Guineas week starts tomorrow in Christchurch! And I'm going there for a great week of racing and drinking, flying down there tonight.

Tomorrow is 1000 Guineas day...

Race 5
Pegasus Stakes
1000m

1 21181 Our Umaga 2 104 58.0 Kelly Myers (a) Bill Thurlow, Waverley
2 8102X Pushy Too 11 103 57.5 Chris Johnson Steven Woodsford, Balcairn
3 X7506 Clifton Prince 3 102 57.0 Andrew Calder Peter McKay, Matamata
4 118X4 O'Cartier 8 101 56.5 Noel Harris John & Karen Parsons, Balcairn
5 11X44 Volscar 12 100 56.0 Jason Waddell Vanessa & Wayne Hillis, Matamata
6 134X2 Zeddane 7 93 54.0 David Walsh Michael Pitman, Yaldhurst, Riccarton
7 1316X Thistle 1 92 53.5 Darryl Bradley Steven Prince, Wingatui
8 27X20 Squall 9 88 53.0 Ashlee Mundy Mark Walker, Rangiora
9 11X07 All My Colours (AUS) 4 82 52.5 Scratching Mike & Paul Moroney, Matamata
10 0X123 Turf Fire 10 77 52.0 Kylie Williams Michael Daly, Washdyke
11 7X923 Our Lily Belle 5 75 52.0 Craig Grylls (a) Jan Hay, Ashburton
12 73314 Please Ya Self 6 74 52.0 Maria Hayston Gary Trusttum, Kingsdown

Nice field, one of my old favs is in there - Clifton Prince. He won this race last year. He's 7 now but still looks like he's loving racing (his recent form has been in really tough fields so doesn't look that great), hope he can go another big race tomorrow.


Race 7
1000 Guineas (G1)
1 1X116 Juice 1 84 56.0 Leith Innes John Wheeler, New Plymouth
2 1X221 Daffodil 3 79 56.0 Hayden Tinsley Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge, Palmerston North
3 2411 Skirmish 12 78 56.0 Robert Hannam Adrian Bull, Hunterville
4 X8416 Awesome Planet (AUS) 14 77 56.0 Darryl Bradley Graeme Rogerson, Scott Lucock & Roydon Bergerson, Tuhikaramea, Palm Nth
5 11X86 Te Akau Coup 5 74 56.0 Noel Harris Mark Walker, Matamata, Rangiora
6 16X02 Bellalini 9 72 56.0 David Walsh Andrew Scott, Matamata
7 5X422 Glamorous Girl 10 70 56.0 Gavin McKeon Roger James & Paul Mirabelli, Cambridge
8 391 Addicted 6 69 56.0 Chris Johnson Guy Lowry, Hastings
9 4137 Elusive Order 15 69 56.0 David Walker Robert Priscott, Te Awamutu
10 02331 Polly Rocket 11 69 56.0 Renee Fraser Paul Harris, Rangiora
11 1652 Sub Prime 2 69 56.0 Kelly Myers (a) Jim Collett, Matamata
12 9X441 Ekstreme 7 68 56.0 Craig Grylls (a) Bryce Revell, New Plymouth
13 9X21 La Etoile 16 68 56.0 Andrew Calder Roger James & Paul Mirabelli, Cambridge
14 6X723 Platinum Zana (AUS) 4 68 56.0 Jason Waddell Lisa Latta, Awapuni
15 13989 Full Pitch 8 67 56.0 Ashlee Mundy Paul Harris, Rangiora
16 9453 Inferno 13 59 56.0 Kylie Williams Brian & Shane Anderton, Wingatui

Most people are saying it's Juice v Daffodil, and I'd love to see those two finish first and second. But there are so many nice fillies here, like Skirmish, Awesome Planet, Glamorous Girl, Te Akau Coup, Addicted, La Etoile...should be awesome.


