I still get a bit starstruck in this job when I see some of the big names in racing, and yesterday I ran into Brendon McCullum! Probably not a name that means much to you, but he's a huge sports star in NZ and I've always been a fan.

Thanks for the updates!

So embarrassed to say I don't know who this is but that is awesome that it meant something to you. :)

Happy to see Giant Turtle's name in the noms for the Waikato Guineas. :o

It's a nice group! Gaultier and McQueen stand out for me, but I'm interested to see the fillies Vavasour and Palace Rock lining up against the boys instead of waiting for the fillies' race next Saturday. Maybe they're thinking of going for the Derby?

http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...an-on-Saturday :)

Very nice group and I will continue to root for the horse with the silly name but I really do like Prince Mambo and think he might just win against the big(ger) names. :)

So Opie is onboard Mongolian Khan instead of Craig Grylls (who I know doesn't always have the mount but he has for his latest wins...)... who snaps up MDP?

Nice that Mark HIlls rides my Turtle boy once again. :)

Fun race with Survived and Blood Brotha (didn't realize he was 9).

Oh SO happy to read this!

I think Craig is still serving his suspension for careless riding causing that spill in the Royal Stakes on Jan 1. He comes back next week, if I remember right. So Opie is taking that ride in his absence.

I'm not sure who MDP is going to ride! I would guess he will ride Prince Mambo, Margin Trader or Palace Rock. Hopefully should be confirmed soon.

Oooh I do hope it's Prince Mambo!

MDP rides Palace Rock, Matt Cameron takes Prince Mambo. So I wonder who's going to ride Prince Mambo in the Derby - somehow I doubt Matt will give up the ride on VSB!

Does Sam have a Derby horse? I know he's had a few different jockeys but since she rode him to what I think is his best win I would maybe be go with her. :)

Good point! I don't think she has any confirmed at the moment, so that's probably quite a likely option for her.

This was a nice story to write. I hope she keeps running so well!
http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...s-Auckland-Cup

Nicely done! :tro:

Wonder if they are fans of my boy too... :D

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/2475184/th...E-facebook.jpg

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.s..._brothers.html

That is amazing!

Te Akau sent me this nice video of my girl Auriol working:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhxfQrxQPfI

She trials Feb 10. :)

How lovely she is, ed! Best of luck with her.

Goodness where is Archie? Had you told me and I forgot? If so, sorry!

Well I just deposited $ so I could play the big race tonight but alas... tvg decided to allow us to bet the other track and the racing day is now over there so that, as they say, is that!

Will look forward to checking results later on. Good luck to you!

It was a shame that they called those races off - the biggest day of the year for that track. :( But the Waikato Guineas should be a great race.

Archie had a leg injury and had to be retired. But he's found a nice new home with a dressage group, which is great to hear.

WOW, what a great performance from Giant Turtle!

But I have to say well done to Mongolian Khan. He's proven me wrong, and he's a deserving second favourite for the NZ Derby after that.

Oh ed he ran so well... he was really really good!!!!! Thrilled!!! :)

It is really getting so exciting this year! SO many good ones!

That's a shame... donot know the details but it was stupid we couldn't bet on the Gunieas. Oh well...

Archie! Okay for some reason I blanked out BUT am happy to look forward to your new girl, Auriol (pretty name). :)

Why yes it is 4:30 in the morning here and yes I did watch the replay again :o and just had to say McQueen was impressive after overcoming that awful start, poor guy.

I can't wait to see the new Derby list... did Giant Turtle crack the top... 15 or so maybe? 20? Hope so!

Really beautiful win by Mongolian Khan. I hadn't expected that at all (either!).

Here's the latest list. Just my own opinion, of course!

1. Volkstok'n'barrell
2. Mongolian Khan
3. McQueen
4. Rockfast
5. Sound Proposition
6. Stratocaster
7. Gaultier
8. Giant Turtle
9. Margin Trader
10. Kolonel Kev

Edit: I initially had Tavy in the list at number eight, but she was withdrawn this week - targeting the Oaks instead.

This was one of the hardest articles I've ever had to write.
http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...rs-special-win

Oh Soriano, you're a wonderful mare.

I'm going to work my way backwards on my favorite thread...

Of course I saw this and wondered what you were talking about... you know how much I love this horse.

Went and searched by the name on the NZ Racing site and thought oh now nice... what did she win?

Just watched and have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

Oh Rory how did you even do that? She is a GREAT horse but that was a hell of a ride....

Heartbreak for Nashville (but whoa... what a nice race for him!) and while I stupidly already cannot remember who was 3rd that was wonderful and pretty unexpected (to me, anyway) to see Lauren Tate have such a good race !!!

Well done, ed. :tro:

Thanks for your list!

