New Zealand racing coming to America on November 6th...

commingled pools

That's great news. Just in time for the 1000/2000 Guineas week down south, which starts on November 8.

Bad thing is that we are only doing Friday meetings to start, I would like to talk to you about some of the horses/tracks at some point though. I know nothing about it.

That's a bit disappointing. It means you'll get none of the city tracks, just some minor country races. Hopefully it will quickly become more extensive.

Something I didn't think to ask (was only just out of bed, not the most alert), you meant Friday NZ time, right?

Friday US time would be Saturdays here, which would be slightly better quality racing. Stuff like both Guineas races, the big Wellington January meeting, then the Derby on Feb 28...

Not much to report in NZ racing today...the two stakes races were won by Agamemnon (4 wins in 6 career starts now, nice horse) and O'Ceirin's Angel.

The highlight of the day for most NZ racing fans was seeing our boy Alamosa win a G1 in Melbourne. :D

Oh wow nice!

Didn't think he had a chance and just now catching up on results.

On to the Cox Plate?

The trainer said probably not, they're thinking about the Emirates at Flemington instead.

Probably a good idea, I think he struggles going further than a mile.

Any idea where Izzat / Vital King finished yesterday ed?

Having trouble finding it!

No good :( 8.9 lengths behind the winner.

They're not sure about his racing future at the moment.

Not good.

Thanks ed.

We North Islanders don't usually give much respect to South Island horses but they've got a really nice horse at the moment, a son of Postponed called Moveovr. He's 4-for-4 after winning their main prep race for the 2000 Guineas and he looks like a real contender in the big one this year (the 2000 Guineas is run on their island, so I guess it's fair!)

Here's a replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXTHpsIe1wc

Couple of real nice performances today, both from Roger James. His stable is so stacked at the moment.

La Etoile was the first, hit the lead early in the stretch and won being eased by 5 - I reckon she's good enough for the 1000 Guineas, but that's only 2 weeks away now so they're going to struggle to get the earnings to get her in.

Then a boy called Jungle Boots came out in his debut and came from last place to win by 2. He was going so fast the caller George Simon cracked up laughing when he suddenly appeared! Derby.

Couple of nice young horses to look out for. :)

Haha, awesome.

It's Labour Day weekend, so 3 awesome days of racing ahead. :D It's the last preps for the 2000 Guineas in Northern, Central and Southern NZ.

Saturday is Central - the Wellington Guineas at Trentham. Featuring the outstanding filly Juice, as well as Minstrel Court, Perky Parrot, All In Brawl and Santorielli.

Sunday is Southern - Canterbury Stakes at Riccarton Park, same track as the 2000 Guineas. So Hawke's Bay Guineas winner Tell A Tale has gone down early to have a look at the track. Should win this race, especially since the best Southern 3yo Moveovr is skipping the race.

And it's the North on Monday - Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa. 2 undefeated horses - Kildonan and Islington Bay. Also Altered Image. Best race of the weekend. :)

It was a big day at Trentham today, but the weather was terrible so it was a really bad track. :(

The racing was still good though.

First up was the Wellesley Stakes, the first stakes race for 2yos. Hollows looks a very nice colt, 2-for-2 now and Wheeler rates him highly.

Replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-R6nACJzB0


Then the Wellington Guineas, a race that is usually a major prep for the 2000 Guineas but so many horses skipped it this time because of the track and a lot of the horses that did run struggled in the ground (Juice, Minstrel Court, The Diamond Knight to name a few).

But you shouldn't take anything away from the filly Skirmish, who beat the boys and beat them well. She's heading for the 1000 Guineas now and is a serious chance in that.

Replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guyuuvsuzoI


Then the G1 Captain Cook, again the race was badly damaged by the weather with lots of good horses pulling out and Fritzy Boy toiling in the slop in coming 5th. But it was so good to see the old bloke Dezigna finally win a G1 after finishing 2nd or 3rd in 9 G1s before! I understand they might retire him now, nice way to go out if they do.

Replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFomQ0uOFNM

Pretty good day overall, despite the weather. 2 weeks til Guineas week!

Tell A Tale only just got up in the Canterbury Stakes, but it was still an impressive effort - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt6ir1K9XuU

I was wrong to write off Fully Fledged after a couple of bad efforts. He was huge today in the Sarten Memorial, against the best 3yo field all year. Altered Image 2nd, Kildonan 3rd.

Replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKiCcMA2n-Y

I think he could probably get a mile, so he's a big chance in the 2000 Guineas.

Thanks for the link!

Looking GOOD! :)