New Zealand Racing
 

I've decided I'll put all NZ racing stuff in one thread instead of annoying people who aren't interested with a new thread for everything.

Some outstanding racing this week, mainly some potential stars of what looks like a very strong 3yo crop. :D

* Insouciant (3 f Keeper - Loudenne) was so impressive with her debut performance that she is now 7-1 second favourite with the TAB for the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton in November. Owned by Pencarrow Stud (of Ethereal fame), she won a 1200m maiden at Taupo by 6 lengths in 1:11.92. Don't know if I've seen a more dominant debut performance than that. Stunning.

* Later the same day at Taupo Abbey Way (3 c Encosta De Lago - Forlorna, 2:2-0-0) won his second start to remain unbeaten, beating a field of talented horses by 3. He's now 11-1 for the 2000 Guineas.

* And again at Taupo, G1 Diamond Stakes winner of last season Alamosa (3 c O'Reilly - Lodore Mystic, 9:4-2-1) started off his 3yo campaign with an effortless victory. According to rider Gavin McKeon, the horse produced an amazing burst of acceleration but then decided his job was done once he hit the lead half way down the stretch, so the 1-length margin in the end is not a fair indication of how easily he won. He's at 7-1 for the 2000 Guineas.

* Yesterday at Ruakaka a filly called Double Or Nothin (3 f Helissio - Unbeleevable) won her debut so impressively that she's dropped from 100-1 to 20-1 for the 1000 Guineas. I was there at the track and the turn of foot she showed to go from mid-pack to 3 lengths in front in the space of about a furlong was absolutely incredible.

* At the same track Silk Spur (2 f Rusty Spur - Silk Purse, 2:2-0-0) won by 3. There have been two 2yo races so far this season, she's won them both. Not sure how far she'll go but she's a speed machine!

* The main race of the day was down at Awapuni, the G3 Merial Mile. It was won well by the underrated Bonjour (7 g Frenchpark - Buyers Dilemma, 26:8-1-6), who got a well-deserved first win at this level after many placings (even one at G1 level).

Next Saturday is a big day at Hastings, including the second leg of the spring treble for older horses, the Stoney Bridge Stakes over a mile. Seachange is currently at even money, and it's hard to see her being beaten although Cog Hill and J'Adane, who were taking ground off her at the end of the Mudgway, will like the extra distance.

There's also the G3 Highview Stakes for fillies, which is likely to include the amazing Special Mission (3 f Towkay - Te Akau Trek, 3:3-0-0), who has been so amazing in all three of her races so far. She won her first by 7, then was even more impressive in stakes races in her last two. Should be a walk in the park for her, she looks one of the best fillies we've got...look forward to seeing her take on Insouciant in November though!

Can't wait until these good 3yos have to face each other for the first time, they're all avoiding each other at the moment of course. Can't do that forever.

Thanks for a fun read..... I think I've heard of two of these horses ed!:eek: :D

Keep us up to date!:)

Just in case you desperately need something to do, I've chucked the most impressive wins of the week up on Youtube.

Insouciant - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvouD99jAaw
Alamosa - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilr5r1kwR6E
Double Or Nothin - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy4ilzbzH5M

That was an impressive filly to have a debut race like that. When the camera had the close up shot of her in the backstretch, before going into the turn, you could see the jock had plenty under him. Nice splitting the field and then kept to her business late.

I was at Ellerslie just about a year ago and had a wonderful time. I bet a filly who won the Soliloquy Stakes. Her name was Imananabaa. I bet her because her mother is named Iman.

Crossing The Line and Black Mamba are two NZ exports that prove you have quality horses down there.


By the way, while driving a car down there I only made one wrong turn. Lucky nobody was coming at me.

Cheers

Great to hear you had a good time at Ellerslie, that's my home track. :)

I was there that day too, Imananabaa failed to get the distance of some of the better fillies races later in the season but has turned into a good sprinter, G1-placed near the end of last season. Haven't seen her yet this spring.

THANK YOU!

