New Zealand Racing 2013-14

[my miss storm cat]

Oh Jesus all I knew about the Thorndon MIle was that Ruby won so watched the replay and was totally surprised by Chritz! Whoa!

Cheers to Craig Grylls!!!!! What a terrific day for him and congrats to Graphic and her people (and to Ruby as well, of course).

Lovely run from Guns at Five and hey... I think one of the only replays I have yet to watch is the one the old man won so here's to El Chico!

Hope The Grinner is okay (scratched?) and good luck to Spellbinder, Hera and Touche in their race today.

Have fun!

(Ruby is in foal to Jimmy? Ooooh Ruby Slippers?! ).

[_ed_]

Ruby was so amazing! Didn't expect that. And Graphic just keeps getting better and better.

Man, that was a dramatic storm that hit Ellerslie on Sunday! Never seen anything like it. People in summer outfits were sprinting for shelter!

But the racing was still good. Spellbinder was stunning, and Vespa was outstanding. Horrible spill in the Million. Kerrin McEvoy is fine. Massale's injuries are quite serious, but fortunately not life-threatening. But it's not clear if or when he'll race again.

I think The Grinner was just scratched cos there was no room for him in the field.

[my miss storm cat]

Finally watched the Spellbinder replay and wow... thrilled for her and for Hera even if you couldn't actually see the horses during a lot of the race! Crazy weather! Loved the call, by the way.

One I have not watched is the Karaka Million and even though I really want to see Vespa am just kinda waiting for more of an update on poor Massale.

On El Chico...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-tim...l-going-strong

Sorry to ask (cause I know I do every year and you have a life) but when do you usually do your annual Derby contenders posts? Will you be having the time to do it this year? Hope so!

How are Archie and Pinzaara?

[_ed_]

Yeah, sorry I haven't been posting as much! My work relocated to a new office, and the internet security settings in the new building don't allow access to any forums. That always used to be my favourite time to come on here.

But I'll definitely find time to do the Derby posts! I'll just wait for the field to take shape a little bit more. The Waikato Guineas is this weekend - one of the main prep races every year. Really can't wait! The current Derby favourite is there, Glorious Lad, as well as other leading contenders like Chambord and Puccini and heaps of impressive lower-grade winners. Should be brilliant.

Pinzaara's running on Saturday too! Tough field (including Fix! ) But it's just great to have her competing in races like this.

His trainer tells me that Archie (racing name Brochaine) is doing well - "really grown and developed, more of a 3-year-old type, but will have another trial in the next few weeks for further assessment".

[my miss storm cat]

Sucks about not being able to post! I've missed you!

Hooray for the big Derby special edition issue that you put out! Can't wait.

Yes I just saw the fields for Saturday and that is a nice field... it would be stunning if she could beat Fix and win!

Re the Gunieas field (which is always just so exciting)... okay this is really stupid and I am all for one of the top guys you mentioned BUT I am very happy to see Blizzard running. Excuse me while I revert to pretty horsie mode... he is so pretty haha!

Noticed Starcheeka entered and hadn't noticed the name (his name, right? I always thought he was a she for some reason) but I see he's run lately...

Was he injured at one point?I mean weren't we expecting big things from him way back when or am I mixing up his name with someone else (and yes I do expect you to read my mind).

Exciting time of year. Can't wait for Saturday.

GOOD LUCK, PINZAARA!!!!!

[_ed_]

Nothing wrong with liking Blizzard! He ran a great race in the Championship Stakes. He's definitely good enough to do something in this.

Starcheeka's had a few injuries throughout his career, yeah, and he's just not been an easy horse to work with - inconsistent and very strong-willed! But he's been amazingly good when he's been in the mood. His G3 win as a 3yo was amazing.

Pinzaara's been scratched from this weekend's race. It was hard enough to beat Fix, but Stephen McKee decided it was just too much to ask from that wide gate. So we're saving her for Ellerslie on Feb 12.

[my miss storm cat]

Thanks for the update!