2 amazing days of racing coming up on Boxing Day and New Year's Day at Ellerslie. 10 stakes races on the 2 days. Really exciting.
BOXING DAY
Newmarket Handicap (1200m Handicap)
Last year: 1st Kay's Awake, 2nd St Verdi, 3rd Donna Rosita - Kay's Awake G1-placed since, St Verdi stakes winner since, Donna Rosita G1 Railway winner.
Entries this year include: Captivate (G1 winner), Needuask (G2 winner), Kay's Awake again, Clifton Prince and the very fast Magic Tryst.
Eight Carat Classic (G2 1600m 3yo fillies)
Last year: 1st Veloce Bella, 2nd Princess Coup, 3rd Irlanda - Veloce Bella has won 2 G2s since, Princess Coup won the Oaks and Kelt and Irlanda is undefeated this year including 2 G2s.
Entries this year include: Insouciant
, Keepa Cruisin
, Anna Bek and Bella Valentina. Should be a great race.
Zabeel Classic (G1 2000m WFA)
Last year: 1st Mikki Street (amazing performance, died in a training accident a week later
), 2nd Sharvasti, 3rd Fiscal Madness
Entries this year include: XCELLENT
, Alamosa, Sir Slick, Dorabella. Stunning field. I can't wait.
Great Northern Guineas (G2 2100m 3yo)
Last year: 1st Santagostino, 2nd Mettre En Jeu, 3rd Uberalles
Entries this year include: C'est La Guerre, Prince Kaapstad, Six O'Clock News, Mission Critical, Avancer, Sircross. This is the first real prep race for the Derby on the same track in March. This is probably the race I'm most excited about on the day.