New Zealand Racing 2013-14

[my miss storm cat]

OH!!!!! I JUST WATCHED IT AND WOW HE WAS GREAT!

Nothing separated them! Great for Costume although, much as I like her I do wish it had gone the other way cause I love him so much but wow that was a fantastic race.

... and Zurella! Very nice run!

Love your pics of Hera... thanks for posting them!

The only other replay I've watched at this point was that of Delago's Secret. I hadn't heard the name but yes definitely one to watch

Saw the noms for the 12th... looks like a nice field for Pinzaara! SInce it's on a week day will you be able to go?

[my miss storm cat]

Any word on Bounding, ed? I'm surprised not to have seen any update.

Good luck on Wednesday!

[_ed_]

Bounding is fine, and it's Ellerslie next!
http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...w-for-Bounding

30 entries for the Avondale Guineas on Saturday, which is the last major Derby prep!

[my miss storm cat]

Thanks for that and yes, I just took a look at the entries! Spectacular!

There's a picture of Time Keeper on the front of the nzracing site that made my heart stop for a sec.

Happy to see Opie will stay on Chop Chop for the Oaks. I did so like her dad even though he never won for me.

Hope he turns out to be a good sire. Such a pretty boy.

Shaune Ritchie has a very valid point here, doesn't he?

“Why the feature Oaks lead-up can’t be run on the Sunday so we don’t have to get replacement riders I don’t know, perhaps there’s a valid reason, but I can’t think of one,” Ritchie said.

Have to toss this in...

“I’m on the ball early and I’ve booked Michael Dee. He’s won on her before and he deserves his chance in a Group Three race.”

Indeed.

[my miss storm cat]

Congrats on a nice run in a very tough field.

Looked like He's Rock'n'Roll (white cap?) got right in her way around... 1:17 or so?

Next time.

[_ed_]

Yeah, that might have put her off her game a bit. Or maybe she's just had enough this prep and needs a break. It was a bit disappointing, and I know she's better than that. She'll do better next time.

[_ed_]

Let's start our Derby countdown! First up, two horses that aren't running in the big race tomorrow.

SPELLBINDER
filly
O'Reilly - Scenic Sprint (O'Reilly is the sire of one NZ Derby winner - Silent Achiever, 2012)


Owner: Te Akau Stud (no Derby wins)
Trainer: Jason Bridgman (no Derby wins)
Rider: Matt Cameron (no Derby wins)

A $60,000 purchase at auction as a yearling.

(Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 7:4-2-1

Stakes races:
1st Soliloquy Stakes (L)
1st Karaka Mile (L)
2nd Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic (G2)
2nd Sarten Memorial (G3)
3rd New Zealand 1000 Guineas (G1)

This is a seriously good filly who's shown freakish ability in her brief career so far - like in her seven-length demolition of the Soliloquy Stakes and a romp in the Karaka Mile. There were doubts about her stamina, but she blew those away with a strong-closing second in the Sir Tristram - coming from way back, and off a slow pace. She's undefeated in three races at Ellerslie, two of them stakes.

Maybe she can make it three years in a row for fillies. Maybe she can give Te Akau their first Derby win (they had placings with Tell A Tale in 2009 and Rock 'N' Pop in 2012).

Odds: 40-1 in January; 30-1 two weeks ago; now 9-1 (equal fifth favourite)



WE'REGOINGTOGETCHA
colt
Testa Rossa - Sweetness 'N' Light (the 2nd dam, Tricia Ann, is also the dam of multiple stakes winner La Sizeranne; also the family of Derby winner and great sire Grosvenor)


Owner: D Hayes & S Prenter (no Derby wins)
Trainer: David Hayes (no relation to the Australian trainer of the same name!) (no Derby wins)
Rider: Kelly Myers (no Derby wins)

A $140,000 purchase at auction as a yearling.

(Starts:1st-2nd-3rd): 10:2-2-2

Stakes races:
2nd Ryder Stakes (L, 2yo)
3rd Waikato Guineas (G2)
8th New Zealand 2000 Guineas (G1)
8th Levin Classic (G1)

Flying along under the radar until his powerful finish into third in the Waikato Guineas. Looks likely to love the step up to 2400m.

Odds: 30-1 in January; 18-1 before Waikato Guineas; now 7-1 (equal third favourite)