The eagle has landed. :cool:

You go, Jokers Wild. :)

http://www.racingandsports.com.au/ra...asp?NID=112316

Good luck to him! Although in a way I don't want him to win because it sounds a bit like they'll retire him as soon as he gets an Australian G1 win. :(

Anyway, fields for Hastings on Saturday:

STONEYBRIDGE STAKES (G1)
1 2327X Railings (AUS) 1 115 59.0 Mark Hills Roger James, Cambridge
2 X1532 Cog Hill 13 112 59.0 Richard Collett & Shane Hapeta, Pukekohe Park
3 10X07 Sir Slick 3 110 59.0 Bruce Herd Graeme Nicholson, Te Aroha
4 50X58 Jurys Out 6 101 59.0 David & Sarah Haworth, Foxton
5 14713 Spin Around (AUS) 2 100 59.0 Steven Cooper, Ardmore
6 2X151 Seachange 4 110 56.5 Gavin McKeon Ralph Manning, Cambridge
7 022X0 Gaze 12 103 56.5 David Walsh Roger James, Cambridge
8 X4525 Ombre Rose 7 95 56.5 Brian Hibberd Shane Marr, Riccarton Park
9 310X6 Splashing Out 9 96 56.0 Michael Coleman Guy Lowry, Hastings
10 91127 Porotene Gem 14 94 56.0 Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge, Palmerston North
11 11X60 Princess Coup (AUS) 10 94 56.0 Noel Harris Mark Walker, Matamata
12 3X591 Veloce Bella 5 94 56.0 Mark Brosnan, Matamata
13 32233 J'Adane 8 90 56.0 Russell Cameron & Gareth McRae, Pukekohe Park
14 100X5 The Pooka (AUS) 11 83 50.5 John Wheeler, New Plymouth

Seachange is so hard to beat here, at even money with the TAB. I thought the only chance they had to beat her was if she got an outside gate with the short run to the turn from the mile start, but she's got 4.

HIGHVIEW STAKES (G3)
1 111 Special Mission 7 82 56.0 Reese Jones Mark Walker, Matamata
2 1138X Satinka 6 80 56.0 Mark Du Plessis Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott, Matamata
3 2329X Diamond Deck 9 78 56.0 Robert Priscott, Te Awamutu
4 660X3 Emily Jane 2 69 56.0 Bruce Herd Charles Walding, Awapuni
5 7041 Strategic Decision 5 69 56.0 Steven Pinfold, Byerley Park, Kingseat
6 1 Insouciant 8 68 56.0 Michael Walker Mark Walker, Matamata
7 421 Royal Taat 3 68 56.0 Jim Collett, Matamata
8 9X254 Use To Be A Dancer 1 59 56.0 Patrick Bell (a) Grant Searle, Awapuni
9 3X7 Stravinskys Affair 4 56 56.0 Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge, Palmerston North

Wow. :eek: Can't wait for this race.

Oh I'm sorry but i have to be sentimental here (big shock :D ) and go with Railings.

When you have time can you tell me about the horses in the Highview?

Railings has drawn the inside gate, that will help him, but I think he might just find the distance too short. Think he's a big chance in the Kelt over more distance in a couple of weeks though.

Here's some info on the main chances in the Highview:

Special Mission: 3 f (obviously, all of them are!) Towkay - Te Akau Trek, 3:3-0-0
Unbeaten in 3. She won her maiden by 7 lengths, and has won 2 stakes since. Her last win was against a previously unbeaten and very good filly called Dashing Donna and it was a really impressive win.

Satinka: Stravinsky - Miss Saigon, 5:2-0-1
Won a nice G2 race as a 2yo before running 3rd against the boys in the strongest G1 of last season, the Diamond Stakes. Seems to run a really bad race from time to time though (her formline is 81138).

Diamond Deck: Octagonal - Miss Trump, 4:0-2-1
Can't believe she's still a maiden! Placed in 3 stakes races. She's a 3/4 sister to Lonhro (Miss Trump is a daughter of Lonhro's dam Shadea). Current favourite for the 1000 Guineas even though she hasn't won a race yet! That's just how impressive she has been in defeat so far.

Insouciant: Keeper - Loudenne, 1:1-0-0
A big step up from her maiden win (I posted a Youtube link to that one earlier), but she looked so good in that race, I'm sure she's got the ability to be competitive at this level. From a good family, half-sister to a nice G2 winner called Copper Mountain.

