Such is the depth and promise that the current batch of three-year-olds are presenting, it was suggested I whip up a power rankings for three-year-olds. So here goes.
Such is the volatile nature of age-restricted racing, I’d expect this list to look incredibly different in six months time. There may even be a horse or two yet to be revealed from a stable who could catapult into calculations.
1 ULTIMATE SNIPER – Bettor’s Delight x Reality Check. Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen (6 starts, 6 wins)
Mini-Laz is a term some have thrown around in NZ. He’s six from six and has done it tough on occasion. He’s everything a champion looks like but he needs to come here and win – and he will.
2 CENTENARIO – American Ideal x Beninjurd. Emma Stewart (11 starts, 8 wins, 3 placings)
A real racehorse. He’s tough and determined to win. Two big Group 1 wins and $300k in stakes and I think he can improve again.
3 HURRICANE HARLEY – Bettor’s Delight x Sugarland. Emma Stewart (9 starts, 7 wins, 1 placing)
Many think he’s Australia’s top dog but last time we saw him he did a few too many things wrong, like throwing away a VicBred Final. His speed is unreal.
4 LOCHINVAR ART – Modern Art x Ponder In Paris. Laura Crossland (12 starts, 7 wins, 5 placings)
A sprint lane away from winning NSW Breeders Challenge but biggest win so far is Group 2 Tatlow Stakes. The hype is big but the talent is real.
5 MUSCLE FACTORY – Roll With Joe x Malena. Shane & Lauren Tritton (10 starts, 6 wins, 3 placings)
Anyone watch the races last weekend? This fella broke the Australasian mile record going 1:49.6. Incredible! Can he cop the 2400m of a Derby, though? His sustained speed at Menangle is breathtaking.
6 FRANCO EDWARD – American Ideal x Edinburgh Franco. Kyle Harper (10 starts, 7 wins, 2 placings)
Lovely horse this guy. I think it’s doubtful we’ll see him come east this season but he will be hard to overcome in the West Australian Derby. He already has two Group 1 wins to his name.
7 BETTERNBETTER – Betterthancheddar x Cee Cee Sheffield. Keith Cotchin (6 starts, 5 wins, 1 placing)
A late arriver as a two-year-old and injury apparently nearly ended his racing career but he’s back and he’s in the hunt for all the good races.
Good judges say this fella is the real deal.
8 DEMON DELIGHT – Bettor’s Delight x Ghadas Koala. Emma Stewart (4 starts, 3 wins, 1 placing)
His enormous boom was somewhat lowered by Lochinvar Art in the Caduceus Club at Cranbourne but any horse who can run 1:52.7 at its third start is something special.
9 ANOTHER MASTERPIECE – Bettor’s Delight x Elegant Art. M. Purdon & N. Rasmussen (15 starts, 7 wins, 7 place)
Such a professional and such a hard worker. He’s arguably No. 3 in the stable but his resume is amazing and you just know he will give a great account in the Victorian Derby. A couple of Group 1’s and more stakes than any other three-year-old will do me.
10 HARDHITTER – Mach Three x Grace Robinson. Emma Stewart (9 starts, 4 wins, 3 placings)
There may well be others but he springs to mind. His Breeders Challenge victory was all grit and determination. No youngster went faster last season, with his 1:51.6 topping the charts.
Next up;
Jesse Duke (Bettor’s Delight x Daisy Dundee
Malcolms Rhythym (Art Major x She’s Got It All)
Soho Thunderstruck (Art Major x Hear No Secret)
Max Delight (Bettor’s Delight x Lady Euthenia)
Our Millionaire (Million Dollar Cam x Rarified Air)
Watch List (Betterthancheddar x Charlotte Church)
Pete’s Big Jim (Big Jim x Foxi)
Fourbigmen (Mach Three x Aleppo Heiress)
Soho Nolita (Mach Three x Pixel Perfect)
Princess Tiffany (Art Major x Dancing Diamonds)
Kualoa (Art Major x Hawaiian Hottie)
Josh Jenkins Sports 