Actually, now he isn't: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/horserac...102-19d1i.html

:(
At least it's only a minor injury, and he'll be back later in the season.

King's Rose is still considered a big Derby chance, but her trainer said she's more likely to go for the Oaks. I don't think any filly in NZ can beat her in that, so that's a safe target.

Jimmy Choux is back in the picture after his awesome win last week. I'm still not convinced he'll get the Derby distance, but he's obviously got the ability.

And there are a few impressive maiden winners around who haven't stepped up to stakes class yet.

It's an exciting year!

Oh man I wasn't expecting that. :confused:

At least he'll be back though.

See that's why I wasn't sure about Jimmy cause even after that last win with the scare I didn't know if he was still pointed to it or what.

A very exciting year!

Not that you don't have anything better to do but some day can you fill me in? Atapi... what was his best win and when?

Why did I not know his name?!

I watched that replay again and sure he may not have been the best horse in the race but he sure is a fighter. :)

Atapi has actually never really had any big wins - his best was a listed race in Brisbane called the Falvelon. That was his only stakes win.

He's had 64 starts for 11 wins, 8 seconds and 9 thirds.

He's been second or third in all these big races:
G1 Railway Stakes 2011
G1 Railway Stakes 2010
G1 Telegraph Handicap 2009
G1 Otaki WFA 2009
G2 Sir Byrne Hart Stakes (AUS) 2008
G2 Grand Prix Stakes (AUS) 2005
G3 Higgins Challenge Stakes 2005
G3 Eclipse Stakes 2004

Pretty impressive and figures cause I usually end up being a big fan of the ones who don't actually win the big races but who come oh so close. :)

No stakes races in NZ this weekend.

But there is one interesting runner - Starcheeka. This guy only won a maiden race as a 2-year-old, and hasn't yet raced at 3, but is only 15-1 in early betting for the Derby. Some people obviously like him a lot! I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes.

And speaking of the Derby, since there are no stakes fields to look through this week, have a look at the early entries for the 2011 Derby here: http://www.nzracing.co.nz/Meetings/Meeting.aspx/38383

You can find more information on each runner by hovering the mouse and then clicking profile. But don't do that for all of them - there are 231! It would take you all day.

So many good horses there. Eight weeks to go!

Oh this is cool!

Thanks for the link and please post a replay of this guy after the race so we can see what the fuss is about! :D

I know! :)

I was wondering how Starcheeka did and also those 231 names.... either I'm blanking out and passing it by every time I look or am not seeing Upsalas name there. :confused:

In thinking about it I just realized I haven't seen his name mentioned at all since he was last in that race that Jimmy won (back at the beginning of November?).

Ummm any news on him or on our good Sir these days?

How is Xcellent doing?

Don't worry you don't need to answer all at once... just who I'm thining of so when you have time... :)

Thanks ed!

Starcheeka was 4th. It was an okay run. He was blocked for a while early in the stretch, but didn't really accelerate when he got clear. I might post a replay later if you want to see it.

I think they decided Upsala found a mile too far after he dropped out so badly in that race, so I guess they're not even gonna try for the Derby. He was in the published works this week, but it looked like a pretty slow gallop, so he might not be back for a while.

Sir Slick is still going, the poor guy. His last start was the 18th of December, when he was 8th. His career record now is 133:22-20-15. Sad when you think he got to 20 wins before he had 100 starts. He's had enough. :(

I haven't heard about Xcellent for a while, but the last thing I did hear was that he was loving being the star of the show at a place called the Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge. They have a few good retired geldings living there (and one great one!), and they parade them sometimes. I really should go and see him there.

Thanks and yeah you really should go there!

133?

My heart sank when I saw that number.

Yeah, poor guy. :(

In better news - Miss Lee is on her way back! She was second to Mufhasa in a trial on 21 December, and won a 1150m trial late last week by 3 lengths in 1:08.28! :D

Alright Katie! :)

Corey Brown will ride her in the Telegraph on Jan 22 (Opie can't get down to the weight).

Sorry for Opie but that's a pretty good choice, isn't it?

I don't know... I like Corey. :)

(Was he the rider for Monaco Consul when he won the Derby?)

Yeah, that's right.

It's probably a good choice. He's definitely a great rider. But I think owners are sometimes just a bit too quick to call jockeys over from Australia. Some really good NZ jockeys will be sitting on the bench for this race.

But Katie is their horse, and I'm sure Corey will ride her brilliantly.

You've got a great point that I'm embarrassed for not thinking of.

Aaah well.

I saw this and thought of you.

They need to offer you this position!

http://www.thoroughbrednews.com.au/i....aspx?id=50868

Haha, that would be a great job!

Again there's not much stakes racing this weekend.