I think the winner will come from those 4...no idea which one though! :confused:

Ooooh, I love it when they deserve to win and she's related to Lonhro? I'll root for this one! :D

Highview Stakes:

Diamond Deck
Special Mission
Royal Taat

She did it! Great performance. She was well back in the field but ran on powerfully down the outside to run down the tearaway pacemakers Special Mission (who fought on well) and Satinka. She's finally broken her maiden, and done so in a G3, the strongest 3yo race of the season so far.

Special Mission was so brave, and has now won 3 out of 4 with a great 2nd in the other race.

Insouciant had a terrible run, missed the jump and was hanging badly all the way down the straight, did well to get 4th. Probably wouldn't have beaten Diamond Deck with a good run, but should have been 2nd. Can forgive her for this run if she learns to behave herself properly in future.

Amazing day for The Oaks Stud so far, they won the first with Keeperinthemyst and now Diamond Deck has carried their colours to victory in the Highview...and they've got Seachange in the Stoneybridge.

The undercard races have been good, I was really happy to see 2 stakes winners at Ellerslie from last season come out and win today. Russian Conquest (3 c St. Petersburg - Woodminco, 10:4-1-0) led all the way and held on to beat the highly rated El Cuento and unbeaten Fritzy Boy in a 3-way photo, then Bonaichi (4 m Fusaichi Pegasus - Bonanova, 13:3-2-0) was near the back around the turn but flew down the outside and won by an increasing margin.

Now just an hour until the Stoneybridge. :D Result of that and videos of both races to come a bit later.

Oh nice!:)

Thanks for the results..... I was just trying to find them and had given up.

And a G3-winning and G1-placed filly from last season Irlanda (4 m O'Reilly - Cenphic, 10:4-3-1) has just come out and won the Bay Ford Stakes for fillies & mares. Nice to see her back to her best! :)

On to the Stoneybridge.

Seachange
Sir Slick
Princess Coup

They didn't think it was worth taking her to the sales as a yearling because her front right leg is so badly formed and swings out when she runs. And they hoped she would finish in the first 5 in her first start in a maiden...now she's won 12 out of 20 and 5 G1s. And she just tries so hard every time, it's impossible not to love her.

Sir Slick was brave in defeat but Seachange cruised up beside him while McKeon had her under a tight hold, and she just drew away.

Princess Coup flew from well back to get 3rd, the Kelt in 2 weeks is a perfect race for her...if she can beat Seachange.

And Railings went a very nice race over a distance too short for him, he was way back around the turn but ran on nicely to finish about 7th.

I'll post videos a little bit later.

Videos:

Highview Stakes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLB9GSYlILU
Stoneybridge Stakes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0WIqyfu8n8

Awww, thanks for the visual. Good boy! (Him, not you).

(Oh okay you too...) :p

I'll watch the videos in a bit when i'm awake. :D

Thanks for the results!

Damn.

Feel better, good boy.

Injury for Jokers Wild after Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes
26 Sep 2007
By Rob Burnet

Former top New Zealand two-year-old Jokers Wild (NZ) sustained a chipped knee in his right-front fetlock after his run in last Saturday’s Group I Sir Rupert Clark Stakes (1400m)at Caulfield.

News of the injury was reported on Wednesday and connections are presently considering their options over the top-line galloper.

Jokers Wild, a four-year-old entire by Black Minnaloushe, is a multiple Group I winner, including the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes at Awapuni.

His last win was in the Group II Wellington Guineas over 1600m at Hastings in October 2006, but he raced against the best at three including two Group I placings that season on some unsuitable tracks.

Trainers Mike and Paul Moroney started his latest campaign in the Group I Mudgway Stakes over 1400m at Hastings on September 1st, and a first up fourth was the result behind the flying mare Seachange.

Overall his race career to-date is 20 starts for seven wins and five placings, with stakes of $A353,000.

In other news ex-pat New Zealand jockey Greg Childs returns from Melbourne to ride Railings in the Group I Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) at Hastings on October 6th. Childs rode Railings, by Zabeel, to victory in the 2005 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Yeah. :( I hope we see him race again, don't think we've seen the best of him.

