Chief Stipe Posted December 6 Share Posted December 6 No images? Click here Domain Ace Locked in for Southern Hemisphere’s Richest 3YO Race The inaugural NZB Kiwi (1500m) has its second confirmed runner, with the Canterbury Jockey Club selecting Domain Ace to represent their slot in the eagerly anticipated $3.5 million feature at Ellerslie Racecourse on Champions Day, 8 March 2025. A last-start placegetter in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park on 9 November, Domain Ace joins Sought After, who has already been confirmed as Waikato Stud’s representative in the Southern Hemisphere’s richest 3YO race. The Canterbury Jockey Club purchased an NZB Kiwi slot as part of a strategy to promote their two prestigious spring classics, the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). The winners of those races were offered first option to negotiate for use of the NZB Kiwi slot, but Savaglee will potentially compete in Australia in the Autumn while Captured By Love is ineligible for the NZB Kiwi. “The Canterbury Jockey Club is delighted that the strategy it developed when buying a slot has come to fruition with Domain Ace, the third placegetter in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas, representing the club,” Canterbury Jockey Club chair Dianne Logie said. “I thank the Owners for reaching an agreement with us.” Co-trained and part-owned by Hall of Fame horseman Graeme Rogerson, Domain Ace has had nine starts for two wins, three placings and $145,285 in stakes. He was a black-type winner as an Autumn 2YO, capturing the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie, and he has added three placings to his record this spring including in the 2000 Guineas. Domain Ace could add to a fruitful association between Rogerson and the Canterbury Jockey Club. Rogerson made history in 2009 when his filly Katie Lee became the only horse to ever win both the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and New Zealand 1000 Guineas. Rogerson’s feature-race successes at Riccarton also include the 1978 edition of the 2000 Guineas with Teddy Doon and the 2003 running of the 1000 Guineas with Taatletail. He won the Gr.2 New Zealand Cup (3200m) with Smiling Like in 2000, and he has also won the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) and Grand National Hurdles (4200m). “My owners and I are thrilled to have secured the Canterbury Jockey Club’s slot for the inaugural running of the NZB Kiwi with our horse Domain Ace,” Rogerson said. “He has been working a treat since returning home from Christchurch and we are very happy with him. “Over the years, we have enjoyed an extensive and successful connection with the Canterbury Jockey Club. With a bit of luck, this upcoming race will provide Domain Ace with some impressive black type and will be a highlight for myself, the Owners and the Canterbury Jockey Club.” The TAB rates Domain Ace a $41 chance for the NZB Kiwi. The market is headed by $8 equal favourites Aeliana, Checkmate and Savaglee. There are a total of 14 slot holders for the NZB Kiwi, and 12 of them are yet to confirm their runners for the race. The remaining slots are held by Kerri Spence Bloodstock & Clotworthy Racing, Wexford Stables, Barneswood Brady Nakhle, Te Akau Racing, Ozzie Kheir, Entain New Zealand, The King’s Men, Cambridge Stud, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, Race Inc., Waikato Thoroughbred Racing and the Selangor Turf Club. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk. NZB Kiwi Contact Emma Thompson - NZB Kiwi Programme Lead emma.thompson@nztr.co.nz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted December 6 Share Posted December 6 So here is a horse who has run a place in a group one and the owners are getting excited about some 'impressive black type" in a race that would be listed at best and shouldn't even be that. Interesting that the article didn't mention what happened to the runners up in the two Guineas races. They mustn't have been interested. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trojan Posted December 6 Share Posted December 6 All a bit ordinary class wise so far. Sought After Domain Ace 1 hour ago, Doomed said: Interesting that the article didn't mention what happened to the runners up in the two Guineas races. They mustn't have been interested. Captured By Love (Magic Millions 2023 Sale) and Alabama Lass (Inglis Sale 2023) are both ineligible for the Kiwi B. The same with Love Poem which was sold at the Inglis Easter Sale. None of them were conceived in NZ either. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted December 7 Share Posted December 7 12 hours ago, Trojan said: All a bit ordinary class wise so far. Sought After Domain Ace Captured By Love (Magic Millions 2023 Sale) and Alabama Lass (Inglis Sale 2023) are both ineligible for the Kiwi B. The same with Love Poem which was sold at the Inglis Easter Sale. None of them were conceived in NZ either. So it sounds like the top half doz or so 3yos in NZ won't be in the kiwi. Must be a bit of a disappointment. I presume it will be a listed race but certainly shouldn't even be that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted December 7 Share Posted December 7 I don't think it has been granted Listed status for the inaugural running and unlikely to become one until it has performance ratings meeting the criteria for that, so I'm not sure where Rogie gets that idea. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted December 7 Share Posted December 7 It'll be a typical of an NZ race they'll throw huge sums of money at it when they could have got the same field for far less, sounds like they'll be depending on the Aussies to spruce it up quality/interest wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted December 7 Share Posted December 7 7 hours ago, curious said: I don't think it has been granted Listed status for the inaugural running and unlikely to become one until it has performance ratings meeting the criteria for that, so I'm not sure where Rogie gets that idea. I did think it strange that a severely restricted entry race on its first running could be listed, but as you say Rogie was excited about black type so I assumed it must have had some special dispensation. Strange that a press release issued by NZTR should be so inaccurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted December 7 Share Posted December 7 7 hours ago, curious said: so I'm not sure where Rogie gets that idea. the back of the weetbix box perhaps! or, sitting next to a bloke on the flight home! or.