Race 9
Metropolitan Trophy (G3)

1 7X003 Spin Around (AUS) 7 104 58.0 Gavin McKeon Steven Cooper, Ardmore
2 X6624 Nanjara 6 94 54.5 Darryl Bradley Lisa Latta, Awapuni
3 11372 Quantum Dude 5 94 54.5 Jason Waddell Paul Harris, Rangiora
4 5X354 Le Alto 10 93 54.5 Craig Grylls (a) Neill Ridley, Burnham
5 87351 Il Bacaro 3 90 53.5 Trudy Thornton Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
6 X8963 Of The Essence 11 88 53.0 Jay Misbah (a) Brian & Shane Anderton, Wingatui
7 2X627 Stand Tall 8 88 53.0 Paul Taylor John Wheeler, New Plymouth
8 32144 Tutusafore 4 86 52.5 David Walsh Paul Harris, Rangiora
9 4X454 Halls 2 80 52.0 Robert Hannam David Haworth, Foxton
10 33411 Senorita Smiles 9 80 52.0 Ashlee Mundy Paul Reid & Melanie Cooper, Waverley
11 35836 Gaucho 1 72 52.0 Kelly Myers (a) Kevin Hughes, Riccarton Park

Spin Around has a big weight, but I think he'll go well.


Not sure if I'll make it to an internet cafe during the week, so I'll quickly mention the other days. Wednesday is the Coupland Mile (including Fritzy Boy and Mufhasa!), and the second Saturday is the $1 million 2000 Guineas, with Fully Fledged, Altered Image, Kildonan, Moveovr, Tell A Tale and Il Quello Veloce. :eek:

FINALLY made it to an internet cafe.

1000 Guineas was won by...DAFFODIL! :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it6mx74iO08

Great race. Absolutely loved it.

Couple of pictures:





Coupland's Mile...Mufhasa!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dSwU3EErds


And my boy Clifton Prince didn't let me down, 3rd and 2nd in two stakes races this week. Good boy.

Tomorrow is the $1 million 2000 Guineas!

1 XD321 Fully Fledged 13 87 56.0 David Walsh Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
2 4X211 Tell A Tale (AUS) 5 82 56.0 Troy Harris Mark Walker, Matamata, Rangiora
3 11932 Altered Image 11 80 56.0 Michael Coleman Mike & Paul Moroney, Matamata
4 1111 Moveovr 9 80 56.0 Chris Johnson Peter & Dawn Williams, Riccarton Park
5 1X13 Kildonan (AUS) 14 78 56.0 Andrew Calder Yves Seguin, Cambridge
6 12X15 Bright Spark 7 77 56.0 Sam Spratt Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
7 0X250 Minstrel Court (AUS) 2 77 56.0 Craig Newitt Mark Walker, Matamata, Rangiora
8 10373 Blakmandu 12 70 56.0 Shannon Doyle (a) Sandy Dravitzki, New Plymouth
9 X6214 Izonit 8 69 56.0 Grant Cooksley Vanessa & Wayne Hillis, Matamata
10 31047 Perky Parrot 6 69 56.0 Gavin McKeon Grant Nicholson, Opaki
11 7X913 Six Star 1 69 56.0 Craig Grylls (a) Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
12 432 Grimalkin (AUS) 3 62 56.0 Hayden Tinsley Mandy & Matt Brown, Ngapuke
13 1X371 Il Quello Veloce 10 88 54.5 Noel Harris John Sargent, Matamata
14 X1162 Juice 4 86 54.5 Leith Innes John Wheeler, New Plymouth

I have no idea who's going to win this. I don't even know how the North boys compare with each other - Fully Fledged, Altered Image, Kildonan. How about the undefeated Southerner Moveovr? Or the fillies IQV and Juice? :confused:

Can't wait!

Ooooh nice pictures ed and thanks for the replay!

* * *

Rooting for Fully Fledged but i don't know half the field, so... :D

Do you know anything Bullet Proof? Is he okay?

Someone asked me if I'd check but i can't find anything.

Thanks in advance and good luck!

I haven't heard anything sorry, will let you know if I do.

