Handicappers Surprisingly Generous with Inflated Figure, But Equinox’s Champion Status Remains Undoubted

That Equinox would be crowned world champion was never in doubt. The four-year-old had been leading the rankings since his impressive defeat of Westover in the Dubai Sheema Classic last March. However, his rating of 135 came as a surprise. Throughout the year, he had been underrated with an official mark of 129. The 6lb hike in his rating seems a bit excessive. The initial suggestion of 133 after his brilliant win in the Japan Cup in late November would have been a better fit relative to his Racing Post Rating of 134.

In other news, Roger Varian has expressed concerns about British racing as Japan dominated the World’s Best Racehorse awards. Varian believes that Japan and Britain are heading in opposite directions, and things will only worsen based on the moves of Hukum and Westover.

Meanwhile, City Of Troy has emerged as the best of a historically weak crop of two-year-olds. Aidan O’Brien has revealed the Classic targets for his top juveniles and expects City Of Troy to excel in longer distances as a three-year-old.

Christophe Lemaire, on the other hand, is left to ponder Equinox’s greatness after the Japanese superstar won the World’s Best Racehorse award. Equinox’s rating was 7lb higher than that of Ace Impact.

In summary, Equinox’s victory in the world championship was expected, but his high rating was a surprise. Roger Varian is worried about the state of British racing compared to Japan. City Of Troy stands out among a weak group of two-year-olds, and Aidan O’Brien has high hopes for his future. Christophe Lemaire is amazed by Equinox’s greatness as a racehorse.