New Zealand Racing 2013-14

[my miss storm cat]

That is a shame. am enjoying reading your stuff and and always continued to be so happy for you!

Please let us know how Archie is and if Pinzaara is having a good break.

This is really lovely...

Sometimes the smallest gesture can make the most momentous statement.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/racing/new...ectid=11274553

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Aww...

Poor All Decked Out.

http://www.racingandsports.com.au/en...t-story-305521

[_ed_]

Thank you!

That is a shame about All Decked Out. Such a talented horse. Hope he's back to his best soon.

Sounds like Rising Romance is skipping the Hastings G1 races in the spring. Disappointing, but Donna Logan's reason was sensible. Those races have become so strong that they're not really suitable as preps for Melbourne any more. She wants some easier races to start off with.

[my miss storm cat]

8 minutes left, ed. I am going to be sick I'm so nervous.

She's at 9/1.

Here's hoping.

(... but please remember she doesn't exactly have the same kind of jockey here. I mean he is a special kind of awful but maybe she'll win in spite of him!).

[_ed_]

That was so disappointing. She had no sprint at all.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

That was so disappointing. She had no sprint at all.

I know, ed. It just didn't even look like her.

[my miss storm cat]

Read a bunch of your stuff this morning... well done!

How did Malala look? Have not yet seen the replay but disappointing to see where she finished.

[_ed_]

A bit like her sister! Dropped back in the field early in the race and didn't make much of an impression down the stretch.

But, wow, the winner of that race looks good.

[_ed_]

Malala apparently suffered an injury during Saturday's race. Not sure about the severity yet, but I didn't see anything obvious at the track. So probably not life-threatening, but possibly an explanation for the performance.

I'm also hearing rumours that Habibi's blood has some irregularities, so that could explain why she wasn't herself either. I'll try to find out more.

[my miss storm cat]

That's a shame about both of them and yeah the winner (I hate to say I already forgot her name!) did look good!

[_ed_]

Loving the racing at Te Rapa today so far. Spin Doctor - wow!

When horses win that well, the articles almost write themselves.

In other news, I loved reading this yesterday about Ashley Frye:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/...sh-with-death/

Great to hear she's doing so well.

[my miss storm cat]

That's wonderful to hear she's progressing.

So ed... do you get to go? Hope so!

http://www.nzracing.co.nz/OnHorseFil...014_PDF_FA.pdf

Thoughts on HOY and the categories?

I'd think maybe O'Marilyn for 2YO, Rising Romance for 3YO (but that is an impossible category!!!) (and it kills me not saying Puccini), Bounding for Sprinter, Dundeel for Middle Distance but Stayer? God I just don't know (except for the only one who won't win is Graphic but I am happy to see him there anyway! Very cool!).

I mean do they go with Silent Achiever for winning at Rosehill or stay local with Who Shot Thebarman (the Auckland Cup was a g1, right?) (who I would imagine has a slightly better shot than More Than Sacred for that very nice g3 win)?

What are your thoughts?

... And who wins HOY??!!

http://www.racingandsports.com.au/en...s-story-307009

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I think I will get to go, yeah! And I'm going to be on the voting panel from next year.

Some of these are so hard to call.

I'll go for Vespa for 2yo, but it's a 50/50 call. O'Marilyn has been so good as well.

I agree with you on Rising Romance for the 3yo, but that is a tough group to call!

Definitely Bounding for sprinter.

I would probably go Silent Achiever for both middle distance and stayer, but I think they will give middle distance to Dundeel. HOY is another really hard one, but I'll go Silent Achiever.

Feel sorry for Viadana - her season would be good enough for an award usually.

[_ed_]

Oh, look who's back:
http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...g-full-fitness

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Feel sorry for Viadana - her season would be good enough for an award usually.

Agreed!

Originally Posted by _ed_

Oh, look who's back:
http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...g-full-fitness

Oh! Be still my heart... great news!

[my miss storm cat]

Ed did you see that Jetset Lad won (Doomben)? (... and Lauren Tate was 4th!).

It had only been 875 days since his last trip to the winner's circle.

How cool is that?

http://www.racingandsports.com.au/en...ate=12/07/2014

[_ed_]

That is so awesome. Thrilled for his connections.

Rangatira was so amazing in the Wellington Steeplechase yesterday. What a horse.

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So thrilled for Trish after Spalato's amazing win! She's an awesome person to work with.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

So thrilled for Trish after Spalato's amazing win! She's an awesome person to work with.

Oh how cool and yeah that was a really great win!

Awesome that they picked up the bonus!

VERY game run from Setitup especially coming from the 16 hole.

I was going to post a pick but couldn't decide between Verglatica (surprised went off as such a longshot) and the Japanese mare whose name I've already forgotten.

Happy for your friends. Lovely horse.

edit - Oh right lest I forget not sure if you saw this (posted on the Singapore thread) but Upsala is over there. Was so surprised seeing his name...

[my miss storm cat]

Liked your Spalato piece in The Informant, ed..

(Well I know you've read it but for anyone else interested...)

http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...ingapore-Derby

[_ed_]

Thanks!