New Zealand Racing, 2012-13

[_ed_]

He did win an Auckland Cup, yeah! And he's also won several steeplechases. The trainer likes to do strange things with his good horses - it was the same with C'est La Guerre, who he took to two really minor country race meetings on the way to his Derby win in 2008.

Hokitika's another really small country meeting. Strange place for a G1 winner to be running!

[my miss storm cat]

I had no idea. That is awesome!

[_ed_]

Looking at the entries for Telegraph day... Wow, I wish I could be in Wellington on Saturday. Amazing.

[my miss storm cat]

Wow that is some field for the Telegraph!

Who is the favorite? Has Guiseppina won since she won it last year?

Honestly I would never be able to play this race... mind-numbing looking at the entries.

[_ed_]

Odds:

Final Touch $17
Durham Town $9
Jetset Lad $18
Demophon $26
King Montrose $31
Antonio Lombardo $16
Undisclosed $31
Guiseppina $8
Xanadu $6
Burgundy $4.80f
Nashville $10
Sir Lovesalot $21
Galaxy Star $14
Shandream $17
Civics Rock $60
Rough Odds $40
Open 'N' Shut $16
Kit Ann Miss $60
Kaptain Kirkup $60
Taurus $31
Huffer $31
Vincent Mangano $50
Special Draw $60
Trapiche $60

Other really interesting races include the G2 Wakefield, which has an undeated 2yo filly called Recite who looked VERY good in her only start so far, and also the G3 Wellington Stakes - Abraham Lincoln takes on stakes class for the first time. He's one of the Derby contenders I really like, so I'm interested in how he goes here.

[my miss storm cat]

I haven't watched the replay yet but surprised that Titch didn't hit the board. Maybe he needed one back (?).

Do you know much about the fillies in that race with Abraham Lincoln? Blanket Bay and Lucky Country?

Is Zennista a lock in her race or do I not know enough of those horses?

(God I love the name Sir Lovesalot).

Who do you like in the Trentham, ed? Sentimental pick?

Pretty big step up for Open 'n' Shut!

I'm still just so thrilled by that field. There is no way to make a pick!

http://www.thoroughbrednews.com.au/i....aspx?id=64382

[_ed_]

I don't know a lot about Blanket Bay, although she did well behind Little Wonder at Ellerslie on NYD. Lucky Country looked good in the spring and was 7th, only beaten 3.1 lengths, in Rollout The Carpet's 1000 Guineas. So she's pretty good. But I do think it's Abraham Lincoln's race. I'm also kind of interested in Survived - the same trainer/jockey combo as Jimmy Choux, and he was unlucky in his first start and nicely won his second. So he could be one to watch.

Zennista's a good chance in her race, but she has a big weight on her back too. I like Glad - she's a real up and comer, looked very good in her win at Ellerslie last time and gets in with a low weight.

On The Level for me in the Trentham - good enough to be third to Jimmy in his Derby in 2011, then a long injury layoff, and then he FLEW to finish second in his resuming run. I think he's back, and I think he wins this.

I can't pick one in the Telegraph either. Maybe Xanadu.