The Carnival!

[NoChanceToDance]

Originally Posted by The Bid

Diabolical went to his nose when the gates popped. Amazing he photo for third after that start

I don't believe that was much of an exucse to be honest. After that he was soon on the front end and travelling very well. Okay, the start wasn't great, but I don't think it cost him any placings at all.

He certainly didn't seem to lose any ground at the start. When I first saw it, I thought he had but after watching again, it didn't seem to make any difference.

I thought he'd be good enough to win today at this distance. I at least expected him to finish second. Apart from him and Asiatic Boy, it wasn't a great race. Salaam Dubai ran a huge race in the Golden Shaheen last year, but looking at the rest of his form, that run looks like it could have been a bit of a fluke.

Oh well. Maybe next time.

EDIT: Just watched it again. It does look bad when he comes out of the gates, but if you look through the race, he was in a much better position than the winner throughout. Maybe he wasn't quite fit enough today.

[The Bid]

He should have beaten that group at 70% fitness. That break cost him the race, but I doubt he will be the same horse that was over here running last spring.

There was nothing in there besides Asiatic Boy, and he doesnt want to sprint. He just beat those horses on class. I doubt very seriously he could have sprinted with Diabolical if they broke on even terms.

[NoChanceToDance]

Originally Posted by The Bid

He should have beaten that group at 70% fitness. That break cost him the race, but I doubt he will be the same horse that was over here running last spring.

There was nothing in there besides Asiatic Boy, and he doesnt want to sprint. He just beat those horses on class. I doubt very seriously he could have sprinted with Diabolical if they broke on even terms.

Diabolical broke better than Asiatic Boy. You may find that hard to believe after going on his nose, but watch the race again. Until about half a furlong out, Diabolical was always in front of Asiatic Boy.

The start didn't cost him at all.

If Asiatic Boy had got a better trip, he would have been a very easy winner.

I don't know quite how Diabolical managed to do it, but he didn't seem to lose any ground at the start at all.

[The Bid]

I guess we just disagree on whether or not the stumble cost him placings.

Asiatic Boy didnt figure to come out on top of that field regardless, so a slower break doesnt hamper him nearly as much as a front runner like Diabolical

[brockguy]

Asiatic Boy showed what a class act he was today. Onwards and upwards from here. And GO TO AMERICA after Dubai. you can win on turf and dirt and polytrack there. At least the turf will be firm..

[NoChanceToDance]

Originally Posted by brockguy

Asiatic Boy showed what a class act he was today. Onwards and upwards from here. And GO TO AMERICA after Dubai. you can win on turf and dirt and polytrack there. At least the turf will be firm..

Maybe not at Santa Anita, though

[brockguy]

Huge shock.. Happy Boy sold to Sheikh Hamdan and to be trained now by Bin Suroor