It's that time of year again... :)


VOLKSTOK'N'BARRELL

gelding, Tavistock-Volkster
Trainer: Donna & Dean Logan, Ruakaka (Habibi 2013)
Jockey: Matt Cameron (no Derby wins)

6 starts
5 wins
0 seconds
1 third

NZ$176,250

1st Gr. 2 Great Northern Guineas
1st Gr. 3 Bonecrusher Stakes
1st Karaka 3yo Mile

"It's amazing having a horse like this." - Donna Logan
"He just does it so easily. It's a great buzz riding a horse like this." - Matt Cameron

This is the horse everyone has been talking about for the Derby since about September. He has been almost scarily dominant in winning his last five races in a row, forcing Logan to say he's possibly one of the best horses she's trained.

Obviously the Logan team are pretty good with Derby horses, winning it in 2013 with Habibi and finishing second last year with Rising Romance. Donna Logan has been very happy with this horse's progress all season, which has to tell you he's on track.

The only remaining question about him is the distance, but Donna Logan believes he will handle it with no problems at all. We'll find out on Saturday in the G2 Avondale Guineas!

Current odds: 2.50
My ranking: 1st

MONGOLIAN KHAN

colt, Holy Roman Emperor-Centafit
Trainer: Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, Cambridge (no Derby wins)
Jockey: Opie Bosson (no Derby wins)

5 starts
4 wins
0 seconds
0 thirds

NZ$115,500

1st Gr. 2 Waikato Guineas
1st Jesters Pies Salver

"I think this horse has got lots of upside." - Murray Baker
"I'm pretty sure he's going to be a huge chance in the Derby." - Opie Bosson

He won on debut, then failed in the G2 Hawke's Bay Guineas, but since then he's just got better and better with three wins in a row including the Waikato Guineas. He's suddenly getting very good, and he's doing it at exactly the right time.

I do think the Waikato Guineas was a little weaker than the races Volkstok'n'barrell has been winning, so the Avondale Guineas on Saturday will be very interesting - the first clash between the two favourites for the Derby.

Current odds: 5
My ranking: 2nd

So happy you're doing this ed! With your new position, etc., I wasn't sure if you'd choose to make the time but it is very much appreciated!

Cant wait to see the rest!

Some nice fields this weekend... first though have to say luck to Iamishwara and Flower Bomb (but also to Antonio Lombardo, Steel Rose and oh how I would love to see Dorian Grey get a win)! Oh and safe trip home, Crocodile Canyon!

On to Ellerslie... I am sure you'll be there so have a great time!!!!!

Hoping for Stratocaster to get a win and, if not, for Prince Mambo. Great field... so exciting and not that I don't love Volkstok'n'barrell, I do but come on let's let the other have a chance of getting a nice win before you take the whole thing right? :D

Whoa Rising Romance and Sports Illustrated!

Good luck to half the horses in the Gold Cup too. :D

What??!! Had NO idea!

Thanks! Yeah, definitely can't wait for Ellerslie this weekend.

But I'll also be thinking about Christchurch - this is a huge couple of days for them in their recovery from the earthquakes. They had the opening ceremony for the Cricket World Cup last night, and the first game of the tournament is on Saturday, with NZ playing in front of a sellout crowd! Hope it's a great day down there and I hope the home team can get the result we all want.

Oh that's awesome! Forgive me for having no clue! :D

VAVASOUR

filly, Redoute's Choice-Valpolicella
Trainer: Peter & Dawn Williams, Auckland (no Derby wins)
Jockey: Leith Innes (Wahid 2006)

8 starts
3 wins
4 seconds
1 third

1st Gr. 2 Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic
2nd Gr. 2 Royal Stakes
3rd Soliloquy Stakes

She's run good races all season - second to Volkstok'n'barrell in a maiden in September, and a couple of strong runs in stakes races since then. But she went to a new level in her G2 win last Saturday, fighting back so hard after looking like she was gone. She's another horse who's getting really good at exactly the right time!

Current odds: 8
My ranking: 3rd

That was a really nice win for her and a tough field! I don't remember hearing her name before I watched the replays from last week but yeah she is a nice horse!

* * *

edit - Ed I am still catching up on stuff but have to say this is beautifully written... I just love it. Every word is so thoughtful and perfect... just really good stuff (and on my favorite girl).

http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...in-Herbie-Dyke

Oh, thanks! But it's really easy to write about horses/performances like that - the stories basically write themselves. :)

Sorry to read about In Style's injury... glad it looks like she'll be back. :)

Rising Romance! That was stunning.

I'm going to have to watch the Avondale Guineas replay a few times before I can comment properly, but my first impression is that even though Volkstok'n'barrell was beaten today it was one of his best ever performances.

I am completely numb... that was a great performance and not to take ANYTHING away from Mongolian Khan cause that was just awesome and the more I see him the more I think he has a fantastic chance to win the Derby but YES, definitely agree.

Heartstopping!

It was but kinda feel bad for Sports Illustrated!

Man I wish they would find an easier spot for Miss Pelear.

Of course I know you cannot update this continually but am curious and especially with the MDP news... is Prima now on the list?