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.