New Zealand Racing, 2009-10

[_ed_]

Another one now, since I have friends staying with me for the weekend, so it might be a couple of days until I can do any more...

JUNGLE JUICE

3 f Jungle Pocket - Shadow Ray
9 starts - 1 win, 1 second, 2 thirds
Trainer: Donna, Dean Logan & Chris Gibbs
Odds: 60-1

Replays:
Bonecrusher Stakes (1st): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFCpKz_orIk
Waikato Guineas (3rd): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJMqU75285M

I went for the Waikato since you've probably watched the Championship Stakes enough! She hardly shows up in that replay anyway - goes to the back and doesn't make up much ground, finishing 13th.

+ Has beaten the boys at stakes level on this track
+ Big run in the Waikato Guineas two starts back
+ Noel Harris is one of the best big-race jockeys in NZ

- Very poor in the Championship Stakes
- Hasn't won since the Bonecrusher Stakes in September
- Her bad performances seem to be far more frequent than her good ones

Verdict: On her day, she can be highly competitive against the very best. But that seems to happen rarely. She has the ability to make her presence felt in this Derby, but her performances so far suggest she's more likely to run poorly than well.