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"Cesare" 

 

 

I have to say the news this week that Cesare was going hurdling came as a bit of a shock!

 

Having worked at Cheveley Park Stud its just been natural to follow the family lines throughout the years, And in Cesare's case I have been able to follow him from when he left CPS to this present day.

 

I have very old fashioned views on sending the "classier" flat breds hurdling or even worse chasing, unless of course they have already been gelded and in Cesare's case he has and was done at a young age before we even knew how good he was.

 

Looking back over recent years 2 high profile flat horses sent hurdling stand out and both purchased by Mr Wylie, Percussionist and Acropolis.

 

Percussionist top rated 118 was/is a group 3 winner, runner up in group 2 Yorkshire Cup and no less than 4th in the Derby, now surely he could have either been kept on another season to enhance record or surely could have found a small stallions job somewhere?? No, instead he was gelded, sent hurdling won a novice event on natural ability alone, then sent chasing and again won a novice event jumping well actually but 5 years down the line is a shadow of his former self and getting beat in lowly chases at northern tracks, for a horse that finished a close 4th in the Derby this should not be allowed!

 

Even worse though is Acropolis, Top rated 120, Only a listed win to his name but placed in the  Group 1 Criterium International 3rd (Bago won) and even more impressive was his fast finishing 4th in the Arc-if you evaluate that form he was beaten just 3 1/2 l by winner Bago, just 2L by Ouija Board in 3rd and beat our Derby winner North Light back in 5th, further back were dual group 1 winners Warrsan and Pride.........This horse should not have ended up Novice hurdling just 2 years later,and where is he now??..last year was running in claimers at Lingfield and this year is running the circuits in Jersey-its a horrible fall from grace and really does sicken me.

 

Ok that's my rant over as Cesare has been gelded its a good way to extend his career as seems to have lost his way on the flat recently which is a shame considering his Queen Anne second was probably a career best.

 

He is also with no better trainer in my opinion for such an individual, Mr Fanshawe works wonders with his jumping team.

 

I did see 33/1 on offer for Champion Hurdle, bit short!!...In all honesty if you assess his chances-on breeding he should stay an easy 2 miles and does handle soft ground which is a plus but you would have to put him in a Blythe Knight mould in that Aintree and Kempton would more than likely suit him best, but will be truly interesting to see how he performs because if he does have the stamina for Cheltenham these hurdlers are going to be coming up against a Group 1/2 Miler and he could blow them away with his turn of foot.

 

And I know it won't happen but how good would it be to see one Jamie Spencer on board.

 

WRITTEN BY DARREN HUDSON-WOOD 02/10/09