First stakes races of the summer at NZ's main track on Saturday! Bonecrusher and Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie. Looks like some nice fields for those 2 races, with the likes of Pierre Joseph, Double Or Nothin, Rios and Lovetrista running.

It'll be my first trip to Ellerslie since April. The crowd won't look anything like the Derby Day picture I've got as my avatar, but I always love racing at the big E so I'm really looking forward to it.

They should be good races, so I'll put the videos up as usual...but mainly to show off how awesome my home track is. :D

Wait a minute, is that the same Bonecrusher as the one who ran in Dubai last season?
http://www.emiratesracing.com/eq/Inq...ch=bonecrusher

Nah, it's named after one of our all-time greatest horses.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonecrusher_%28horse%29

Kindly give me a hint - are these new races or lineal descendents of races I used to keep track of before my kids were born (first one in 1987.) with new names? Name changes mess me up a lot.

The Bonecrusher Stakes is formerly the Northern Guineas Trial, the name was changed about 4 years ago. Not entirely sure about the Soliloquy Stakes, but I think it has always been raced under that name (it's not a very old race, it has only been run since the early 1990s).

We don't really change our race names very often overall though, which I think is a good thing. However, I'm not happy that we don't have any race named after undeniably New Zealand's all-time greatest mare, Sunline. She really deserves one.

Oh duh okay... forgive me for not knowing!

Yeah definitely, he's not a horse who ever got noticed much outside of NZ and Australia.

Ed,

If you get a chance dont forget about Black Mamba. She is in the $400,000 Yellow Ribbon at Santa Anita on Saturday. It is race #3. She has post #5 in a field of 6. Very tough race as all of the mares are good ones.

You can watch it on calracing.com ----free registration.

Great, thanks.

She was above average here, I was on track for her nice maiden win and she ran 5th in our Oaks, but it really looks like she's grown another leg since going over there. Hope she goes well.

The racing at Ellerslie today was amazing. :D

Bonecrusher Stakes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuWp-j4fHrE
The race was won brilliantly by Rios (3 c Hussonet - Gussy Godiva, 4:2-1-0), who is heading for the Derby in March. Definitely looks like one of the leading contenders, he's a big powerful boy and he charged home along the inside rail. Huge win against a strong field. Look out anyone who gets in his way!

Soliloquy Stakes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0rmaQIA_eE
You could say Lovetrista is rather well-bred (3 f Rock Of Gibraltar - Tristalove, 2:1-0-1), coming from Cambridge Stud's amazing dam line (Tristalove - Diamond Lover - Eight Carat...might not mean much to most of you but it's like :eek: for me), and she lived up to that today. Those were some really good fillies in behind her but she made them look quite average. 2nd was Keepa Cruisin, who is a half-sister to Seachange.

2 deserving winners, plus Jay Ford won a race on his first day riding in NZ. I might be biased but I don't think any track in NZ beats Ellerslie. :)

And here's a nice picture of Lovetrista winning the Soliloquy:

Lovely looking filly.

Thanks for the replays!

Saturday is our biggest race for older horses, the Kelt Stakes! Looks like being another fine day and good track at Hastings, amazing. There hasn't been a wet Kelt in the last 15 years.

Great fields all day:

RACE 5 HAWKE'S BAY GUINEAS (GROUP II)
1400m
3yo
$100,000

1 413X1 Alamosa 9 91 56.0 Gavin McKeon Peter McKay, Matamata
2 126X2 El Cuento (AUS) 13 86 56.0 Hayden Tinsley Jim Collett, Matamata
3 18951 Russian Conquest 8 82 56.0 Chris Johnson Graeme Rogerson & Garry Newham, Tuhikaramea
4 113 Fritzy Boy 1 78 56.0 Paul Taylor Alby MacGregor, Opaki
5 1X1 Abbey Way 3 76 56.0 Michael Walker Mark Walker, Matamata
6 X7123 Go Danny 2 74 56.0 Lisa Cropp Grant Searle, Awapuni
7 2X1 Borrack 7 69 56.0 Robert Hannam Adrian Bull, Hunterville
8 10X3 Demhills 14 69 56.0 Glen Boss Patrick & Trent Busuttin, Cambridge
9 26X18 Sanski 12 69 56.0 Mark Du Plessis Neville Couchman, Cambridge
10 60X71 Figuring 11 68 56.0 David Walsh Kay Lane, Otaki
11 4X1 Run Like Al 10 68 56.0 Michael Coleman Mike & Paul Moroney, Matamata
12 80264 Three Rings 5 58 56.0 Bruce Herd Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge, Palmerston North
13 50945 Tridane 4 55 56.0 Jason Waddell Ted Laxon, Hastings
14 1112 Special Mission 6 82 54.5 Noel Harris Mark Walker, Matamata

