New Zealand Racing

[my miss storm cat]

Good luck to Nom du Jeu, AND.....

to Best Gift!

(Hard calling him Carlisle Bay).

Are you going, ed? If so tell him to get in the gate like a good boy this time.


# FORM HORSE DRAW RTG WGT JOCKEY TRAINER
1 672X0 Pentathon 1 109 60.5 John Wheeler, New Plymouth
2 7X570 Carlisle Bay 13 103 57.5 Jason Waddell Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott, Matamata
3 75531 Desert Flight 14 101 56.5 Cameron Lammas Richard Coxon, Matamata
4 60363 Valley Chief 12 99 55.5 Reese Jones Mark Brosnan, Matamata
5 30205 Black Panther 11 98 55.0 Gavin McKeon Joanne Surgenor, Ardmore Lodge
6 X2044 Charliehorse 10 95 54.5 Michael Walker Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott, Matamata
7 04422 Gallions Reach 4 94 54.0 Richard Yuill & Stephen Goodin, Pukekohe Park
8 53115 Prized Touch 3 94 54.0 Leith Innes Richard Collett, Pukekohe Park
9 X9P06 Trebla 2 92 53.5 Del Roberts, Tauranga
10 82010 Heza Gangster 5 89 53.0 Mark Sweeney Gavin Sharrock, Stratford
11 30416 You're My Angel 6 85 53.0 Lisa Cropp John Sargent, Matamata
12 68X76 Fly'n' High 9 83 53.0 Trudy Thornton Royce Dowling & Linda Laing, Cambridge
13 10546 Winsome Kash 7 82 53.0 Craig Grylls (a) Graham Richardson & Jason Bridgman, Matamata
14 32321 Dalliance 8 69 53.0 James McDonald (a2) Yves Seguin, Cambridge

[_ed_]

Yeah it's about a 90 min drive from my place down to Te Rapa, so I'll be there.

Hope he does behave himself this time! Even if he's not as good as he used to be I think he should still be good enough to be competitive in a race like that. Not a strong field really. Gallions Reach is a tough little horse though, he'd probably be my pick for the race unless Carlisle Bay decides to try.

[my miss storm cat]

Once upon a time, he beat Vengeance of Rain home.....

And not only him..... Bullish Luck, The Duke, Perfect Partner (rip), Saturn and Bowman's Crossing (rip).....

A grand race. He flew at the end.

http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/r...2005&raceno=08

[_ed_]

He doesn't look like the same horse as that now. Another disappointing run.

But you picked the Waikato Guineas winner, Nom du Jeu. At 14-1!

He's been a little bit disappointing for most of this season, but he was back at his best today. Huge run from way back, his owners must be so excited about the Derby now.

Replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G82qbQUc5wo

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

He doesn't look like the same horse as that now. Another disappointing run.

But you picked the Waikato Guineas winner, Nom du Jeu. At 14-1!

He's been a little bit disappointing for most of this season, but he was back at his best today. Huge run from way back, his owners must be so excited about the Derby now.

Replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G82qbQUc5wo

14/1? I'd thought he'd be the heavy favorite but what do i know.

Poor Giftie.

[_ed_]

Two G1s down at Te Rapa on Saturday...one's a reasonably even field (Sir Slick looks the likely winner to me though), the other is not. Seachange will be even money and I really don't think anyone can stop her winning her seventh G1. Under the weight-for-age scale no horses in NZ can run with her over 1400m (7 furlongs).

Apparently Ted Durcan is likely to commit to ride Seachange for all her Northern Hemisphere engagements. I know he wins quite a few races, but I don't know very much about him beyond that. What do you guys think of his riding ability?

[brockguy]

Ted is OK, not flashy but decent and underrated by many.. she does look like an uncomplicated ride..

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Two G1s down at Te Rapa on Saturday...one's a reasonably even field (Sir Slick looks the likely winner to me though), the other is not. Seachange will be even money and I really don't think anyone can stop her winning her seventh G1. Under the weight-for-age scale no horses in NZ can run with her over 1400m (7 furlongs).

