Pinzee should win the third.
Has the gate speed to cross.
Last time given no peace in front but fought on for fourth behind a couple of nice horses.
Although unproven on wet ground she has a pedigree that suggests she may be ok. Her mum won a Marlborough Cup on a slow track.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
No Teflon Don
I've watched the emergence of Don Eduardo and Thorn Park as sires with interest over the last couple of months.
In the Don's case the good looker has been making headlines since the day he was born.
You see Don is the product of racing royalty. In human terms he'd be compared to the offspring of Michael Phelps and Elle McPherson.
Befitting his parentage, Don is built magnificently. He fills the eye like Madileine Stowe or George Clooney and if mares bat for the other side ( I don't know the answer to that, can anyone enlighten me?) they would conceivably turn for him.
Such was Don's lineage and looks that he became, when sold through the Karaka ring in 2000 - what a piece of theatre his sale was except if you were an Optus shareholder - the highest priced yearling sold at auction in Australasia at 3.6million NZ; a record that still stands.
And the buzz didn't stop for a while because remarkably the big fella could run. He seemed to take an eternity to wind up in his races - think his running down of Carneige Express to win the 2002 AJC Derby - but he had courage, in bucket loads.
I'd be the first to admit that when he retired to stud in 2004 I thought the Don train might finally have run out of steam. Sure he had the genes and the looks but in racing speak he was a bit of a grinder. The first thing that probably ran through a lot of breeders minds was are his progeny going to take 2000m just to warm up?
Well Don Eduardo's stallion career has been a little bit like his racing style, slow to start but building momentum that's hard to stop..
With his oldest crop four-year-olds, the son of Zabeel has been represented by six stakes performers - all four year-olds - since New Years day including three Group winners.
And no there was'nt a Von Dousa winner amongst them, but they are proving versatile. He has a Group One sprint performer in Dashing Donna, a smart three-year-old sprinter in Australia in Swift Alliance while at the other end of the scale you have the likes of Divine Rebel and Vickezzchardonnay proving themselves as true staying types.
A lot of successful stallions stamp their best progeny and the Don does just that.
Dashing Donna and All In Black are medium size with athleticism while the males tend to be real peas to a pod -bigger with tremendous girths.
Another characteristic, on the pedigree page, is the propensity for speed to show up on the dam side of his stock's better performers. Sensibly breeders seem to have focused on balancing the Don's staying prowress with speed as a number of these dams have won at between 1200m and 1400m.
Even the best mating plans come unstuck if connections fail to display the patience that the breed require but in Don's case the virtue doesn't look to have been ignored as his stock have really come into their own as autumn four-year-olds.
He is no heir apparent to the throne of his illustrious father and will probably never match the deeds of a Pentire, but in Don Eduardo breeders look to have another unearthed another quality staying option in a current breeding environment hardly endowed with variety in that aisle.
Dropping off the radar for a season or two while his stock matured, the Don is once again a name on thoroughbred followers lips. Thankfully we've been saved the stories of Mark Spitz's full brother and Snaffi Dancer.
In the Don's case the good looker has been making headlines since the day he was born.
You see Don is the product of racing royalty. In human terms he'd be compared to the offspring of Michael Phelps and Elle McPherson.
Befitting his parentage, Don is built magnificently. He fills the eye like Madileine Stowe or George Clooney and if mares bat for the other side ( I don't know the answer to that, can anyone enlighten me?) they would conceivably turn for him.
Such was Don's lineage and looks that he became, when sold through the Karaka ring in 2000 - what a piece of theatre his sale was except if you were an Optus shareholder - the highest priced yearling sold at auction in Australasia at 3.6million NZ; a record that still stands.
And the buzz didn't stop for a while because remarkably the big fella could run. He seemed to take an eternity to wind up in his races - think his running down of Carneige Express to win the 2002 AJC Derby - but he had courage, in bucket loads.
I'd be the first to admit that when he retired to stud in 2004 I thought the Don train might finally have run out of steam. Sure he had the genes and the looks but in racing speak he was a bit of a grinder. The first thing that probably ran through a lot of breeders minds was are his progeny going to take 2000m just to warm up?
Well Don Eduardo's stallion career has been a little bit like his racing style, slow to start but building momentum that's hard to stop..
With his oldest crop four-year-olds, the son of Zabeel has been represented by six stakes performers - all four year-olds - since New Years day including three Group winners.
