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Have not seen any replays but just glanced at results and so much for being in over his head. :D
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Haha, amazing! The change of scenery must have helped. He ran a great race.
Fix just isn't herself at the moment. As for the Guineas, GREAT win. Reminded me of his older brother Sir Slick, the way he overcame a terrible trip and just refused to let anyone get by him in the stretch. Brilliant. I'll have to look at the replays, but watching it live it looked like the other good performances were We'regoingtogetcha and Glorious Lad. Not sure what happened to Chambord. :confused: |
Well I'd prefer NZ to HK too!!! :D
The only replay I've watched so far was Puccini (and I watched it a few times). So happy for him and for his connections. Nice nice win. Loved the way the MW looked back at one point. Around 1:48 I thought I was going to have a heart attack with a few of them all bunched up... rough riding! Had not heard of Colonel Cararrea but nice run and yeah agree on Glorious Lad and Weregonnagetcha who I had not heard of. Hope Chambord is okay. Puccini straight to the Derby now? Will catch the rest of the replays later. :) |
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Awesome! Can't wait to see her again. It's ridiculous that the NZ Derby is her only G1 win so far - she should have four or five. So unlucky. Hope she changes that this prep.
Entries for Te Rapa on Saturday look spectacular. |
Can't wait!!!
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I just went through the fields again and it is staggering... man ed if I lived there I don't think I'd bet cause I'd be so overwhelmed by the continual parade of these huge stars of racing...
Hope they all come home safe and I would love to see some of the ones who need a win do it but you know... love too many of them now so won't sit here wishing 3/4s of each field luck. :D |
Great racing here so far! Loving it. Lady Royale just blew them away in the 2yo race. Especially happy about Delago's Secret - needed to win today to keep his Derby dream alive, and he did! Roger James is going to the Derby again. Amazing. He's won it five times! Just such a good trainer of 3yos.
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Hera!
Oh that was great to see. :) That is the ONLY replay I've watched so far and will catch up more tomorrow but wow.... I'm really happy for her and for her connections (and for Spellbiner too... another brilliant run BUT nice to see Hera win this one). |
That was a great win. I took a couple of photos of Hera.
  Thrilled for her. And for her trainer, Roger James, who I saw standing near me and looking super nervous before Delago's Secret's Derby-clinching win. Great day for him. And how good was Shuka in the Herbie Dyke? |
OH!!!!! I JUST WATCHED IT AND WOW HE WAS GREAT!
Nothing separated them! Great for Costume although, much as I like her I do wish it had gone the other way cause I love him so much but wow that was a fantastic race. ... and Zurella! Very nice run! Love your pics of Hera... thanks for posting them! The only other replay I've watched at this point was that of Delago's Secret. I hadn't heard the name but yes definitely one to watch :) Saw the noms for the 12th... looks like a nice field for Pinzaara! SInce it's on a week day will you be able to go? |
Any word on Bounding, ed? I'm surprised not to have seen any update.
Good luck on Wednesday! |
Bounding is fine, and it's Ellerslie next! :D
http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...w-for-Bounding 30 entries for the Avondale Guineas on Saturday, which is the last major Derby prep! |
Thanks for that and yes, I just took a look at the entries! Spectacular!
There's a picture of Time Keeper on the front of the nzracing site that made my heart stop for a sec. Happy to see Opie will stay on Chop Chop for the Oaks. I did so like her dad even though he never won for me. :D Hope he turns out to be a good sire. Such a pretty boy. :o Shaune Ritchie has a very valid point here, doesn't he? “Why the feature Oaks lead-up can’t be run on the Sunday so we don’t have to get replacement riders I don’t know, perhaps there’s a valid reason, but I can’t think of one,” Ritchie said. Have to toss this in... “I’m on the ball early and I’ve booked Michael Dee. He’s won on her before and he deserves his chance in a Group Three race.” Indeed. :tro: |
Congrats on a nice run in a very tough field.
Looked like He's Rock'n'Roll (white cap?) got right in her way around... 1:17 or so? Next time. :) |
Yeah, that might have put her off her game a bit. Or maybe she's just had enough this prep and needs a break. It was a bit disappointing, and I know she's better than that. She'll do better next time. :)
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Let's start our Derby countdown! First up, two horses that aren't running in the big race tomorrow.
