New Zealand Racing, 2014-15

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I just interviewed the owner/trainer of She's Insatiable - one of the nicest people I've talked to in this job, so I'm really glad she got that big win on Saturday and I hope the mare runs well in the Cup this weekend too.

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Back at the office today writing previews for the weekend races. It's a fun part of the job, and I LOVE the field for the 1000 Guineas, but... I kinda wish I was at Riccarton today cheering on Pinzaara.

Hope she can hear me from 1000km away!

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Oh Pinzy, I'm so proud! She found one a bit better today but ran so great.

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Wow, tough performance from Addictive Habit. Really happy for him and for Lee Somervell.

And that was some win by Soubrettes in the Stewards.

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Archie's been retired. A tendon tear on a leg he had previously injured, so Jason decided it's not fair on the horse to keep pushing him as a racing proposition. But he's promised there will be a good home for him.

With Pinzaara having a well-earned retirement at the end of next month, I'm not going to have many left! Just Cantina and the soon-to-debut Auriol.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Oh Pinzy, I'm so proud! She found one a bit better today but ran so great.

How wonderful, ed! What a game girl she is!

Sorry about Archie. I look forward to seeing the other kids (that's why Cantina was a familiar name. Duh! Sorry for forgetting a month or so ago).

As I have the entire week to catch up on I think I'll wait and read about Platinum Witnesses win in The Informant first. Was surprised to see where O'Marilyn finished but I'd imagine I'm not alone there.

Fay Fay! What a nice surprise. Bet he's glad to be out of HK.

Stupidly forgot to see where Blizzard ended up in the Cup but I hope he did well.

Will overdose on replays tomorrow.

Please let me know how great it must have been being there!

edit - Happy to see that Locket won one.

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Blizzard ran a great race. He just got a bit tired at the very end and missed out on third by a small margin.

I don't know what to say about O'Marilyn. That was way too bad to be true. But that was a great performance by Platinum Witness.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Blizzard ran a great race. He just got a bit tired at the very end and missed out on third by a small margin.

I don't know what to say about O'Marilyn. That was way too bad to be true. But that was a great performance by Platinum Witness.

Yes it's embarrassing how many times I've watched the race with Blizzard!

Had now been aware of Mungo Jerry's story... very nice that he won.

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Yeah, happy for all the connections.

A little apprehensive about this Saturday. Avondale, just a short walk from my house, has its first major raceday since December 2009!

It's had a lot of financial troubles, and its facilities are not great (to say the least). The Avondale Cup and Guineas have been across town at Ellerslie for the last few years.

Avondale faces a pretty big test this weekend, filling in for Pukekohe which was meant to be the venue but is having problems of its own. If Saturday is a success it might get its Cup and Guineas back in future.

I have mixed feelings - it's nice having a track so close, and I wish them well, but Ellerslie is just so far ahead of it in every way.