New Zealand Racing

[_ed_]

FINALLY made it to an internet cafe.

1000 Guineas was won by...DAFFODIL!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it6mx74iO08

Great race. Absolutely loved it.

Couple of pictures:





Coupland's Mile...Mufhasa!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dSwU3EErds


And my boy Clifton Prince didn't let me down, 3rd and 2nd in two stakes races this week. Good boy.

Tomorrow is the $1 million 2000 Guineas!

1 XD321 Fully Fledged 13 87 56.0 David Walsh Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
2 4X211 Tell A Tale (AUS) 5 82 56.0 Troy Harris Mark Walker, Matamata, Rangiora
3 11932 Altered Image 11 80 56.0 Michael Coleman Mike & Paul Moroney, Matamata
4 1111 Moveovr 9 80 56.0 Chris Johnson Peter & Dawn Williams, Riccarton Park
5 1X13 Kildonan (AUS) 14 78 56.0 Andrew Calder Yves Seguin, Cambridge
6 12X15 Bright Spark 7 77 56.0 Sam Spratt Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
7 0X250 Minstrel Court (AUS) 2 77 56.0 Craig Newitt Mark Walker, Matamata, Rangiora
8 10373 Blakmandu 12 70 56.0 Shannon Doyle (a) Sandy Dravitzki, New Plymouth
9 X6214 Izonit 8 69 56.0 Grant Cooksley Vanessa & Wayne Hillis, Matamata
10 31047 Perky Parrot 6 69 56.0 Gavin McKeon Grant Nicholson, Opaki
11 7X913 Six Star 1 69 56.0 Craig Grylls (a) Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
12 432 Grimalkin (AUS) 3 62 56.0 Hayden Tinsley Mandy & Matt Brown, Ngapuke
13 1X371 Il Quello Veloce 10 88 54.5 Noel Harris John Sargent, Matamata
14 X1162 Juice 4 86 54.5 Leith Innes John Wheeler, New Plymouth

I have no idea who's going to win this. I don't even know how the North boys compare with each other - Fully Fledged, Altered Image, Kildonan. How about the undefeated Southerner Moveovr? Or the fillies IQV and Juice?

Can't wait!

[my miss storm cat]

Ooooh nice pictures ed and thanks for the replay!

* * *

Rooting for Fully Fledged but i don't know half the field, so...

Do you know anything Bullet Proof? Is he okay?

Someone asked me if I'd check but i can't find anything.

Thanks in advance and good luck!

[_ed_]

I haven't heard anything sorry, will let you know if I do.

Fully Fledged didn't get the mile in the 2000 Guineas, came 9th.

The winner was so impressive though, Tell A Tale:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2mS1qm-p6E

4 wins in 7 career races now, 3 of them stakes (the others were the Hawke's Bay Guineas and Canterbury Stakes). Mark Walker says maybe he'll go to the Derby.

And he's such a nice looking boy too:

[brockguy]

ed, not racing related, but ye guys gave us a lesson yesterday in how to play.

[my miss storm cat]

Thanks for the replay!

Nice looking indeed.

Found something, Bullet Proof is among the living. (Surgery, will be spelled for 6 months). Thanks for looking around.

[_ed_]

Originally Posted by brockguy

ed, not racing related, but ye guys gave us a lesson yesterday in how to play.

Have to admit I didn't see the game, looking at the score though it sounds like a good performance. But of course we're always good in the years between World Cups...

[_ed_]

Michael Walker will be back riding by Christmas.

He's coming back to riding trials this week. Amazing recovery.

[_ed_]

G1 Levin Classic tomorrow! A bit of a weird tradition, running this one on Friday. Everyone takes a day off work and heads off to the little town of Otaki. Weird, but awesome.

