New Zealand Racing, 2014-15

[my miss storm cat]

Noms for Rotorua are looking really good!

Read the Silent Achiever to Doomben article and, while I am so happy she's doing well, cannot quite give up the thought of her running in the Arc.

[_ed_]

It would be wonderful to see her in the Arc, but I've just got the feeling that she hasn't quite been the same horse since her close 3rd in the Cox Plate.

She gave so much that day and I think the race maybe took more out of her than was immediately obvious - she might be the same as always in her training, but she's just not running like she used to in her races.

I'd like to see her retire very soon. She's done enough.

[_ed_]

Wow, what a nice win by High Class.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Wow, what a nice win by High Class.

Have not yet watched replays but look forward to this one.

Very much liked your piece on VSB!

Good luck to The Filly (love ever horse in that field and how awesome would that be if Flying Orca won?) and to Pump Up (again, another terrific field!).

Originally Posted by _ed_

She's done enough.

Yeah, she absolutely has.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Good luck to The Filly (love ever horse in that field and how awesome would that be if Flying Orca won?) and to Pump Up (again, another terrific field!).

GOOD boy!!!

Very happy for him, for his connections and for my tvg account. Was not going to play but just did two win bets yesterday evening for the hell of it. Glad I did as went off at 8/1.

What a game horse. He sure doesn't win much but it's awfully nice when he does.

Have not yet watched the other replays... happy The Filly hit the board anyway. Was worried Platinum Witness would take it but did not expect Fascination Street to win. Will watch it a little later.

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http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...ed-to-Saturday

Mixed feelings about this. I loved having three great days to go to in that amazing week, but it's true that the crowd was always a bit disappointing on the middle day.

It does sound like they're going to make the two days bigger and better than ever, which can only be good.

[_ed_]

Whoa, a really tiring day - I think I put up nine website stories, as well as writing eight big previews for the newspaper. Exhausting! But fun.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Whoa, a really tiring day - I think I put up nine website stories, as well as writing eight big previews for the newspaper. Exhausting! But fun.

Your Rising Romance piece was especially touching.

Nice to get a Julinsky Prince update!

Will check out Get That Jive.

Funny... right as I was thinking about Iamishwara this morning I was scrolling down entries and came across his name.

In HK they award the most improved horse... do you guys have that there? I can't seem to remember...

Well if so he should win it!

Great work, ed! It made for a wonderful mornings reading.

[my miss storm cat]

Happy to read that Opie will be back on Saturday.

[my miss storm cat]

Was having a break and looked on Twitter to see if he was being talked about... found this and it's from last month but oh... I just have to post it.

“He’s rebuilt the stables, the fences and bought the groceries. He’s very special to us,” Nicola Kaye said.

On Iamishwara...

http://www.nzracing.co.nz/News/15724...ple-proud.aspx

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It's awesome what that horse has done for his people. One of the best stories of the season.

We don't have a most improved award, but I wish we did! He'd definitely be the winner this year.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

It's awesome what that horse has done for his people. One of the best stories of the season.

We don't have a most improved award, but I wish we did! He'd definitely be the winner this year.

When are the awards, anyway? Cannot seem to recall and oh what to do wih VSB in all the same categories as Mongolian Khan?

[_ed_]

The awards are in September.

I think most categories are already decided (unless Sacred Star does something special in Brisbane in a race like the Stradbroke - that could make a case for him for HOTY). But the steeplechases are over the next few months and they have to be included too.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

The awards are in September.

I think most categories are already decided (unless Sacred Star does something special in Brisbane in a race like the Stradbroke - that could make a case for him for HOTY). But the steeplechases are over the next few months and they have to be included too.

Thanks!

Oh wow Spin Doctor!!! How did I miss that?! Man he really does love Te Rapa!!! (Awfully nice ride by Alyssa Schwerin who, I have to admit, I have not heard of).

Feel a little bit bad for Jubilate... he sure has heart.

[my miss storm cat]

Will you be at Ellerslie on Saturday?

Illuminati is really such a nice horse... she just keeps on improving!

Looks like a nice little race with Flower Bomb and The Filly.

I keep hoping to see Brave Centaur... maybe he was retired (?).

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Yep, definitely going to Ellerslie! The Foal Stakes is such a nice field.

I wish I could be at Ruakaka today instead of in the office - that track is beautiful and the races have been great.

For Brave Centaur, I found this story from October: http://www.waikatostud.co.nz/default...articleid=1086

He ran 14th in that race and hasn't done anything since. I'm not sure what the story is.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Yep, definitely going to Ellerslie! The Foal Stakes is such a nice field.

I wish I could be at Ruakaka today instead of in the office - that track is beautiful and the races have been great.

For Brave Centaur, I found this story from October: http://www.waikatostud.co.nz/default...articleid=1086

He ran 14th in that race and hasn't done anything since. I'm not sure what the story is.

Thanks for that Ed. Hope he's okay wherever he is.

Thoughts on any particular horses in the Foal Stakes?

Good luck to Fried Rice... get that 2nd win! (I have not heard of Woodville)!

[_ed_]

The Foal Stakes is a hard race to analyse - so many horses are facing stakes opposition for the first time.

For my preview in the newspaper I focussed on Brighton, who's already a stakes winner in the Champagne last month so we know he's got the ability.

But I also really like High Class (daughter of Mill Duckie!), Massa Lu and Get That Jive.

Maybe even Castamere, who I haven't been that visually impressed by so far but he's done everything that's been asked of him.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

The Foal Stakes is a hard race to analyse - so many horses are facing stakes opposition for the first time.

For my preview in the newspaper I focussed on Brighton, who's already a stakes winner in the Champagne last month so we know he's got the ability.

But I also really like High Class (daughter of Mill Duckie!), Massa Lu and Get That Jive.

Maybe even Castamere, who I haven't been that visually impressed by so far but he's done everything that's been asked of him.

Aaah I cant access your article.

I thought Massa Lu looked really good in that last race (and a nice finish by Ragnaar).

Will have to check out the rest.

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Good luck to Fried Rice... get that 2nd win! (I have not heard of Woodville)!

13th (of 15th)!

(I thought Jump For Joy won)...

[my miss storm cat]

Just watched (after reading about) the trial with Zarzuela's daughter, Serious Satire, and have to say... aside from looking forward to seeing her race (along with the 2nd place Iffraaj gelding), that is awesome watching trials with all the sheep in the background.

(Sorry. I never get to see any sheep and am easily excited by such things).