2008 New Zealand Derby

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Thought our biggest race of the year deserved a thread to itself.

2008 Mercedes New Zealand Derby: https://www.ebetonline.co.nz/forms/2..._M2_R9_Ext.pdf

This is an awesome field, the best Derby lineup for ages.

The betting looks like this:
Mission Critical 9-2
Fritzy Boy 20-1
Prince Kaapstad 30-1
Red Ruler 2-1 favourite
Sircross 14-1
Pierre Joseph 13-1
Il Divo 17-1
Nom du Jeu 5-1
Avancer 30-1
Six O'Clock News 9-1
Twoeezy 60-1
C'est La Guerre 14-1
Borrack 80-1
Steel 26-1
Butwaittheresmore 100-1
Pentour 25-1
Abitofado 150-1
Sing Song Girl 30-1
Thumbs Up 10-1
Strengthtostrength 100-1

So, who's looked the best going in to the race?

Nom du Jeu was favourite on the futures odds after this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G82qbQUc5wo

But then Red Ruler passed him with this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vjyxd5tPKo

And let's not forget Mission Critical, it's not easy to do this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD2WPJxuVmY

Sure, he was beating up on weak fields, but Fritzy Boy's not too bad either - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSWDX2hKVEE

I think Red Ruler's performance made my jaw drop the furthest, he went from a virtual no-name horse to Derby favourite in about 1 furlong. From now on I will say that any big winner like this of a Derby prep the month before the race is 'doing a Red Ruler'. Well, until one comes along that's better at least.

But Mission Critical's G1 win last start was massive too. You don't often have a horse in the Derby who has already won against older horses, let alone such an impressive win against horses like Sir Slick (who has beaten Xcellent and Princess Coup).

So who wins the Derby this year? I really have no idea. And the wait for 5:22 on Saturday is killing me.