Weasel

On a more serious note than Thomas the *ank Engine ...perhaps Te Akau Shark can give these Oz sprinter-milers a huury-up..we're overdue for just ONE HORSE to foot it with their best

It take a lot of racehorse to make this Mustelid dribble at the mouth...but I am thrilled to see TAS do what he did today and the way he did it...and big 'ups' to Jamie Richards for being humble and acknowledging by name the key personnel who handle the horse day to day. Surely, though, the Trackside team can do better than 'Wow!' .oh. hang on, Emily did manage 'Wowee" and they are both better than what Peter Early would've said ...there!

However it gets sliced and diced by TommyTomTom, his comments on Bayeux will surely be a tapestry of lies.

..and I disagree on it being 'worth another roll (ie anther race, ) esp a race over a verry long trip for a 3yo filly who has demonstrated a recent history of over-racing, and who has been 'up ' for about 6 months in her first campaign and been exported to another country. Far better to err on the side of caution and have your horse unscarred after a good summer break, esp when she has form on soft ground..perfect for Sydney.

Forgot to mention the other half-sister, Celebrity Dream (6yo by Thorn Park)..winner of 8 from 18 and $375k ...incl 3 Listed races ... one of the Peters Investments team in West Australia,

TommyTomTom ...you don't get it, do you? Its not especially hard to win despite over-racing - depending on the distance of the race and quality of the opposition. But when VE stepped up to take on the better quality contestants over longer distances, she gave signals that she ain't suited to the Oaks journey (in my humble opinion). Darren Weir sounded a note of caution in the build-up, after her very impressive win in Australia...he was unsure how she'd cope with the extra trip and said words to the effect that "from 2200m to 2300m and from 2300m to 2400m, let alone the extra 100m of the Oaks" is a BIG STEP UP." I reckon he wanted to put her aside and wait for the autumn but the new owners were looking for a more immediate return on their investment. Unkind people would call it 'greed' but I think its an understandable position. I hope they don't even think about 2400m for her in the autumn; plenty of rich pickings over shorter journeys.

red and white hoops?

does anyone have any opinion on whether the track today was fair (or not) ...inside or leaders/on-speed bias? Interested in your thoughts BOAYERS This is mot my area of expertise but i noted not much made ground from the back over the shorter journeys ...track upgraded to Good3 at 3pm, rail out 8m

Went to Te Rapa today...had an Owners ticket, which gave me access to sweet fanny adams..BUT the one thing it did give was one free drink in the Parade ring prior to a particular race...so off I trit with my mate who co-owns a horse ...THE FREE DRINKS DID NOT INCLUDE STILL WHITE WINE OR STILL RED WINE ...only 'bubbles' (a no-name imported sugary pop akin to Lindauer) or 'an extended selection of beers (translation: a few more variations on a cheap theme). Note to Ken Rutherford and Committee (someone please tell him/ them): Do you wonder why people don't want to get involved as owners in this industry, when you cant even offer them a semi-decent quaffer when they turn up for the afternoon? in the upstairs lounge, two glasses of wine and two pies cost: $29 WHAT A RIP OFF. Get it sorted! I for one will not be coming back to that track without a very good reason.

I remember Curly Wave from my teenage days ...from memory he was a chestnut with a white blaze by Crest of the Wave trained in the CD somewhere ...wiser heads will no doubt correct me

Not often to siblings win at the same track same day ... Sahar (Iffraaj) and Ronidinella (Ocean Park) both scored narrow victories today at Te Rapa. Both from the mare Valpolicella (Red Ransom) a black-type-winner (Listed ARC Champagne Stakes, Gp 3 Manawatu Classic). And their older half-sister (by Redoute's Choice) is Vavasour (Sir Tristram Fillies Classic, Counties Cup, Waikato Cup)l another half-sister is Catalonia (AUS: Vilanova) Hp 2 Caulfield Autumn Classic winner, by Commands Congrats to all the connections!

Yes dear, it's just like a presentation from NZTR ...hard to swallow

I agree with Ghost. Very hard for all but the most classy near-champions to compete with big weights against the lighter-weighted 3yo/4yos esp now the Northern Hemisphere owners are 'on the case' knowing they have to front with class gallopers not dour (read: slow) stayers used to 3600+ in England. Magic Circle was a huge disappointment for me, esp when the rain came (Cross Counter wasn't!). Finche will be a big danger next year if he returns.

Greetings BOAYERS Disappointing news ...NO INCREASE IN THIS FUND FOR A WEEK. I am putting it down to MELBOURNE CUP WEEK FEVER. But there is hope...hope that you will find it in your heart (and bank account) to help Maija Vance on the long road to recovery from those dreadful injuries. Every donation helps...see first post in this thread for all the details. Mustelid

so if she wins the gear change works wonders and if she dont she gave us a clue last start by over-racing ....looks like you have it covered with way TommyTomTom, I expect you'll make the call once the race is over and say 'told ya so' on your next post. While I'd love to see her win, I think they are being very ambitious/brave running her over 2500m in the Spring anyway and risk ruining her for the autumn .. if she were mine she'd be eating grass after that run last week and be given plenty of time to mature so she's stronger, more confident and more relaxed in 2019, when there are multiple Group 1s avaiable for a horse of her quality. So there. (Posted before the Oaks, cos i'm not a chicken-shite like others i could name)

i was talking to thecliffs in a dream last night( part of my extended beauty sleep)... all he said was: "Flock, that hurts, gimme another whisky!"

well spotted SLB ...details attached ..in brief, Cup Day Race 4, jockey J Moreira. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/98689546/horse-that-fell-on-melbourne-cup-day-euthanased

Excellent article written immediately after Red Cadeaux broke down in 2015 Cup... should be compulsory reading for all people who have a strong opinion about 'cruelty', greed, etc... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/1876116/tears-red-cadeaux-melbourne-cups-most-poignant-image-illustrates-heart

I now realise why all that money was on Ace High in the Caulfield, because he won last years Vic Derby, but now instead of $10 (CCup) he is at 70s ! Remember Efficient ??...didn't win a race between the Derby and the Cup victory the next year.

Note: looks like it'll back up at Ellerslie Tuesday with Lisa Allpress aboard and back in trip to 1200m...will be at usual good odds in R82 class ...the Tauranga hiccup was the first time in at least 20 starts that RBM has not led the field from the outset!

just got a mssage from TommyTomtom saying "don't do it, Wally...based on my calcs the best it can do is 6th.."

me too Hesi...remember running home from school bus yard to catch the last 400m on TV, with my Mum shouting "Hurry up...it's on!!" Dropped the school bag on the spot and made it just in time !

Ok BOAYERS ... since we're all counting down the hours to The Race We Used To Win A Lot Before The Billionaires Took It Over ... name your top three memories of Melbourne Cups past, not necessarily the winners ..and a brief-ish explanation. Here's mine: Kiwi. No explanation needed. Subzero. Derby Day had been gorgeous, 29 degrees; froze my buns off in the Hill Stand the next Tuesday watching the aptly-named grey win when the temp never got past 9 degrees. Just A Dash. was seated in the stand 30 mins before the race, all bets on; realised I'd not backed JAD.. Took off to the ring. Watched the race on a TV screen with the race going on over my shoulder!!

his interviewing is fine...but his continuity is totally predictable ...there...as well...ah...there.

thanks for that ...she clearly benefits from big tracks with big straights and lots of room to find a passage from the back and J Mac rode her a treat.