The performances of Atlantic Jewel, More Joyous, Pierro, and, of course, Black Jewel, were the major highlights of an outstanding autumn period of horse racing in Australia.
But with thoughts now turning to the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival (with apologies to the Adelaide and Brisbane carnivals), Australian racing is at a crossroads.
And it has nothing to do with the horses I mentioned above.
It has more to do with the lack of class in the Australian stayers; the horses who run out the 3200m of the Melbourne Cup.
While Niwot’s win in the Sydney Cup was good, the question is, could Niwot repeat that performance at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November?
I’d say no.
And here’s why. The owners of prospective horses want sprinters that will win them the Blue Diamond and the Golden Slipper.
The Europeans produce stayers that has been very good and has been more of a challenge to the best Australian racing can provide. They also have a long-term plan for a horse, with the major goal of winning the Melbourne Cup.
Is it time Australian racing woke up to itself and start producing true-blue, fair dinkum Australian staying horses to meet the challenge of the European stayers?
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