Chief Stipe

That's the total race time. What has been its quickest sectional in any race? Including that one. As for being "on the bridle" it was slowing down and had to be whipped twice to be "ridden through the line". They weren't taps or for "training purposes".

How did the last one you bought do?

Vegas Queen seeking coveted NZB Kiwi berth 19 February, 2025 • 3:01 PM Joshua Smith joshuasmithnz Share There are only a few slots to fill in next month’s $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), and Ruakaka filly Vegas Queen will be seeking to secure one of them when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Listed Trevor & Coralie Eagle Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). The daughter of Proisir scored her maiden win at her home track as a juvenile in July and has hardly put a foot wrong as a three-year-old, running fourth in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) before posting two runner-up results at Ellerslie, including the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on Karaka Millions night last month. A number of NZB Kiwi slot holders have been circling the filly, but none have yet to bite, with Vegas Queen getting her final chance to impress this weekend in what will be a dress rehearsal for the richest three-year-old race in the southern hemisphere on Champions Day, March 8. The Uncle Remus field comprises four confirmed NZB Kiwi runners in Checkmate, Dealt With, Penman and Sethito, and trainer Kenny Rae believes his filly can match it with her more fancied opponents this weekend. “It is a big step up for her, but I think she is up to it,” he said. “She is the best horse in Ruakaka, if that means anything. “I was rapt with her run (in the Almanzor Trophy). She missed the start a wee bit and Jasmine (Fawcett, jockey) used her up a bit to get up there, but she had a good draw. You can’t complain when you are getting $47,000 for second.” Rae had planned on heading to the South Island with his filly to tackle some stakes targets, however, he opted to remain in the north following her Almanzor Trophy performance. “She was going to go down for the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1600m), but she went well at Ellerslie, so we decided to keep her up here,” he said. Vegas Queen, a relation of champion mare Winx, will jump from barrier seven on Saturday where she will once again be ridden by Fawcett. “Seven is a good draw for her. She will tuck in right behind them somewhere,” Rae said. While hopeful of gaining an NZB Kiwi berth, Rae said he isn’t fazed if his filly misses out, highlighting that he has another lucrative target in-mind for her on Champions Day in the form of the $100,000 Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m). “Everybody is sitting playing the waiting game,” Rae said. “I would be quite happy to go to the Windsor Park, she is only a young horse and there is plenty of time. “We may give her a small break (after Champions Day) and then look for something for her in the autumn or the spring even. She will be better as a four and five-year-old, I am sure of it.” Vegas Queen is currently a $16 winning chance for the Uncle Remus with TAB bookmakers, with the Wexford Stables pair of Checkmate and Sethito heading the market at $3.80. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk Picture at the Top of the Page: Vegas Queen will take her place in Saturday's Listed Trevor & Coralie Eagle Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images)

Rumours... NOW OFFICIAL as of Thursday morning 20 February 2025.

I don't think it is up to that level based on its performances to date. I would have liked to have seen a decent sectional fron it.

Here is Steve Hunt's Analysis of the Southland Guineas: Pivotal Ten landed on a 97 rating. The clock backed up the visual, great sustained speed. The last 200m sectionals, Pivotal Ten was very slow at the end, but more than understandable given the prior speed she showed. That doesn't detract from the performance or rating, but more so offers an indicator that she will need to be rated a little more efficiently if she's a chance to run 1500m near that rating level. If a little slow into stride like her last two and she's then revved up to find a position somewhere up near the lead, that can make it a little more difficult to switch off and relax well enough to run a strong 1500m. At the same time, I'd be snapping her up if I had a Kiwi slot yet to be filled.

Is the horse a slow learner? Whipped in its previous 3 races - not tapped. You sure like these training aids @curious.

Already has. The Southland Guineas winner is heading to Wellington!

Well it could be more accurate without a handicapper. What is wrong with the current system is it is done on a one factor formula - basically it won. Minimal adjustment given to time or weight or relative performance.

I agree.

You assume that that 25% is made up of punters that don't bet on anything else. My view is that it is the thin end of the wedge and Winston needs to harden up as there aren't that many votes in it. Give an inch to some weird minority and you end up like the basket case the UK is. Perhaps Shane Jones should be Racing Minister.

No. Nor have I.

Don't be worried about wading into any topic on BOAY. You can even openly criticise me and show me up to be a prat if you wish. Just don't stoop to name calling and spit the dummy when you may be wrong!

I agree about stakemoney. In my opinion ratings should be based on relative performance vs the horses raced against vs weight carried ( not that we have much of a weight range) vs relative times on the track that day. However the latter is a little suspect as we have such variability in NZ with regard to track variance and dubious timing/distance measured. I don't understand why NZ racing can't have GPS's in saddle cloths and a matrix of small receiving stations around the track. All relatively inexpensive technology.

Something not quite right with the time in the Guineas. They ran home the last 800m in 47. Which isn't that quick. That means the first 600m was run in 35 and a tick. So essentially Pivotal Ten ran even near 12's for the race. Why was the Southland Guineas dropped back to 1400m from 1600m this year?

I see Wynn didn't hit her with the padded bit even though the angle doesn't actually show very well where she hit.

Which means we don't really have a handicapper do we? Is that what they call AI (Artificial Intelligence)? So the OZ ratings are based on performance or are they based on guidelines? If the latter why are NZ's so different?

It's not a fair comparison. There are ample reasons to knock the concept but knocking the ratings of 3yr olds in a stuffed up system isn't one of them. As for the Timaru Cup - well you could have used the Wellington Cup as an example.

Well that's daft. It is more than Savaglee, Alabama Lass, Damask Rose and Captured by Love before they raced in Open company. NZTR have Pivotal Ten at 78!

R90 plus?

All the hype aside one could argue it is looking a very even race and therefore a good punting one.

So what do you rate Pivotal Ten at? Higher or lower than the official rating of 78?

In my opinion all Slot Race Sweepstakes are destined to the scrap heap. Although there is a rearguard action by promoters to make them relevant by grading them as black type. Ultimately that is a home goal shot in the foot.

I wouldn't say that was a fair call. You know full well our age group horses have suppressed ratings. For example Damask Rose only has a rating of 77. Alabama Lass has 97 but that's only because of the 18 points it picked up from the Railway. Before that it was 79. Similar with Savaglee - 84 before the BCD Sprint then jumps 13 points for 3rd to 97. Captured By Love had a rating of 82 in NZ but has 102 in OZ.

Nucleozor arrived in Hong Kong last November. Hasn't raced yet. Had a barrier trial on the 15th of this month. Finished 3rd ridden by Hugh Bowman. https://racing.hkjc.com/racing/information/English/Horse/BTResult.aspx?Date=15/02/2025#hvb4