New Zealand Racing, 2010-11

[my miss storm cat]

I'm glad she'll have a couple more starts.

Those first two fields!!!

Who do you like in the MIllion?

It's almost a relief to see a field and not be familiar with the names cause there are always toooooooooooooo many good horses I like.

Wow the field for the Mile...

My dream come true would be Red Ruler, Atapi and Fritzi Boy in any order. (Hey at least I didn't say in a triple dead heat).

Who wins, ed?

[_ed_]

I hope Red Ruler goes well in the Mile, but I think he might find it just a bit too short for him. Salvatore and Fritzy Boy might be the likeliest, but you can't rule out November Rain, Fears Nothing or Eileen Dubh.

I think the Cup is between Veloce Bella and Innocent Lady. Innocent Lady might just beat her this time because she has to carry a much lower weight.

The Million is confusing! All the horses that have really impressed me so far have drawn very wide gates, which is difficult in 1200m races at Ellerslie. I think Planet Rock and Super Easy are the most talented, but I can't see them getting easy trips.

Oh, and there's also a big 3yo race at Ellerslie on Sunday, with one name in particular you should recognise...

1 23012 Icepin 11 85 56.0 Vinnie Colgan Jason Bridgman, Matamata
2 11455 Encosta Diablo 7 76 56.0 Opie Bosson Jason Bridgman, Matamata
3 10542 Hammer Down 14 76 56.0 Leith Innes Stephen McKee, Ardmore
4 17923 Hoofit 16 76 56.0 Andrew Calder Stephen McKee, Ardmore
5 30X11 Eightlives 6 74 56.0 Michael Rodd Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
6 20074 Sweet Suitor 1 73 56.0 Jonathan Riddell Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea
7 12130 Eight Schillings 2 72 56.0 Sam Spratt Stephen McKee, Ardmore
8 45102 Rimsky 9 70 56.0 Mark Du Plessis Bruce Wallace, Takanini
9 83313 Yourein (AUS) 12 70 56.0 Michael Coleman John Sargent, Matamata
10 X4X78 The Diamond Duke 10 67 56.0 Patrick Holmes Shaune Ritchie, Cambridge
11 X3232 Szyslak 8 59 56.0 Mark Hills Garry & Steven Barlow, Woodville
12 0X443 Beam Me Up 17 58 56.0 Chad Ormsby Bryce Revell, New Plymouth
13 96521 Banchee 13 85 54.5 James McDonald (a) John Sargent, Matamata
14 11X21 Miss Confidential 4 79 54.5 Hugh Bowman Mark Wallace, Warwick Farm
15 74307 Lady Kipling 3 73 54.5 Jason Collett (a) Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
16 44483 Fastnet Lady (AUS) 15 68 54.5 Mark Sweeney Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
17 81606 Dreamcatcher 5 67 54.5 Matthew Cameron Roger James, Cambridge
18 96252 La Grande Dame 19 59 54.5 Stephen Marsh, Cambridge
19 32371 Run To The Bank 18 68 54.5 Stephen Marsh, Cambridge

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Oh, and there's also a big 3yo race at Ellerslie on Sunday, with one name in particular you should recognise...

I started reading the names and thought oh well okay I like Icepin but not the most exciting... but then I saw the name you meant.

Good luck to her.

Who is the favorite in the Mile?

[_ed_]

Banchee is, just ahead of Icepin, Hammer Down and The Diamond Duke.

[_ed_]

Oh, did you mean the Thorndon Mile? Oops, sorry! November Rain is the favourite for that. Then The Meista and Fears Nothing.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Oh, did you mean the Thorndon Mile? Oops, sorry! November Rain is the favourite for that. Then The Meista and Fears Nothing.

Don't be sorry and yes I meant this one but I'm glad you answered for both cause I had no clue besides Banchee and Icepin!

[_ed_]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xhfgLGHYzk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSOsRVvbF_s

Booming is suddenly a dual G1 winner.

This G3 fillies races was good as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U7Lg1skrAs

[my miss storm cat]

I was about to write how exciting these were after each one and am so thrillied for Booming (wow I didn't expect that) but the thing is the last one I watched was the MIle and Fritzy Boy at the end..... is he okay ed? I'm watching and trying to see who that is way at the back and checked them off in my head when the announcer called the order and once I realized who it was... just made my heart sink.