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted December 7 Share Posted December 7 45 minutes ago, Doomed said: Rogie was excited 45 minutes ago, Doomed said: Strange that a press release issued by NZTR should be so inaccurate never let the truth get in the way of a good story! what odds that hose is sold before the race? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted December 7 Author Share Posted December 7 11 hours ago, Doomed said: So it sounds like the top half doz or so 3yos in NZ won't be in the kiwi. Must be a bit of a disappointment. I presume it will be a listed race but certainly shouldn't even be that. Correct. There may be some stars emerging December/January but the current top 3yr olds will likely head to OZ seeking Grp form. Especially the colts and fillies. Some ineligible 3yr olds may stay in NZ and target some of the Grp 1 races here especially the Sprint ones. Alabama Lass is in that category. The sweepstake and slot race have well and truly rogered the pattern. Ironically we may see some slightly below the elite level OZ horses mount raids on the big dosh. I can't really understand why the CJC has fired their shot so early. Perhaps they were Rogered. But not by Rogie but by their own promotional marketing strategy of promoting the Guineas races. Which ironically are getting hammered by the disastrous pattern. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLB2.0 Posted December 7 Share Posted December 7 Serious question - why on earth would anyone pick Domain Ace? Is that the best we have on the market? And if so, that's embarrassing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted December 7 Author Share Posted December 7 46 minutes ago, SLB2.0 said: Serious question - why on earth would anyone pick Domain Ace? Is that the best we have on the market? And if so, that's embarrassing. As I inferred above the CJC have backed themselves into a corner by linking their slot to the Guineas races. Most of the Guineas field were ineligible, many didn't get the distance, the best are headed to OZ and some have been sold for big money. Don't be surprised if an OZ trained horse just below elite level does a smash and grab. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted December 8 Share Posted December 8 (edited) 3 hours ago, SLB2.0 said: why on earth would anyone pick Domain Ace lol, you be a hard mar ker, its won a listed race as a 2 yr, G1 placed over 1600 in 1.34.35 trained by nz greatest ever trainer? Edited December 8 by Murray Fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted December 8 Share Posted December 8 6 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: As I inferred above the CJC have backed themselves into a corner by linking their slot to the Guineas races. Most of the Guineas field were ineligible, many didn't get the distance, the best are headed to OZ and some have been sold for big money. Don't be surprised if an OZ trained horse just below elite level does a smash and grab. It might have been nice if the CJC had waited until late Feb and selected the top SI 3yo at that time, but as you say they seem to have narrowed their choices to the guineas placegetters which has left them with very few options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted December 8 Share Posted December 8 It also looks like the Derby might be in trouble. Group 1 status must surely be in question if it is contested by a bunch of battlers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted December 8 Author Share Posted December 8 45 minutes ago, Doomed said: It might have been nice if the CJC had waited until late Feb and selected the top SI 3yo at that time, but as you say they seem to have narrowed their choices to the guineas placegetters which has left them with very few options. Domain Ace looks useful but in my opinion over further than 1500m. There may have been another influence. One of the owners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted December 8 Author Share Posted December 8 This Slot race concept is flawed for a number of reasons but one of the biggest is its timing and the restricted age group. Why have a race that directly competes with your Karaka Millions night? The irony is they have the CJC supporting it because they think it will help the Guineas but once the KM and the NZB Kiwi get Grp status... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted December 8 Share Posted December 8 53 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: The irony is they have the CJC supporting it because they think it will help the Guineas but once the KM and the NZB Kiwi get Grp status... Restricted races races can't get group status. Listed max. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted December 8 Share Posted December 8 2 hours ago, Doomed said: It also looks like the Derby might be in trouble. Group 1 status must surely be in question if it is contested by a bunch of battlers. Derby was below benchmark last year and if this weakens it further, its G1 status could come under threat I reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted December 8 Author Share Posted December 8 1 hour ago, curious said: Restricted races races can't get group status. Listed max. The Everest and The All Star Mile? Are they not restricted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted December 8 Share Posted December 8 51 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: The Everest and The All Star Mile? Are they not restricted? No. Anyone can enter can't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLB2.0 Posted December 8 Share Posted December 8 Any horse can be chosen, but horses can't be nominated. You'd have to call The Everest and All-Star Mile non-restricted races on that basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trojan Posted December 8 Share Posted December 8 48 minutes ago, SLB2.0 said: Any horse can be chosen, but horses can't be nominated. You'd have to call The Everest and All-Star Mile non-restricted races on that basis. But the best horses are not chosen on merit instead each horse by an owner and slot holder auction process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted December 8 Share Posted December 8 I think it's only races restricted by birth location or where sold etc. that are deemed restricted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trojan Posted December 8 Share Posted December 8 6 minutes ago, curious said: I think it's only races restricted by birth location or where sold etc. that are deemed restricted. Doesn't Arion Pedigrees object to the two OZ races being Grp races? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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