Owner Van Vuuren must be one patient guy

That's why I was asking earlier pirates, go check Abashiri's runs at GREYVILLE the horse has never went a tap early and needed rousting on all runs

We all know what opinions are like - for me there is no comparison between the two jocks - it's like comparing Kevin Anderson with Federer or Djokowich - and imo Abashiri won the Derby despite Zechner and not because of Zechner - so I would have had Whyte on were it my horse.

That being said, Abashiri will need a magician as a jock to win the July with his rating - which is too high imo - I may be dodging the yellow stuff come the evening of the first Saturday in July - but I can't have him and were he mine I would not have run him; not that I would sent him overseas right now either, rather stay and go for the Met - if he then proves his worth, there's always the chance of an overseas campaign next year - anyway that's just me :ohmy:

Merp, I'm not saying Carl is a poor rider at all, nor has he failed on Abashiri. Full credit for winning the triple crown and being 5/5 on him so far and winning the graded races etc.. However, this is my train of thought.. In the Derby Aba raced off a 117 and Rocketball off a 100 and they finished between 0.2 lengths. In my opinion, both horses saw out the 2450m. That's about 8-9 lengths off where they should have been on ratings at level weight. Either one horse ran below par, one ran way above, one jock rode a cracker, one didn't, or a combination of these factors.. Rocketballs rating was raised to a 105 and he came out and ran to 102/103 next start. At level weights you can get away with certain things. In a stiff handicap like the July you need to pull out all the stops to win.

Message from mike

"grab all the 14/1 they can get before he shortens ..." Mike Azzie

Karel Back on ABASHIRI

Now he's on a hiding to nothing

pirates, have to agree with you 100 % Abishiri appears to have NO gate speed... look how far back he got in the last leg of tripple crown.

the fact that he comes from OFF the pace, & given the last two runs of the July.... I think me may be best skipping the July as Frodo says, & wait for the Met..... but each owner to their own.

what's this latest Karl back on ??

Bob Brogan wrote: Karel Back on ABASHIRI

Now he's on a hiding to nothing

i see sporting post says this still needs to be confirmed

If I remember correctly both black arthur and bela came from way back to win well a month ago...but that was Anthony riding...different class

I agree the July may not be the best race when compared to the Met. In saying that, Abhashiri did win his maiden at greyville and was a close up 3rd on July day last year. He doesn't travel in the early part of races but he turns it on very quickly. In the Darby, Karl went way too early and hit the front on the outside. Turfontein is a much tougher track than greyville. So it was a great win considering the ride. Rocketball on the other hand ran a great race in the Daily news considering the pace. The race has already produced a winner in Liege who finished behind Rocketball. Mike will know who is better Abha or Rabada. In my opinion if Abha gets a decent draw, he will run a good race in the July despite the weight. He's a big horse and will be tested. Can he win, yes but the race will determine just how good he is against older horses. Would love to see Lloyd ride him. It's usable the horses who have had the quietest preps that win the July.

Rather hit the front too early than not at all

I am hearing from Molly that now Dougie is livid that the owner has changed his mind.
Wonderful game for drama

Its a big decision to take off a jockey with a 100% record on your horse after winning the triple crown and replace with a jockey who has not even seen the new Greyville circuit. Then the turnaround.........I wonder what inspired that!