And no there was'nt a Von Dousa winner amongst them, but they are proving versatile. He has a Group One sprint performer in Dashing Donna, a smart three-year-old sprinter in Australia in Swift Alliance while at the other end of the scale you have the likes of Divine Rebel and Vickezzchardonnay proving themselves as true staying types.
A lot of successful stallions stamp their best progeny and the Don does just that.
Dashing Donna and All In Black are medium size with athleticism while the males tend to be real peas to a pod -bigger with tremendous girths.
Another characteristic, on the pedigree page, is the propensity for speed to show up on the dam side of his stock's better performers. Sensibly breeders seem to have focused on balancing the Don's staying prowress with speed as a number of these dams have won at between 1200m and 1400m.
Even the best mating plans come unstuck if connections fail to display the patience that the breed require but in Don's case the virtue doesn't look to have been ignored as his stock have really come into their own as autumn four-year-olds.
He is no heir apparent to the throne of his illustrious father and will probably never match the deeds of a Pentire, but in Don Eduardo breeders look to have another unearthed another quality staying option in a current breeding environment hardly endowed with variety in that aisle.
Dropping off the radar for a season or two while his stock matured, the Don is once again a name on thoroughbred followers lips. Thankfully we've been saved the stories of Mark Spitz's full brother and Snaffi Dancer.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Hawkes Bay
Another late season gem of a meeting to get too.
Volgus took the 2 year-old race in a workman like fashion. He's certainly developed since I remember him as a yearling. He's already looking for 1600m and could eventually get 2000m plus. Doesn't appeal as a early season Classic type. Gordon Roberts is the one to watch out of this race. Did a few things wrong but a nice type with scope. Monaco Consul looked to me like he needed a softer track.
Dawson Falls is putting together a nice record for talented horseman Paul Belsham. One of the few to make ground from the back all day. Seemed to peak 75 out but lifted again. A strongly made individual who looks like he'll carry weight, he'll win a few more.
I like these intermediate staying races and if our clubs continue to support them with good prizemoney then connections are encouraged to race stayers. At a time when our friends across the ditch are lamenting the decline in their staying races and staying talent (funny they go hand in hand), we need to continue to steal the march. The first two home will be interesting to watch next season. Bakup, from a daughter of that grand stayer Daria's Fun, made it a staying test and scored a tough win against the older horses. He d been held against his own age group in the Manawatu Classic but that could have been an abirition. Booming ground home like a 2 miler. From a Grosvenor mare I feel the best is still to be seen of this big boy. He's my horse to follow. Don't give up on Solid Billing, it supprised me they backed him up so quickly. He was ridden off the speed for a change too. He's one to keep an eye on next year down in the weights in a nice handicap.
La Etolie was the most impressive winner on the card. Boy aren't the sock of Thorn Park having a great trot. A big strong girl, they don't break 1.35 often at the Bay and she did it with a bit in hand. Don Julio, another big Don Eduardo horse just starting to develop, was game and can go on.
Onto the Cup, I worked out my first HB Cup was Secret Seals back in 87. Some of these had been up a while and it showed in the yard with few standouts - Spec Icon and All in Black were the pick. AIB has to take the credit despite the lightweight and easy trip. They simply don't come this far this quick without a lot of talent. She has a turn of foot though and could yet measure up in some of those summer and autumn 2000m WFA races next term. Stand Tall's run was enormous. He's a bit of enigma and at 7 going on 8 you can't get too carried away but he's just the type that could bob into your Kelt trifecta for third. John Wheeler has done a great job with him and I bet he d love to be taking him to Oakbank next Easter but one suspects the owners may have slighty different sights. Vosnee Romanee ran his usual honest race but has turned into a bit of a gunna for mine. To be fair he probably doesn't get 2200 and his best chance of a nice race is 1600 on the fresh side.
There are some good rating 90 gallopers up north at the moment and Vonusti franked this. Never easy to back up within a week and with a trip over the Kaweka's to boot but he won the last very easily. Hakuna Matata was game and the key to him seems to be a firm track but the winner was in a different league.
Didn't see much on intertrack apart from Takeover Targets win which sent a tingle up the spine. I saw him in Sydney last autumn and thought he was on the downward slide. Like the Pumper has shown us in recent months, champions never lie down.
I have seen the R90 race from Tauranga on replay. Follow anything out of this race as it will be a very strong form race into next season. The winner is pretty special and don't be suprised if they go to the well again this season to try and get his rating up for HB in the spring. Our Canavaro and Attackum will be worth watching next season.