But there's this VERY interesting 3yo field tomorrow:

1 211 Historian 5 74 57.0 Chad Ormsby Tony Pike & Mark Donoghue, Cambridge
2 99652 Banchee 7 84 56.5 James McDonald (a) John Sargent, Matamata
3 73123 Yin Yang Master (AUS) 4 76 56.0 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
4 721 Powerplaya 6 68 56.0 Michael Coleman Ken & Bev Kelso, Matamata
5 19 Green Manner (AUS) 2 67 56.0 Vinnie Colgan Yves Seguin, Cambridge
6 5X115 Our Squeezer (AUS) 3 74 55.5 Sam Spratt Stephen McKee, Ardmore
7 42110 Born To Rock (AUS) 8 73 55.5 Leith Innes Stephen McKee, Ardmore
8 3441 Western Star 1 68 54.5 Samantha Collett Tony Cole, Te Kauwhata

Lots of Derby contenders here. I like Banchee (they haven't decided if they're going to the Derby with her or not yet), Historian and Yin Yang Master. I have to respect Powerplaya too - he won a maiden by 5 lengths last start.

I feel stupid cause Banchee is the only name i know here! :eek: :wf

Go Banchee! :D

That's not stupid at all - it's a field full of runners who, apart from Banchee, are really only just starting their careers.

Historian has had 3 starts for 2 wins and a second. Our Squeezer and Born To Rock has won twice. Western Star, Powerplaya and Green Manner have only won maidens.

The only one you might have seen before is Yin Yang Master, who was 3rd behind Jimmy Choux in the G2 Guineas on Boxing Day. But he was a distant 3rd, and I think most people were too busy watching Jimmy powering ahead to see who was filling the placings!

Banchee wins!

YEA!!!!! :)

Cant wait for a replay!!!!!

She knew exactly where that finish line was! :)

Great to see her win.:tro:

The Telegraph is this weekend, right (finally!)?

Can you post the field when you have it?

Thanks!

Wanna see who Katie is gonna beat.

It is this Saturday! A great field.

1 12X01 Swift Alliance (AUS) 10 113 59.5 Gai Waterhouse, Randwick
2 16341 First Command (AUS) 24 111 58.5 Lee Freedman, Rye
3 03052 Bulginbaah 3 108 57.0 Catherine Wilson, Wanganui
4 730X6 Mufhasa 20 107 56.5 Stephen McKee, Ardmore
5 61914 Coup Align 9 106 56.5 Lisa Allpress Michael Pitman, Yaldhurst, Riccarton
6 72739 Vonusti 15 104 55.0 Tim & Margaret Carter, Cambridge
7 0X812 Atapi 12 103 54.5 Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
8 08223 Stupendous 16 103 54.5 Kevin Myers, Wanganui
9 00X18 Monton (AUS) 14 101 53.5 Tim Martin, Rosehill
10 12201 Elcee's Gold 4 99 53.0 Margaret Loveday, Trentham
11 X3197 Katie Lee 5 99 53.0 Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea
12 15X57 Pinsoir 1 98 52.5 Paul Duncan, Cambridge
13 03343 Tip The Wink 21 98 52.5 Mike Breslin, Awapuni
14 00650 Beautiful Girl 22 96 52.5 Yves Seguin, Cambridge
15 24801 Miss Raggedy Ann 2 100 52.0 Tasha Collett Andrew Scott, Matamata
16 X1215 Celeris 18 95 52.0 Craig Grylls Leo Molloy, Byerley Park
17 10021 Eileen Dubh 6 95 52.0 Francis Finnegan, Woodville
18 1X132 Twilight Savings 8 85 51.0 Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
19 34410 Ego 19 95 52.0 Ben Foote, Byerley Park
20 X1401 Hinemoa 23 90 51.0 Michael Moroney & Andrew Clarken, Matamata
21 53P13 Riomoral 17 90 51.0 Karyn McQuade, Matamata
22 4X172 Mae Jinx 13 86 51.0 Michael Moroney & Andrew Clarken, Matamata
23 21352 Balaq 7 85 51.0 Kevin Myers, Wanganui
24 54158 Redessi 11 84 51.0 Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu


This is a great field as well, the G3 Wellington Stakes:

1 21101 Jimmy Choux 4 94 56.0 Jonathan Riddell John Bary, Hastings
2 16125 He's Remarkable 11 84 56.0 Matthew Cameron Roger James, Cambridge
3 93121 Jetset Lad 9 79 56.0 John Wheeler, New Plymouth
4 36122 Sadist 5 76 56.0 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
5 41X14 Faxed 6 74 56.0 Lisa Allpress Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth
6 21 Langdon 1 69 56.0 Chad Ormsby Karen Zimmerman, Otaki
7 100X4 Starcheeka 2 69 56.0 Stephen McKee, Ardmore
8 24308 Anotherchancetaken 10 68 56.0 Garry & Steven Barlow, Woodville
9 74229 Santos 12 68 56.0 John & Karen Parsons, Balcairn
10 00610 Ducati 7 67 56.0 Robert Hannam Garry & Steven Barlow, Woodville
11 44 Between The Beats 13 55 56.0 Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
12 2120P Keenly 8 69 54.5 Robert Priscott & Clayton Chipperfield, Te Awamutu
13 44483 Fastnet Lady 3 68 54.5 Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu


And Doctor Fremantle will make his NZ debut in the G3 Trentham Stakes:

1 0X00X Doctor Fremantle (GB) 10 103 59.0 Hugh Bowman Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
2 95247 Six O'Clock News 6 100 59.0 Trent Busuttin, Cambridge
3 40366 Zabene 8 93 59.0 Stephen McKee, Ardmore
4 03581 Crocodile Canyon 1 87 59.0 Hayden Tinsley Howie Mathews, Otaki
5 0X847 Dandaad 9 78 59.0 Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
6 97210 Veloce Bella 7 103 57.0 James McDonald (a) Mark Brosnan, Matamata
7 34X33 Mill Duckie 3 100 57.0 Tasha Collett Richard Collett, Pukekohe Park
8 22929 Soph 2 100 57.0 Kevin Myers, Wanganui
9 X2214 Infinite Way 4 80 57.0 Yves Seguin, Cambridge
10 4X126 Arakti 5 68 52.0 Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge

Oh my God are you kidding me???

These fields are amazing!!!!!

How do you people over there even bet on these with so many great horses in each one?

Mind boggling.

Okay here we go.

Good luck to...

Jimmy!
Katy!
Atapi!
Arakti!

and...

He's Remarkable, Twilight Savings, Mufhasa of course, Bulginbaah, Vonusti, Eileen Dubh, Ego, Six O'Clock News, Veloce Bella, all the MIke Moroney runners...

Is that it?

I'm probably leaving someone out. :D

(Sadist is a great name).

All you would need is for Sir Slick and Upsala to be entered and I swear I'd want to jump on a plane...:)

Are you going? Sorry for forgetting what track this is at!

Ummm Sistah, are you living in the future? Says post was at 9:20 something and it's only 8:30 here, and yes I have the forum set to my time zone...:p

I just noticed that too. We all are!!! :D

I am! It's at Trentham, which is down in Wellington - about a 1hr flight. I've never been to Trentham before, so it's exciting!

Um, the next few days will be tiring.

I'm getting up at 7am tomorrow to have breakfast with friends before we go to the Big Day Out, which is our biggest music festival. (I saw Muse play it in 2004, 2007 and 2010. Not this year. :( )

I'll stay at the festival until about 11pm.

My flight to Wellington is at 9am the next morning. Then I have to find my way to the track, then I'll have an AMAZING day there, and then I'll go back to central Wellington.

Then I'm meeting some friends and we're going to a big cricket game that night at the stadium. Then we'll probably get some drinks after that.

Then I come home on Sunday afternoon.

:zz:

Sounds fantastic, ed!

Have a great time. :)

I wish I were there!!!!! Veloce Bella won the Trentham, Arakti was 3rd, SIx O'Clock News 4th -

Jimmy won :tro: (!!!), He's Remarkable was 3rd...

That's all I know so far but oh ed, I know you're having the best time (and doing very very well :$:) and cannot wait to see the replays!

I"m dying... no results for the Telegraph yet.

I need to stop refreshing the damned page every 3 seconds. :D

Jimmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy!

Thrilled!

OH MY GOD ED NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MUFASA??? AGAIN??? Are they kidding???

Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :cool: :)

Was this like the best day ever? :tro:

You do realize that I'm dying here, right?

Can't wait to hear all about it and see replays and oh God where did Katie finish and did Corey do her justice and how did Atapi and Arakti look and were people celebrating like crazy when Mufasa won and, and.....:D

Haha, sorry!

Katie's so fussy. The track was wet, and I could tell straight away that she wasn't gonna do well - she was swishing her tail as she galloped down to the starting gates. She just refused to try at all. We can really forget that she even ran.

It was such an awesome day of racing.

Replays:
Trentham: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhyq6aDpXJ4
Wellington: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR0-ddZDfrI
Telegraph: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKHaVgrQwp0

Jimmy and Mufhasa were amazing! Jimmy pricked his ears halfway down the stretch and people started clapping before he reached the line.

Haha poor Katie and oh it sounds fantastic (oh and I'm sorry I can never spell his name right. What is wrong with me??? Horse of the year and I always make the same mistake).

I'm watching backwards... just saw the Telegraph. Even the announcer sounded well, you know!

You need to tell us about the rest some time... the music festival, the track, if you survived. :D

edit -

Wow just watched Jimmy and VB and just comletely awesome!

Haha, I only just survived! Felt like I was gonna sleep for a week when I got back.

The music festival was great, although it rained all day - that's the first time it has rained in the eight years I've been going. The highlights for me were The Naked and Famous (that NZ band I keep going on about here!) and Rammstein, who kept blowing stuff up. I'm not usually a big metal fan, but Rammstein were fantastic. Du Hast had everyone in the stadium jumping.

I really liked the racetrack. It was easy to get to (there's a railway station just outside), and I had a great view of the whole track. My only complaints were that it was a bit cold and that it was too hard to get down to the back paddock before the race and back up in time to get a good seat to watch the race.

Oh, and I heard today that Veloce Bella is only going to have one more race in her career. She's been a great horse - 49:12-3-8, with a G1 win, four G2 wins, a G3 win, and three G1 placings.