I guess he has to be! He has been such a surprising horse. Still a maiden, but third in the Waikato Guineas at 130-1 and now second in the Avondale at 50-1.

I'll update the list ASAP. I can tell you now that Margin Trader and (unfortunately) Stratocaster will be moving off the list.

Yeah I can totally see that... Stratocaster just isn't up to it but he was fun to root for when it looked like he had a chance. No list but, if I had one, would be taking both him and Prince Mambo off of it. :wf

Volkstok'n'barrell and Mongolian Khan are much the best and seem to prove it every time. Will still hope for Giant Turtle though! I really do need to go back and start watching the replays from Sound Proposition, Midnitemagicman, Kolonel Kev and a couple of others.

Happy to read Iamishwara will go for a G1. :)

New list:

1. Volkstok'n'barrell
2. Mongolian Khan
3. Vavasour
4. McQueen
5. Sound Proposition
6. Prima
7. Midnitemagicman
8. Giant Turtle
9. Dee I Cee
10. Gifted Lad

MCQUEEN

gelding, Alamosa-Creil
Trainer: Jim Collett, Matamata (no Derby wins)
Jockey: Samantha Collett (no Derby wins)

5 starts
2 wins
1 second
0 thirds

NZ$25,900

4th Gr. 2 Waikato Guineas
5th Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas

I loved this horse's back-to-back wins in his second and third starts, then he had no luck at all in the Waikato Guineas and did really well to finish as close as fourth. His run in the Avondale Guineas was only okay, but he has shown enough to stick with him.

Current odds: 9
My ranking: 4th

Meanwhile, NZ are 2 for 2 in the World Cup. :) But jeez it was close today. Scotland were a LOT better than I expected them to be.

Thanks for that! Need to go check out a couple...

Good luck to NZ in the World Cup!

Hey ed I kow it's all about the Derby horses right now BUT where on earth is Tomorrowland? Did something happen to him and I missed it?

I haven't heard anything from him since the G1 NRM Sprint at Te Rapa on Feb 7, where he ran a nice race for sixth. I can try to find out more next time I talk to Danica - possibly some time next week for a Gaultier update as we head into the Derby.

I talked to Tim and Margaret Carter this week, who used to train Vonusti. They are such lovely people, so I'm so happy for them that they got another good win with Farm Boy last Saturday.

Thanks that would be appreciated!

Oh I didn't realize they were the Vonusti.:{>: owners! Good for them. :)

Tomorrowland is entered at Matamata on Saturday!

So happy. :)

Good Lord when I said I was thrilled that Iamishwara was going for a G1 I had no idea it would be with Soriano and Puccini!

SOUND PROPOSITION
gelding, Savabeel-Ebony Babe
Trainer: Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott (O'Sullivan won the Derby as a jockey aboard Surfers Paradise in 1990 and Popsy in 1993, Scott won the Derby as co-trainer of Cut The Cake in 2003 and Xcellent in 2004)
Jockey: Danielle Johnson (no Derby wins)

5 starts
2 wins
0 seconds
1 third

NZ$30,400

6th Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas

I like the way this horse has improved as he has stepped up over distance. He was 5th in a sprint on debut, then 3rd, then stepped up to a mile and won two in a row VERY nicely.

In his second win he easily beat Arrow In The Sand, who was stakes placed next time out.

Sound Proposition was only 6th in the Avondale Guineas, but he got a long way back with a slow pace and he was running nicely at the end. I think going further in the Derby and with a hot speed on in front will help his chances.

Current odds: 12
My ranking: 5th

It sounds like the filly Chenille will run against the boys in the Derby. She was a very nice winner at New Plymouth last Saturday.

That was a really impressive race. In watching that again and much as I love Danielle Johnson, I suddenly feel a little bit bad for Michael Coleman for not having the mount.

He obviously knows how to win on this horse.

So ed are you saving the best (Giant Turtle) for last? :p

Kidding!

(... and thanks - checked out Arrow in the Sand's last race... nice girl!).

Nice win! Cheese Maker showed a lot of heart too.

edit - Happy that Craig Grylls has a Derby mount. Not sure if he belongs in the Derby field or not BUT hat was an awesome ride by Matthew Cameron on Gifted Lad last time!

It was actually his decision. He was offered the Sound Proposition mount, but he chose...


GAULTIER
gelding, Rios-Playacting
Trainer: Danica Guy (no Derby wins)
Jockey: Michael Coleman (Cut The Cake 2003, Xcellent 2004)

7 starts
1 win
0 seconds
1 third

NZ$142,725

1st Gr. 1 Levin Classic
11th Gr. 2 Waikato Guineas
8th Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas

Depending on whether Platinum Witness runs in the Derby or the Oaks, Gaultier could be the only G1 winner going into this year's Derby. And his Levin Classic victory was amazing, flying down the outside from last to first.

But he's been really disappointing since then. The Waikato and Avondale Guineas were both quite slowly run races, which doesn't suit his style, but I still expected him to do more in the stretch in both races. I don't know about his Derby chances.

But Michael Coleman had the choice between Gaultier and Sound Proposition, and the fact that he's chosen Gaultier has to count for something.

Current odds: 30
My ranking: Not currently in the top 10.

Interesting! Thanks.

My top 5 in no order...

Giant Turtle
Sound Proposition
Kolonel Kev
Mongolian Khan
Volkstok'n'barrell

Would replace the good Kolonel with Platinum Witness IF she goes to the Derby (?). :)

Yeah, we still don't know! There has been no decision on that from her people, but hopefully we'll hear in the next few days.

Fingers crossed!

Too bad about O'Marilyn. Surprising!

Yeah, I'll definitely miss her.

Great racing so far at Matamata! Dramatist and Rocanto were outstanding.

And New Zealand is 3 for 3 at the World Cup. :D But it's fair to say England played an incredibly bad game.

Breeders' Stakes was an exciting race, but now we have a protest.