Yeah, disappointing. She just doesn't have the same acceleration that she had in NZ. I'm not sure why. :confused:

But, yep, still some good racing to look forward to in NZ! The G2 Travis Stakes and G3 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes next weekend, and both of those are usually really exciting races.

Watched last years' and had forgotten how nicely poor Simbaah had done (and that Lauren Tate had won).

Poor Habibi. I don't get it either.

(Feel better, Opie!)

Noms for the Travis Stakes are really good! :)

Shall we just call Tavy the winner now for the Breeders?

Oh wow that third race looks like a lot of fun!

Will there be anything special for ANZAC day? Seeing as it's the centennial I would imagine so.

Would be amazing to see Pump Up the Volume win at Wanganui on Thursday!

Still nothing on Giant Turtle? :confused:

I liked Passing Shot in the Breeders' Stakes until I saw he got such a wide gate! I definitely think the Roger James pair of Tavy and Shees Flawless are good chances.

There isn't much on Anzac Day, surprisingly. There's a minor stakes race at Awapuni, but that's about it. :confused:

No, I haven't heard anything about Giant Turtle at all, sorry! I will keep a look out. If I have a spare moment in the next few days I might try calling someone in the stable.

How nice of you and thanks in advance in the event you get to it (I know how busy you must be!).

Where is Celebrity Miss in terms of odds?

Kinda stuck between hoping Lauren Tate repeats and Abidewithme shocks (or even Flying Orca.. been a long time since she won one!). Carlotta won so nicely last out... yeah would like to see one of the more unexpected types who needs a win steal this!

Celebrity Miss is at 20-1. :)

Full odds: http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...-Travis-Stakes

ABIDEWITHME!!!!!

Finally! What a good girl and a beautiful run.

Had a tiny bet but who cares... I had to wait till morning to see who won and just saw the replay and am SO happy (and that Lauren Tate was 2nd).

That was AWESOME!!!!!

Apr. 24, 2015 04:28 PM F4619D217072 Online Gaming New Zealand 7 $1.00 QN BX,2,6,7,14 $6.00 $19.00

Hope you boxed that!

Oh man... hope beyond hope that she'll be okay. :(

Colic attack may spell end of racing career for Silent Achiever

http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...ilent-Achiever

It's sounding a bit better now and I think she will be okay. But it's possible she won't race again. What a great career.

I wonder if there's any chance she'll race again? Poor thing but yes an absolutely stellar career.

For all my reading about the Great War the past few years this completely flew over my head.

How ironic and sweet that Abidewithme won on the 25th.

http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...-Day-centenary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbzh4kuzzXY

Good luck to Full Monty in his and also to Nothing in the race named for Sir Slick :) at Te Aroha on Wednesday.

Later today I'll check in with the Wallace stable about It Has To Be You, and while I'm talking to them I'll ask about Giant Turtle as well. So hopefully there'll be some news!

No luck in my attempts to contact them today. I'll try again tomorrow.

Hope you had luck today!

That was a nice run from It Has To Be You.. I just watched the race again. He is okay, right? Read the stewards report... maybe that's the pessimist in me wondering if something bad happened instead of an update to wrie about that very nice run.

I was looking at the noms for the weekend... would that be a confidence builder for Nashville at Riccarton? He should be able to do that blindfolded and backwards.

Did not realize (or had forgotten that ) TJL is a gelding (?).

edit -

Okay either he was nominated for 2 different races or I have lost my mind.

Not that the field is so tough but it's nicer than I had expected. (Sucks I cannot read the Informant piece on this one).

Oh The Diamond One! I forgot about her.

I do hope for Nashville to have an easy win but am not familiar enough with some of the others.

I asked TJL's trainer about exactly that today! He's been gelded since his last race in the Karaka Million, where they found out that he was uncomfortable which probably contributed to his performance.

Giant Turtle news, as promised. :)
http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...f-to-Hong-Kong

They gave me a nice update on It Has To Be You as well.

Hope he'll be back to his spectacular self!

Read both (well done!) and so glad you were able to find out (and do a write up). :)

McLaren! How nice was that??!!

Oh too funny I watched his replay and was about to post this and thought I wonder... went to The Informant... yay!

http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...n-Otaki-sprint :tro:

A lot to look forward to in the next 36 or so hours. Cannot wait for the kids at Te Rapa! The more I look at that field the more excited I am. :)

I didn't expect that result! No More Tears, on debut, at 26 to one! Nice runs by Unsurpassed, Thwayya and Miss Wilson.

So good to see Miss Mossman finally win another one.

Finally watched both... very nice!

Just caught Singapore Girls win as well :eek:... nice of Soul Sister to give everyone a head start. :D

Noms for Rotorua are looking really good!

