Fantastic! Thank you for posting that.

It's raining. :(

It shouldn't matter for Jimmy - he's won four times on off tracks, including the G1 2000 Guineas. But it will make it a bigger test of stamina. I hope he can do it.

Oh crap I hope so too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJpZVWTG3Lg

By the way, Banchee was scratched because the track was so wet.

Hahahaha yea!!!

Jimmy!!!

Oh my God you scared the hell out of me cause I purposely didn't look at any news... I wanted to hear it from you and by your post I thought oh no... Jimmy couldn't do it and wonder who beat him. :confused:

Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :tro:

So exciting and so happy and yea for Historian cause what a nice run and very very impressed with On the Level!

Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :cool:

I was so worried about halfway down the stretch. Historian and On The Level were gaining on him so quickly! But then he accelerated again and the crowd went crazy. One of the best Derby wins I've seen!

He was amazing.

Hey what happened in the race with (I'm going to spell this wrong) Hezakamakazi?

Forgot to ask... I was thinking about Military Move and the Derby last year and there was a race that Vosne Romanee won right around the same time (unless I've lost my mind).

Do you know what I'm talking about (sorry! :D) and if so is that one coming up?

Military Move is running tonight... forgot to post that on HK!!!

It's a nice field with Soviet Pearl, Jamesina and Sapelli. Not stellar but they're nice horses.

He's got Beadman up (who really gave him his best ride over there - he was 2nd that time).

He can (and kinda should) win!

Wow, great! Thanks for telling me. I had no idea. I usually watch HK races anyway when I get home from work on Sundays, but I'll definitely be watching tonight!

Yeah, Vosne Romanee won the NZ Stakes. This is the biggest week of racing in Auckland every year - three huge racedays on Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday.

Wednesday is Auckland Cup day, with that G1 handicap race and two other listed races - the Sunline Vase and Westbury Classic.

And the second Saturday has the G1 NZ Stakes for older horses and the G1 Diamond Stakes for 2yos (which Banchee won last year!), as well as a listed 3yo sprint race.

So there's still lots to look forward to here this week! It's great that it doesn't all stop after the Derby.

He didn't like the wet track, I think. Dropped out down the stretch.

Solid Billing won the race. It was a great finish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIvOjhOMmKI

The G3 Darley Plate was a great race too - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyrDDuESpM0

I've decided to follow your example in having a Jimmy avatar. Mine is at about the moment I started jumping up and down in the stands yesterday.

I love yours... I was looking for that kinda picture!

It took me years to take off my Hendrix tag line and I mean I wanted to keep Rakti as my avatar... you know why... but once Jimmy won it was like how about something really happy instead of being heartsick with every post. I will never forget either and I know you will always remember beautiful Sunline as well but yeah... we honor them in our hearts so it's okay to celebrate the stunning Derby winner and anyone else really. :)

I cannot imagine being there.

Half a world away it took my breath away watching him on the replay. I'd have had a heart attack!

Thanks for the Heza Kamakazi (sp?!) news and wow those were fantastic races!

Exciting week! I'm glad it didn't all end with the Derby.

Can't wait to see who is in what race.

What next for Banchee and when is the Oaks? Will Dating be there?

Sorry for all the questions! I can find out what horses had a swim in HK in 3 seconds and finding this kind of news takes me ******* forever! :eek: :D

The Oaks is on March 19. King's Rose is the favourite for that - Banchee's second favourite, and I think Dating is fourth favourite behind another filly called Midnight Oil that's looked quite good in her last couple.

