.
Manikato

Unfair Comparisons In Racing

By Shaun Terry 

I came across an old racing liftout from The Herald Sun, (February,5, 1997) and was stunned to read an article by Shane Templton called The Puzzle Lives On. In the article, he picked Zeditave ahead of Manikato as the best sprinter he has seen since Vain.

There is no doubt Zeditave was a brilliant horse, but how can Shane Templeton honestly put him ahead of Manikato as the best sprinter since Vain?

As a two-year-old, Manikato won the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper Stakes double. Zeditave won the Blue Diamond Stakes, but was unplaced in the Golden Slipper Stakes.

Returning as a three-year-old, Manikato won eight races and was placed three times out of twelve starts including a weight carrying record for a three-year-old in the Rothmans 100,000. He finished second three times, one of those a gallant performance to champion stayer, Dulcify, in the Australian Cup over 2000 metres.

As a three-year-old, Zeditave won a few handy races, but was then retired and put out to stud by trainer Angus Armanasco. When Zeditave had the chance to win races to enter him in the record books as one of the all time great sprinters he failed to win. Zeditave's overall record stands at 14 wins from 17 starts; five of those wins were at Group One Level (the highest classification of horse racing) raging from 1000 to 1600 metres. In his 29 wins and 13 placings from 47 starts, Manikato recorded wins from 1000 to 1800 metres. Manikato was absolutely brilliant as a young horse, but what he achieved after such set backs as a bleeding attack and ligament damage can only be described as remarkable. Manikato was a champion from the start to the finish of his career.

I think Shane Templeton and other writers should not get caught up in the emotion of a couple of great wins from a brilliant horse and compare it to past champions. I can remember reading an article where a writer described Rancher as another Vain after he crushed his opposition as a two and three-year-old and then two weeks later Rancher was blown away by Manikato at Moonee Valley. One day writers such as Shane Templeton will realise that no matter how brilliant a horse can sprint, it will never measure up to the great Manikato.

Is it fair to compare horses of today to past champions?
Think of some unfair comparisons in horse racing and email me about them.

I want to know your opinion. Contact me at shaun_b@hotmail.com