New Zealand Racing 2013-14

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Recite back to her brilliant best in the G1 Levin Classic! Fabulous performance. Nice Derby preps by the horses in behind her - Franzac, Aspen (top of my list at the moment), Puccini and big longshot El Doute.

Steel Rose was so brave in her Wakefield win earlier in the day.

Telegraph less than an hour away - Final Touch? Trepidation? Nashville? Albany Reunion? I can't figure it out. Hope it's a great race.

On the negative side - Trentham messed up in letting the track get to Fast1. That is way too hard, and there are reports of horses coming back in discomfort. John Bary said he was going to put ice on the knees of his Levin Classic 1-2 heroes Recite and Franzac.

[my miss storm cat]

Just got back into town and thought Final Touch would have won easily... guess I was wrong.

Too bad about the track... that is messed up.

Took a quick look at the fields for this weekend and can't wait!

Will you be at Ellerslie on Sunday?

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Yep, sure will! Can't wait.

I'm not sure what's wrong with Final Touch - that's three bad races in a row from her. Clearly not her usual self.

More great racing at Trentham tomorrow. I'll be at Eden Park watching the NZ cricket team destroy India again, but I'll catch up with results when I can.

[my miss storm cat]

Oh Jesus all I knew about the Thorndon MIle was that Ruby won so watched the replay and was totally surprised by Chritz! Whoa!

Cheers to Craig Grylls!!!!! What a terrific day for him and congrats to Graphic and her people (and to Ruby as well, of course).

Lovely run from Guns at Five and hey... I think one of the only replays I have yet to watch is the one the old man won so here's to El Chico!

Hope The Grinner is okay (scratched?) and good luck to Spellbinder, Hera and Touche in their race today.

Have fun!

(Ruby is in foal to Jimmy? Ooooh Ruby Slippers?! ).

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Ruby was so amazing! Didn't expect that. And Graphic just keeps getting better and better.

Man, that was a dramatic storm that hit Ellerslie on Sunday! Never seen anything like it. People in summer outfits were sprinting for shelter!

But the racing was still good. Spellbinder was stunning, and Vespa was outstanding. Horrible spill in the Million. Kerrin McEvoy is fine. Massale's injuries are quite serious, but fortunately not life-threatening. But it's not clear if or when he'll race again.

I think The Grinner was just scratched cos there was no room for him in the field.

[my miss storm cat]

Finally watched the Spellbinder replay and wow... thrilled for her and for Hera even if you couldn't actually see the horses during a lot of the race! Crazy weather! Loved the call, by the way.

One I have not watched is the Karaka Million and even though I really want to see Vespa am just kinda waiting for more of an update on poor Massale.

On El Chico...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-tim...l-going-strong

Sorry to ask (cause I know I do every year and you have a life) but when do you usually do your annual Derby contenders posts? Will you be having the time to do it this year? Hope so!

How are Archie and Pinzaara?

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Yeah, sorry I haven't been posting as much! My work relocated to a new office, and the internet security settings in the new building don't allow access to any forums. That always used to be my favourite time to come on here.

But I'll definitely find time to do the Derby posts! I'll just wait for the field to take shape a little bit more. The Waikato Guineas is this weekend - one of the main prep races every year. Really can't wait! The current Derby favourite is there, Glorious Lad, as well as other leading contenders like Chambord and Puccini and heaps of impressive lower-grade winners. Should be brilliant.

Pinzaara's running on Saturday too! Tough field (including Fix! ) But it's just great to have her competing in races like this.

His trainer tells me that Archie (racing name Brochaine) is doing well - "really grown and developed, more of a 3-year-old type, but will have another trial in the next few weeks for further assessment".