New Zealand Racing

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I've decided I'll put all NZ racing stuff in one thread instead of annoying people who aren't interested with a new thread for everything.

Some outstanding racing this week, mainly some potential stars of what looks like a very strong 3yo crop.

* Insouciant (3 f Keeper - Loudenne) was so impressive with her debut performance that she is now 7-1 second favourite with the TAB for the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton in November. Owned by Pencarrow Stud (of Ethereal fame), she won a 1200m maiden at Taupo by 6 lengths in 1:11.92. Don't know if I've seen a more dominant debut performance than that. Stunning.

* Later the same day at Taupo Abbey Way (3 c Encosta De Lago - Forlorna, 2:2-0-0) won his second start to remain unbeaten, beating a field of talented horses by 3. He's now 11-1 for the 2000 Guineas.

* And again at Taupo, G1 Diamond Stakes winner of last season Alamosa (3 c O'Reilly - Lodore Mystic, 9:4-2-1) started off his 3yo campaign with an effortless victory. According to rider Gavin McKeon, the horse produced an amazing burst of acceleration but then decided his job was done once he hit the lead half way down the stretch, so the 1-length margin in the end is not a fair indication of how easily he won. He's at 7-1 for the 2000 Guineas.

* Yesterday at Ruakaka a filly called Double Or Nothin (3 f Helissio - Unbeleevable) won her debut so impressively that she's dropped from 100-1 to 20-1 for the 1000 Guineas. I was there at the track and the turn of foot she showed to go from mid-pack to 3 lengths in front in the space of about a furlong was absolutely incredible.

* At the same track Silk Spur (2 f Rusty Spur - Silk Purse, 2:2-0-0) won by 3. There have been two 2yo races so far this season, she's won them both. Not sure how far she'll go but she's a speed machine!

* The main race of the day was down at Awapuni, the G3 Merial Mile. It was won well by the underrated Bonjour (7 g Frenchpark - Buyers Dilemma, 26:8-1-6), who got a well-deserved first win at this level after many placings (even one at G1 level).

Next Saturday is a big day at Hastings, including the second leg of the spring treble for older horses, the Stoney Bridge Stakes over a mile. Seachange is currently at even money, and it's hard to see her being beaten although Cog Hill and J'Adane, who were taking ground off her at the end of the Mudgway, will like the extra distance.

There's also the G3 Highview Stakes for fillies, which is likely to include the amazing Special Mission (3 f Towkay - Te Akau Trek, 3:3-0-0), who has been so amazing in all three of her races so far. She won her first by 7, then was even more impressive in stakes races in her last two. Should be a walk in the park for her, she looks one of the best fillies we've got...look forward to seeing her take on Insouciant in November though!

Can't wait until these good 3yos have to face each other for the first time, they're all avoiding each other at the moment of course. Can't do that forever.