New Zealand Racing, 2011-12

[my miss storm cat]

Any updates?

Hey how is Jimmy doing?

edit - I just remembered something...

There was a big race that Red Ruler aaalllmmoooossstt won at the very end of last year. (Someone came flying at the end and right when i thought oh hooray Red Ruler nailed it).

I know you know which I'm talking about and was wondering which race that is (duh) and who is going.

I thought it was a G1 but not sure... I do remember a really really nice field though just can't remember who else was there (Vosne Romanee was it's just everyone else I've forgotten).

[_ed_]

You're probably talking about the G1 Zabeel Classic - won by VR in 2009 and by Booming last year. Red Ruler was placed both times.

That race and 3 other graded stakes races are coming up at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, and then there's the amazing seven graded stakes races there on New Year's Day. Can't wait! But it's sad that I won't be able to post replays.

Jimmy's back from Hong Kong and having a well-deserved rest. His jockey said he just didn't sprint in the HK Mile the way he usually does, so he might need a bit of a break. It sounds like he'll have his next race in late February/early March.

[_ed_]

Boxing Day stakes fields:


G1 Zabeel Classic

1 1X411 Veyron 11 104 59.0 Leith Innes Linda Laing, Cambridge
2 50595 Booming 2 103 59.0 Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
3 0X002 Sir Slick 10 102 59.0 Jason Waddell John Sargent, Matamata
4 65442 Vonusti 18 102 59.0 Noel Harris Tim & Margaret Carter, Cambridge
5 35X58 Vosne Romanee 17 102 59.0 Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
6 X9303 Pasta Post 7 100 59.0 Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
7 00X74 Doctor Fremantle (GB) 14 96 59.0 Nash Rawiller Lauren Brennan, Cambridge
8 86680 Back In Black 16 92 59.0 Mark Hills John Steffert, Te Aroha
9 85197 Lady Chaparral 4 95 57.0 Sam Spratt Chris Wood, Cambridge
10 55008 Innocent Lady 9 93 57.0 Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
11 X2210 Postman's Daughter 6 98 56.5 Danielle Johnson Don Walker, Pukekohe Park
12 19411 Lady Kipling 13 94 56.5 Matthew Cameron Murray Baker, Cambridge
13 X2352 Shez Sinsational 3 89 56.5 James McDonald (a) Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth
14 43151 Duckworth Lewis 8 82 52.0 Michael Coleman Leo Molloy, Byerley Park
15 1X527 Star Bound 12 80 56.5 Michelle Wenn Bruce Wallace, Takanini
16 62104 The Terminator 5 80 59.0 Roger James, Cambridge
17 07633 My My Maree 1 75 57.0 Moira Murdoch & Dominic Olson, Waiuku
18 X8205 Hiace 15 72 59.0 Murray McKeagg, Tauranga

Some good ones here. I'd love Sir Slick to do it (he won this race in 2007, beating Xcellent), but I just don't see it happening. Veyron, Lady Kipling and Shez Sinsational for me.


G2 Great Northern Guineas (3yo)

1 X3125 Shuka 11 78 56.5 Peter & Dawn Williams, Byerley Park
2 1116 Burgundy 4 77 56.5 Matthew Cameron Jason Bridgman, Matamata
3 X0604 Fort Lincoln 9 75 56.5 Jonathan Riddell Lisa Latta, Awapuni
4 11 Ocean Park 1 73 56.5 Chad Ormsby Gary Hennessy, Matamata
5 27082 Vincent Street 14 73 56.5 Vanessa & Wayne Hillis, Matamata
6 16250 Caipirinha 7 72 56.5 Robert Priscott & Clayton Chipperfield, Te Awamutu
7 7X911 It Has To Be You 6 72 56.5 Vinnie Colgan Bruce Wallace, Takanini
8 13 Knight's Tour 12 65 56.5 Stephen McKee, Ardmore
9 150 Platinum Playboy 13 64 56.5 Shane Crawford, Cambridge
10 617 Lion Rock Hill 10 63 56.5 Grant Cooksley Bruce Wallace, Takanini
11 31 Samer Way 3 63 56.5 Bruce Wallace, Takanini
12 2151 Thorn Star 2 70 54.5 Andrew Scott, Matamata
13 21 Mapmaker 5 64 54.5 Nash Rawiller Paul Shailer, Matamata
14 01 Matabrahma 8 63 54.5 Danielle Johnson Paul Jenkins, Matamata

Tons of talent in this field. I like Burgundy, Ocean Park and It Has To Be You.


