Actually, now he isn't: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/horserac...102-19d1i.html

:(
At least it's only a minor injury, and he'll be back later in the season.

King's Rose is still considered a big Derby chance, but her trainer said she's more likely to go for the Oaks. I don't think any filly in NZ can beat her in that, so that's a safe target.

Jimmy Choux is back in the picture after his awesome win last week. I'm still not convinced he'll get the Derby distance, but he's obviously got the ability.

And there are a few impressive maiden winners around who haven't stepped up to stakes class yet.

It's an exciting year!

Oh man I wasn't expecting that. :confused:

At least he'll be back though.

See that's why I wasn't sure about Jimmy cause even after that last win with the scare I didn't know if he was still pointed to it or what.

A very exciting year!

Not that you don't have anything better to do but some day can you fill me in? Atapi... what was his best win and when?

Why did I not know his name?!

I watched that replay again and sure he may not have been the best horse in the race but he sure is a fighter. :)

Atapi has actually never really had any big wins - his best was a listed race in Brisbane called the Falvelon. That was his only stakes win.

He's had 64 starts for 11 wins, 8 seconds and 9 thirds.

He's been second or third in all these big races:
G1 Railway Stakes 2011
G1 Railway Stakes 2010
G1 Telegraph Handicap 2009
G1 Otaki WFA 2009
G2 Sir Byrne Hart Stakes (AUS) 2008
G2 Grand Prix Stakes (AUS) 2005
G3 Higgins Challenge Stakes 2005
G3 Eclipse Stakes 2004

Pretty impressive and figures cause I usually end up being a big fan of the ones who don't actually win the big races but who come oh so close. :)

No stakes races in NZ this weekend.

But there is one interesting runner - Starcheeka. This guy only won a maiden race as a 2-year-old, and hasn't yet raced at 3, but is only 15-1 in early betting for the Derby. Some people obviously like him a lot! I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes.

And speaking of the Derby, since there are no stakes fields to look through this week, have a look at the early entries for the 2011 Derby here: http://www.nzracing.co.nz/Meetings/Meeting.aspx/38383

You can find more information on each runner by hovering the mouse and then clicking profile. But don't do that for all of them - there are 231! It would take you all day.

So many good horses there. Eight weeks to go!

Oh this is cool!

Thanks for the link and please post a replay of this guy after the race so we can see what the fuss is about! :D

I know! :)

I was wondering how Starcheeka did and also those 231 names.... either I'm blanking out and passing it by every time I look or am not seeing Upsalas name there. :confused:

In thinking about it I just realized I haven't seen his name mentioned at all since he was last in that race that Jimmy won (back at the beginning of November?).

Ummm any news on him or on our good Sir these days?

How is Xcellent doing?

Don't worry you don't need to answer all at once... just who I'm thining of so when you have time... :)

Thanks ed!

Starcheeka was 4th. It was an okay run. He was blocked for a while early in the stretch, but didn't really accelerate when he got clear. I might post a replay later if you want to see it.

I think they decided Upsala found a mile too far after he dropped out so badly in that race, so I guess they're not even gonna try for the Derby. He was in the published works this week, but it looked like a pretty slow gallop, so he might not be back for a while.

Sir Slick is still going, the poor guy. His last start was the 18th of December, when he was 8th. His career record now is 133:22-20-15. Sad when you think he got to 20 wins before he had 100 starts. He's had enough. :(

I haven't heard about Xcellent for a while, but the last thing I did hear was that he was loving being the star of the show at a place called the Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge. They have a few good retired geldings living there (and one great one!), and they parade them sometimes. I really should go and see him there.

Thanks and yeah you really should go there!

133?

My heart sank when I saw that number.

Yeah, poor guy. :(

In better news - Miss Lee is on her way back! She was second to Mufhasa in a trial on 21 December, and won a 1150m trial late last week by 3 lengths in 1:08.28! :D

Alright Katie! :)

Corey Brown will ride her in the Telegraph on Jan 22 (Opie can't get down to the weight).

Sorry for Opie but that's a pretty good choice, isn't it?

I don't know... I like Corey. :)

(Was he the rider for Monaco Consul when he won the Derby?)

Yeah, that's right.

It's probably a good choice. He's definitely a great rider. But I think owners are sometimes just a bit too quick to call jockeys over from Australia. Some really good NZ jockeys will be sitting on the bench for this race.

But Katie is their horse, and I'm sure Corey will ride her brilliantly.

You've got a great point that I'm embarrassed for not thinking of.

Aaah well.

I saw this and thought of you.

They need to offer you this position!

http://www.thoroughbrednews.com.au/i....aspx?id=50868

Haha, that would be a great job!

Again there's not much stakes racing this weekend.

But there's this VERY interesting 3yo field tomorrow:

1 211 Historian 5 74 57.0 Chad Ormsby Tony Pike & Mark Donoghue, Cambridge
2 99652 Banchee 7 84 56.5 James McDonald (a) John Sargent, Matamata
3 73123 Yin Yang Master (AUS) 4 76 56.0 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
4 721 Powerplaya 6 68 56.0 Michael Coleman Ken & Bev Kelso, Matamata
5 19 Green Manner (AUS) 2 67 56.0 Vinnie Colgan Yves Seguin, Cambridge
6 5X115 Our Squeezer (AUS) 3 74 55.5 Sam Spratt Stephen McKee, Ardmore
7 42110 Born To Rock (AUS) 8 73 55.5 Leith Innes Stephen McKee, Ardmore
8 3441 Western Star 1 68 54.5 Samantha Collett Tony Cole, Te Kauwhata

Lots of Derby contenders here. I like Banchee (they haven't decided if they're going to the Derby with her or not yet), Historian and Yin Yang Master. I have to respect Powerplaya too - he won a maiden by 5 lengths last start.

I feel stupid cause Banchee is the only name i know here! :eek: :wf

Go Banchee! :D