Thanks! I couldn't tell what on earth had happened!

Glad everyone is alright.

Some nice stories coming out of the race.

Survived's owner-breeder, Don Gordon, has been racing horses for 60 years and had never had a G1 winner until Saturday. And he's lived in Hawke's Bay all his life, so it was on his home track.

And then there's the sire, Zed. He was a talented racehorse, but injury forced him to retire before he won anything of note. So he went to stud for an initial fee of $500! And no one really showed much interest. So he ended up going to a farm way down south and breeding with clydesdales! But now he has a G1-winning thoroughbred, and two other stakes winners, and so he's back on a major stud farm in the North Island for a fee 10 times higher than his initial one.

I remember you telling me about Zed :) ... great story... and wow Surviveds owners first G1? Nice!!!!!

I went and met Archie today! He is so lovely and friendly - I spent ages just rubbing his nose.




I also got to meet one of his neighbours, the impressive debut winner All Decked Out. And he was friendly too!

He Is Beautiful!!!!!

Thrilled For You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

:)
It was a great day.

Good news about Mufhasa:
http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...flying-colours

WHOA! Jumps racing isn't usually my thing really, but the Great Northern Steeplechase was unbelievable today. So great to watch. And it was amazing how the crowd all got behind him and wanted to see him hold on, regardless of who they'd bet on. Awesome. :)

Spectacular field for Ruakaka's 3-year-old stakes race this weekend.

:eek:

Great to hear about Mufhasa, that was a fantastic race (I did watch if on your link in the paddock) and wow ed I am really embarrassed cause I only know 2 of those names. :confused:

Good luck to Antonio in his race and to Belfast Lad and Blood Brotha @Awapuni this weekend.

(... and Joesphine and Palm Island). :D

That's understandable - they were a group of 3-year-olds who hadn't really been seen at stakes level yet. They had all been HUGELY impressive in maiden races etc. Sorry I didn't see this before the race - would have posted links to replays of those wins.

So it was exciting to see a group of horses who had all been so amazing against weak fields come up against each other for the first time. And the winner was... El Roca! Two for two now, and so impressive.

But how about the finish by All Decked Out? Huge. He's the one to follow out of this race into things like the Hawke's Bay Guineas.

Wow you're right quite a finish by All Decked Out! (I know his name and Donnies but didn't know the rest!). Nice run by the winner. :)

Just read that Rogan lost the mount for the George Main (I guess the owners made the call to go with Christian)...

I'd imagine it was a really tough call and know that Veyron will get a fine ride and all but still... heartbroken for him. :(

Yeah, really feel sorry for Rogan.

Veyron did have a terrible trip in that last race, but I don't think that was Rogan's fault. Still, Christian Reith did give Veyron a lovely ride in the race before, so I don't blame them for going back to the combination that worked there. But poor Rogan. :(

Good Lord I just saw the noms for Saturday and I think I need high blood pressure medication! :D

WHEN DO WE GET THE FIELDS, ED?

I cannot wait!!!!!

Fields are there now! Amazing. Mufhasa, Nashville, Survived, Final Touch, Xanadu, Full Of Spirit... Jeez.

And how about the Gold Trail? Orbity (5 wins in a row), the super-impressive Bounding and also Costa Viva, who won so well in her only race so far.

Unbelievable fields!

Good luck to Mufhasa et al tonight and wow I just noticed some of the big girls running at Counties R.C. @ Pukekohe Park (!!!).

Interesting!

(Any idea why Zinko scratched?).

Just checked results and have not yet seen Boundings win (Orbity off the board?) or Ginner Harts (bummed for Fritzy but always nice to see this one do well) but I did finally watch the 4th at Arawa yesterday cause I had to see the old man, Arose (4th!).

Not sure about Zinko - maybe just the track conditions.

Such a beautiful win by Bounding. She's superb. Costa Viva looked really good too to get second in just her second start.

XANADU! Huge finish. Mufhasa went such a great race, and I thought he was going to win, but she just finished too strongly. Nashville and Final Touch ran nice races too, and Zennista.

Some good other performances on the undercard too, like King Kamada (6th in the Derby last season). Wow! :eek:

Gorgeous photo of Xanadu and Michael Coleman after the race.

Beautiful photo and yes! I just watched all the replays and what a run from Bounding and yes very nice for Costa Viva who I hadn't heard of.

Mufhasa! That was great and awww so happy for Xanadu!

I have absolutely nothing intelligent to add haha but can only echo your words.

Oh lest I forget I was very surprised to see the results of the race w/ Postman's Daughter and Miss Pelear and for some reason am having a problem with the replay stopping halfway through.

Surprised though since those two towered over that field!

I am still catching up and just watched the replay of It's a Dundeel (wow) and a few others and I have no idea how I forgot about this one (!)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLcFMk9U940

He ran his heart out.

Very happy he help on for 3rd. God I love this horse.