Apparently Ted Durcan is likely to commit to ride Seachange for all her Northern Hemisphere engagements. I know he wins quite a few races, but I don't know very much about him beyond that. What do you guys think of his riding ability?

I think he's good.

Hey... is Best Gift gonna go in this one?

http://www.nzracing.co.nz/Meetings/M...492/1#raceLink

edit - CARLISLE BAY! I really need to call him by his name!

[_ed_]

Not sure, haven't heard anything from the trainers about that...he did make a bit of ground late in his last race so maybe the 2 miles will suit him?

He would have a big weight though and it's looking like being a race with some good horses low in the weights. Tough task for him if he does try it.

He's at 40-1 for that race at the moment.

[_ed_]

It's been a long time since I saw the stands at a NZ racetrack full of people all on their feet clapping for a horse, but I saw it today when Seachange won her 7th G1 race.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpciMzF22Gs

Her trainer said she was "a bit fat" today so the win wasn't as dominant as we were expecting but she was so tough in holding the lead from Kay's Awake down to the wire.

When Gavin McKeon rode her back after the race he took her a furlong up the straight and came back past the crowd. There was a whole bunch of people from the stable down by the rail wearing blue & white holding up a sign that said "Go Poppy!". Apparently that's her stable name.

The other races were really exciting too, although the other G1 didn't help with trying to find the Derby winner. Against older horses in the International Stakes (2000m/1m 2f), a 3yo colt by Fantastic Light called Mission Critical led all the way and bolted in against horses as good as Sir Slick. It was an incredible performance by a horse who hasn't really been considered a Derby contender before today. It was...amazing.

Really happy for the Moroneys (trainers) after they lost Jokers Wild and had to retire Xcellent in recent weeks. They've got a new star.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD2WPJxuVmY

And Kaatoon was a nice winner of the G2 Fillies Classic over 2000m (1m 2f). She's been waiting to run over a distance like that. I loved the run of Insouciant for 2nd though, this race was too far for her and she was tired at the final turn, got so tired that she hit the rail more than once down the straight, but was so brave.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5ONoEVgd2k

Great day of racing!

3 weeks 'til the Derby, I'm totally confused now.

[brockguy]

ed thanks for the video.. another one for seachange.. i must ask though. how does mckeon feel that he wont get to ride her in dubai.. he mustnt be happy..

[_ed_]

Yeah I really feel sorry for him. He's taken it very well, saying he's grateful for being given the opportunity to ride the horse in each of her 7 G1 victories, but inside he must be gutted. It would be an amazing experience for any jockey to ride there.

Not sure I agree with the decision...I guess it comes down to the question of which is more important - knowledge of and relationship with the horse or experience with the track. As you said in an earlier post she's not a difficult horse to ride so I'm sure Ted will do a fine job, but I really do feel for Gavin.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Yeah I really feel sorry for him. He's taken it very well, saying he's grateful for being given the opportunity to ride the horse in each of her 7 G1 victories, but inside he must be gutted. It would be an amazing experience for any jockey to ride there.

Not sure I agree with the decision...I guess it comes down to the question of which is more important - knowledge of and relationship with the horse or experience with the track. As you said in an earlier post she's not a difficult horse to ride so I'm sure Ted will do a fine job, but I really do feel for Gavin.

Feel bad for him too.

I do like Duncan but yeah..... that's kinda crappy.

[my miss storm cat]

# FORM HORSE DRAW RTG WGT JOCKEY TRAINER
1 55113 Spin Around (AUS) 8 109 60.5 Steven Cooper, Ardmore
2 X5700 Carlisle Bay 6 102 57.0 Jason Waddell Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott, Matamata
3 X4211 Young Centaur (AUS) 1 101 56.5 Michael Walker John Sargent, Matamata
4 X2429 Three Chimneys 5 99 55.5 Hayden Tinsley David & Sarah Haworth, Foxton
5 X8080 Prize Lady 10 96 54.5 Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
6 20448 Charliehorse 9 95 54.5 Chad Ormsby (a) Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott, Matamata
7 44225 Gallions Reach 2 94 54.0 Richard Yuill & Stephen Goodin, Pukekohe Park
8 31153 Prized Touch 4 94 54.0 Leith Innes Richard Collett, Pukekohe Park
9 73432 Ntamack 7 90 53.0 Trudy Thornton Kerry & Belinda Verner, Ardmore
10 10784 Genuine Offer 3 89 53.0 Rogan Norvall Donna, Dean Logan & Chris Gibbs, Ruakaka
11 11271 Tinseltown 12 85 53.0 Michael Coleman Mike & Paul Moroney, Matamata
12 29424 Tarbach 11 76 53.0 Lisa Cropp Raylene Whiteside, Kariotahi Beach

