New Zealand Racing, 2010-11

[_ed_]

That's good to hear! It's fun to do. Here's another one...


BANCHEE
3 f Oratorio - Miss Jessie Jay
Breeder: Hallmark Stud
Owner: Pencarrow Stud
Trainer: John Sargent
Jockey: James McDonald

Starts: 14
Wins: 5
Seconds: 2
Thirds: 1
Earnings: $419,575

Major wins:
Karaka Mile

Last start: Avondale Guineas (12th)
Best performance of the season: Karaka Mile (1st)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO-CDZOWe1Q

Season so far:
9th Gold Trail Stakes behind Rememba Howe
9th Sarten Memorial behind We Can Say It Now
6th New Zealand 1000 Guineas behind King's Rose
5th Eulogy Stakes behind King's Rose
2nd Eight Carat Classic behind Smoulder
1st Cambridge Stud 3yo, beating Historian and Yin Yang Master
1st Karaka Mile, beating Icepin
12th Avondale Guineas - unlucky in stretch

Pedigree:
Crazily strong in terms of ability; not so much stamina. She's a half-sister to the amazing Katie Lee. What might help her get more distance is that her sire is Oratorio, whose horses should be able to run further than horses by Katie Lee's sprint sire Pins.

Positives:
- She has an unbelievable finishing sprint
- Already a G1 winner
- Has won four times at Ellerslie, including two major races
- Jockey James McDonald is the best in NZ and in amazing form - had six wins Saturday

Negatives:
- Although she was unlucky in her last race, I'm not sure she was really going well enough anyway
- Hasn't won beyond a mile

Current odds:
9-1 (fourth favourite)

So can she win?
Yes, but there are some big doubts hanging over her. I'd love to see her do it, and she's one of the best horses in the race for sure. I'm just worried about that last race, and the fact that she's never won over further than a mile. This is a lot further than a mile! Also, it's been 18 years since a filly won the Derby, and only one filly has finished in the money in the last 8 years.

Predicted finish:
4th

I'm probably going to be hugely wrong with these predictions!

Off to work now. I'll do another one when I get home.