I didn't realize they (Rammstein) played... my ex husband is a huge fan.

Not really my thing but sounds fun to have seen them live anyway and I'm sure there were tons of other great bands. :)

Glad you had a nice weekend away.

So Veloce Bella... do you know which race is her swansong?

What's next for Jimmy and well, all of them?! :D

Where are the headlines??? I've seen maybe two about Mufhasa and nothing else.

What is wrong with the world???!!! :D

Veloce Bella will say her goodbyes to racing in the G1 International Stakes at Te Rapa on Feb 12. It's the same race that she won her first ever G1 in last year, so that's a really good choice.

Jimmy's still heading for the Derby. He'll have a G3 race over 2000m on Feb 5 (against He's Remarkable again!), then go straight to the Derby on March 5.

Mufhasa's heading for the Waikato Sprint at Te Rapa on Feb 12. He won this race two years ago. He'll probably go to Australia for the George Ryder Stakes in April - he's run third in that race both of the last two years, so I hope he can win it this time!

A few familiar names in these races on Saturday!

G1 Thorndon Mile

1 01423 Red Ruler 17 108 58.0 Vinnie Colgan John Sargent, Matamata
2 95713 Joku (AUS) 5 107 57.5 Trudy Thornton Jim Litt, Hawera
3 3X101 Booming 4 106 57.0 Masa Tanaka Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
4 41017 Fritzy Boy 16 106 57.0 David Walker Alby MacGregor, Opaki
5 11115 Salvatore 6 105 56.5 Matthew Cameron Anne Herbert, Cambridge
6 X8120 Atapi 12 103 55.5 James McDonald (a) Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
7 11251 The Meista 18 103 55.5 Opie Bosson Peter & Dawn Williams, Riccarton Park
8 12916 November Rain 7 99 53.5 Jason Collett (a) Richard Collett, Pukekohe Park
9 81345 Obsession 3 98 53.0 Craig Grylls Frank Ritchie, Cambridge
10 82001 Irish Opera 19 100 52.5 Sam Spratt Stephen McKee, Ardmore
11 51321 Fears Nothing 8 96 52.5 Mark Du Plessis David Haworth & Matt Dixon, Foxton
12 110X1 Heza Karma Karzi 14 96 52.5 Noel Harris Leo Molloy, Byerley Park
13 00216 Eileen Dubh 11 95 52.5 Michelle Payne Francis Finnegan, Woodville
14 X6241 Roxon 13 98 52.0 Mark Hills Lionel Greig, Otaki
15 31453 Chinon 1 93 52.0 Paul Taylor Dave Enright, Foxton
16 20712 Jack's Point 9 90 51.5 Darryl Bradley Lisa Latta, Awapuni
17 01021 Dasoudi 10 95 51.0 Danielle Johnson (a) Jon Miller, Pukekohe Park
18 13445 King Raedwald 15 85 51.0 Lisa Allpress Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge, Palmerston North
19 1L051 Our Ella Belle 2 84 51.0 Steven Ramsay & Julia Ritchie, Maungatautari



G2 Wellington Cup

1 72101 Veloce Bella 23 105 57.0 James McDonald (a) Mark Brosnan, Matamata
2 08X29 Mandela 18 102 55.5 Chad Ormsby Moira Murdoch & Dominic Olson, Waiuku
3 14752 Borninthestates 24 100 54.5 Lisa Allpress Michael Pitman, Yaldhurst, Riccarton
4 52474 Six O'Clock News 10 100 54.5 Leith Innes Trent Busuttin, Cambridge
5 97190 Bruce Almighty 12 99 54.5 Robert Hannam Stuart Manning, Tauranga
6 1X001 Mr Tipsy 6 103 54.0 Opie Bosson Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
7 23181 Showcause 15 97 53.5 Darryl Bradley Frank Ritchie, Cambridge
8 41790 Butch James 22 96 53.0 Rosie Myers (a) Adrian Bull, Hunterville
9 16225 Spiro 5 95 53.0 Kane Smith Sylvia Kay, Levin
10 21026 Loose Change 4 94 52.5 Jason Collett (a) David Haworth & Matt Dixon, Foxton
11 03668 Zabene 8 92 52.5 Paul Taylor Stephen McKee, Ardmore
12 X0891 Fazza 1 93 52.0 Masa Tanaka Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
13 61647 Blood Brotha 2 90 52.0 Danielle Johnson (a) Raymond Connors, Wanganui
14 51882 Can't Keeper Down 17 90 51.5 Noel Harris Lisa Latta, Awapuni
15 35815 Crocodile Canyon 16 87 51.5 Trudy Thornton Howie Mathews, Otaki
16 01123 He's Under The Gun 3 86 51.5 Craig Grylls Michael Moroney & Andrew Clarken, Matamata
17 38820 Dawn Ghost 19 85 51.5 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
18 41115 Innocent Lady 11 85 51.5 Sam Spratt Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
19 81063 Aintree 14 85 51.5 Scratching Gary Freeman, Kopane
20 X8116 Prairie Star 9 83 51.5 Anne Herbert, Cambridge
21 11375 The Terminator 20 79 51.5 Roger James, Cambridge
22 10310 Annie 7 76 51.5 Don Dwyer, Pukekohe
23 21760 Mr Zatopek 13 76 51.5 Francis Finnegan, Woodville

They've decided to change it from one more start to two more for Veloce Bella. :)


And I'm excited about going to this one at Ellerslie on Sunday...

