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.

That could have gone either way, but Serena Miss keeps it.

Recite!

Iamishwara?! Really?! That was a strange race - the first three were in front the whole way and the closers never got anywhere near them.

That was fantastic!!!

I love this horse and am thrilled he won even if I am still scratching my head.

What can you say about Natuzzi? He just ran his heart out today, didn't he?

Thanks for keeping me up to date!

You know, I meant to ask you about Robert Hannam cause I'm not familiar with the name and that was either a very well thought out ride on Ishwara or he sure got lucky being in the right place at the right time with that slow pace.

Well I am happy for all of Iamishwaras people.

King Glorious and I, long ago, had a continuing... "debate" about G1 horses vs G1 winners and it took me a long time to see his point.

LIke I said I am a huge fan of this horse as I know you know... I hope he'll do it again at some point. Puccini and Soriano lose nothing here... they are both far beyond this level and it just wasn't the day for either.

For the love of God when do we get the Derby field??!! SO exciting this year!

Robbie's 48 years old, he's been riding since the 1981-82 season and he's ridden 914 winners in his career. Saturday was his third G1 win. It's probably fair to call him a journeyman or a battler, so it was good to see him get a big win on Saturday. :)

Derby field is confirmed tomorrow! More contenders coming up shortly.

CHENILLE
filly, Pentire-Charmed
Trainer: Tony Pike (no Derby wins)
Jockey: Rory Hutchings (no Derby wins)

7 starts
2 wins
3 seconds
0 thirds

NZ$25,525

No stakes races

This filly is a half-sister to the G2 winner and G1 placed Chintz. Chenille started slowly in her own career but has been spectacular in winning her last two races by 3.3 lengths and 3.5 lengths. She is getting better and better as she stretches out over longer distances and I think she could be a dangerous longshot in the Derby.

Current odds: 12
My ranking: She wasn't on the radar when I last did the list, but I would find room for her now! I'll put her 6th.

New list:

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

MIDNITEMAGICMAN
gelding, Tavistock-Keep Alight
Trainer: Donna & Dean Logan (Habibi 2013)
Jockey: Vinnie Colgan (Roysyn 1995, Zonda 1997, Hades 1999, Redoute's Dancer 2007, Habibi 2013 - all-time record)

8 starts
1 win
2 seconds
3 thirds

NZ$50,775

2nd Foal Stakes
2nd Trevor Eagle Memorial
3rd Jesters Pies Salver
4th Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas

He took a while to win one, but this guy never runs a bad race and I'm sure he'll make his team proud again on Derby day. The Logan team have Volkstok'n'barrell as their man Derby runner but Midnitemagicman is better than just a backup.

Current odds: 18
My ranking: 8th

PRIMA
gelding, Sir Percy-Azabella
Trainer: Doug Cave (no Derby wins)
Jockey: Mark du Plessis (no Derby wins)

4 starts
0 wins
1 second
1 third

NZ$29,850

2nd Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas
3rd Gr. 2 Waikato Guineas

Still a maiden, but he's come from nowhere to become a major Derby player. He was third in the Waikato Guineas at 130-1 and second in the Avondale Guineas at 54-1. He is the real deal and has to be respected again in the big one!

Current odds: 18
My ranking: 7th

Good for him! Feel stupid for not knowing his name...

Didn't realize that.

* * *

Happy... today!!!!! :tro: :D

MARGIN TRADER
gelding, Tavistock-Power And Might
Trainer: Michael Moroney & Chad Ormsby (Moroney: Great Command 1996, Cut The Cake 2003 and Xcellent 2004; Ormsby no Derby wins but second as a jockey aboard Historian in 2011)
Jockey: Rhys McLeod (AUS) (no Derby wins)

5 starts
1 win
1 second
0 thirds

NZ$22,976

5th Gr. 2 Great Northern Guineas
5th Gr. 2 Waikato Guineas
9th Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas

This could be a dangerous longshot. I loved the late finish he showed in his first few starts, and it looks like the distance will be no problem for him at all. He got no luck at all in the Avondale Guineas, stuck wide all the way and he was too far back with that slow pace. A few people (myself included) might have forgotten about him a little bit...

Current odds: 31
My ranking: not in the top 10

DEE I CEE
gelding, Istidaad-Smashed All Night
Trainer: Kevin Myers (C'est La Guerre 2008)
Jockey: not confirmed

4 starts
2 wins
2 seconds
0 thirds

NZ$11,750

No stakes races

It's hard to know what to expect from this gelding, a half-brother to the Telegraph runner-up Designated Driver. He hasn't faced stakes opposition yet, but he's looked strong in weaker grades. There's only one way to find out for sure how good he is, and that's in the Derby on Saturday.

Current odds: 18
My ranking: 10th

Two hours until the Derby field and draw is confirmed...

SO EXCITING!!!

Draw:
1 - McQueen (S Collett)
2 - Gifted Lad (C Grylls)
3 - Sealed By A Dance
4 - Volkstok'n'barrell (M Cameron)
5 - Margin Trader (R McLeod)
6 - Dee I Cee (R Myers)
7 - Midnitemagicman (V Colgan)
8 - Twya (M Sweeney)
9 - Chenille (R Hutchings)
10 - Giant Turtle (M Hills)
11 - Prima (M du Plessis)
12 - Mongolian Khan (O Bosson)
13 - J'Walke
14 - Gaultier (M Coleman)
15 - Vavasour (L Innes)
16 - Sound Proposition (D Johnson)
17 - Nymph Monte

So tell me, ed... is it Volkstok'n'barrell and Mongolian Khan with another running for 3rd or is this more open than it seems?

Of course I will most definitely be using Giant Turtle as well. Not sure what to do about Sound Proposition...

Too bad no Platinum Witness... much easier spot for her. They should have taken a chance!

Can't wait and really just keep gazing at the field because so many of them have just been so good!

Have to say this one time.... aaaah what a wonderful world it would be if Durham Town and Survived both won on Saturday!

Saw this... hope he's alright (?):

Due to injury Craig Grylls will not be attending Waikato today.

I haven't heard anything about Craig, but he's still booked for four rides on Derby day so I'm guessing it's nothing major.

I'm not sure about the Derby either. I think the 'big two' are both going to be huge chances, but I also have so much respect for Vavasour - she's so big and strong that people say she looks more like a 5yo than a 3yo! That's got to count for something in the home stretch.

And then there could be some upsets - Sound Proposition? Margin Trader? I just don't know.

The remaining Derby jockey confirmations:

Sealed By A Dance - Reese Jones
J'Walke - Dylan Turner
Nymph Monte - Derek Nolan

Craig Grylls news:
http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...-with-longshot

"I was leading one behind the barrier at the Matamata trials when it reared up and came down on top of me. I was a bit stiff and sore and didn't ride at Te Rapa on Wednesday, but I'll be alright for Saturday."

Thanks for the info!

I was wondering if the draw has had any kind of effect of your list (?) OR if your list has since changed at all.

By the way, liked your Tavistock article. :)