s A Dundeel could potentially clash up to three times, in the Ranvet (G1 2000m weight-for-age), the BMW (G1 2400m WFA) at Rosehill and the now $4 million QE (G1 2000m WFA) at Royal Randwick.
There will be plenty of opportunities for either horse to establish their superiority.
Trainer Murray Baker has confirmed It’s A Dundeel will feature at these three WFA events, while Waterhouse is still undecided.
Still, with Fiorente seemingly primed for a WFA campaign it is likely we will see these two heavyweights of Australian racing clash at least twice.
I know it is the opinion of The Roar‘s racing expert Justin Cinque that It’s A Dundeel is the best horse in Australia. Is this the ultimate litmus test for the four-year-old?
Zoustar versus Buffering
Two of the country’s most impressive sprinters are expected to battle it out in one of the most highly anticipated TJ Smith Stakes on day one of The Championships.
Zoustar was utterly dominant against his own age group in the spring, claiming wins in the Golden Rose and Coolmore Stud Stakes. This secured a lucrative stud deal for the colt.
Meanwhile, Buffering shook off his Group 1 jinx with wins in both the Manikato and the VRC Sprint Classic, establishing himself in the minds of many as the best sprinter in Australia.
The stage is set for an epic grand final between the two in the TJ Smith (G1 1200m WFA). Should Zoustar succeed in his first attempt at WFA in the Canterbury (G1 1300m) on Randwick Guineas day, expectations will continue to mount on the colt.
Like any great rivalry, the repercussions of the results will have long-standing effects.
If Zoustar dominates the autumn, can he mix it with the best at Royal Ascot? If Zoustar fails to deliver in the TJ (or for that matter other WFA races in the Autumn) this calls the hefty sum of his stud deal into question.
And if Buffering can conquer the talented colt and claim even more Group 1 glory when do the comparisons with other sprinting greats begin?
It’s not only fans of racing who will be hoping for these two rivalries to live up to expectations. In the inaugural year of The Championships, such rivalries would consolidate the validity of the concept and provide a tremendous boost for the profile of the competition.
All in all, it can only be a win-win.
Jason Cornell
Guest
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Justin Cinque
Expert
Just checked - the Quinella paid $8 on Derby Day. It won't pay that much in the Canterbury methinks.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Hi Andrew, Very true, NLTM came from no-where in the spring. And how good did he look last week with the benefit of a break in the paddock? I'm a Zoustar fan but I'm also a NLTM fan. By the way, I remember distinctly making a note before the Coolmore how Zoustar and NLTM were the two standouts on looks from the paddock. They are the two standout 3yo sprinters. From our Derby Day blog, this is what I wrote: "Of the runners in the yard for the Coolmore there’s two clear standouts: Zoustar and Notlistenin’tome. "You see where Zoustar’s power comes from – his hind quarters. He’s not a tank like some sprinters you see but my goodness he looked well. His coat was faultless and he seemed to handle the occasion well. "Notlistenin’tome just looked a million bucks. A really nicely-put together horse (it’s no surprise he’s made the top level with his looks) and a shining coat to indicate a full bill of health."
andrew
Guest
Justin - I agree NLTM (like the arcronym) versus zoustar will be some great deuals. but are you a bit harsh in your comments on NLTM from last spring. firstly - NLTM was in his first prep. I think we would all accept horses become more professional, mature, seaonsed, etc... (ie, better) with some race experience and a few spells in the paddock. NLTM was hardly even on the radar for the coolmore. he bobbed up in some big country wins, and then was tragedy beat on cox plate day in a G3. hawkes was loathe to run him, as is the way with their stable, and the owner is not pushy (moore). but for him to run so well off a 7 back up in his first, at his first go in a 'serious' race, at his 4th only run, against a horse like zoustar who was clearly more seasons and most importantly, actually set for the race, shows the talent. im not saying zoustar wont improve and be better as an autumn 3yo, but surely with some race experience and summer spell NLTM will improve also, and if he is actually 'set to peak' in same races as zoustar, hardly unfathomable that he could find the 2l gap from derby day. if they serve up $2 zoustar and $5 NLTM in the Canterbury, in know where my coins will be. im not sure buffering will run in Canterbury, I cant imagine him running over 1300m first up. that said, im dining out on 2 minute noodles with parsley from the garden for garnish at present after hucklebucks loss on sat.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Great idea for an article Max! I love racing when it becomes tribal - two horses form a rivalry and we feel compelled to pick a side. The one that could emerge this autumn is a Zoustar - Not Listenin'tome rivalry. They will meet at least twice in the autumn (Canterbury and TJ) and look to be outstanding sprinters. But for it to really work NLTM has to be more competitive than he was when Zoustar belted him in the Coolmore. but, his first-up win was enormous and if he continues to improve he could give Zoustar a couple of really good races. (By the way, I think I've found another way to offend Buffering fans. For the Buffering fans out there, I'm not ruling out a three-way rivalry!)
mfor45
Roar Pro
My mistake! Agreed on the BMW- I think if Fiorente races its probably his best chance to beat Dundeel. But Fiorente certainly has the turn of foot to trouble him over 2000m. We'll see how he goes in the Aus Cup next week to confirm that.
Alice
Guest
Peter Young Stakes is 1800 metres mate :) Aside from that, great article. I'm not so sure about the It's A Dundeel x Fiorente rivalry. The horses are just simply too different. Dundeel is bombproof early in his campaigns, particularly around the 2000 metres. Fiorente, on the other hand, is an out-and-out stayer and needs a run or two to hit his straps, and seems to get better and better with every run. Star horse he may be, but I think Dundeel will have his measure in the Queen Elizabeth should Fiorente choose to go that way. It'll be far more of a contest if they were to both contest the BMW, as I think Dundeel is vulnerable at that distance.