The field for Wednesday's Auckland Cup:

24747 Capecover 14 106 57.0 David Walker Kevin Myers, Wanganui
41388 Tinseltown 18 104 56.5 Craig Grylls Michael Moroney & Andrew Clarken, Matamata
01003 Mr Tipsy 17 102 55.0 James McDonald (a) Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
47427 Six O'Clock News 16 102 55.0 Leith Innes Trent Busuttin, Cambridge
12162 Titch 3 101 54.5 Opie Bosson Kevin Myers, Wanganui
49901 Solid Billing 19 102 54.0 Chad Ormsby Craig Ritchie, Pukekohe Park
18191 Showcause 15 101 53.0 Darryl Bradley Frank Ritchie, Cambridge
52210 Cassini 20 96 52.0 Sam Spratt Mark Oulaghan, Awapuni
63076 Castle Heights 6 94 52.0 Lisa Allpress Donna, Dean Logan & Chris Gibbs, Ruakaka
89103 Fazza 13 94 52.0 Jason Collett (a) Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
44811 Roi d'jeu 4 94 51.0 Craig Williams Shaune Ritchie, Cambridge
88244 Can't Keeper Down 8 90 51.0 Noel Harris Lisa Latta, Awapuni
11572 Innocent Lady 11 90 51.0 Glen Boss Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
72625 Trilogy 21 89 51.0 Tasha Collett Lester Morris, Rangiora
00403 Tin Goose 7 88 51.0 Trudy Thornton Donna, Dean Logan & Chris Gibbs, Ruakaka
66800 Zabene 1 88 51.0 David Walsh Stephen McKee, Ardmore
12369 He's Under The Gun 10 86 51.0 Robert Hannam Michael Moroney & Andrew Clarken, Matamata
33104 Payback 12 80 51.0 Nick Duin, Pukekohe
76046 Mr Zatopek 5 76 51.0 Francis Finnegan, Woodville

just as a quick aside Ed, my friend was at the Derby in ellerslie and met the legend that is Dan Carter there - lovely win by Jimmy, Oz and beyong beckons for him?

The Auckland TB Cup is being run tonight and can be listened at the link below.
mms://dragons.catalyst.net.nz/trackside-radio

Thanks, ed.

Wow that was some finish with Titch and Solid Billing the other day ... they're coming back fast! (I'm sure there are others who ran over the weekend but those two kinda stood out with that finish)!

Good luck to Six O'Clock News (I love him and always end up jinxing him, damnit!) and to He's Under the Gun (who might have a chance?).

(Oh and to Cassini (good girl) and to Titch cause of that frustrating loss the other day!).

Showcause wins like every other race, right? :D

I think Roi de Jeu wins here.

Come home safe everyone.

Kevin Myers-trained Titch turned the tables on Showcause to win the $1 million Stella Artois Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie today.
http://tvnz.co.nz/othersports-news/t...nd-cup-4052470

Sorry your friend didn't get to see Ellerslie at its best. It was pretty bleak on Saturday, but it's an amazing place on a sunny day.

Yeah, Jimmy's off to Australia now for the Rosehill Guineas on March 26 and then the AJC Derby. Apparently they might look at the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot after that. Big call! I think he's good enough to compete on the world stage and win some big races overseas, but I couldn't be confident with him against the likes of Goldikova. But I love their ambition and faith in their horse, who is a truly sensational athlete.

Here's a replay of the Auckland Cup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXMoa_sJ64Y

Opie was quite happy!


And I loved this race, the Sunline Vase for 3yo fillies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD85tEKZgWw

It was so good to see her finally win her first stakes race. She's been placed three times behind King's Rose and once behind Smoulder. It was her turn.

Wow Opie had an amazing day!

Cheers to Annie and whoaTitch (and apologies cause I thought he was a she haha)! What a nice win and Showcause... wow talk about flying at the end!

Thanks for replays. Where was Six O'Clock news?

Jimmy will kill them at Ascot!

They noticed on Tuesday that Six O'Clock News had an elevated temperature, so they decided not to risk him in the race. I think they're looking at some races in Australia with him now.

I hope you're right about Jimmy! But he has to show the Australians how good he is first. I can't wait. March 26 feels a long way away.

Sad that Derby week 2011 is almost over, but wow, the fields for tomorrow are fantastic.

