New Zealand Racing

[_ed_]

Everyone knows about poor Xcellent's career-ending injury at Trentham on Saturday, but apart from that awful moment it was a really good day, spent the whole day on the couch in front of the TV.

The first of the big races, the Wakefield for 2yos, is a good example of how quickly your luck can change in racing. A horse called Fully Fledged hit the lead and looked like it would kill them, but then for some reason it decided it wanted to jump over the rail. So Captain Fantastic (by Fantastic Light), Xcellent's stablemate, ended up winning!
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzacCr9-4Es

Then in the Anniversary Handicap, Fiscal Madness made it 2 big mile races in a row, and this was a nice win under a big weight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UcLS-aWvC4

Alamosa's probably our best 3yo. None of the others have won a race as impressively as he won this Wellington Stakes against a very good field including Bruxaar, The Pooka, Prince Kaapstad and Mission Critical. He's a very impressive colt and has won 7 out of 15 now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwnsx8ok01E

Then it was the Trentham Stakes. At least Xcellent ended his career with a win. Apparently the injury happened early in the stretch, and they think he was in a lot of pain as he ran, but he was just so determined to win. That's how I'll remember him. We'll miss you X.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJFrTQ-s6X4

And the main race of the day, the Telegraph, was absolutely awesome. They said Seachange couldn't win with that massive weight against such a strong field...they were wrong. Look out Dubai, here comes one of the toughest little mares you've ever seen. And she's pretty fast too. Don't know if she's as good as some of the others who will be in the Duty Free, but I really hope she goes well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRg9zb1vRNU

[my miss storm cat]

Thanks for the links.

I had read about Fully Fledged..... geez, Antonius Pius-esque.

[my miss storm cat]

How good did this one look, ed?

http://www.virtualformguide.com/cgi-...80126young.txt

[_ed_]

He was really good, it was a weak field (apart from Pasta Post, but he didn't handle the distance) but he smashed them. Was good to see Resolution get up for 2nd for the trainers of Xcellent and Jokers Wild.

The video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMH24Gj7khw

The track was a bit off (and the weather had been fine, they just watered it too much ), but some of the other races were still really good.

Keepa Cruisin won another big one in the G2 Desert Gold, very impressive win after being given a great ride by Leith ('Lethal') Innes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp2Tn3bElrQ

And then Alamosa smashed the older horses in the G1 Thorndon, which was awesome to see. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVHsHvDAZMM

Tomorrow is a big day at Ellerslie, with the first ever Karaka Million ($1 million race for 2yos). Here's the field: https://www.ebetonline.co.nz/forms/2...#view=FitH,top Lots of talent in here, very hard to pick.

And some of the other races on the card are good too, with Derby contenders like Steel, Red Ruler and Minqar Qaim all running on the undercard.

[my miss storm cat]

Thanks, ed!

Let us know who wins the Karaka Million. i don't know any of the horses..... DUH!

[brockguy]

ed really looking forward to seeing Seachange in Dubai... she is one awesome girl..do you know if they are they planning on sending her to Europe after do you know or back to NZ for some end of season targets..

[_ed_]

They've been talking about going to the UK with her, maybe the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot.

I hope they go for a race like the Windsor Forest there instead, I think she'd be a great chance in that, and then maybe a race like the Falmouth. I believe she's better at a mile than sprinting.

But she still tries her heart out every time and I'm sure she wouldn't disgrace herself in the Golden Jubilee.

3 hours until the Karaka Million! I'm stuck at work so can't go. But at least I can watch it on TV.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

The first of the big races, the Wakefield for 2yos, is a good example of how quickly your luck can change in racing. A horse called Fully Fledged hit the lead and looked like it would kill them, but then for some reason it decided it wanted to jump over the rail. So Captain Fantastic (by Fantastic Light), Xcellent's stablemate, ended up winning!
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzacCr9-4Es

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRg9zb1vRNU

Was he a bit better behaved today?

Glad to hear he won.

[_ed_]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Was he a bit better behaved today?

Glad to hear he won.

He was much better today, very professional. He enjoyed the applause as he came back after the race.

Here's a replay: http://www.ellerslie.co.nz/show.cfm?...wf&w=294&h=240

And the other G1 was won by Sir Slick, his fifth G1 win.
http://www.ellerslie.co.nz/show.cfm?...wf&w=294&h=240

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

He was much better today, very professional. He enjoyed the applause as he came back after the race.

Here's a replay: http://www.ellerslie.co.nz/show.cfm?...wf&w=294&h=240

And the other G1 was won by Sir Slick, his fifth G1 win.
http://www.ellerslie.co.nz/show.cfm?...wf&w=294&h=240

Oh my God those were wonderful! Thanks!!!

"... like a professional today!"

... and hooray for Sir Slick!