New Zealand Racing, 2009-10

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL THE KIWI HORSES!

So it's officially the end of a great season. I guess it's time to think about the awards...

2yo
This is tough. No horse really won more than one of the really big races. I'll probably say Banchee just ahead of Nacho Man, because Banchee won a G1 and a G2.

Banchee
2 f Oratorio - Miss Jessie Jay
Season: 6 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third.
Major wins: G1 Diamond Stakes, G2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes



3yo
Two words - Katie and Lee.

Katie Lee
3 f Pins - Miss Jessie Jay
Season: 10 starts, 5 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds
Major wins: G1 2000 Guineas, G1 1000 Guineas, G2 Eight Carat Classic, G2 Sir Tristram Classic


But also respect to Monaco Consul, My (Miss) Keepsake, Time Keeper, Keep The Peace, Military Move and Joey Massino. Very good crop.


Sprinter
Vonusti, Coup Align and Australian invader Gold Trail were all good, but I think Tavistock wins this because of his two G1 wins.

Tavistock
4 c Montjeu - Upstage
NZ Season: 8 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Major wins: G1 Mudgway Stakes, G1 Waikato Sprint, G2 Blamey Stakes (AUS)


Middle Distance
I think Vosne Romanee's 3 G1 wins at 2000m make him a clear winner of this.

Vosne Romanee
7 g Electronic Zone - Madison Avenue
NZ Season: 8 starts, 3 wins
Major wins: G1 Kelt Stakes, G1 Zabeel Classic, G1 NZ Stakes


Stayer
Red Ruler had an excellent season in these races, so he should win this.

Red Ruler
5 g Viking Ruler - Ransom Bay
Season: 7 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Major wins: G2 City of Auckland Cup, G2 Wellington Cup, G3 Trentham Stakes


Apprentice Jockey
James McDonald (151 wins (8 stakes))


Jockey
Opie Bosson (158 wins (11 stakes))


Trainer
Mark Walker (108 wins (10 stakes)


HORSE OF THE YEAR
I think it's down to these two...


Katie Lee



Vosne Romanee


I'll go for Katie Lee for HOTY. Winning both Guineas races in that one week in November was something that has NEVER been done before in 150 years of racing at that Riccarton track. All of her starts this season were in stakes races, and she was only further back than third once (in the Derby, when something obviously wasn't right). She's had a great season, and deserves to be recognised with the award.