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#1
01-31-2015, 07:38 AM
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Why yes it is 4:30 in the morning here and yes I did watch the replay again
 and just had to say McQueen was impressive after overcoming that awful start, poor guy.I can't wait to see the new Derby list... did Giant Turtle crack the top... 15 or so maybe? 20? Hope so! Really beautiful win by Mongolian Khan. I hadn't expected that at all (either!). 
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#2
02-03-2015, 04:06 PM
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Here's the latest list. Just my own opinion, of course!
1. Volkstok'n'barrell 2. Mongolian Khan 3. McQueen 4. Rockfast 5. Sound Proposition 6. Stratocaster 7. Gaultier 8. Giant Turtle 9. Margin Trader 10. Kolonel Kev Edit: I initially had Tavy in the list at number eight, but she was withdrawn this week - targeting the Oaks instead. Last edited by _ed_ : 02-03-2015 at 06:23 PM.
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#3
02-06-2015, 12:28 AM
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This was one of the hardest articles I've ever had to write.
http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...rs-special-win
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#5
02-10-2015, 11:05 AM
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Quote:
Of course I saw this and wondered what you were talking about... you know how much I love this horse. Went and searched by the name on the NZ Racing site and thought oh now nice... what did she win? Just watched and have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Oh Rory how did you even do that? She is a GREAT horse but that was a hell of a ride.... Heartbreak for Nashville (but whoa... what a nice race for him!) and while I stupidly already cannot remember who was 3rd that was wonderful and pretty unexpected (to me, anyway) to see Lauren Tate have such a good race !!! Quote:
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#6
02-10-2015, 05:06 PM
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It's that time of year again...
 VOLKSTOK'N'BARRELL  gelding, Tavistock-Volkster Trainer: Donna & Dean Logan, Ruakaka (Habibi 2013) Jockey: Matt Cameron (no Derby wins) 6 starts 5 wins 0 seconds 1 third NZ$176,250 1st Gr. 2 Great Northern Guineas 1st Gr. 3 Bonecrusher Stakes 1st Karaka 3yo Mile "It's amazing having a horse like this." - Donna Logan "He just does it so easily. It's a great buzz riding a horse like this." - Matt Cameron This is the horse everyone has been talking about for the Derby since about September. He has been almost scarily dominant in winning his last five races in a row, forcing Logan to say he's possibly one of the best horses she's trained. Obviously the Logan team are pretty good with Derby horses, winning it in 2013 with Habibi and finishing second last year with Rising Romance. Donna Logan has been very happy with this horse's progress all season, which has to tell you he's on track. The only remaining question about him is the distance, but Donna Logan believes he will handle it with no problems at all. We'll find out on Saturday in the G2 Avondale Guineas! Current odds: 2.50 My ranking: 1st
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#7
02-11-2015, 04:12 PM
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MONGOLIAN KHAN
 colt, Holy Roman Emperor-Centafit Trainer: Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, Cambridge (no Derby wins) Jockey: Opie Bosson (no Derby wins) 5 starts 4 wins 0 seconds 0 thirds NZ$115,500 1st Gr. 2 Waikato Guineas 1st Jesters Pies Salver "I think this horse has got lots of upside." - Murray Baker "I'm pretty sure he's going to be a huge chance in the Derby." - Opie Bosson He won on debut, then failed in the G2 Hawke's Bay Guineas, but since then he's just got better and better with three wins in a row including the Waikato Guineas. He's suddenly getting very good, and he's doing it at exactly the right time. I do think the Waikato Guineas was a little weaker than the races Volkstok'n'barrell has been winning, so the Avondale Guineas on Saturday will be very interesting - the first clash between the two favourites for the Derby. Current odds: 5 My ranking: 2nd
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#8
02-12-2015, 11:35 AM
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So happy you're doing this ed! With your new position, etc., I wasn't sure if you'd choose to make the time but it is very much appreciated!
Cant wait to see the rest! Some nice fields this weekend... first though have to say luck to Iamishwara and Flower Bomb (but also to Antonio Lombardo, Steel Rose and oh how I would love to see Dorian Grey get a win)! Oh and safe trip home, Crocodile Canyon! On to Ellerslie... I am sure you'll be there so have a great time!!!!! Hoping for Stratocaster to get a win and, if not, for Prince Mambo. Great field... so exciting and not that I don't love Volkstok'n'barrell, I do but come on let's let the other have a chance of getting a nice win before you take the whole thing right?  Whoa Rising Romance and Sports Illustrated! Good luck to half the horses in the Gold Cup too. Quote:
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#9
02-12-2015, 07:06 PM
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Thanks! Yeah, definitely can't wait for Ellerslie this weekend.
But I'll also be thinking about Christchurch - this is a huge couple of days for them in their recovery from the earthquakes. They had the opening ceremony for the Cricket World Cup last night, and the first game of the tournament is on Saturday, with NZ playing in front of a sellout crowd! Hope it's a great day down there and I hope the home team can get the result we all want.
