October
AprilSoft option
The decsion not to run All Too Hard in the Golden Slipper was disappointing. I would have thought that a placing in the Golden Slipper would have been more beneficial to a horse’s stud prospects than a win in a B-grade Group 1 such as the Sydney Sires’ Produce Stakes, which is run too close to the Slipper and suffers as a result.
The Sires’ and the Champagne Stakes usually draw poor fields in comparison to the Slipper, with tired horses from the Slipper competing with horses not good enough to run in the Slipper.
Of course, All Too Hard does not come into either of these categories and he should win the Sires’. However, will that enhance his stud value?
There are quite a few Group 1 races in Australia which are very lucky to have that rating, and in my opinion the Sydney Sires’ Produce and Champagne Stakes are dubious to day the least.
The Golden Slipper stands alone, of course, and the Blue Diamond would be the only other race for two-year-olds that I would rate as a genuine Group 1. It seems odd that All Too Hard has dodged both those races for easy pickings in the B-graders.
He does not deserve to be rated champion two-year-old even if he wins both the Sires’ and the Champagne.
Frankston South (Vic)