Volgus took the 2 year-old race in a workman like fashion. He's certainly developed since I remember him as a yearling. He's already looking for 1600m and could eventually get 2000m plus. Doesn't appeal as a early season Classic type. Gordon Roberts is the one to watch out of this race. Did a few things wrong but a nice type with scope. Monaco Consul looked to me like he needed a softer track.
Dawson Falls is putting together a nice record for talented horseman Paul Belsham. One of the few to make ground from the back all day. Seemed to peak 75 out but lifted again. A strongly made individual who looks like he'll carry weight, he'll win a few more.
I like these intermediate staying races and if our clubs continue to support them with good prizemoney then connections are encouraged to race stayers. At a time when our friends across the ditch are lamenting the decline in their staying races and staying talent (funny they go hand in hand), we need to continue to steal the march. The first two home will be interesting to watch next season. Bakup, from a daughter of that grand stayer Daria's Fun, made it a staying test and scored a tough win against the older horses. He d been held against his own age group in the Manawatu Classic but that could have been an abirition. Booming ground home like a 2 miler. From a Grosvenor mare I feel the best is still to be seen of this big boy. He's my horse to follow. Don't give up on Solid Billing, it supprised me they backed him up so quickly. He was ridden off the speed for a change too. He's one to keep an eye on next year down in the weights in a nice handicap.
La Etolie was the most impressive winner on the card. Boy aren't the sock of Thorn Park having a great trot. A big strong girl, they don't break 1.35 often at the Bay and she did it with a bit in hand. Don Julio, another big Don Eduardo horse just starting to develop, was game and can go on.
Onto the Cup, I worked out my first HB Cup was Secret Seals back in 87. Some of these had been up a while and it showed in the yard with few standouts - Spec Icon and All in Black were the pick. AIB has to take the credit despite the lightweight and easy trip. They simply don't come this far this quick without a lot of talent. She has a turn of foot though and could yet measure up in some of those summer and autumn 2000m WFA races next term. Stand Tall's run was enormous. He's a bit of enigma and at 7 going on 8 you can't get too carried away but he's just the type that could bob into your Kelt trifecta for third. John Wheeler has done a great job with him and I bet he d love to be taking him to Oakbank next Easter but one suspects the owners may have slighty different sights. Vosnee Romanee ran his usual honest race but has turned into a bit of a gunna for mine. To be fair he probably doesn't get 2200 and his best chance of a nice race is 1600 on the fresh side.
There are some good rating 90 gallopers up north at the moment and Vonusti franked this. Never easy to back up within a week and with a trip over the Kaweka's to boot but he won the last very easily. Hakuna Matata was game and the key to him seems to be a firm track but the winner was in a different league.
Didn't see much on intertrack apart from Takeover Targets win which sent a tingle up the spine. I saw him in Sydney last autumn and thought he was on the downward slide. Like the Pumper has shown us in recent months, champions never lie down.
I have seen the R90 race from Tauranga on replay. Follow anything out of this race as it will be a very strong form race into next season. The winner is pretty special and don't be suprised if they go to the well again this season to try and get his rating up for HB in the spring. Our Canavaro and Attackum will be worth watching next season.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Just An Excuse
No I haven't started talking about my love of the harness horse. Another night perhaps.
But I was taken back by the bumbling comments in the Aussie media since Saturday, handing out excuses for a number of the beaten runners in the AJC Derby. Jockey s and trainers were wading in, I won't bore you with the details.
All I say to you is get a DVD of the race, put it in your machine and push play. The winner did more work in the first half mile than most of the rest of the field put together did in the entire race. He then hit the lead before the rise in the straight, defied them all the way up the rise and apart from Predatory Pricer was pulling away at the line.
Carpe Diem. Jimmy Cassidy used his iniative and that is a sight for sore eyes. Actually there is a harness analogy here. I used to nearly always enjoy backing pacers driven by Neil Brady because he put his horses into the races, ok sometimes it was a bit rough but as a punter I was satisfied whatever the result (most of the time) because I d had a run for my money. Which is a lot more than I got out of this years Auckland galloping Cup.
I dropped into Ellerslie on my way back on Monday. I can't remember much of my drive back from the Coromandel, I was still getting over the $4.40 offered on Attackum when the TAB opened the markets shortly after 8am.
