New Zealand Racing, 2009-10

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

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.

Yeah I was going to say I can never watch that one enough and why do I only vaguely remember her name!

Her I've heard of at least, Martial Art is a new one (to me) or there are just so many that I'm getting confused haha!

* * *

A (VERY ) nice bit of news.

On The Man...

http://www.thoroughbrednews.com.au/n....aspx?id=45422

[_ed_]

That was a great performance! I'll post replays of that race, Banchee's amazing G2 win and today's awesome G1 soon.

But first, another Derby horse...

HANDSOME ZULU

3 g Handsome Ransom - Bionic Eagle
8 starts - 1 win, 3 seconds
Trainer: John Sargent
Odds: 14-1

Replays:
Best: Wellington Stakes (2nd): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vcezz7ngkrY
Last start: 3yo & 4yo Handicap (4th): http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xce...zulu-4th_sport

+ Excellent performances in G1 Levin Classic (6th) and G3 Wellington Stakes (2nd)
+ The way he finished over 1600m in the Wellington Stakes suggested he'll stretch out over more distance easily
+ Sargent/Du Plessis team in outstanding form this summer

- Although unlucky last start, you would like a horse to go into the Derby with stronger last-start form than a fourth in a minor handicap (but that race was won by the G1-placed Juice)
- Just one win from eight starts

Verdict: Seems to be improving all the time and will probably be peaking on Derby day. But with less winning form than many of his hugely talented rivals in the Derby and an uninspiring performance last start, there are others that appeal more in what looks like an amazing Derby field.

[_ed_]

Replays from this weekend...

Nacho Man - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_MJZF381Ek

G2 win for Banchee - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFqKktnIdts

G1...I have no words. So, so happy for him - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q77A3q5ajdI

[my miss storm cat]

I had no idea who you were talking about here so clicked on the link and intentially didn't look to see who had won.

I'm waiting.... watching him and waiting to see who is going to pass him and hoping no one does but thinking well... I shouldn't hold my breath here! Watching, waiting and he's digging in and fighting and suddenly it looks easy for him again and oh wow.... very very happy to see that fire and that determination.

That was a great start to the day watching a champion look like a champion once more!

Thanks for the other replays!

(Very nice, Banchee!!!)

[_ed_]

Great to have him back. One of my favourite races of the season so far!

Now back to the Derby horses...the photos of the rest of these horses aren't great, sorry about that.

BALLYBIT

3 g Spartacus - Miss Grosvenor
11 starts - 2 wins, 3 seconds
Trainer: Allan Sharrock
Odds: 30-1

Replays:
Best: Ellerslie 3yo race (1st): http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xce...llerslie_sport
Last start: Rating 80 (8th ): http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xceuix_ballybit-8th

+ Owner-trainer combination won the 2006 Derby with Wahid
+ Very, very good win at the Derby track on Jan 31 (replay above)

- 6th and 8th in average-quality races he should have won in his last two starts

Verdict: Looked like he was about to make his presence felt in the Derby when he had that impressive win at Ellerslie, but something's gone seriously wrong in his two races since. Sharrock's a great trainer, but I think he'll have to produce a miracle to turn his form around enough.