G2 Eight Carat Classic (3yo fillies)

1 32325 Dowager Queen 7 89 56.5 Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea
2 X2131 Planet Rock 8 85 56.5 Peter & Dawn Williams, Byerley Park
3 22262 Testa Secret 11 84 56.5 James McDonald (a) Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge, Palmerston North
4 0124 Abeautifulred 1 82 56.5 Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea
5 27X11 Purpose 13 80 56.5 Tasha Collett Richard Collett, Pukekohe Park
6 X1144 Artistic 9 79 56.5 Shaune Ritchie, Cambridge
7 38130 Holy Moly 6 78 56.5 Leith Innes Roger James, Cambridge
8 111 Xanadu 14 78 56.5 Ken & Bev Kelso, Matamata
9 X9481 Melody Celebre 16 71 56.5 Louise Saunders, Pukekohe
10 X0102 Rose Of Falkirk 2 71 56.5 Harry Kasim (a) Mark Brosnan, Matamata
11 X5431 White Lies 3 71 56.5 Opie Bosson Stephen Marsh, Cambridge
12 71456 Unbelieveabelle 5 70 56.5 Danielle Johnson Stephen Crutchley, Wanganui
13 147 Full Of Spirit 17 64 56.5 Jason Waddell Roger James, Cambridge
14 21 Mapmaker 12 64 56.5 Nash Rawiller Paul Shailer, Matamata
15 21 Silent Achiever 10 64 56.5 Vinnie Colgan Roger James, Cambridge
16 3314 Blooming Hell 4 63 56.5 Chad Ormsby Richard Sherwin, Te Awamutu
17 X0680 Alley Cat 15 45 56.5 Mark Mullane, Takanini

1000 Guineas winner Planet Rock is here, along with some fillies who have looked scary good in lower grades - Xanadu is undefeated in three starts, and Silent Achiever looked phenomenal in her last-start win. Dowager Queen was good in Melbourne in October/November.


And the Newmarket Handicap:

1 1X160 Mae Jinx 17 96 59.0 Michael Moroney & Andrew Clarken, Matamata
2 X60X7 Tip The Wink 6 96 59.0 Jonathan Riddell Mike Breslin, Awapuni
3 X5758 Vincent Mangano 1 92 59.0 Jason Waddell Peter McKay, Matamata
4 1X819 Undisclosed 13 89 57.5 Danielle Johnson Peter McKay, Matamata
5 65495 Aspinal 8 90 56.0 Leith Innes Tony Pike & Mark Donoghue, Cambridge
6 243X3 Rough Odds 14 85 55.5 Alysha Collett (a) Richard Collett, Pukekohe Park
7 42325 Sweet Suitor 10 84 55.0 Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea
8 X3606 Mercury Mistress 11 83 53.0 Lance Noble, Matamata
9 X3192 Mi Payday 2 82 53.0 Tasha Collett Stephen Crutchley, Wanganui
10 4X011 Starpin 15 82 53.0 Matthew Cameron Paul Duncan, Cambridge
11 32X93 Maidantus 4 78 53.0 Graham Richardson, Matamata
12 14X24 Ready Steady 5 77 53.0 Andrew Scott, Matamata
13 3X373 Cool Storm 16 75 53.0 Stephen McKee, Ardmore
14 20X24 Viva Roma 12 75 53.0 Sam Spratt Bruce Wallace, Takanini
15 21X17 Payette 7 74 53.0 Richard Collett, Pukekohe Park
16 3X865 Eightlives 9 70 53.0 Richard Otto, Te Awamutu
17 70X60 Coretta 3 68 53.0 A J Morley, Waiuku

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

You're probably talking about the G1 Zabeel Classic - won by VR in 2009 and by Booming last year. Red Ruler was placed both times.

Booming! That's who I couldn't remember!

Originally Posted by _ed_

Boxing Day stakes fields:


G1 Zabeel Classic

1 1X411 Veyron 11 104 59.0 Leith Innes Linda Laing, Cambridge
2 50595 Booming 2 103 59.0 Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
3 0X002 Sir Slick 10 102 59.0 Jason Waddell John Sargent, Matamata
4 65442 Vonusti 18 102 59.0 Noel Harris Tim & Margaret Carter, Cambridge
5 35X58 Vosne Romanee 17 102 59.0 Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
6 X9303 Pasta Post 7 100 59.0 Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
7 00X74 Doctor Fremantle (GB) 14 96 59.0 Nash Rawiller Lauren Brennan, Cambridge
8 86680 Back In Black 16 92 59.0 Mark Hills John Steffert, Te Aroha
9 85197 Lady Chaparral 4 95 57.0 Sam Spratt Chris Wood, Cambridge
10 55008 Innocent Lady 9 93 57.0 Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
11 X2210 Postman's Daughter 6 98 56.5 Danielle Johnson Don Walker, Pukekohe Park
12 19411 Lady Kipling 13 94 56.5 Matthew Cameron Murray Baker, Cambridge
13 X2352 Shez Sinsational 3 89 56.5 James McDonald (a) Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth
14 43151 Duckworth Lewis 8 82 52.0 Michael Coleman Leo Molloy, Byerley Park
15 1X527 Star Bound 12 80 56.5 Michelle Wenn Bruce Wallace, Takanini
16 62104 The Terminator 5 80 59.0 Roger James, Cambridge
17 07633 My My Maree 1 75 57.0 Moira Murdoch & Dominic Olson, Waiuku
18 X8205 Hiace 15 72 59.0 Murray McKeagg, Tauranga