Gear Changes

HORSE GEAR CHANGES
Carlisle Bay Blinkers on, Tongue Tie on, gelded 04/02/08
Charliehorse Blinkers on, Tongue Tie on

[_ed_]

That's...surprising. Thought he would be starting stud duty in September! If it makes him focus on racing again though it'll be worth it, I'd love to see him win some races here. But that's a tough field.

On the same day it's the G2 Championship Stakes, the last and biggest Derby prep.

1 20161 Nom du Jeu 4 84 56.0 Noel Harris Murray Baker, Cambridge
2 32159 Prince Kaapstad 17 84 56.0 Sam Spratt (a) Richard Yuill & Stephen Goodin, Pukekohe Park
3 21513 Sircross 8 83 56.0 Leith Innes Richard Collett, Pukekohe Park
4 21181 Avancer 7 80 56.0 Stephen McKee, Ardmore
5 41222 Il Divo 12 80 56.0 Jason Waddell John Sargent, Matamata
6 1311 Red Ruler 15 80 56.0 Vinny Colgan John Sargent, Matamata
7 33112 Steel 2 77 56.0 Lisa Cropp Graeme Rogerson & Garry Newham, Tuhikaramea
8 54414 Pierre Joseph (AUS) 6 76 56.0 Stephen McKee, Ardmore
9 16240 Borrack 3 75 56.0 Robert Hannam Adrian Bull, Hunterville
10 16328 Six O'Clock News 13 75 56.0 Chris Johnson Patrick & Trent Busuttin, Cambridge
11 90146 Demhills 10 74 56.0 Mark Sweeney Patrick & Trent Busuttin, Cambridge
12 35187 Halfametreshort 9 74 56.0 Graeme Rogerson & Garry Newham, Tuhikaramea
13 1481 Thumbs Up 16 74 56.0 Hayden Tinsley Shaune Ritchie, Cambridge
14 10104 Abitofado 5 72 56.0 Michelle Wenn Paul Harris, Rangiora
15 23515 Post Haste 11 69 56.0 Michael Coleman Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott, Matamata

Great field this. Horses who are proven at this level (Nom du Jeu, Prince Kaapstad, Sircross, Six O'Clock News, Il Divo) against horses who have looked insanely good against rubbish oppostion (Red Ruler, Steel, Thumbs Up).

There's only one major Derby contender missing from this race - Mission Critical, who gave Sir Slick and other older horses a view of his ass in the G1 last weekend. I think whoever wins this will start favourite in the Derby though.

[my miss storm cat]

Young Centaur and Nom du Jeu.

No idea if that's a chalk-fest or not.....

BEST OF LUCK to the newly-gelded..... hope he beats a few home. Hell, I hope he wins but i can't hold my breath.

(Good boy anyway).

[_ed_]

Championship Stakes - http://www.ellerslie.co.nz/show.cfm?...wf&w=294&h=240

Umm...wow.

Carlisle Bay looked good in his race for a while but tired badly, sorry.

[my miss storm cat]

Thanks ed.....

I haven't watched it yet... will wait till tomorrow.

Don't want to be sad.

He came home safe though? Well there's that.

[my miss storm cat]

Oh wow... okay watched it (I figured out it wasn't the Giftie race... duh )...

Wow, nice win!

[_ed_]

Sorry, should have been clearer about that. His race is here - http://www.ellerslie.co.nz/show.cfm?...wf&w=294&h=240

But yeah, Red Ruler was awesome today. 4 wins from 5 now, and was unlucky in 3rd the other time. 5-2 for the Derby now.