Alamosa was a G1 winner as a 2yo and is the current favourite for the 2000 Guineas, El Cuento is a G2 winner who was 2nd in that same G1 and looks a much stronger colt this year. Abbey Way is beautifully bred and undefeated, huge winner last start at Taupo (think I posted a video of that one on the last page). Run Like Al beat Lovetrista last start. Special Mission has only been beaten once, and that was after a speed duel.

Most exciting race of the day for me. Amazing.


RACE 7 GR KELT MEMORIAL (GROUP III)
Handicap
1400m
$100,000

1 420X1 Dezigna 2 109 59.5 Troy Harris (a) Vanessa & Wayne Hillis, Matamata
2 526X5 Clifton Prince 17 104 57.0 Jay Ford Peter McKay, Matamata
3 293X2 Black Panther 15 102 56.0 Chris Johnson Joanne Surgenor, Ardmore Lodge
4 0X587 Jurys Out 11 101 55.5 David & Sarah Haworth, Foxton
5 64X02 Kay's Awake 6 101 55.5 Cameron Lammas Peter McKay, Matamata
6 4655X Wahid 4 101 55.5 Michael Walker Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth
7 18104 Buena Ventura 7 98 54.0 Peter Wells Graeme Rogerson & Garry Newham, Tuhikaramea
8 0650X Cypress Point 16 98 54.0 Gavin McKeon Roger James, Cambridge
9 644X3 Taalisman 13 98 54.0 Tony Gillies, Matamata
10 45136 Rabkalajo 3 97 54.0 Johnathon Parkes (a) Gale Julian, Wanganui
11 462X1 Wazawatsyn 10 97 54.0 Noel Harris Peter & Dawn Williams, Riccarton Park
12 23699 Rat Tat 14 94 53.0 Tony Lawrey, Tauherenikau
13 5182X Giovanni 9 92 52.5 Murray Baker, Cambridge
14 30354 Royal Duke 12 92 52.5 Claire Anderson Wayne Davies, Hastings
15 10022 Marty Boy 8 90 52.0 Marty Johnson, Woodville
16 26X02 Mr Omegen 5 83 52.0 Graeme Nicholson & Paul Allbon, Te Aroha
17 15845 Woodbury Lane 1 97 54.0 Ilone Kelly, New Plymouth

Wahid's back! Derby winner of 2006. Was really average as a 4yo, but apparently he's regained interest in trackwork recently and they're confident of him being back to his best at the age of 5. Dezigna was disappointing in the Singapore Cup, the distance proved to be beyond him against that quality. He loves the 1400m though, and even with that big weight he has to be hard to beat after his amazing win over 1200 under 60.5kg last start. Some nice stayers like Black Panther and Cypress Point will be looking for more distance. Still looks a very competitive race though.


RACE 9 KELT STAKES (GROUP I)
WFA
2040m
$2,000,000

1 327X8 Railings (AUS) 2 114 59.0 Greg Childs Roger James, Cambridge
2 0X072 Sir Slick 11 112 59.0 Bruce Herd Graeme Nicholson & Paul Allbon, Te Aroha
3 13951 Mandela 7 108 59.0 Glen Boss Richard Yuill & Stephen Goodin, Pukekohe Park
4 49X32 Magic Cape 5 94 57.5 Patrick Holmes Shaune Ritchie, Cambridge
5 X1511 Seachange 13 112 56.5 Gavin McKeon Ralph Manning, Cambridge
6 22X06 Gaze 4 102 56.5 David Walsh Roger James, Cambridge
7 45255 Ombre Rose 14 95 56.5 Brian Hibberd Shane Marr, Riccarton Park
8 40710 Far Away Places 8 92 56.5 Robert Hannam Jeana Annett, Otaki
9 1X603 Princess Coup (AUS) 12 96 55.0 Noel Harris Mark Walker, Matamata
10 10X60 Splashing Out 3 95 55.0 Michael Walker Guy Lowry, Hastings
11 11270 Porotene Gem 6 94 55.0 David Walker Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge, Palmerston North
12 X5910 Veloce Bella 1 94 55.0 Michael Coleman Mark Brosnan, Matamata
13 22330 J'Adane 10 90 55.0 Mark Du Plessis Russell Cameron & Gareth McRae, Pukekohe Park
14 00X54 The Pooka (AUS) 9 83 49.5 Lisa Cropp John Wheeler, New Plymouth

