New Zealand Racing, 2012-13

[_ed_]

The field comes out tomorrow.

Horses that I've heard will be targeting the race include Zurella, Our Famous Eve, Choice Bro, Neo, Joey Massino, Tyne Cot, Miss Pelear, Brave Centaur and Postman's Daughter.

[my miss storm cat]

Stupid question and I know the very nice winning streak Brave Centaur has going right now (and like him very very much!) but it seems a little strange to see his name in with this group.

I know it's his first G1 (at least i think so!) but (and forgive my dumb question) but is this his first stakes race?

I mean no disrespect and like i said I like him... he knows how to win (!)... but I just can't remember him facing horses of this level.

[_ed_]

Yeah, you're absolutely right - this is his first time in any stakes race. It's a big step up for him! But I think he has earned it with his amazing winning sequence.

Tyne Cot is a similar one - four wins in seven starts, but he's never run at stakes level.

It'll be interesting to see if they can handle it!

I'm looking at the 3yos here - Choice Bro and Neo. They've got to be big chances with light weights on their back.

[my miss storm cat]

Just saw the final field...VERY nice!

Who do you suppose gets the Zurella mount?

Good luck to Pinzaara!

[_ed_]

Matt Cameron will ride Zurella.

Thanks! It's going to be hard from that wide gate.

[my miss storm cat]

Well I hope she wins for you!

Hey what do you think of Viadanas chances? I just watched the Japan Trophy again and wow she was really good!

[_ed_]

Yeah, she is good! She's a little bit inconsistent. Her last five races: 1st, 10th, 7th, 6th, 2nd. So you never really know what you're going to get! If she brings her A game, she'll be hard to beat.

Easter Handicap odds:
Brave Centaur 12
Capone 50
Happy Guys 27
Maximum Height 18
Viadana 14
Zurella 5f
Sir Lovesalot 20
Sum Up 16
Miss Pelear 25
Postman's Daughter 18
Art Beat 30
Joey Massino 20
Innovation 11
Our Famous Eve 17
Tyne Cot 8
Choice Bro 9
Neo 6.50

Maximum Height is a really interesting horse. At one stage, his career record was 40:2-5-4... now it's 47:8-5-4! He's won six of his last seven. It's a crazy turnaround.

[_ed_]

Whoa, that was outstanding!

Poor old Postman's Daughter - second in a G1 for the third time.

[my miss storm cat]

I think she read your post about bringing her A game and it inspired her.

Yeah poor Postman's Daughter (!)... does she have a G1 win?

I'm still stunned that was the final G1.

I've only watched 2 replays so far and oh wow first of all congrats on Pinzaara being 4th!

I love the racecaller whose name I can never seem to remember and that was the first time I ever heard him get so quiet and,... yeah that was a hard finish to figure out.

Made him even more endearing.

[_ed_]

Haha, yeah! That's George Simon.

Postman's Daughter hasn't won a G1 yet! Her biggest win was the G2 Counties Cup in December 2011.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Haha, yeah! That's George Simon.

Postman's Daughter hasn't won a G1 yet! Her biggest win was the G2 Counties Cup in December 2011.

I love him!

Well still... a G2 is pretty good.

I just saw the noms for Sat. @ Hastings and I'm happy! The Hombre sand Huffer in the same race? Yea!

Awww I saw Bruce Almighty's name once again and had to look... been a while since he's won one and with 110 starts you think maybe it's time to let the old boy retire? I hope they do...

[my miss storm cat]

Veyron's barrier issues resolved

http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...ssues-resolved

[_ed_]

That's a really interesting story. I knew he was a big horse, but didn't know he was that big!

Also, NZ Derby winner v NZ Oaks winner in the Australian Oaks this Saturday. Habibi's the better of the two, in my opinion. But More Than Sacred could finish in the money too, hopefully!

[my miss storm cat]

Oh geez ed I can't keep track of all of them! So glad you posted that!

[my miss storm cat]

Starting to look at which races to play tonight( tomorrow) and kinda depressing seeing Vonusti, Green Birdie, The Jackal and Firebolt @ Eagle Farm (all at odds of like 30/1, 50/1)...

Thought 3 of the 4 were retired. Hope they have safe trips home.

Good luck to Veyron and all the great NZ horses.

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by _ed_

That's a really interesting story. I knew he was a big horse, but didn't know he was that big!

Also, NZ Derby winner v NZ Oaks winner in the Australian Oaks this Saturday. Habibi's the better of the two, in my opinion. But More Than Sacred could finish in the money too, hopefully!

I wonder how many hands he is.

[_ed_]

That's a good question! I'll try to find that out and get back to you.

[_ed_]

Wow, SHUKA by 10!

Well, maybe not quite 10. Got a bit excited. But still, that was phenomenal.

Survived in the HB Cup was extraordinary too - first 3yo to win it since 1977, and only the third since 1958.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Arletta

I wonder how many hands he is.

One of my favorites and I have never thought to ask this. Glad you did!

Why was he scratched, ed?

Originally Posted by _ed_

Wow, SHUKA by 10!

Well, maybe not quite 10. Got a bit excited. But still, that was phenomenal.

Survived in the HB Cup was extraordinary too - first 3yo to win it since 1977, and only the third since 1958.

Oh! Nice news. Haven't seen any replays yet but reading that Sacred Falls won the Doncaster just now sure woke me up...

Fantastic!

[_ed_]

I can't find any other reason, so I think it must have been the track conditions.

Great race by Sacred Falls! But, to be fair, Pierro would have won if they'd carried equal weight.