New Zealand Racing

[_ed_]

Sir Slick couldn't do it in the Easter Handicap. He had excuses though, no horse has carried that weight to win the race since the 1970s and he likes to race near the front but couldn't get up with the crazy early sectionals after breaking a bit slowly from his wide gate.

We got to see a special horse win the race though, Pasta Post (4 g Postponed - Blue Heaven). He's won 8 out of 10 in his life now, not bad for a $22k yearling purchase.

Replay: http://www.ellerslie.co.nz/show.cfm?...wf&w=294&h=240


And the other stakes race yesterday was the Champagne Stakes for 2yos. The winner was a horse having only his second start, Sufficient (2 c Zabeel - Fleur De Chine). Nice colt this one, Derby horse next year?
http://www.ellerslie.co.nz/show.cfm?...wf&w=294&h=240

[my miss storm cat]

Thanks, ed. Gonna watch the replays in a few.

Good boy anyway, Sir Slick!

[my miss storm cat]

http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/nz/?id=34953

Any late word, ed?

Hope he'll be alright.

[_ed_]

Yeah I hope he will too, sounds pretty serious. We still don't really know much about the extent of his injuries.

It's very sad to hear, he's definitely the most talented jockey in NZ.

[brockguy]

belated happy bday ed..

you hear that Seachange is pointed to the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot. What do you make of her chances over a straight 6f against the top Aussies and top Euro sprinters. Im surprised they arent shooting for the G1 Queen Anne over a mile or even the G2 Windsor Forest over a mile restricted to fillies and mares..

[_ed_]

Thanks.

Yeah it's interesting. Her absolute best distance is probably 7 furlongs, after Dubai Ted Durcan said that he didn't think there were any horses in Europe that could beat her, but unfortunately there aren't really many options for her at that distance.

In NZ she was just so much better than her opposition that most of the time she still won easily over a mile, but I think Dubai showed that against world class opposition it's just a bit too far.

I still think she could have won the Windsor Forest Stakes though.

But she sprints well in a fresh state (broke 1:07 at Trentham in January, although the times are often questionable there), so I think she'll still be competitive. But the best sprinters will probably be just a bit too quick.

[my miss storm cat]

Awwww.


Poppy worked quietly up Bury Hill this morning, followed by her usual walk in the forestry. She seems grateful for the company with Takeover Target and Magnus arriving last nite. Poppy has taken quite a shine to Magnus.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaystartimes/0a27188.html