Mr Tiz Trophy

7050X Fiddler 11 73 56.0 Reese Jones Tony Gillies, Matamata
3020X Upsala 6 73 56.0 Paul Taylor Kenny & Lisa Rae, Ruakaka
08117 Charma 16 80 55.5 Mark Sweeney Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
13547 Marcello 13 76 55.5 Sam Spratt Peter McKay, Matamata
54203 Hammer Down 10 75 55.5 Leith Innes Stephen McKee, Ardmore
07404 Sweet Suitor 7 73 55.5 Chad Ormsby Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea
X6721 Extra Explosive 15 74 54.5 Matthew Cameron Andrew Scott, Matamata
165X1 Magic Briar 12 79 54.0 Opie Bosson Ken & Bev Kelso, Matamata
11011 Starguru 14 78 54.0 Mark Du Plessis Patrick Campbell, Hastings
42282 Cool Storm 5 77 54.0 Craig Grylls Stephen McKee, Ardmore
53115 Goldminer 3 76 54.0 James McDonald (a) Shaune Ritchie, Cambridge
11582 Three Wishes 17 76 54.0 Michelle Wenn Danica Guy, Matamata
110 Koe 2 74 54.0 Danielle Johnson (a) Brett McDonald, Cambridge
X1165 Mygoodgrace 9 73 54.0 Jason Collett (a) Donna, Dean Logan & Chris Gibbs, Ruakaka
2125 Viva Roma 8 69 54.0 Bruce Wallace, Takanini
46X41 State Of Elation 4 69 55.5 Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
X8752 She's Prestigious 1 68 54.0 Bruce Wallace, Takanini


Diamond Stakes (G1)

15421 Antonio Lombardo 3 80 56.0 Sam Spratt Peter McKay, Matamata
45361 Fort Lincoln 7 80 56.0 Jonathan Riddell Lisa Latta, Awapuni
15351 Savabill 4 79 56.0 Hayden Tinsley John Sargent, Matamata
411 Shuka 10 76 56.0 Vinnie Colgan Peter & Dawn Williams, Riccarton Park
121X3 Bespoke 12 74 56.0 Leith Innes Jason Bridgman, Matamata
X5382 Chateauneuf Dupape 6 70 56.0 James McDonald (a) John Sargent, Matamata
13 Distill 8 70 56.0 Robert Hannam Roydon Bergerson, Awapuni
6614 Duckworth Lewis 9 69 56.0 Derek Nolan Leo Molloy, Byerley Park
31 Soul Commander 11 68 56.0 Chad Ormsby Jason Bridgman, Matamata
2210 Release Me 2 67 56.0 Jason Collett (a) Stephen McKee, Ardmore
2311 Anabandana 5 80 54.5 Opie Bosson Don Sellwood, Cambridge
71685 Miss Upstart 1 70 54.5 Mark Du Plessis Graham Richardson, Matamata


NZ Stakes (G1)

42301 Red Ruler 8 110 59.0 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
08320 Sir Slick 4 106 59.0 Samantha Collett Graeme Nicholson, Te Aroha
08707 Vosne Romanee 1 106 59.0 Hayden Tinsley Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
06412 Zara Dancer 2 88 59.0 Mark Sweeney Bruce Wallace, Takanini
34243 Sharp Princess 9 98 57.0 Sam Spratt Fraser Auret, Marton
16131 The Party Stand 6 93 57.0 Opie Bosson Roger James, Cambridge
05131 Our Ella Belle 10 90 57.0 James McDonald (a) Steven Ramsay & Julia Ritchie, Maungatautari
20025 Dawn Ghost 3 88 57.0 Jonathan Riddell John Sargent, Matamata
09453 Adaline 5 84 57.0 Craig Grylls Stephen McKee, Ardmore
12998 My My Maree 7 72 57.0 Vinnie Colgan Moira Murdoch & Dominic Olson, Waiuku

Wow, big news:
http://thoroughbrednews.com.au/inter....aspx?id=51871

All three were great, great races.

Mr Tiz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye5yA_CxbNc
Diamond: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc00O8ggoAw
NZ Stakes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoCgVPPW36s

Those were fantastic, ed. Just what I needed to see.

Am I hallucinating or was that Upsala finishing 4th (???!!!)?