SPELLBINDER filly O'Reilly - Scenic Sprint (O'Reilly is the sire of one NZ Derby winner - Silent Achiever, 2012)  Owner: Te Akau Stud (no Derby wins) Trainer: Jason Bridgman (no Derby wins) Rider: Matt Cameron (no Derby wins) A $60,000 purchase at auction as a yearling. (Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 7:4-2-1 Stakes races: 1st Soliloquy Stakes (L) 1st Karaka Mile (L) 2nd Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic (G2) 2nd Sarten Memorial (G3) 3rd New Zealand 1000 Guineas (G1) This is a seriously good filly who's shown freakish ability in her brief career so far - like in her seven-length demolition of the Soliloquy Stakes and a romp in the Karaka Mile. There were doubts about her stamina, but she blew those away with a strong-closing second in the Sir Tristram - coming from way back, and off a slow pace. She's undefeated in three races at Ellerslie, two of them stakes. Maybe she can make it three years in a row for fillies. Maybe she can give Te Akau their first Derby win (they had placings with Tell A Tale in 2009 and Rock 'N' Pop in 2012). Odds: 40-1 in January; 30-1 two weeks ago; now 9-1 (equal fifth favourite) WE'REGOINGTOGETCHA colt Testa Rossa - Sweetness 'N' Light (the 2nd dam, Tricia Ann, is also the dam of multiple stakes winner La Sizeranne; also the family of Derby winner and great sire Grosvenor)  Owner: D Hayes & S Prenter (no Derby wins) Trainer: David Hayes (no relation to the Australian trainer of the same name!) (no Derby wins) Rider: Kelly Myers (no Derby wins) A $140,000 purchase at auction as a yearling. (Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 10:2-2-2 Stakes races: 2nd Ryder Stakes (L, 2yo) 3rd Waikato Guineas (G2) 8th New Zealand 2000 Guineas (G1) 8th Levin Classic (G1) Flying along under the radar until his powerful finish into third in the Waikato Guineas. Looks likely to love the step up to 2400m. Odds: 30-1 in January; 18-1 before Waikato Guineas; now 7-1 (equal third favourite) |
Outstanding, ed! Thank you for starting this... always a thrill!
Cannot wait for the next installment and for the great races this weekend. Habibi finally had a workout so I stuck it in her thread in the paddock. Good luck to Puccini tonight and well to all of them (cause they're all soooo good!)! |
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Beautiful, hot day here at Ellerslie. After two races so far, I have just two words: SILENT ACHIEVER! That was so amazing, under a huge weight.
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Oh, wow. Man, Puccini is so good.
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Oh ed did he do it?
I just ran home to change and am so bummed about Polanski being scratched again but this news? Well this makes it all better and oh the Silent one!!!!! Keep having a fantastic time and thanks for the updates!!!!!!!! Cannot wait to watch replays. |
He sure did! Even better than last time. That's three G2 wins in his last four starts now, and he's the 3-1 Derby favourite.
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Hahahaha brilliant!
Very very happy now and cannot wait to come home and see the race. :) So exciting! |
That was seriously so awesome I can't even speak!!!!!
... and nice and surprising run from Lucky Feather haha! Was holding my breath for Rising Romance there at the end...what a brave girl. Poor Blizzard looks like he got knocked about there at the start. Okay have not seen the other replays yet but will on and off throughout the day. :) Chambord looked fine, didn't he? I mean there doesn't seem to be any problem with him after that disappointing run last out. |
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Spectacular finish! Is there any word on Mosquito? Poor thing. |
http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...om-colic-atack :) He's tough! Just like he is on the racetrack.
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Also, just saw your post on Shaune Ritchie's comments about the Lowland Stakes-Derby clash. It's totally true - makes no sense to have them on the same day.
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Now let's look at the Avondale Guineas 1-2-3.
