SHUKA
3 g Bachelor Duke - Alabama Rose
Breeder: The Oaks Stud
Owner: Parr Bloodstock
Purchased for $20,000 at 2010 NZ National Yearling Sale (!!)
Trainer: Peter & Dawn Williams
Jockey: Hayden Tinsley
13 starts
3 wins
3 seconds
2 thirds
4 stakes fourths and fifths
Major races:
1st G2 Wakefield Stakes (2yo)
2nd G2 Championship Stakes
2nd G2 Avondale Guineas
2nd Canterbury Stakes
3rd G3 Waikato Guineas
4th G2 Great Northern Guineas
5th G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas
5th G1 Diamond Stakes (2yo)
5th G1 Sires' Produce Stakes (2yo)
Whew!
Derby odds: 8.00
Positives:
* He seems to run a terrific race every single time he steps out on a racetrack.
* No doubts about the distance or about Ellerslie.
Negatives:
* He just never wins!
You have to love Shuka. He hasn't run a bad race in his life, and he's always right there at the finish of every single race he runs in. But he hasn't had a major stakes win since January 2011, when he was a 2yo. He seems to just keep finding one or two that are better on the day, and most of the ones that have been beating him lately will be in this field. He'd be a popular winner, but another lovely placing looks like his best hope in the Derby.
CHICHARITA
3 f Towkay - Trisynd
Breeder: Suncroft Bloodstock
Owner: Segenhoe Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Michael Moroney & Andrew Clarken
Jockey: ?
7 starts
3 wins
0 seconds
1 third
Major races:
1st G2 Royal Stakes (fillies)
Derby odds: 14.00
Positives:
* A G2 winner over 2000m at Ellerslie against a strong field of fillies.
* Trainer Moroney has won the Derby three times before (Great Command 1996, Cut The Cake 2003 and Xcellent 2004)
Negatives:
* A bit disappointing last start.
* Regular jockey Chad Ormsby has opted for Ocean Park instead.
* The decision to run in the Derby seems to be a last-minute change of heart. The Oaks was the main goal. Will she be at her peak for this?
I loved this filly's performance in the Royal Stakes, and I think she's a massive chance in the New Zealand Oaks. I just don't like that the Derby wasn't in the plans until quite close before it, while so many others have been trained to peak on this day for the last few months. But the Moroney team are amazing and wouldn't put a horse in a race where they have no chance. Another problem I have is that her Derby jockey will most likely be riding her for the very first time in this race.