Hastings Observations

I got to Hawkes Bay for the last day.

I couldn't have backed Tridane in a month of Sundays but his win does show how certain horses can come right at the same time each year.

Four years ago almost to the day the Danelove gelding ran in the Guineas and while ninth of 13 to Alamosa he was beaten less than four lengths and beat home Run Like Al and Go Danny. They ran 1.20.86 that day so Tridane has run around 1.22 and nothing that he met Saturday fortnight ago would get within three lengths of him if he ran to that form.

A few horses who I thought looked well but could improve with another run under their belts were Manonamission, Platinum Princess and Cellarmaster.

Interestingly the first two are both in the Lisa Latta stable and in general all her horses looked well. She invariably does well at Christchurch and I'm picking she'll have another good carnival.

Manonamission has always struck me as a miler on type and race pattern, but most of his runs since been stepped up in distance last season have been full of merit, including his latest effort at the Bay. He holds a nom for the NZ Cup and at $10 is worth considering.

The first six home in the Guineas with luck should all win a good race. More unsettled (ask Andre Neil) than on the second day, Maradona is still a big kid. He looked like he would drop out once they turned for home but picked himself up like a good horse. I suspect Christchurch maybe just a tad soon for him but the Telegraph could be more his go given his speed, especially from the gates.

Cellarmaster is my pick to win the 2000 Guineas. He looked a shade pretty and ran to them at the 200m like he d win at Hastings but peaked on his effort. I couldn't get over the way he had developed in six months. While a natural enough athlete to be competitive at two, he was on the light side with a slight baby like face but now he s much more mature, in fact he s quite imposing, with an exceptional girth.

The Starcraft filly did well for such an inexperienced type and as a long and almost rangy type she should be a stunning individual come the autumn.

I dropped into Taupo on the way home. A few reputations were dented, not the least Maccavity and Rockandready. Maybe Maccavity's an autumn horse for she didn't look the same filly I saw back in April. If the Bakers get Rockandready to Riccarton next month, they are even better trainers than I give them credit for. She s a very leggy type and doesn't carry much condition yet.

Finally, while he s no So You Think, Wall Street is a seriously good galloper. He showed at Hastings how he can still be competitive racing to another pattern, and given his distance versatility - the Telegraph finish would have been interesting if he d stayed on his feet - and an affinity for most track conditions, he s arguably the most complete male WFA horse we ve had for a few seasons. He's actually developed into a very attractive horse now too, in fact I'd almost argue he s more athletic than the other good Montjeu's I've seen.