New Zealand Racing, 2012-13

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by _ed_

That's a really interesting story. I knew he was a big horse, but didn't know he was that big!

Also, NZ Derby winner v NZ Oaks winner in the Australian Oaks this Saturday. Habibi's the better of the two, in my opinion. But More Than Sacred could finish in the money too, hopefully!

I wonder how many hands he is.

[_ed_]

That's a good question! I'll try to find that out and get back to you.

[_ed_]

Wow, SHUKA by 10!

Well, maybe not quite 10. Got a bit excited. But still, that was phenomenal.

Survived in the HB Cup was extraordinary too - first 3yo to win it since 1977, and only the third since 1958.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Arletta

I wonder how many hands he is.

One of my favorites and I have never thought to ask this. Glad you did!

Why was he scratched, ed?

Originally Posted by _ed_

Wow, SHUKA by 10!

Well, maybe not quite 10. Got a bit excited. But still, that was phenomenal.

Survived in the HB Cup was extraordinary too - first 3yo to win it since 1977, and only the third since 1958.

Oh! Nice news. Haven't seen any replays yet but reading that Sacred Falls won the Doncaster just now sure woke me up...

Fantastic!

[_ed_]

I can't find any other reason, so I think it must have been the track conditions.

Great race by Sacred Falls! But, to be fair, Pierro would have won if they'd carried equal weight.

[_ed_]

Shuka's final winning margin was "only" seven and a half lengths.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Shuka's final winning margin was "only" seven and a half lengths.

That was SO great to see!

Two in a row now... I think he remembered he doesn't always have to be 2nd.

(Seemed like the race caller was getting a kick out of the name Schmeckenbecher there at the end).

Great day for MDP... I hadn't realized he had 5 wins on the day.

Thoughts on Mufhasa going to HK for the Champions Mile? I guess he leaves tomorrow....

Any idea who gets the mount?

Funny that in the HK press Ambitious Dragon is getting all the ink when it's Xtension who won it the past two years. (Beadman in 2011 and James Mc Donald last year... wonder who has the mount).

You're probably right about Pierro but it sure was nice to see (no disrespect).

[_ed_]

Yeah, I heard about the sale this morning. A bit sad, but I can't wait to see how she goes in the US - I think she'll be great.

I didn't know about her injury in the Oaks. Wow, that really changes everything. What I thought was the worst race of her life was actually incredibly brave.

Good question about who rides Mufhasa in Hong Kong. I have no idea! I'd love to see him do well there, but at the same time I think he's probably done enough and deserves to retire to a nice paddock somewhere soon.