Seachange is hot favourite again, but she was last year too and didn't handle the distance. Got a bad gate too, second from the outside. I believe she is the best horse in the race, but I'm just not sure about the distance.

I can't wait for Saturday. I'm going down to the Hawke's Bay so I can be on track for it, straight into the car once my lectures finish on Friday for the 7-hour drive, then back again early Sunday morning so I can get back in time for work at 3pm.

It's going to be awesome.

Oh! Have a great time and wave to Railings for me!:)

* * *
edit - Uh oh...

http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/nz/?id=31543

Just got back and had to go straight to work! I'll post the videos when I get home.

It was a great day! Here are the results:

Hawke's Bay Guineas:
Alamosa
El Cuento
Fritzy Boy

GR Kelt Memorial:
Dezigna
Kay's Awake
Rabkalajo

Kelt Stakes:
Princess Coup
J'Adane
Magic Cape

Seachange was 4th, with the margins being a head, a nose, a nose. Amazing race, what a finish. She didn't go the distance, as some people predicted, ran out of gas about a furlong out but she refused to give up and was less than a neck away at the end. Stunning run by Princess Coup, came from near last down the outside and got up right on the line.

So tired...but Prix de l'Arc day is live on TV here tonight! Might have to tape it, don't think I can stay awake til 3am.

Videos from Kelt day:

Hawke's Bay Guineas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEMPfRw5Lys
GR Kelt Memorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqPRlqSVxkg
Kelt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9QyBKr5gXU

NZ's first ever $2 million race, wonderful day. All 10 races were brilliant and there was a really big crowd. Awesome.

Here's the official photo:

Unbelievable. Surely the greatest Kelt ever.

Thanks for the links!

Amazing performance by Lovetrista in the Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa this weekend, her 2nd stakes win in a row (her career record now is 3 starts for 2 wins and a third). She's probably the best-bred horse in NZ and from her last 2 races it looks like she's the best horse Cambridge Stud (the dominant stud in NZ) has had for years.

She's at $2.20 with the TAB for next month's 1000 Guineas.

Have a look at this performance, her acceleration is stunning. And this was against one of the strongest 3yo fields so far this season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi075fYMnPU

Wow.

Thanks for posting that! Wow is right. :cool:

Awesome racing in NZ today, at our 2 premier tracks.

Trentham was the bigger day of the two, with 3 stakes races including the G1 Captain Cook.

First up though was the Wellesley Stakes, the first stakes race for the little 2yos. A great stretch duel between 2 undefeated horses, the winner Vincent Mangano and brave filly Silk Spur.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrO2oGdStww

And then the Wellington Guineas, where the 2000 Guineas favourite and Derby favouite clashed for the first time. Rios, the Derby favourite, got it by a nose. Amazing race.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK_ckFEkTSY

Then the big upset of the day in the G1 Captain Cook Stakes. The best horse in the country, Seachange, was even money favourite but it was last year's 1000 Guineas winner Dorabella's day today. And she won it by 4 lengths!

Seachange probably not at her best, possibly still feeling the effects of her gut-busting 4th in the Kelt. But full credit to Dorabella, that was HUGE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHMEjNDWmc8

And it was a great day as usual at Ellerslie, pretty much perfect apart from the sunburn I think I've suffered! The main race had heaps of really good horses in it, but they were thrashed by a boy called Wahid. The NZ Derby winner of 2006 is back! :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COvoD0Cd5D0

Damn, what the eff is Black Panther doing back down there. I used to mess with him in Australia a bit. Crazy bastard, that one.