New Zealand Racing 2013-14

[_ed_]

Yeah, it's sounding a bit dramatic! Hope it doesn't hit before I go home from work tonight...

Anyway, the rest of the Oaks fillies:


MISS MOSSMAN
Mossman – Dane Promise
18:2-2-2

2nd Lowland Stakes (G3)
5th Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (G2)
7th New Zealand 1000 Guineas (G1)

Trained by John Sargent, who came so close to winning this race with Quintessential a couple of years ago. But this filly doesn’t seem to be quite on the same level as her, although she’s coming into this race on the back of the strongest performance of her career to date – a solid-closing second to Oaks favourite Miss Selby in the Lowland. Distance shouldn’t be a problem.


SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
Fast ‘N’Famous – Pin Up
6:2-1-1

4th Sunline Vase (G3)

Probably the best of the Waikato Stud trio. A couple of very classy performances in lower grades, followed by a second to Moozoon at New Plymouth and a fast-finishing fourth in the Sunline. I really like this filly, but I’m not sure if she’s quite ready for a G1.


THE FIRE INSIDE
Sir Percy – Burning Desire
7:2-1-2

3rd Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (G2)
12th New Zealand Derby (G1)

Ran the first bad race of her career in the NZ Derby last time, 14 lengths behind Puccini. She’s better than that, and she might prove it here – if the Derby run didn’t take too much out of her.


HOT ROD
Pentire – Little Deuce Coupe
12:2-2-1

3rd Sunline Vase (G3)
7th Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (G2)
7th Championship Stakes (G2)
10th Desert Gold Stakes (G3)

Coming into this race on the back of a career-best effort in the Sunline at big odds. Her race there was unexpectedly good, and it’s hard to know whether it was a fluke or we should expect more of the same in the Oaks. Either way, stamina shouldn’t be an issue for her.



FAR FETCHED
Pins – Beyond
5:1-1-2

3rd Lowland Stakes (G3)
7th Desert Gold Stakes (G3)

She was disappointing in her first stakes try in the Desert Gold, but took a huge step forward in the Lowland. She could be getting good at the right time.



QUEENOFTHEAMAZON
Savabeel – Thalestris
4:1-0-0

No stakes races

Only a maiden win to her name from four starts so far, so has a huge step up here. But she’s trained by Stephen McKee, who won an Oaks with Boundless. Moozoon looks the more likely filly of his two this year, though.



TIARA
O’Reilly – Royal Lady
7:1-1-1

No stakes races

Granddaughter of G1 Auckland Cup winner Royal Tiara, she’s another filly whose only win has been in maiden grade. This is a whole lot harder.


ZANOTTI
Strategic Image – Goody Two Shoes
10:1-2-3

3rd Soliloquy Stakes (L)
5th Sunline Vase (G3)

Showed promise earlier in the season, with a stakes placing behind Spellbinder in the Soliloquy, but she hasn’t quite developed from there as much as they might have hoped. Sunline effort was OK, but she’s going to have to improve on that.



EYEFUL TOWER
Le Bec Fin – Aeon Triana
6:0-1-2

10th Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic

Hasn’t won a race yet, even in maiden grade, so seems unlikely to be a major factor in this race.


Gotta say I'm liking Include more and more with the increasing prospect of Lusi having an impact.

[my miss storm cat]

Happy Oaks Day, ed, and thank you for all of this!

Hope you nail it and that all the girls come home safe.

Great fields today (very excited for the 7th and 8th races especially) but if I start wishing luck will be here all day.

[_ed_]

Miss Mossman?!

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Miss Mossman?!

Really??!! Okay I'm surprised!

I just watched the replay with Zurella (aaaah I wanted her to win) and wow Natuzzi! That was awesome! Was rooting for Antonio but wow that a super nice win.

Cannot wait to see the Oaks replay but am having a problem with the site now damnit so hopefully soon...

Yeah I am surprised though but good for her and huge congrats to her people.

[my miss storm cat]

Just watched it and glad Chop Chop got 4th.

Actually the one I was going to post as who I'd probably bet and forgot to was the last place finisher.

Well good for the Miss Mossman and for Miss Selby as well.

Just so not the way I thought that race would play out!

[_ed_]

Even three days later, I’m still having trouble believing what I saw in the Oaks! I didn’t rate Miss Mossman very highly at all, but she came out and destroyed them! Three and a half lengths, and the fastest Oaks since 2004. Just stunning! Incredible.

I had a look back through her past races. There are a lot of really bad races there, but a few good ones too – she won her maiden by nine and a half lengths, and her other win was by more than three. So when she’s good, she’s really good.

Just hope she decides to be good a bit more often from now on. Cos there’s no doubt she was the best horse on Saturday. No excuses for any of the others. She was just better than them. So I hope it’s not a fluke!

[my miss storm cat]

I did the same and went back to watch a few of her races and am still just completely blown away.

Yes, I hope she continues to be THIS good!

I have not seen anything on Final Touch and am hoping for the best as I know you are. Hope this is a good sign.

Let me know how Pinzaara and Archie are doing and what is coming up in the next week or two when and if you can!