He was probably even more impressive than at Te Aroha. I watched the race from the top of the Public and he lost his footing momentarily at about the 150m but such was his momentum he picked himself up and to the naked eye you wouldn't have noticed it. Eased down noticably over the last 50m he still broke 35 on an off track. He 's the horse Pins needed to kickstart things after a slowish 12 months. I d thought Run Like the Wind was potentially the best Pins male I'd seen El Segundo excluded, but this fellow has a more lethal sprint. Potentially the most exciting horse I've seen in NZ this season.
At Te Aroha tomorrow there s a filly Alapia (another Pins) who can win the third. Has been entered and scratched a couple of times lately. She 's a filly I ve followed since I saw her realise a lot of money at Karaka a couple of years ago. She s built into form nicely and Casey whom beat her last start then came out and ran 2nd in a very strong form race on Breeders Day at TA.
No I have no fiduciary interest in Pins or any other asset of Waikato Stud.
But I was taken back by the bumbling comments in the Aussie media since Saturday, handing out excuses for a number of the beaten runners in the AJC Derby. Jockey s and trainers were wading in, I won't bore you with the details.
All I say to you is get a DVD of the race, put it in your machine and push play. The winner did more work in the first half mile than most of the rest of the field put together did in the entire race. He then hit the lead before the rise in the straight, defied them all the way up the rise and apart from Predatory Pricer was pulling away at the line.
Carpe Diem. Jimmy Cassidy used his iniative and that is a sight for sore eyes. Actually there is a harness analogy here. I used to nearly always enjoy backing pacers driven by Neil Brady because he put his horses into the races, ok sometimes it was a bit rough but as a punter I was satisfied whatever the result (most of the time) because I d had a run for my money. Which is a lot more than I got out of this years Auckland galloping Cup.
I dropped into Ellerslie on my way back on Monday. I can't remember much of my drive back from the Coromandel, I was still getting over the $4.40 offered on Attackum when the TAB opened the markets shortly after 8am.
He was probably even more impressive than at Te Aroha. I watched the race from the top of the Public and he lost his footing momentarily at about the 150m but such was his momentum he picked himself up and to the naked eye you wouldn't have noticed it. Eased down noticably over the last 50m he still broke 35 on an off track. He 's the horse Pins needed to kickstart things after a slowish 12 months. I d thought Run Like the Wind was potentially the best Pins male I'd seen El Segundo excluded, but this fellow has a more lethal sprint. Potentially the most exciting horse I've seen in NZ this season.
At Te Aroha tomorrow there s a filly Alapia (another Pins) who can win the third. Has been entered and scratched a couple of times lately. She 's a filly I ve followed since I saw her realise a lot of money at Karaka a couple of years ago. She s built into form nicely and Casey whom beat her last start then came out and ran 2nd in a very strong form race on Breeders Day at TA.
No I have no fiduciary interest in Pins or any other asset of Waikato Stud.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Saturday
Popped out to Ellerslie.
Put a few in the blackbook.
Walkonby's a promising sprinter and should become Strategic Image's second stakeswinner next season. He was game behind the tough Geeza after been posted 3 wide throughout. A nice physical type who throws to the good ones from the family such as Kosha and Crooked Stick.
Haya Riva can win at short notice. I had a few $ e/w at 70's and if he d got any run he should have been in the money. A big relaxed type who is just coming to it and should win a couple next season.
Horses don't get made any better than Align to Infinity. He's probably a miler rather than a 2000m horse. Connections will have some fun with him next year. In the same race Cape Le Paul was still a bit fat and can win midweek.
Showcause was a nice win against the older horses and was one of the few to make ground down the outside all afternoon. He's only a pony but apparently Frank Ritchie has a fair bit of time for him. An slightly extravagent high action he'll probably handle off tracks. A friend at the races mentioned the dam that very good mare Showella had died recently.
On the intertrack I thought Guthrum who won the second at Riverton will win again shortly and Hell Yeah's finishing burst at Trentham was indicative of her talent.
The 2 year-old at Wellington didn't beat much I thought.
At Caulfield, First Command looks a sprinter we'll see this spring in some nice races. Sectionals at the provincials had been out of top drawer and Lee Freedman has a smart one here by the under rated Commands. And the way Bellabachi stuck on in the 3 year old stayers race suggests the VRC St Leger distance will be right up her alley in a fortnight.
I can't go without dipping my hat to Bart Cummings. Genius is an oversubscribed word these days but the title struggles to do him justice. And what can you say about Jimmy Cassidy. He's had more ups and downs than the Fijian political system but he keeps getting up. Good on ya pumper, you and Bart are great for the game.