Karaka Million (2yo)

1 21154 Antonio Lombardo 7 56.0 Andrew Calder Peter McKay, Matamata
2 1153 Savabill 18 56.0 Hugh Bowman John Sargent, Matamata
3 12 Super Easy 15 56.0 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
4 1135 Brackenwood 3 56.0 Darryl Bradley Lisa Latta, Awapuni
5 5X53 Chateauneuf Dupape (AUS) 5 56.0 Benjamin Melham Lee Freedman, Rye
6 2331 Dollario 4 56.0 Chad Ormsby John Sargent, Matamata
7 61 Jackthelad 6 56.0 Reese Jones Andrew Scott, Matamata
8 14536 Fort Lincoln 2 56.0 Jonathan Riddell Lisa Latta, Awapuni
9 221 Release Me 17 56.0 Jason Collett (a) Stephen McKee, Ardmore
10 242 Lady Chapel 11 54.5 James McDonald (a) Keith & Brendon Hawtin, Te Awamutu
11 2278 Venetian Raider 10 54.5 Matthew Cameron Jim Collett, Matamata
12 21 Planet Rock 13 54.5 Michael Coleman Peter & Dawn Williams, Riccarton Park
13 15 Cracker 9 54.5 Opie Bosson Andrew Scott, Matamata
14 3104 Queen Boudicca 8 54.5 Vinnie Colgan Jason Price, Matamata
15 35320 The Aftershock 12 56.0 Shane Marr, Riccarton Park
16 1 Beejay Belle 14 54.5 Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
17 23630 Smoke 'N' Mirrors 16 54.5 Francis Finnegan, Woodville
18 262 Witz End 1 56.0 Stephen McKee, Ardmore

I'm glad she'll have a couple more starts.

Those first two fields!!!

Who do you like in the MIllion?

It's almost a relief to see a field and not be familiar with the names cause there are always toooooooooooooo many good horses I like.

Wow the field for the Mile...

My dream come true would be Red Ruler, Atapi and Fritzi Boy in any order. (Hey at least I didn't say in a triple dead heat). :D

Who wins, ed?

I hope Red Ruler goes well in the Mile, but I think he might find it just a bit too short for him. Salvatore and Fritzy Boy might be the likeliest, but you can't rule out November Rain, Fears Nothing or Eileen Dubh.

I think the Cup is between Veloce Bella and Innocent Lady. Innocent Lady might just beat her this time because she has to carry a much lower weight.

The Million is confusing! All the horses that have really impressed me so far have drawn very wide gates, which is difficult in 1200m races at Ellerslie. I think Planet Rock and Super Easy are the most talented, but I can't see them getting easy trips.

Oh, and there's also a big 3yo race at Ellerslie on Sunday, with one name in particular you should recognise...

1 23012 Icepin 11 85 56.0 Vinnie Colgan Jason Bridgman, Matamata
2 11455 Encosta Diablo 7 76 56.0 Opie Bosson Jason Bridgman, Matamata
3 10542 Hammer Down 14 76 56.0 Leith Innes Stephen McKee, Ardmore
4 17923 Hoofit 16 76 56.0 Andrew Calder Stephen McKee, Ardmore
5 30X11 Eightlives 6 74 56.0 Michael Rodd Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
6 20074 Sweet Suitor 1 73 56.0 Jonathan Riddell Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea
7 12130 Eight Schillings 2 72 56.0 Sam Spratt Stephen McKee, Ardmore
8 45102 Rimsky 9 70 56.0 Mark Du Plessis Bruce Wallace, Takanini
9 83313 Yourein (AUS) 12 70 56.0 Michael Coleman John Sargent, Matamata
10 X4X78 The Diamond Duke 10 67 56.0 Patrick Holmes Shaune Ritchie, Cambridge
11 X3232 Szyslak 8 59 56.0 Mark Hills Garry & Steven Barlow, Woodville
12 0X443 Beam Me Up 17 58 56.0 Chad Ormsby Bryce Revell, New Plymouth
13 96521 Banchee 13 85 54.5 James McDonald (a) John Sargent, Matamata
14 11X21 Miss Confidential 4 79 54.5 Hugh Bowman Mark Wallace, Warwick Farm
15 74307 Lady Kipling 3 73 54.5 Jason Collett (a) Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
16 44483 Fastnet Lady (AUS) 15 68 54.5 Mark Sweeney Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
17 81606 Dreamcatcher 5 67 54.5 Matthew Cameron Roger James, Cambridge
18 96252 La Grande Dame 19 59 54.5 Stephen Marsh, Cambridge
19 32371 Run To The Bank 18 68 54.5 Stephen Marsh, Cambridge

I started reading the names and thought oh well okay I like Icepin but not the most exciting... but then I saw the name you meant. :D :tro:

Good luck to her.