Fully Fledged didn't get the mile in the 2000 Guineas, came 9th.

The winner was so impressive though, Tell A Tale:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2mS1qm-p6E

4 wins in 7 career races now, 3 of them stakes (the others were the Hawke's Bay Guineas and Canterbury Stakes). Mark Walker says maybe he'll go to the Derby.

And he's such a nice looking boy too:

ed, not racing related, but ye guys gave us a lesson yesterday in how to play.

Thanks for the replay!

Nice looking indeed. :)

Found something, Bullet Proof is among the living. (Surgery, will be spelled for 6 months). Thanks for looking around.

Have to admit I didn't see the game, looking at the score though it sounds like a good performance. But of course we're always good in the years between World Cups...

Michael Walker will be back riding by Christmas. :D

He's coming back to riding trials this week. Amazing recovery.

G1 Levin Classic tomorrow! A bit of a weird tradition, running this one on Friday. Everyone takes a day off work and heads off to the little town of Otaki. Weird, but awesome.

The field:

1 X2503 Minstrel Court (AUS) 11 86 56.0 Troy Harris Mark Walker, Matamata, Rangiora
2 19325 Altered Image 5 80 56.0 Michael Coleman Mike & Paul Moroney, Matamata
3 11532 Indacool 19 77 56.0 Jarrod Todd Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth
4 24832 Sherborne 16 70 56.0 David Walker Stephen Crutchley, Wanganui
5 4132 Spartanicus 13 70 56.0 Kelly Myers (a) Karen Zimmerman, Otaki
6 31 The Spaniard 18 70 56.0 Robert Hannam Adrian Bull, Hunterville
7 X2120 Fyfetheknife 3 69 56.0 Sam Spratt Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
8 X4843 Kiwi Hussler 15 69 56.0 Noel Harris John Sargent, Matamata
9 62140 Izonit 12 68 56.0 Vinnie Colgan Vanessa & Wayne Hillis, Matamata
10 42X21 Late Addition 8 68 56.0 Craig Grylls (a) Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
11 7X155 Macadamia 9 68 56.0 Patrick Bell (a) Grant Searle, Awapuni
12 32163 Spontaneous 4 68 56.0 Gavin McKeon Robert Priscott, Te Awamutu
13 60294 Merrymaker 10 67 56.0 Reese Jones Mike & Paul Moroney, Matamata
14 X4205 Siem Reap 14 67 56.0 Andrew Calder Royce Dowling & Linda Laing, Cambridge
15 31X38 Court Ruler 6 66 56.0 Leith Innes John Wheeler, New Plymouth
16 X2211 Daffodil 17 88 54.5 Hayden Tinsley Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge, Palmerston North
17 410 Tap 'N' Gap 2 66 54.5 Grant Searle, Awapuni
18 532 Phantom Storm (AUS) 7 58 56.0 Lisa Latta, Awapuni
19 3530 Sahara 1 56 54.5 Rachael Frost, Otaki

Daffodil's hard to beat here despite the wide gate.

Daffodil had a shocking trip, forget she ran.

The winner was...ALTERED IMAGE! :)

Replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbzbthAip80

He started the season undefeated and looking like he might dominate the 3yos this year, but things haven't gone well - the Levin Classic was his first win of the season.

He really deserved his G1 win though, happy for him and the Moroneys.

Thanks for the replay and yeah, nice for the connections. :)

What are the two best racecourses in New Zealand as far as quality racing and Group racing?

Much appreciated.

Ellerslie in Auckland is the best, with races like the NZ Derby (worth NZ$2.2 million) and 6 other G1 races.

It's a long way ahead, but there are some others that are as good at a certain time of year - Hastings in September/October, Riccarton in November and Trentham in January.

For lower levels, maiden races at Matamata are usually amazingly strong - lots of the main trainers are based there so the best horses often start off at their local track.

They won another G2 today with Tinseltown, looks like a top contender for the Auckland Cup in March.

Many thanks, mate.

