Melbourne,Australia Summer Carnival 2010

_ed_ · #1 09-10-2010, 06:00 AM

It's in the upper North Island, about two hours north of Auckland.

It's a very small town, but it's a great track because it's sand-based, so the drainage is amazing. It's been a wet week, but the track looks set to be a dead 5 - fantastic.

And when you go around the back of the grandstand, you're basically at the beach, so the scenery is great on a nice day. One time I went out there between races and saw a whale in the bay.

I'll definitely find a TV to watch the Melbourne races tomorrow, though, and also some from Sydney - their fields look pretty nice. 2009 NZ Derby winner Coniston Bluebird is at a whopping 300-1 in the Theo Marks! Probably rightly so against that lineup over 1400m.

NoChanceToDance · #2 09-10-2010, 09:49 AM

Sounds like a great track to visit. I'll put it on the list.

Do you get to Karaka for the yearling sale in Jan/Feb? I might be heading over next year with a few to sell - but would prefer to stay at home to be honest.

Looks very competitive stuff at the Valley tomorrow, I'm looking forward to it. Been given a good word for Pitt Street in the first. Likely to be a big price, so we'll see how it goes.

_ed_ · #3 09-11-2010, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoChanceToDance

Do you get to Karaka for the yearling sale in Jan/Feb? I might be heading over next year with a few to sell - but would prefer to stay at home to be honest.

I usually make it out there, but I don't think I'll be able to this time - pretty busy with work and university between now and next June.

If you do come over, I'd recommend you check out the twilight races at Ellerslie the day before the sale starts if you get the chance. It's a terrific night at NZ's best racecourse.

_ed_ · #4 09-11-2010, 04:33 AM

Katie Lee was a little disappointing today.

Here's a replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnPoiQer62k

She might have had a few excuses. She's never been great fresh - she didn't win the first start of either of her last two campaigns - and she looked a little bit fat. Plus, most of the races were won from on or near the pace, and some rain on the day made the track a little shifty. It definitely didn't suit all runners.

But still, I think she's the 5th best horse I've ever seen, and that performance today wasn't anywhere near what I expected. She was 7-8 lengths below her best form, and will have to improve a lot to be competitive in the Melbourne campaign they've got planned.