It's been a long time since I saw the stands at a NZ racetrack full of people all on their feet clapping for a horse, but I saw it today when Seachange won her 7th G1 race.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpciMzF22Gs
Her trainer said she was "a bit fat" today so the win wasn't as dominant as we were expecting but she was so tough in holding the lead from Kay's Awake down to the wire.
When Gavin McKeon rode her back after the race he took her a furlong up the straight and came back past the crowd. There was a whole bunch of people from the stable down by the rail wearing blue & white holding up a sign that said "Go Poppy!". Apparently that's her stable name.
The other races were really exciting too, although the other G1 didn't help with trying to find the Derby winner. Against older horses in the International Stakes (2000m/1m 2f), a 3yo colt by Fantastic Light called Mission Critical led all the way and bolted in against horses as good as Sir Slick. It was an incredible performance by a horse who hasn't really been considered a Derby contender before today. It was...amazing.
Really happy for the Moroneys (trainers) after they lost Jokers Wild and had to retire Xcellent in recent weeks. They've got a new star.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD2WPJxuVmY
And Kaatoon was a nice winner of the G2 Fillies Classic over 2000m (1m 2f). She's been waiting to run over a distance like that. I loved the run of Insouciant for 2nd though, this race was too far for her and she was tired at the final turn, got so tired that she hit the rail more than once down the straight, but was so brave.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5ONoEVgd2k
Great day of racing!
3 weeks 'til the Derby, I'm totally confused now.