Walker back in the winners circle... :)

http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/nz....aspx?id=37980

That was great, and that filly Santangelo looks like a nice horse.

Oh and I see you have Egyptian Ra as your avatar...Walker's riding a 3yo half-sister on Sunday, having her debut. I'll let you know how she goes.

Ooooh, let me know hoe she does!

Today was one of the early prep races for the Derby, the Avondale Guineas. No horse has won both the 2000 Guineas and Derby since Surfers Paradise in 1990. Long way to go, but would you bet against Tell A Tale doing it?

Replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDkp6M5R320

:eek:



It might be too soon to say stuff like this, but who cares - Best NZ 3yo since Xcellent. And maybe in the top 3 in the last 10 years. But I am kinda over-excited, just got back from being there at the track. :)

The supreme complement. :)

Thanks for the replay!

Zagazig (half-sister to Egyptian Ra) came 3rd in her debut today. Nice effort, might be better over a bit more distance.

Awww, thanks for the update ed.

A bit of a quiet day on Saturday, most of the top horses are waiting for Boxing Day.

Couple of G3s down at Awapuni though, and the 2000 Guineas-placed Il Quello Veloce is in the second of those. Should win too. :)

:eek:
http://www.racingandsports.com.au/ra...et_for_NZ_trip

Boxing Day at Ellerslie is one of the big days of the year. Replays:

Newmarket Handicap - Surprise win for Accardo at 20-1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja7pEvdI7Bk

Eight Carat Classic - Alagant Satin overcomes wide gate, shows she's the real deal - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Q6gGAiGtI

Great Northern Guineas - Le Baron, he'll be back at the same track for the Derby on Feb 28 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0E9250t9mQ

Zabeel Classic - 1st G1 win for tough gelding Gallions Reach - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3bIM42x7HM

Awww well that's nice anyway. :)

Will watch replays later but thanks ed!

Not a good day for Fully Fledged? Oh well...

He was 2nd in the Newmarket, really good effort actually. He was in an early speed duel, and the winner had a perfect trip just in behind them. The time was just over 1:08, not far off the track record.

Thanks ed and yeah, finally watched the replays!:D

New Year's Day...

Eclipse Stakes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr7CJvzMmPQ
Dunstan Championship - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRLqQhpH9SQ
Royal Stakes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSp68suaUPk
Rich Hill Mile (Culminate!) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUCsJLims6c
Railway (105-1 :eek: ) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpyMnF_kMe8
City Of Auckland Cup - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1daYS1JCN24

Finally watched the replays and wow... Katie Lee! :cool:

Hope you had the Railway winner. :eek: :$:

Haha, no. :( The trifecta was $179,000!

And yeah, Katie Lee was really impressive.

Happy retirement, Princess.

Oh what a beautiful picture!

Goodbye, good girl. Thanks for the memories.

* * *

I have a really stupid question for you, ed.

Why is Turffontein running in the Telegraph Handicap under the name Lord Turffontein? I mean is there a reason?

Who else is pointed? I know that TT is out but never had a clue who else was possible. :)

There's a horse registered in NZ with the same name, so they had to change it. It's something NZ horses often have to do when they go over to Australia (my favourite was when they changed a horse called Jetski to Jetskiwi).

There are some nice horses going to that race - Mufhasa, Il Quello Veloce, Altered Image, Ruud Van Slaats, Fully Fledged, and a young horse called Coup Align - he's had 7 starts for 5 wins, all of those in a row this season. He won his last one by 6 lengths in 1:08.4. He hasn't beaten much so far, but exciting horse anyway.

I love that! :D

Figured there must be a reason so thank you for explaining!

SIR SLICK WON! :eek:

Can't believe it.

I could kill Sir Slick for his performances in Australia...

Where did that come from?

I have no idea. Happy to be home I guess?

WHAT???

I'm a few days behind and this is my first stop... am I hallucinating?

:) :tro: :{>:

http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/nz....aspx?id=38714