Who is the favorite in the Mile?

Banchee is, just ahead of Icepin, Hammer Down and The Diamond Duke.

Oh, did you mean the Thorndon Mile? Oops, sorry! November Rain is the favourite for that. Then The Meista and Fears Nothing.

Don't be sorry and yes I meant this one but I'm glad you answered for both cause I had no clue besides Banchee and Icepin!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xhfgLGHYzk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSOsRVvbF_s

Booming is suddenly a dual G1 winner. :)

This G3 fillies races was good as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U7Lg1skrAs

I was about to write how exciting these were after each one and am so thrillied for Booming (wow I didn't expect that) but the thing is the last one I watched was the MIle and Fritzy Boy at the end..... is he okay ed? I'm watching and trying to see who that is way at the back and checked them off in my head when the announcer called the order and once I realized who it was... just made my heart sink.

Hope he''s alright.

Thrilling races though.

Dating? Very nice!

All of them were.

I found this: "A post-race veterinary examination of FRITZY BOY revealed superficial abrasions to the right eye, left nostril and left hip."

Sounds like he had a bit of a rough race. :( Nothing serious at least, but that's probably why he performed so badly. I don't blame him!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO-CDZOWe1Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJvT3dNjpqk

Another great day at Ellerslie. :)

Good girl!!!

Thanks for both links and for the Fritzy news, poor guy.

Oh forgot to ask in the Karaka Million? Who is the horse out wide who is flying at the end?

That was Savabill. He was only 5th, but it was a very good performance. He's definitely one to watch over more distance.

That was a great performance by Banchee! She has such a huge sprint.

Awfully nice run... I hadn't heard his name before but will remember it now.

* * *

Banchee! :) :tro:

And poor old Icepin! In the last year or so:

2nd Karaka Million (behind Sister Havana)
2nd Hawke's Bay Guineas (behind Jimmy Choux)
2nd Great Northern Guineas (behind Jimmy Choux)
2nd Karaka Mile (behind Banchee)

Waikato Guineas tomorrow! This is the first of the two main Derby prep races. We were expecting Jimmy and He's Remarkable to clash here, but He's Remarkable is going to the other race instead - that's the Avondale Guineas at Ellerslie in two weeks.

Waikato Guineas field:

1 11011 Jimmy Choux 6 94 56.0 Jonathan Riddell John Bary, Hastings
2 2112 Historian 10 77 56.0 Chad Ormsby Tony Pike & Mark Donoghue, Cambridge
3 311 Hidden Asset 8 76 56.0 James McDonald (a) Shaune Ritchie, Cambridge
4 31233 Yin Yang Master (AUS) 9 75 56.0 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
5 21216 On The Level 7 74 56.0 Opie Bosson Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
6 12457 Mr Pedantic 3 68 56.0 Matthew Cameron Patsy Riley, Pukekohe
7 91583 Ransomed 11 68 56.0 David Walker Gary Vile, Awapuni
8 517 Kings Rag 4 67 56.0 Craig Grylls Ken Harrison, Wanganui
9 335 Essential 2 57 56.0 Vinnie Colgan John Sargent, Matamata
10 24638 Queen Of Pop 1 72 54.5 Jason Collett (a) Donna, Dean Logan & Chris Gibbs, Ruakaka
11 120P4 Keenly 5 69 54.5 Michael Coleman Robert Priscott & Clayton Chipperfield, Te Awamutu

I love this field. :) Jimmy should win if he gets the distance...but will he?

Poor guy he and Red Ruler are BOTH like Youmzain! :D

Nice field and yeah smart for avoiding Jimmy :{>: :tro: .

I only know half these horses but nice field!

Who else is going to the race at Ellerslie instead?

You will post any Fritzy Boy update, right (I know you will).

Hopefully there's no news cause he's just fine!

It sounds like he's fine. He was going to run in a big G1 race on the 12th, but I think they've decided to take it easy with him for a while. The G1 Easter Handicap in April is the big target for the next few months.

Confirmed/likely for the Avondale Guineas: He's Remarkable, Arakti, Yourein, Encosta Diablo, O'Reilly's Prize, Nippin, Starcheeka

And I heard a rumour that Banchee might run in it. :eek: They're really seriously considering the Derby with her.