Hope he''s alright.

Thrilling races though.

Dating? Very nice!

All of them were.

[_ed_]

I found this: "A post-race veterinary examination of FRITZY BOY revealed superficial abrasions to the right eye, left nostril and left hip."

Sounds like he had a bit of a rough race. Nothing serious at least, but that's probably why he performed so badly. I don't blame him!

[_ed_]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO-CDZOWe1Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJvT3dNjpqk

Another great day at Ellerslie.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO-CDZOWe1Q

Another great day at Ellerslie.

Good girl!!!

Thanks for both links and for the Fritzy news, poor guy.

Oh forgot to ask in the Karaka Million? Who is the horse out wide who is flying at the end?

[_ed_]

That was Savabill. He was only 5th, but it was a very good performance. He's definitely one to watch over more distance.

That was a great performance by Banchee! She has such a huge sprint.

[my miss storm cat]

Awfully nice run... I hadn't heard his name before but will remember it now.

* * *

Banchee!

[_ed_]

And poor old Icepin! In the last year or so:

2nd Karaka Million (behind Sister Havana)
2nd Hawke's Bay Guineas (behind Jimmy Choux)
2nd Great Northern Guineas (behind Jimmy Choux)
2nd Karaka Mile (behind Banchee)

[_ed_]

Waikato Guineas tomorrow! This is the first of the two main Derby prep races. We were expecting Jimmy and He's Remarkable to clash here, but He's Remarkable is going to the other race instead - that's the Avondale Guineas at Ellerslie in two weeks.

Waikato Guineas field:

1 11011 Jimmy Choux 6 94 56.0 Jonathan Riddell John Bary, Hastings
2 2112 Historian 10 77 56.0 Chad Ormsby Tony Pike & Mark Donoghue, Cambridge
3 311 Hidden Asset 8 76 56.0 James McDonald (a) Shaune Ritchie, Cambridge
4 31233 Yin Yang Master (AUS) 9 75 56.0 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
5 21216 On The Level 7 74 56.0 Opie Bosson Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
6 12457 Mr Pedantic 3 68 56.0 Matthew Cameron Patsy Riley, Pukekohe
7 91583 Ransomed 11 68 56.0 David Walker Gary Vile, Awapuni
8 517 Kings Rag 4 67 56.0 Craig Grylls Ken Harrison, Wanganui
9 335 Essential 2 57 56.0 Vinnie Colgan John Sargent, Matamata
10 24638 Queen Of Pop 1 72 54.5 Jason Collett (a) Donna, Dean Logan & Chris Gibbs, Ruakaka
11 120P4 Keenly 5 69 54.5 Michael Coleman Robert Priscott & Clayton Chipperfield, Te Awamutu

I love this field. Jimmy should win if he gets the distance...but will he?

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

And poor old Icepin! In the last year or so:

2nd Karaka Million (behind Sister Havana)
2nd Hawke's Bay Guineas (behind Jimmy Choux)
2nd Great Northern Guineas (behind Jimmy Choux)
2nd Karaka Mile (behind Banchee)

Poor guy he and Red Ruler are BOTH like Youmzain!

Nice field and yeah smart for avoiding Jimmy .

I only know half these horses but nice field!

Who else is going to the race at Ellerslie instead?

You will post any Fritzy Boy update, right (I know you will).

Hopefully there's no news cause he's just fine!

[_ed_]

It sounds like he's fine. He was going to run in a big G1 race on the 12th, but I think they've decided to take it easy with him for a while. The G1 Easter Handicap in April is the big target for the next few months.

Confirmed/likely for the Avondale Guineas: He's Remarkable, Arakti, Yourein, Encosta Diablo, O'Reilly's Prize, Nippin, Starcheeka

And I heard a rumour that Banchee might run in it. They're really seriously considering the Derby with her.

[my miss storm cat]

I think they should go for it!

You?

Glad to hear Arakti will be in that one and that they'll take it slow with Fritzy.

[_ed_]

She's definitely good enough. But she's another one that you just don't know about the distance - she's never been tried over further than a mile. Her half-sister Katie couldn't do it last year. But there's only one way to find out!

I totally understand owners finding the Derby more attractive than the Oaks - $2.2 million v $500,000.

[my miss storm cat]

It'll be exciting to see what they decide!