News

All Too Hard Takes Clear Lead On Timeform Three-Year-Old List

2nd May 2013

ANZ Bloodstock News - Timeform - Thursday, 2 May 2013

In a season where opinions often fluctuated as to who is the best three-year-old, the final day’s racing of the Sydney Carnival on Saturday resulted in All Too Hard (Casino prince) [129] being promoted to clearly head the Timeform ratings for that age group.

All Too Hard’s victory in the All Aged Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) – his fourth Group One in his 12-start career to date – resulted in an adjusted rating of 129 from his previous 128+ figure.

Arch-rival pierro (Lonhro) [128], now retired to stand in the new season at Coolmore Stud, remains on 128 with the Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner It’s A Dundeel (High Chaparral) [126] third, down one pound after his surprise defeat when second in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m).

Epaulette (Commands) [124] is fourth on the list, a pound in advance of Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) and BMW Stakes (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Fiveandahalfstar (Hotel Grand) [123] and Doncaster Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Sacred Falls (O’Reilly) [123].

All Too Hard’s All Aged Stakes victory yielded the colt a new peak Timeform figure exceeding his previous best by one pound after winning the Futurity Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Caulfield on 23 February.

Making the win even more noteworthy is the fact All Too Hard was not at optimum fitness, having suffered a setback after winning the Futurity Stakes.

A winning effort of 129 is the equal highest rated performance seen in the event with only the mighty Sunline (Desert Sun) [129] having achieved such heights when taking out the 2000 and 2002 All Aged Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) by decisive margins.

While impeccably bred, All Too Hard’s stallion stocks continue to rise and his appeal not only lies in the colts pedigree but his versatility with Group wins ranging from 1200m to 1600m plus a gallant second behind Ocean park (Thorn park) [128] in the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) during the spring.

Global interest in the colt will hit fever pitch if he goes to Royal Ascot for the Queen Anne Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) and a decision on All Too Hard’s immediate future is expected this week with a Royal Ascot tilt one of the main options.