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#10
02-12-2015, 07:14 PM
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VAVASOUR
 filly, Redoute's Choice-Valpolicella Trainer: Peter & Dawn Williams, Auckland (no Derby wins) Jockey: Leith Innes (Wahid 2006) 8 starts 3 wins 4 seconds 1 third 1st Gr. 2 Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic 2nd Gr. 2 Royal Stakes 3rd Soliloquy Stakes She's run good races all season - second to Volkstok'n'barrell in a maiden in September, and a couple of strong runs in stakes races since then. But she went to a new level in her G2 win last Saturday, fighting back so hard after looking like she was gone. She's another horse who's getting really good at exactly the right time! Current odds: 8 My ranking: 3rd
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#11
02-12-2015, 07:33 PM
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* * * edit - Ed I am still catching up on stuff but have to say this is beautifully written... I just love it. Every word is so thoughtful and perfect... just really good stuff (and on my favorite girl). http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...in-Herbie-Dyke Last edited by my miss storm cat : 02-12-2015 at 07:56 PM.
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#12
02-16-2015, 05:50 PM
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MCQUEEN
 gelding, Alamosa-Creil Trainer: Jim Collett, Matamata (no Derby wins) Jockey: Samantha Collett (no Derby wins) 5 starts 2 wins 1 second 0 thirds NZ$25,900 4th Gr. 2 Waikato Guineas 5th Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas I loved this horse's back-to-back wins in his second and third starts, then he had no luck at all in the Waikato Guineas and did really well to finish as close as fourth. His run in the Avondale Guineas was only okay, but he has shown enough to stick with him. Current odds: 9 My ranking: 4th
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#14
02-18-2015, 03:50 PM
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SOUND PROPOSITION
gelding, Savabeel-Ebony Babe Trainer: Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott (O'Sullivan won the Derby as a jockey aboard Surfers Paradise in 1990 and Popsy in 1993, Scott won the Derby as co-trainer of Cut The Cake in 2003 and Xcellent in 2004) Jockey: Danielle Johnson (no Derby wins) 5 starts 2 wins 0 seconds 1 third NZ$30,400 6th Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas I like the way this horse has improved as he has stepped up over distance. He was 5th in a sprint on debut, then 3rd, then stepped up to a mile and won two in a row VERY nicely. In his second win he easily beat Arrow In The Sand, who was stakes placed next time out. Sound Proposition was only 6th in the Avondale Guineas, but he got a long way back with a slow pace and he was running nicely at the end. I think going further in the Derby and with a hot speed on in front will help his chances. Current odds: 12 My ranking: 5th
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#16
02-19-2015, 10:28 AM
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He obviously knows how to win on this horse. So ed are you saving the best (Giant Turtle) for last?  Kidding! (... and thanks - checked out Arrow in the Sand's last race... nice girl!). Quote:
edit - Happy that Craig Grylls has a Derby mount. Not sure if he belongs in the Derby field or not BUT hat was an awesome ride by Matthew Cameron on Gifted Lad last time! Last edited by my miss storm cat : 02-19-2015 at 11:43 AM.
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#17
02-23-2015, 07:56 PM
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CHENILLE
filly, Pentire-Charmed Trainer: Tony Pike (no Derby wins) Jockey: Rory Hutchings (no Derby wins) 7 starts 2 wins 3 seconds 0 thirds NZ$25,525 No stakes races This filly is a half-sister to the G2 winner and G1 placed Chintz. Chenille started slowly in her own career but has been spectacular in winning her last two races by 3.3 lengths and 3.5 lengths. She is getting better and better as she stretches out over longer distances and I think she could be a dangerous longshot in the Derby. Current odds: 12 My ranking: She wasn't on the radar when I last did the list, but I would find room for her now! I'll put her 6th. New list: 1. Volkstok'n'barrell 2. Mongolian Khan 3. Vavasour 4. McQueen 5. Sound Proposition 6. Chenille 7. Prima 8. Midnitemagicman 9. Giant Turtle 10. Dee I Cee
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#18
02-15-2015, 10:47 AM
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#19
02-15-2015, 10:04 PM
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I guess he has to be! He has been such a surprising horse. Still a maiden, but third in the Waikato Guineas at 130-1 and now second in the Avondale at 50-1.
I'll update the list ASAP. I can tell you now that Margin Trader and (unfortunately) Stratocaster will be moving off the list.
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#20
02-16-2015, 11:19 AM
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Quote:
 Volkstok'n'barrell and Mongolian Khan are much the best and seem to prove it every time. Will still hope for Giant Turtle though! I really do need to go back and start watching the replays from Sound Proposition, Midnitemagicman, Kolonel Kev and a couple of others. Happy to read Iamishwara will go for a G1.
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