The field:

1 X2503 Minstrel Court (AUS) 11 86 56.0 Troy Harris Mark Walker, Matamata, Rangiora
2 19325 Altered Image 5 80 56.0 Michael Coleman Mike & Paul Moroney, Matamata
3 11532 Indacool 19 77 56.0 Jarrod Todd Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth
4 24832 Sherborne 16 70 56.0 David Walker Stephen Crutchley, Wanganui
5 4132 Spartanicus 13 70 56.0 Kelly Myers (a) Karen Zimmerman, Otaki
6 31 The Spaniard 18 70 56.0 Robert Hannam Adrian Bull, Hunterville
7 X2120 Fyfetheknife 3 69 56.0 Sam Spratt Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
8 X4843 Kiwi Hussler 15 69 56.0 Noel Harris John Sargent, Matamata
9 62140 Izonit 12 68 56.0 Vinnie Colgan Vanessa & Wayne Hillis, Matamata
10 42X21 Late Addition 8 68 56.0 Craig Grylls (a) Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
11 7X155 Macadamia 9 68 56.0 Patrick Bell (a) Grant Searle, Awapuni
12 32163 Spontaneous 4 68 56.0 Gavin McKeon Robert Priscott, Te Awamutu
13 60294 Merrymaker 10 67 56.0 Reese Jones Mike & Paul Moroney, Matamata
14 X4205 Siem Reap 14 67 56.0 Andrew Calder Royce Dowling & Linda Laing, Cambridge
15 31X38 Court Ruler 6 66 56.0 Leith Innes John Wheeler, New Plymouth
16 X2211 Daffodil 17 88 54.5 Hayden Tinsley Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge, Palmerston North
17 410 Tap 'N' Gap 2 66 54.5 Grant Searle, Awapuni
18 532 Phantom Storm (AUS) 7 58 56.0 Lisa Latta, Awapuni
19 3530 Sahara 1 56 54.5 Rachael Frost, Otaki

Daffodil's hard to beat here despite the wide gate.

[_ed_]

Daffodil had a shocking trip, forget she ran.

The winner was...ALTERED IMAGE!

Replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbzbthAip80

He started the season undefeated and looking like he might dominate the 3yos this year, but things haven't gone well - the Levin Classic was his first win of the season.

He really deserved his G1 win though, happy for him and the Moroneys.

[my miss storm cat]

Thanks for the replay and yeah, nice for the connections.

[Scurlogue Champ]

What are the two best racecourses in New Zealand as far as quality racing and Group racing?

Much appreciated.

[_ed_]

Ellerslie in Auckland is the best, with races like the NZ Derby (worth NZ$2.2 million) and 6 other G1 races.

It's a long way ahead, but there are some others that are as good at a certain time of year - Hastings in September/October, Riccarton in November and Trentham in January.

For lower levels, maiden races at Matamata are usually amazingly strong - lots of the main trainers are based there so the best horses often start off at their local track.

[_ed_]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Thanks for the replay and yeah, nice for the connections.

They won another G2 today with Tinseltown, looks like a top contender for the Auckland Cup in March.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Ellerslie in Auckland is the best, with races like the NZ Derby (worth NZ$2.2 million) and 6 other G1 races.

It's a long way ahead, but there are some others that are as good at a certain time of year - Hastings in September/October, Riccarton in November and Trentham in January.

For lower levels, maiden races at Matamata are usually amazingly strong - lots of the main trainers are based there so the best horses often start off at their local track.

Many thanks, mate.

[my miss storm cat]

Walker back in the winners circle...

http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/nz....aspx?id=37980

[_ed_]

That was great, and that filly Santangelo looks like a nice horse.

Oh and I see you have Egyptian Ra as your avatar...Walker's riding a 3yo half-sister on Sunday, having her debut. I'll let you know how she goes.

[my miss storm cat]

Ooooh, let me know hoe she does!

[_ed_]

Today was one of the early prep races for the Derby, the Avondale Guineas. No horse has won both the 2000 Guineas and Derby since Surfers Paradise in 1990. Long way to go, but would you bet against Tell A Tale doing it?

Replay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDkp6M5R320





It might be too soon to say stuff like this, but who cares - Best NZ 3yo since Xcellent. And maybe in the top 3 in the last 10 years. But I am kinda over-excited, just got back from being there at the track.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Best NZ 3yo since Xcellent.

The supreme complement.

Thanks for the replay!

[_ed_]

Zagazig (half-sister to Egyptian Ra) came 3rd in her debut today. Nice effort, might be better over a bit more distance.