George Washington & the Irish 2000 Guineas

wb

It may be a bit early for this, but George Washington has been declared to take part in the Irish 2000 Guineas on Saturday at the Curragh. Can he do an English/Irish guineas double??

I'm just looking for some opinions about backing him ante-post (currently about 4/5)

Personally, I think this is two short a price for a race with some good quality horses and a large field. I often wonder how much all the hype affects the price.

That said, I opposed War Of Attrition to take both the British and Irish Gold Cups, and got my fingers burned...

Any thoughts?...

http://www.racingpost.co.uk/news/rp_std_page.sd?psection=racingpost.co.uk&page=news46

fr wishy washy

If the rain keeps up (and I think it will) I doubt whether they'll run him as AP has about 12 entered (inc Aussie Rules).His price is ridiculous @ 2/7 (1.75 on betfair atm).

Decado's price is so short that I think a lot of people think the same-- (G.W. poss non runner?)

masterK

As fr wishy washy says it's very possible he won't run. With the way the weather has been I'd hold off having any ante post bets, the ground could end up heavy or even good if the rain holds off and the winds keep up.

Hawk Wing

If the rain keeps up, they will hardly run him, couldn't really have him aat price anyway, he should really piss it in any case, Hurricane run vs David Junior is the race of the weekend if it happens

fr wishy washy

He cost me a few quid at Newmarket so I'm hoping to get some of it back at the Curragh.
If it (rain) gets into the ground at the Curragh it becomes a very testing Mile which could blunt his speed.

Hawk Wing

Luckily enough I made a packet on him on the English Guineas, had him backed since last June right up until on the day, if he keeps winning though, you can forget about getting any decent prices on him, I'll just be cheering him on

fr wishy washy

Interesting PP quote G W with a run now,Decado a very skinny 5/2.

wb

fr wishy washy wrote:

Interesting PP quote G W with a run now,Decado a very skinny 5/2.

yeah, saw that (1/3)
What exaclty does this mean? Does it mean that if he runs, his early price is 1/3? I see he is 1.76 of Betfair.

masterK

wbailey wrote:

yeah, saw that (1/3)
What exaclty does this mean? Does it mean that if he runs, his early price is 1/3? I see he is 1.76 of Betfair.

Yes, if he runs his price is 1/3 if he doesn't run your bet is refunded unlike on Betfair where you lose your bet if he doesn't run.

fr wishy washy

Hurricane cat at 5/1 another skinny price I'm beginning to suspect PP expect a no-show from the fav?

wb

Currently about 1/2

Im going to include it in a treble just for fun:

George Washington to Win,
Cork to beat Clare (Hurling - tomorrow)
Meath to beat Wexford (Gaelic football - tomorrow)
__________________

[nicK]

hard luck with gw btw.. found absolutely nothing when asked in that race..
i'm on clare myself in the hurling..

eating up all of the 5/2 i can find about that game.. lets just call it a *hunch*..

Hawk Wing

[nicK] wrote:

hard luck with gw btw.. found absolutely nothing when asked in that race..

in fairness you could see he absolutely hated the ground

fr wishy washy

Hawk Wing wrote:

in fairness you could see he absolutely hated the ground

I'm still scratching my head wondering why they ran him as he's so obviously
a speed horse .Aidan O B must have figured his class would pull him through but why risk it?.

fade2black

fr wishy washy wrote:

I'm still scratching my head wondering why they ran him as he's so obviously
a speed horse .Aidan O B must have figured his class would pull him through but why risk it?.

2nd in a 2000 Guineas is not too bad though is it?

fr wishy washy

fade2black wrote:

2nd in a 2000 Guineas is not too bad though is it?

Just thinking regarding Stud value ,reputation (the horses) etc and the fact that he was beaten by a horse who finished way behind him on better ground.

I'm probably over-reacting to his defeat but I just think they could have side stepped that atrocious ground and kept him fresh.

But then again I'm not AP O Brien:)

fade2black

Well you're right, a yard as big and as powerful as Ballydoyle could easily have afforded to side step this race, but...as Mark Prescott said yesterday, if you're gonna be favourite for a race, then you should turn up for it. There was a very decent prize on offer and he had the form and class to make anyone believe that he could take this in a stroll. They know for definite now what ground he needs and they picked up 2nd in a Guineas, I don't think Aidan will be too upset about it.

I also don't think it will effect his stud value that much. He'll win more quality races.

I would like to ask the jockey with no personality whether or not he'd ride the race differently given the chance.

Hawk Wing

I wouldn't blame Fallon, he rode him the same as the Guineas, which is the only way to, he is a hold up horse.

Robin1982

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Aidan's explanation and analysis of the race on RTE afterwards - one of the most eloquent and thoughtful pieces he has delivered. He was far from disappointed with the performance and I can see why.

The ground was atrocious - when Indian Haven won the Irish 2000 Guineas on soft ground a few years ago, he covered the mile 8 seconds quicker than those on Saturday. Mud-lover Turtle Island won in a similar time to this year's Guineas when winning by 15L some years ago.

Indeed the 1000 Guineas this year was a second faster the colts' equivalent, suggesting a slow pace too.

Aidan was very positive on this being a great learning experience for GW - but caution should prevail. Johannesburg never recovered from being over-trained for the Kentucky Derby and I have seen countless talented horses who, once they experienced true exhaustion in a race, didn't fancy experiencing it again. It may be obvious how this has affected GW as soon as he steps into the parade ring at Ascot.

masterK

He may miss Ascot after being found to be lame yesterday.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/06/05/30/RACING_Washington.html

It's possible that he may never be seen on the racecourse again if the rumours that he was to be retired after Ascot are true.