Some good ones here. I'd love Sir Slick to do it (he won this race in 2007, beating Xcellent), but I just don't see it happening. Veyron, Lady Kipling and Shez Sinsational for me.

That field is like a Chrisrmas present.

Good luck to Sir Slick of course who I don't see winning either but I worry either way... if he's entered or if I stop seeing his name for a while.

God retire him already!

If it can't be him I'm hoping Vosne Romanee or Vonusti wins but I think you're right about Lady Kipling and if I were playing that's who I'd use on top.

[_ed_]

Great day of racing.

In the Newmarket, tiny little grey filly COOL STORM finally got her first stakes win after four close placings.
Story: http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...to-smile-about

KNIGHT'S TOUR, a horse no one had really heard of, had an amazing breakout performance in the Guineas and is now the second favourite for the Derby. This was a great win, and he looks like a really nice colt.
Story: http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...s-Derby-claims

1000 Guineas winner PLANET ROCK delivered again in the Eight Carat. She had to work real hard to get the lead from her wide gate, but she just kept kicking down the straight and no others got close.
Story: http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...r-Christchurch

And, in the Zabeel, SHEZ SINSATIONAL got her first G1 win after two placings at this level. No surprise at all to see her win one, and it was a terrific performance. Veyron second, Doctor Fremantle third (whoa!), Lady Kipling fourth, Booming fifth.
Story: http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...lassic-victory

[my miss storm cat]

Do you have any idea how upset I am that you can't post the replays? For a second I thought well hooray articles but where are.... oh right.

Thanks for the links. I know if you had your way you'd continue being the ambassador of NZ racing for all of us.

Okay I couldn't find it and God knows I can never seem to find the full results but how did Vosne Romanee, Vonusti and Sir Slick look / run / finish?

Adorable little Cool Storm! Sucks about her owner getting hurt!

You're right in that I have not yet heard of Knights Tour (well I have now) and whoa Planet Rock! That is most excellent!

I can't believe that's the first G1 win for SS. I know nothing can replace people but it's always nice to read about a horse winning when a lot of other things are going wrong for the connections. A moment or two of happiness can't replace anyone but it's nice to know that maybe it lifted their spirits for a minute anyway.

She's knocked on the door for a long time. Good for her.

Is there anywhere at all were allowed to go to see replays?

[_ed_]

Absolutely - http://www.nzracing.co.nz

You have to register, but it's free. Then, to see the replays, go Meeting Info > Results > Auckland RC 26 December.

It's a bit of effort, but I think it's worth it.

The full order of finish for the Zabeel Classic:

13-Shez Sinsational (James McDonald),
1-Veyron (Leith Innes) (1.5L),
7-Doctor Fremantle (Nash Rawiller) (2.3L),
12-Lady Kipling-Matthew Cameron(2.7L),
2-Booming-Vinnie Colgan(4L),
10-Innocent Lady-Chad Ormsby(6.4L),
14-Duckworth Lewis-Michael Coleman(7.7L),
9-Lady Chaparral-Sam Spratt(8.1L),
11-Postman's Daughter-Danielle Johnson(8.3L),
3-Sir Slick-Jason Waddell(8.4L),
4-Vonusti-Noel Harris(9.8L),
6-Pasta Post-Craig Grylls(11.7L),
8-Back In Black-Mark Hills(15.4L),
5-Vosne Romanee-Hayden Tinsley(22.3L).

VR was trapped wide for a lot of the race and tired badly at the end. Sir Slick and Vonusti just didn't fire.

***

Sad news - champion sire Volksraad died today at the age of 23. I'll post in the Angels thread.

[my miss storm cat]

Does VR ever fire these days? I hope so... I'm sure there have been races that I missed though so really don't know.

Thanks for the results and okay yes I will go and register!

I remember Veyron as the horse that Sir Slick was 2nd to earlier this year. I know he (she?) has a lot of wins and don't mean to be disrespectful!

I read your post in the angels thread and cannot even believe all those great horses came from a single sire.

Sad.

Rest in peace and thank you for what (and who) you gave us.