The 2014-15 Australian horse racing season is closer to the end than the beginning, so I thought I’d have an early look at the contenders for the gong and how each horse will fare.
Lankan Rupee
He might not have been at his best this season, but he did win two majors, including a stunning all the way win in the Manikato Stakes (1200m) on Cox Plate Eve. He also finished second in the Moir Stakes (1200m) to Buffering and third in the Darley Classic to Terravista.
His last two runs were terrible though, so that might seal his fate for back-to-back horse of the year titles.
Brazen Beau
Beau only raced five times (so far) this season, with the highlights being two outstanding Group 1 wins down the Flemington straight, the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and Newmarket Handicap (1200m), with Lankan Rupee finishing a long way off in the Newmarket. He is set to run at Royal Ascot, and if he wins there, he’ll go very close to taking out the title.
Contributer
Created a big impression at his Australian debut on Caulfield Cup Day when bolting up, and carried that on in the Autumn with two Group 1 wins in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) and Ranvet Stakes (2000m) respectively.
Is that enough to win the title? I don’t think so, but he is such an exciting horse.
Criterion
This horse has just thrived since joining the Hayes/Dabernig yard, highlighted by a stunning win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m). Add five Group 1 placings, two at international level in Hong Kong, and we have one serious contender here.
He probably needed to win another major to wrap it up, but he is a contender for sure.
Wandjina
Quite amazing to think that this time twelve months ago, this bloke would struggle to run beyond 1000 metres. Since then he placed in the Caulfield Guineas, finish three lengths off Adelaide in a high rating Cox Plate, won the Australian Guineas and then ran second in the All Aged.
He is also going to Royal Ascot, and like a Brazen Beau, if successful, he’ll go a long way towards winning the title.
Dissident
Four Group 1 wins this season logically should see him wrap up the gong, and is the clear favourite to take it out. Two of those wins came on his home track, with the other two coming at Flemington and at Randwick when beating Wandjina in the All Aged, which proved to be the highest rating race of the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
Delicacy
This filly has to be seriously considered for the title. I don’t care what she beat, the fact that she has won two Derbies and two Oaks in the space of six weeks is an amazing feat, and it’s one that we might not see for a very long time.
Granted she probably didn’t beat much, but the achievement is just extraordinary, and winning two Group 1 races in seven days, prior to her, hasn’t been achieved since Black Caviar in 2012.
This is a mighty filly and if it was up to me I’d give her the gong.
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Agree Phil. There is great talent across all ages/distances, but they are even. No standouts.
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Good article Adam. No real standout this year but I would have to go with Dissident too. It was a mistake to run in the Caulfield Stakes which was something Moody was loathe to do at the start of the Spring campaign. He just got beat by TIAG conceding him 6kg in the Sir Rupert Clarke. It then won the Toorak. Pretty sure this horse is the best in Australia 1400-1600m and none of the other horses mentioned could be defined as being the best in the country at their respective best distances.
Bondy
Are horses doing less nowadays or am I just sh^^ier as I get older, I could put the pen through all candidates
Tristan Rayner
Editor
very good!
andrew
Guest
i had a look. international used to not count, and there was some contention about this during the takeover target era, where he didnt win much in oz but won in singapore, uk and japan. rules were then clarified. and a seperate award was brought in for international performer (which must have been backdated because falvelon won it and he pre-dates takeover target). anyway, atleast thats clear now
Adam Page
Roar Guru
International runs count :) You are right Tristan, given it was the two inferior States, she won't get the recognition she deserves. But it's one mighty achievement. Certainly is an jnteresting debate
Tristan Rayner
Editor
I'll have to look into absolute criteria mate!
andrew
Guest
tristan - and others. do international runs count. or it is only runs in australia that count. im not sure. for example, if an import won both cups, but returned home and didnt race after that - whilst not australian trained, im sure they are elibigle. i thought they brought in a seperate award for 'international horse of the year' a while back. i could be wrong. chataqua was probably a couple of short heads off winning. its a very open year this year. no stand out. none of the winners of the big races fired other than those wins (admire rakti clearly distinguishable) in terms of cox plate or cups. no stand out 3yo. In fact, not one 3yo won at WFA this season. kermadec and brazen beau won hcps with light weights. i think you have to give it to dissident really. atleahst he won group 1's in both the spring and autumn. so he 'came up' both preps. his run in the vic health cup when he gave trust in a gust 5kgs and just went under was exceptional too. his only runs were when he bled in the yalumba and ran 3rd in the futurity behind suavito. you have to give more weight to a horse winning a WFA than a 3yo winning a hcp for mine. its no easier working out 2yo of the season or 3yo of the season. protectionists autumn form clouds stayer of the year. and sprinter of the year is wide open (i lean chataque as he ran 1st and 2nd in the 2 big sprints). i suppose its a good thing that racing is even, but every now and then a star is good too. the one thing we can be certain of is that in 2015/2016 season, where they may as well pencil in the name 'Alpine Eagle' now for horse of the year !!!!!
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Hi Adam - I couldn't give it to Delicacy. You can't knock her, just the quality of the races that she's in. The fact they aren't in NSW/QLD/VIC probably means she won't get the attention. Ultimately, if Brazen Beau or Criterion win at Ascot, they're likely to be given the nod.