134th New Zealand Derby - Feb 29, 2009

[_ed_]

TELL A TALE
Gelding
Tale of the Cat - Cheeky Veronika

Trainer: Mark Walker (the Todd Pletcher of NZ - dominant trainer for the last 5 years but no Derby wins yet!)

Starts: 10
1st: 5
2nd: 1
3rd: 1
Earnings: $772,200

1st 2000 Guineas (G1)
1st Hawke's Bay Guineas (G2)
1st Avondale Guineas (G2)
1st Canterbury Stakes


Tell A Tale (outside) during his amazing run from near last to win the 2000 Guineas

Videos:
2000 Guineas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2mS1qm-p6E
Hawke's Bay Guineas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_VeBacVVcI
Avondale Guineas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDkp6M5R320

Route to the Derby:
His last start before the Derby will be this Saturday in the G1 International Stakes, against older horses. Champion jockey Michael Walker will ride.

Derby Futures: 6-1 (3rd fav)

PROS:
- Amazing winning sequence in the spring
- Performances so impressive that many consider him one of the best 3yos in the last decade

CONS:
- Lacked the same finish in his last two starts - 5th in G1 Zabeel Classic against older horses in his first start over a mile (possible excuse - wide trip, ridiculously slow pace (2:06 for the mile and a quarter), then 4th resuming over a mile. Is he tiring?
- No horse has won the 2000 Guineas-Derby double since 1990. Very hard to do.
- Tale of the Cat, mile and a half?