New Zealand Racing, 2009-10

[_ed_]

Zavite was the favourite. The field was filled more with up-and-comers than horses who had proven themselves at the top level, and I guess that experience was a big thing in Zavite's favour.

Replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gptgegPPUM

But I LOVED this performance on the undercard, in the Sunline Vase, by a filly called A Chance To Dream. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l811pCnpmpg

She's second favourite for the Oaks now (behind Keep The Peace) now after that amazing win. I think that's the best Oaks prep I've seen this season.

If you're worried about the horse that gets eased up near the end of that race, she's ok. Probably won't race again, which is a shame, but I'm sure her owners will look after her at their huge stud.

[my miss storm cat]

Great seeing the replays ed!

Thanks!

[my miss storm cat]

Can you tell me something about Grey Way?

I was looking at the Hall of Fame inductees...

51 wins of 164 starts?

I've never heard this name before and was wondering if he's like a national treasure, what time period this was, etc.

(Oh yeah and how is our good Sir, ed? Any news?)

Thanks!

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Sir Slick is running in another G1 on Saturday. He's at 30-1 against this tough field...

1 52111 Red Ruler 5 110 59.0 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
2 00424 MacO'Reilly 7 109 59.0 Hayden Tinsley David Haworth & Matt Dixon, Foxton
3 01014 Vosne Romanee 8 108 59.0 Opie Bosson Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
4 37112 Hold It Harvey (AUS) 4 106 59.0 Jamie Bullard Terri Rae, Riccarton Park
5 07048 Sir Slick 2 105 59.0 Michael Walker Graeme Nicholson & Paul Allbon, Te Aroha
6 83424 Tell A Tale (AUS) 3 102 59.0 James McDonald (a) Mark Walker, Matamata
7 005X2 Harris Tweed 9 101 59.0 Troy Harris Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
8 61121 Boundless 1 106 57.0 Leith Innes Stephen McKee, Ardmore
9 61119 Veloce Bella 10 103 57.0 Michael Coleman Mark Brosnan, Matamata
10 4X541 Prix Du Sang (AUS) 6 80 57.0 Craig Grylls Mike & Paul Moroney, Matamata
11 21102 No Fear 11 75 54.5 Gavin McKeon Bruce Wallace, Takanini

Grey Way was an amazing horse. He raced from 1972 to 1980, so a little bit before my time! I don't know that much about him, except that the Easter Handicap field he beat in 1977 (carrying a record weight, I think) is considered one of the best mile fields ever in NZ.

This might tell you a bit more about him - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Way

[my miss storm cat]

Thanks ed.

The only name I knew when I was looking around (Hall of Fame) was Bonecrusher and, being an idiot, hadn't heard of him till I mentioned the other, (slower ) Bonecrusher who was racing in Dubai a couple of years ago.

Ummmm okay that field is completely and insanely good!

Good luck to Sir Slick , Esquire.

Hope he wins but will be very happy of Tell a Tale or Red Ruler win (or Bounldless, or...)

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Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Good luck to Sir Slick , Esquire.

The old boy went another mighty race - 5th.

Tell A Tale went even better, and Mark Walker says his best year might be next year.

But the winner, and probable Horse of the Year...

Vosne Romanee!

It's an amazing story - the owners had never won a single race before they got VR, and they were pretty happy with his 6 wins in lower class races until this season. Now he's won three G1s and $1.2 million! Must be like a dream for them.

And he's hard not to like...


Replays...

G1 NZ Stakes (VR and great performance by Sir and TAT) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjJJEbHdWpw

G1 Diamond Stakes (Banchee is stepping out of her champion big sister's shadow!) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4xtuWpco_o

And that's the end of a great Derby week.

[my miss storm cat]

Didn't you once tell me something about Vosne Romanee and how he didn't sell as a young one?

Anyway lovely for him and for his connections and oh Sir and Banchee!