And the Bakers I thought didn't loose much in comparison. Harris Tweed should be twice the horse next season after 2 months in the paddock.
And what a season that Sneetch/Sellou family has had. Black Mamba in the States, Can't Keeper Down runs second in the Oaks and now Roman Emperor.
The fields for Ellerslie tomorrow are okay. I see Attackum is in. Apparently you d need a crowbar to get Jame's McDonald off him. Could be a litmus test tomorrow, few showers around here today and backing up quickly.
Put a few in the blackbook.
Walkonby's a promising sprinter and should become Strategic Image's second stakeswinner next season. He was game behind the tough Geeza after been posted 3 wide throughout. A nice physical type who throws to the good ones from the family such as Kosha and Crooked Stick.
Haya Riva can win at short notice. I had a few $ e/w at 70's and if he d got any run he should have been in the money. A big relaxed type who is just coming to it and should win a couple next season.
Horses don't get made any better than Align to Infinity. He's probably a miler rather than a 2000m horse. Connections will have some fun with him next year. In the same race Cape Le Paul was still a bit fat and can win midweek.
Showcause was a nice win against the older horses and was one of the few to make ground down the outside all afternoon. He's only a pony but apparently Frank Ritchie has a fair bit of time for him. An slightly extravagent high action he'll probably handle off tracks. A friend at the races mentioned the dam that very good mare Showella had died recently.
On the intertrack I thought Guthrum who won the second at Riverton will win again shortly and Hell Yeah's finishing burst at Trentham was indicative of her talent.
The 2 year-old at Wellington didn't beat much I thought.
At Caulfield, First Command looks a sprinter we'll see this spring in some nice races. Sectionals at the provincials had been out of top drawer and Lee Freedman has a smart one here by the under rated Commands. And the way Bellabachi stuck on in the 3 year old stayers race suggests the VRC St Leger distance will be right up her alley in a fortnight.
I can't go without dipping my hat to Bart Cummings. Genius is an oversubscribed word these days but the title struggles to do him justice. And what can you say about Jimmy Cassidy. He's had more ups and downs than the Fijian political system but he keeps getting up. Good on ya pumper, you and Bart are great for the game.
And the Bakers I thought didn't loose much in comparison. Harris Tweed should be twice the horse next season after 2 months in the paddock.
And what a season that Sneetch/Sellou family has had. Black Mamba in the States, Can't Keeper Down runs second in the Oaks and now Roman Emperor.
The fields for Ellerslie tomorrow are okay. I see Attackum is in. Apparently you d need a crowbar to get Jame's McDonald off him. Could be a litmus test tomorrow, few showers around here today and backing up quickly.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Where Have The Stayers Gone
Looking at the AJC Derby field last night I thought where have we come to get such a weak field for today. I'm probably getting a tad carried away to call it that way; I guess I unfairly compare all AJC Derby fields with the 1996 edition. A bit like comparing your wife with your uni girlfriend.
The Sadlers Wells bred has been much maligned in these parts; not enough bone and don't get enough cut in the tracks to be competitive down under the experts have claimed.
Scenic has done a lot in recent seasons to get a foothold for SW but one swallow hardly makes a summer.
He's got a bit of support lately from Montjeu who has 5 in todays Derby.
Harris Tweed is the most fancied of these but it's the Cummings trained Roman Emperor whom I fancy to give Montjeu consecutive AJC Derbies.
I loved his second up run this campaign, then he was no chance on a wet track when back and they walked. Last start in the Rosehill Guineas he travelled more kindly than usual, went up to them on the point of the turn full of running and only tired late to finish 2.3 from Metal Bender. That was his stepping up from 1600m to 2000m and you fancy the Cummings polish will have been put on him for today.
For the multiples I like Metal Bender, Sousa, Rock Kingdom and Old Jock.
Sousa gets on the pace, bowls along and has courage. I have a doubt about him getting back on a decent track
Rock Kingdom who has been let go a little in the market should have won the Rosehill Guineas and is a versatile animal who has a tad more class than than the rest of these Metal Bender excepted.
I was taken with Old Jock when I saw him run 2nd to Shanzero at Ellerslie last month. He didn't get a lot of favours that day but showed me some toughness that will hold him in good stead the further they go.
Big Col has a Derby pedigree - by the sire of Rebel Raider from a half to Oaks winner Richfield Lady.
Harris Tweed did well to win last week but I m not convinced that Tulloch form measures up. He's been a bit light too when I ve seen him and he s had a lot of racing of late. Maybe that fitness will stand him in great stead. One thing it will seal for me if he wins, the Bakers reputation as master conditioners.