PUCCINI colt Encosta de Lago – Miss Opera (half-brother to six-time G1 winner Sir Slick)  Owner: Monovale Farm (no Derby wins) Trainer: Peter and Jacob McKay (no Derby wins) Rider: Michael Walker (Military Move 2010) Not sold at auction; retained by the breeders. (Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 13:4-1-3 Stakes races: 1st Great Northern Guineas (G2) 1st Waikato Guineas (G2) 1st Avondale Guineas (G2) 3rd Champagne Stakes (L, 2yo) 4th New Zealand 2000 Guineas (G1) 4th Levin Classic (G1) 5th Matamata Slipper (L, 2yo) He took eight starts to clear maidens, but since then his record is four wins from six starts, with two G1 fourths. Any thoughts of his Great Northern Guineas win being a fluke have been destroyed by brilliant wins in the Waikato and Avondale Guineas, dominating from in front after a rocky trip up to and around the first turn. His performances along the road to the Derby have been unbelievable, and he towers over his opposition in terms of what he’s achieved so far. The rightful and deserving favourite for NZ’s greatest race. Odds: opened at 30-1; 17-1 after GN Guineas; 8-1 after Waikato Guineas; now 3-1f. RISING ROMANCE filly Ekraar – Post Romance (Ekraar is the sire of 2013 Derby winner Habibi, as well as other G1-winning females Shez Sinsational and Ekstreme)  Owner: John Carter, Brian Carter and Ross Powell (no Derby wins) Trainer: Donna and Dean Logan (Habibi 2013) Rider: Michael Coleman (Cut The Cake 2003, Xcellent 2004) Not sold at auction; retained by the breeders. (Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 7:3-1-1 Stakes races: 1st Royal Stakes (G2) 1st Trevor Eagle Memorial (L) 2nd Avondale Guineas (G2) 3rd Eight Carat Classic (G2) Since her shock win as a 35-1 longshot in the Trevor Eagle, Rising Romance has just got better and better with every race. She dominated in the Royal Stakes, and then, after a six-week break, came back with a strong-closing second in the Avondale Guineas. She looks like the only horse out of that race with the potential to turn the tables on Puccini in the Derby. It’s deja vu – an Ekraar filly, trained by the Logans, running a solid race in the Avondale and about to peak in the Derby. Can she follow in Habibi’s footsteps? The Logans would become the first trainers to win the Derby back-to-back since Mike Moroney in 2003-4. Odds: opened at 40-1; 5-1f after Royal Stakes; now 4-1 second-favourite. GLORIOUS LAD gelding Falkirk – Luscious Lass  Owner: K Lau, S Fung, S Wong and D Chan (no Derby wins) Trainer: Shaune Ritchie (Military Move 2010) Rider: Mark du Plessis (Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 7:3-2-1 Stakes races: 2nd Wellington Stakes (G3) 3rd Avondale Guineas (G2) 4th Waikato Guineas (G2) One of the most consistent horses of this year’s 3yo crop, Glorious Lad has never finished further back than fourth – and that fourth in the Waikato Guineas was arguably unlucky. And you have to take notice when Shaune Ritchie, trainer of Derby winner Military Move and Oaks winners Keep The Peace and Artistic, says he’s “the most exciting 3-year-old I’ve ever had”. Finished solidly in the Avondale Guineas last weekend. But Falkirk is a speed sire, and there are doubts about Glorious Lad at a mile and a half. There’s only one way to find out, and that’s on Derby day. Odds: opened at 27-1; 11-1 on Jan 12; 6-1 second-favourite after Waikato Guineas; now 7-1 third-favourite. |
Fantastic write ups, ed!!!!!
Such an exciting time of year. :) Good news... Veyron back in work 20 February 2014, 9:40 a.m. Five-time Group One winner Veyron returned to light work on Wednesday morning. ... and as if that weren't good enough good luck to THE HOMBRE :cool: :{>:on Saturday and wow that is some field on Sunday! Head is spinning! (Would be amazing to see Final Touch win though). (... AND g/l to The Grinner on Monday! Will be away for a couple of days so have to get all this in just incase). :D |
Poor guy. :( Hope he makes it.
Mosquito fighting for Survival 21 February 2014, 9:06 a.m. The Donna and Dean Logan-trained Mosquito continues to battle for his life at Veterinary Associates in Takanini. The five-year-old son of Golan fell ill on the way to Ellerslie on Saturday, suffering severe colic. "It was decided today that he needed an operation," said an emotional Donna Logan. "He went into surgery this morning and they found a tumour obstructing his intestine. The tumour was very close to his aorta but they have managed to get it out." Vets have told Logan that Mosquito has a 50-60% chance of surviving. NZ Racing Desk https://www.nzracing.co.nz/News/1231...-Survival.aspx |
I'm a big fan of his too.. hope he pulls through.
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Cannot be upset at The Hombre's run cause wow, well worth it to see Antonio Lombardo FINALLY win one!
Outstanding! edit - Will finish catching up and watch Touche, Lauren Tate, Nashville et al later! |
Yeah, poor Mosquito. Really hope he makes it. Just an awesome horse.
