The Caulfield Guineas is “The Race that makes Stallions”. It is big business with big consequences.
Million dollar yearling All Too Hard, a half-brother to Black Caviar, boosted his value to $20m+ by running down Lonhro’s formerly unbeaten son, Pierro.
Sport of Kings stuff!
But it is not always like that.
Queensland trainer Rob Heathcote brought two horses to Caulfield.
Buffering, a $22,000 purchase, won the G2 Schillachi Stakes to take his earnings past $2m with the promise of further Spring riches.
Two races later, Solzenitsyn made it a stable double when the $11,000 Yearling won the G1 Toorak Handicap!
Bargains.
These gems pop up across the sporting landscape.
My Western Bulldogs have fallen on barren times but two blokes who we know will battle it out in 2013 are Dale Morris and Liam Picken – both off the rookie list. There’s a common quality of honesty and hard work that is endearing to supporters and an inspiration to aspirants.
The big names still tend to hog the limelight but the bargain buys make great stories.
They can walk in off the street or be calculated by using sabermetric principles (a la Moneyball).
IPL, horse racing, AFL….what are some of the bargain buys?
Takeover Target – bought for $1250, won more than $6 million.
James Hird – draft pick 79
Manikato cost $3500 as a yearling
Takeover Target was bought for $1375 and won in excess of $6m in prizemoney
Looks like the Budge has nailed this one.
Everyone keeps pulling out the James Hird draft choice as great value, which it was but Dean Cox was a rookie, there must be a few other good ones in there.
If you want the opposite of Crio’s bargain proposition have a look at the Patinak unreserved dispersal.
Adam Goodes at draft pick 43, even after blitzing the TAC Cup grand final and kicking 6 goals.
Too many horses to mention. Vo Rogue and Better Loosen Up both cost peanuts.
Last years cup winner Dunaden was originally purchased for bugger all.
The Footy Almanac
Scott Burns, pick 90 in 1992 and Dane Swan, pick 58 in 2001 weren’t bad value. Nick Maxwell, who went from Rookie to Premiership Captain was pretty good value. Other elevated rookies in the 2010 Premiership team were Harry O’Brien, Sharrod Wellingham, Alan Toovey, Jarryd Blair and Brent Macaffer. (6 out of 22).
Dave – any danger of removing the blinkers?
I don’t deny that other clubs also got good value from low draft picks and elevated rookies, but it’s for their supporters to list them. Why should I?