The Sadlers Wells bred has been much maligned in these parts; not enough bone and don't get enough cut in the tracks to be competitive down under the experts have claimed.
Scenic has done a lot in recent seasons to get a foothold for SW but one swallow hardly makes a summer.
He's got a bit of support lately from Montjeu who has 5 in todays Derby.
Harris Tweed is the most fancied of these but it's the Cummings trained Roman Emperor whom I fancy to give Montjeu consecutive AJC Derbies.
I loved his second up run this campaign, then he was no chance on a wet track when back and they walked. Last start in the Rosehill Guineas he travelled more kindly than usual, went up to them on the point of the turn full of running and only tired late to finish 2.3 from Metal Bender. That was his stepping up from 1600m to 2000m and you fancy the Cummings polish will have been put on him for today.
For the multiples I like Metal Bender, Sousa, Rock Kingdom and Old Jock.
Sousa gets on the pace, bowls along and has courage. I have a doubt about him getting back on a decent track
Rock Kingdom who has been let go a little in the market should have won the Rosehill Guineas and is a versatile animal who has a tad more class than than the rest of these Metal Bender excepted.
I was taken with Old Jock when I saw him run 2nd to Shanzero at Ellerslie last month. He didn't get a lot of favours that day but showed me some toughness that will hold him in good stead the further they go.
Big Col has a Derby pedigree - by the sire of Rebel Raider from a half to Oaks winner Richfield Lady.
Harris Tweed did well to win last week but I m not convinced that Tulloch form measures up. He's been a bit light too when I ve seen him and he s had a lot of racing of late. Maybe that fitness will stand him in great stead. One thing it will seal for me if he wins, the Bakers reputation as master conditioners.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Under The Mountain
Te Aroha and Makaraka would be my favourite courses in the North Island to watch the ponies.
Breeders day at TA is a meeting I try and get down for. I think the first Breeders I witnessed was taken out by My Good Omen.
Didn't think this years edition was overly strong. It looked Shanzero's race but you were always guessing how the Melbourne form of Dane Julia would line up. The old punting adage reared itself once again, if in doubt, follow the money and apparently the TAB took a bit. She paraded magnificently, her coat wa spectacular, not a big mare but very well balanced and feminine.
But the lasting impression as I left the course for the drive back to Auckland was not of Dane Julia or the impressive 2 year old winner Donthassleme - usually a good form race that - but the performance of the Otto's Attackum. Arrogant in the parade ring, he took it onto the track and won easily. Longer in the body than a lot of the Pins but with strength to match he s a little extravagent in his action but time will sort that. I get the feeling he s top class, possibly WFA material.
The only bugger was I didn't back him after intending too in the morning. I met a local who is often in the know and he was shouting Salvatore like Taito Field in the acussed's box. Salvatore' s a lovely actioned galloper who didn't get much room until late but was never going to beat the winner. I hope for his connections that he fulfills his promise unlike his 3/4 brother Far Too Much. Salvatore hung a little on Saturday and maybe he wants to go left handed at this stage.
Great meeting to go to if your'e thinking racing is struggling a tad.
Breeders day at TA is a meeting I try and get down for. I think the first Breeders I witnessed was taken out by My Good Omen.
Didn't think this years edition was overly strong. It looked Shanzero's race but you were always guessing how the Melbourne form of Dane Julia would line up. The old punting adage reared itself once again, if in doubt, follow the money and apparently the TAB took a bit. She paraded magnificently, her coat wa spectacular, not a big mare but very well balanced and feminine.
But the lasting impression as I left the course for the drive back to Auckland was not of Dane Julia or the impressive 2 year old winner Donthassleme - usually a good form race that - but the performance of the Otto's Attackum. Arrogant in the parade ring, he took it onto the track and won easily. Longer in the body than a lot of the Pins but with strength to match he s a little extravagent in his action but time will sort that. I get the feeling he s top class, possibly WFA material.
The only bugger was I didn't back him after intending too in the morning. I met a local who is often in the know and he was shouting Salvatore like Taito Field in the acussed's box. Salvatore' s a lovely actioned galloper who didn't get much room until late but was never going to beat the winner. I hope for his connections that he fulfills his promise unlike his 3/4 brother Far Too Much. Salvatore hung a little on Saturday and maybe he wants to go left handed at this stage.
Great meeting to go to if your'e thinking racing is struggling a tad.
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