Great racing yesterday! Yeah, Antonio was brilliant - 33-1 odds, would you believe? Just shows how long it's been since he last won one, I guess! |
BLIZZARD
gelding Any Suggestion – Deune  Owner: McVean Racing Ltd, A Moore, C & L Betts, A Gore, D & P Fullerton, W A & N M Bishop Trainer: Jeff McVean (Leica Guv 2001) & Emma-Lee Browne Rider: Opie Bosson (no Derby wins) $35,000 purchase at the National Yearling Sale. (Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 10:1-2-0 Stakes races: 2nd Championship Stakes (G2) 6th Waikato Guineas (G2) 7th Avondale Guineas (G2) Finished powerfully into second place, just a head behind Show The World, in the G2 Championship Stakes on Jan 1. His last two races haven’t been as good – beaten by 5.1 lengths and 7.6 lengths – but the way he finishes seems like he’s got the stamina to still be going strongly at the end of the gruelling 2400m of the Derby. He may not have the class of some of the others, but he could outlast them. It’s hard to see him winning, but he could definitely place. Odds: opened at 40-1; now 17-1. DELAGO’S SECRET gelding Encosta de Lago – Divine Secret  Owner: R S Baulcomb & J B Struthers (no Derby wins) Trainer: Roger James (Tidal Light 1986, Roysyn 1995, Zonda 1997, Hades 1999, Silent Achiever 2012) Rider: NOT CONFIRMED $180,000 purchase at the National Yearling Sale. (Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 7:2-1-1 Stakes races: 9th Avondale Guineas (G2) The definition of a late-developer. This guy was a maiden until Jan 17. He added a second win on the Waikato Sprint undercard on Feb 8, propelling him into the top 18 and into a whole lot of fans’ lists of Derby picks. His reputation was dented the following week when he finished ninth, 8.4 lengths behind Puccini, in the Avondale Guineas. But he should possibly be forgiven for that failure. Five-time Derby-winning trainer Roger James usually spaces his horses’ races out, and agonised over the decision to run this gelding twice in a week. But he decided he needed to, because the horse needed a run around two turns before the Derby. That seven-day turnaround must have been a shock to the system for the horse, whose other races have been far more evenly spaced. Don’t be surprised if he runs a far better race in the Derby than he did in the Avondale Guineas. It’s worth noting, though, that Vinnie Colgan – who rode Delago’s Secret in his last two races – has opted to ride Stand Your Ground in the Derby. Odds: opened at 80-1; now 20-1. |
Actually, ignore the above - Delago's Secret is out of the Derby! Withdrawn this morning by Roger James. It sounds like he doesn't think the horse is ready for a race like that and needs time to develop and mature. Brave decision and a big example of putting the horse first. Great trainer. Maybe he'll get his sixth NZ Derby next year.
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HABITUAL OFFENDER
gelding Guillotine – Ascot Isle  Owner: M Wyborn & R Peel-Walker (no Derby wins) Trainer: Mike Moroney (Great Command 1996, Cut The Cake 2003, Xcellent 2004) and Chad Ormsby Rider: Craig Grylls (no Derby wins) $100,000 purchase at the National Yearling Sale. (Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 5:2-0-0 Stakes races: 6th Great Northern Guineas (G2) A latecomer who only forced his way into the Derby field with an Ellerslie win on Feb 15. That was his first race over further than a mile, and this gelding was in his element. He was strong and tough and highly impressive. He may have only just made it into the field, but he looks like a powerful runner who’s peaking at the right time. This is a huge step up in class, but he might be a surprise package. Odds: 20-1 THORN PASS gelding Thorn Park – En Passant (Thorn Park sired 2011 Derby hero Jimmy Choux)  Owner: Go Racing Syndicate Trainer: Lisa Latta (no Derby wins) Rider: NOT CONFIRMED (Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 8:2-2-0 Stakes races: 7th Levin Classic (G1) 10th Avondale Guineas (G2) When he’s good, this Thorn Park gelding is seriously good. His wins at Otaki and Awapuni were stunning. But in between those wins, and since, he’s fallen way short of that level. It’s hard to know what you’re going to get from him. But his A game could make him a factor in the Derby. Odds: 20-1 STAND YOUR GROUND gelding Coats Choice – Cruella  Owner: A Bradley, D R Frampton, A M Goodwin, J E Harman & W M Woods (no Derby wins) Trainer: Donna & Dean Logan (Habibi 2013) Rider: Vinnie Colgan (Roysyn 1995, Zonda 1997, Hades 1999, Redoute’s Dancer 2007, Habibi 2013) $62,000 purchase at the National Yearling Sale. (Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 9-1-1-3 No stakes races Having done all his racing in much lower grades, Stand Your Ground faces a mountainous step up in class for his tilt at the Derby. But his performances in his last few starts have been excellent. He was third to subsequent Waikato Guineas runner-up Colonel Carerra at Ellerslie, then won strongly at Ellerslie, then had another good third at Ellerslie. The only blot on that form line is his last start, when he finished 11th of 12, but he never had any room to move at any point down the home stretch and never had the chance to accelerate. Another big thing in Stand Your Ground’s favour is Vinnie Colgan, five-time Derby winner, who has picked him as his 2014 Derby mount. |
I hope Rising Romance or Stand Your Ground give the Logans something to smile about in the Derby after the sad loss of Mosquito today. :(
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Have a very bad flu but just had a realization that the Derby is THIS weekend, not next (I'm an idiot).
Ed is Spellbinder the favorite? Puccini? Is there a race for the not-quite-good-enough-for the-Derby types like my poor Lucky Feather? :D :{>: Do you have a longshot pick or are you sticking with one of the many deserving favorites? OR is it still too early? Exciting! |
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