There is nothing like watching Sir Slick. I don't care where he finishes... it's just like being on happy pills or something and God that sounds idiotic but...

Great races. :tro:

He did! :) I thought you would like that. And apart from the winner (who I think is a very special horse and a future G1 winner) I thought his performance was the best in the race.

I wonder where he goes next. :)

What's going on this weekend?

There's got to be something good!

It's the Oaks! :D

11114 King's Rose 11 90 56.0 Opie Bosson Jason Bridgman, Matamata
25815 Dating 5 84 56.0 Hayden Tinsley Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea
10101 Midnight Oil 4 84 56.0 Rosie Myers (a) Paul Duncan, Cambridge
17375 Zennista 22 83 56.0 Darryl Bradley Lisa Latta, Awapuni
43231 Annie Higgins 20 80 56.0 Michael Coleman Lance Noble, Matamata
21153 I Gotta Feeling 21 78 56.0 Lisa Allpress John Wheeler, New Plymouth
32004 Blinding 13 77 56.0 Noel Harris Dick & Chris Bothwell, Stratford
13336 L'Amour 6 77 56.0 Robert Hannam Lisa Latta, Awapuni
13911 Savanah Rush 10 77 56.0 Jason Collett (a) Arron Tata, Cambridge
11662 Chennai 9 76 56.0 Jonathan Riddell John Sargent, Matamata
21113 Classy Matter 15 76 56.0 Daniel Stackhouse (a) Kevin Hughes, Riccarton Park
13628 Insurgent 8 75 56.0 Matthew Cameron Roger James, Cambridge
51401 Chaparral Lass 1 74 56.0 Cameron Lammas Lance Noble, Matamata
44118 Double Image 17 74 56.0 Buddy Lammas John Wheeler, New Plymouth
31031 Highly Delighted 16 74 56.0 Samantha Collett Jenny Scott, Cambridge
71523 Run To The Bank 19 74 56.0 Leith Innes Stephen Marsh, Cambridge
42212 Mai Karamea 3 70 56.0 Chris Johnson Gary Alton, Cambridge
87783 Red Horizon 7 70 56.0 Trudy Thornton Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
20661 Lasswade 18 69 56.0 Francis Finnegan, Woodville
51947 Dolmabache 2 67 56.0 Steven Ramsay & Julia Ritchie, Maungatautari

Mr Choux arriving in Sydney...

Great picture!

So in the Oaks is it just a question of who comes home behind King's Rose?

Good luck to her, to Dating, and to Annie.

(Oh to all of them). :)

Yeah, I think so.

The weather forecast was bad a couple of days ago, and she doesn't like wet tracks, so I was a bit worried. But it's fine down there today and the track is dry, so I think she should win.

Annie might be the hardest to beat - she's getting good at the right time.

Can't wait to see the replay. :)

I'm looking forward to seeing the replay.

Found the headline but I don't now where KIng's Rose finished.

Are you disappointed? Not sure if the winner was soooo good that well... just waiting to hear your take.

Sorry for the late reply - I was at my sister's birthday party last night and stayed the night at her place.

The Oaks was a messy race. There was lots of interference down the stretch, and it seemed that all the best chances got in each other's way. Dating, King's Rose and Annie Higgins were all very unlucky. The winner was well ridden and was lucky to avoid that carnage, but she did run an impressive race as well.

I'm at work now, but I'll post the replay when I get home.

Ed you're not allowed to have a life, you need to be here 24/7. :p

Hope you had a nice time with your sister and yeah I had wondered what happened with the race for that outcome.

Cheers to the winner, of course, but still just surprised!

Thanks, yeah, it was a really nice evening. My sister is probably my best friend as well, so I always love spending time with her.

Here's the Oaks replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vam1TA4ND6M

http://thoroughbrednews.com.au/sprin....aspx?id=52080 :D

:) :tro:

Jimmy's the favourite now for the Guineas. :)
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/...-1226026998231

Dear Jimmy,

Whilst I know the race hasn't run yet I'd like to offer my early congratulations on a spectacular win. :) :D :tro:

Did you see that?

I will try to find a replay.