Read the Silent Achiever to Doomben article and, while I am so happy she's doing well, cannot quite give up the thought of her running in the Arc. :confused:

It would be wonderful to see her in the Arc, but I've just got the feeling that she hasn't quite been the same horse since her close 3rd in the Cox Plate.

She gave so much that day and I think the race maybe took more out of her than was immediately obvious - she might be the same as always in her training, but she's just not running like she used to in her races.

I'd like to see her retire very soon. She's done enough. :)

Wow, what a nice win by High Class.

Have not yet watched replays but look forward to this one.

Very much liked your piece on VSB! :)

Good luck to The Filly (love ever horse in that field and how awesome would that be if Flying Orca won?) and to Pump Up (again, another terrific field!).

Yeah, she absolutely has.

GOOD boy!!!

Very happy for him, for his connections and for my tvg account. Was not going to play but just did two win bets yesterday evening for the hell of it. Glad I did as went off at 8/1.

What a game horse. He sure doesn't win much but it's awfully nice when he does. :)

Have not yet watched the other replays... happy The Filly hit the board anyway. Was worried Platinum Witness would take it but did not expect Fascination Street to win. Will watch it a little later.

http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...ed-to-Saturday

Mixed feelings about this. I loved having three great days to go to in that amazing week, but it's true that the crowd was always a bit disappointing on the middle day.

It does sound like they're going to make the two days bigger and better than ever, which can only be good. :)

Whoa, a really tiring day - I think I put up nine website stories, as well as writing eight big previews for the newspaper. Exhausting! But fun.

Your Rising Romance piece was especially touching.

Nice to get a Julinsky Prince update!

Will check out Get That Jive.

Funny... right as I was thinking about Iamishwara this morning I was scrolling down entries and came across his name. :)

In HK they award the most improved horse... do you guys have that there? I can't seem to remember...

Well if so he should win it!

Great work, ed! It made for a wonderful mornings reading.

Happy to read that Opie will be back on Saturday. :)

Was having a break and looked on Twitter to see if he was being talked about... found this and it's from last month but oh... I just have to post it.

“He’s rebuilt the stables, the fences and bought the groceries. He’s very special to us,” Nicola Kaye said. :)

On Iamishwara...

http://www.nzracing.co.nz/News/15724...ple-proud.aspx

It's awesome what that horse has done for his people. One of the best stories of the season.

We don't have a most improved award, but I wish we did! He'd definitely be the winner this year.

When are the awards, anyway? Cannot seem to recall and oh what to do wih VSB in all the same categories as Mongolian Khan? :confused:

The awards are in September.

I think most categories are already decided (unless Sacred Star does something special in Brisbane in a race like the Stradbroke - that could make a case for him for HOTY). But the steeplechases are over the next few months and they have to be included too.

Thanks!

Oh wow Spin Doctor!!! How did I miss that?! Man he really does love Te Rapa!!! (Awfully nice ride by Alyssa Schwerin who, I have to admit, I have not heard of).

Feel a little bit bad for Jubilate... he sure has heart.

Will you be at Ellerslie on Saturday?

Illuminati is really such a nice horse... she just keeps on improving!

Looks like a nice little race with Flower Bomb and The Filly. :)

I keep hoping to see Brave Centaur... maybe he was retired (?).

Yep, definitely going to Ellerslie! The Foal Stakes is such a nice field.

I wish I could be at Ruakaka today instead of in the office - that track is beautiful and the races have been great.

For Brave Centaur, I found this story from October: http://www.waikatostud.co.nz/default...articleid=1086

He ran 14th in that race and hasn't done anything since. I'm not sure what the story is.

Thanks for that Ed. Hope he's okay wherever he is.

Thoughts on any particular horses in the Foal Stakes?

Good luck to Fried Rice... get that 2nd win! :D (I have not heard of Woodville)!

The Foal Stakes is a hard race to analyse - so many horses are facing stakes opposition for the first time.

For my preview in the newspaper I focussed on Brighton, who's already a stakes winner in the Champagne last month so we know he's got the ability.

But I also really like High Class (daughter of Mill Duckie!), Massa Lu and Get That Jive.

Maybe even Castamere, who I haven't been that visually impressed by so far but he's done everything that's been asked of him.

Aaah I cant access your article.

I thought Massa Lu looked really good in that last race (and a nice finish by Ragnaar).

Will have to check out the rest. :)

13th (of 15th)!

(I thought Jump For Joy won)...:confused:

Just watched (after reading about) the trial with Zarzuela's daughter, Serious Satire, and have to say... aside from looking forward to seeing her race (along with the 2nd place Iffraaj gelding), that is awesome watching trials with all the sheep in the background. :)

(Sorry. I never get to see any sheep and am easily excited by such things). :D