Franco Ice

Watch the Telegraph and Cup from the top of the public - best view in NZ racing.

One never tires of watching horses with his turn of foot. Thanks for the heads-up, will follow with interest.

Best In Show is the gold. Second to none when she's duplicated.

I think Haunui will win the Oaks too with Rondinella.

Yep, "The dream bursts in reality": T. Lee at his best. Runner-up though to Reon's "They won't stop cheering this side of next week"

Thanks for posting the Darley parade. What a line-up. Brazen Beau is some specimen. Hasn't he thrown to Bletchingly.

Well Lloyd not sure if I've convinced myself, not yet anyway. I've focused on what lines Grosvenor has worked successfully with paternally and maternally. And there are a few common denominators: - High Chap over G broodmares - sex balanced lines of Princequillo - Relic on the bottom line of his successful broodmares: this was quite strong The mare in question is a multiple black-type performer but she was a bit dour. She'd warrant Contributor, just mindful that while there's duplication of Princequillo, its two male lines. She probably just warrants Tivaci but the Danehill close duplication doesn't grab me. Ocean Park's interesting. Doubling up Sir T but its'worked with Grosvenor (Booming was by Don Eduardo from a G mare) but what I really like is the presence of Relic through Vice Regal - he's quite hard to find in our male pedigrees now. There are of course lines of Relic obtainable, and female, via Bletchingly but I can't find anything that I like, not locally anyway. But OP's still 30k which is too much. Back to the drawing board..

I thought he'd make an excellent broodmare sire. Plenty of Group 1 winning fillies and mares, a fast son of Danehill, plenty of well pedigreed mares from Sir P, he had the makings. Anyone got any thoughts about why he hasn't had the same success with his mares. Too much Ribot? There's a bit of an agenda. I'm trying to select a mating for a Keeper mare who in turn is from a Grosvenor mare.

Its'an interesting point why we haven't imported more Japanese stallions - apparently they are cost competitive; White Robe didn't pay a lot for Yamanin Vital although his quarantine was expensive. I gather a prominent NZ farm were looking at a Group 3 winner and Group 2 placed son of King Kamehameha last year. I don't know what became of the deal.

Back-up: I was talking to one of her part-owners at Matamata today; he hadn't gone over because "she's only half fit".

Keen to track down and talk to folk with a knowledge of racing in Poverty Bay. I can be reached at: millreef71@gmail.com As an aside is Rex Donaldson, who I think may have had the pub at Ormond, still around? He trained a few I think, one was a Kingdom Bay gelding who went allright.

Strong, athletic type whose dam is the mother of recent stakeswinner It's Time For Magic. Preference is to sell but may consider a lease with ROP. He's unbroken but well handled and based in Masterton. Enquires to 021 294 6247

I just got along on Saturday morning. Disclaimer: I wanted to see Proisir. Usual suspects at Waikato. Agree, Ocean Park has let down nicely. Atlante was probably the surprise packet of the morning. More quality than I thought - his photos don't do him justice. He uses himself well, particularly behind the saddle. Unfortunately Complacent thought he was back at Randwick to do battle with Criterion and co, so pranced rather than walked. I look forward to seeing him in 12 months time. Proisir was everything I expected really. He's got that Danehill strength, especially prevalent through the shoulder and forearm, and speed, but sufficient girth and a nice top line to leave horses with scope. I also thought he had some of the good Centaine features around the head and while I've only ever seen photos of Agricola and his better progeny, some of the fine Te Parae sires athleticism and agility through his hip and hind quarter.

Small racing share left in a two-year-old Per Incanto filly who will be trained by a leading CD trainer. Currently in pre-training. Full brother, first foal, placed second on debut at Gisborne last week. If genuinely interested, get in touch on 021 294 6247.

He certainly was a high-class racehorse Swoopa. His owners, rightly or wrongly, have been accused of protecting their colts over the years, but this guy fronted up like a true soldier. I like his pedigree, especially the presence of Indian Ridge in his female family. Haven't seen him in the flesh so hard to comment on him as an individual. Doesn't seem an overly big horse in the videos of his racing that I've seen. His pendulum action reminds me a little of Mill Reef although the little chap probably had a bit more rein. I'd be interested in hearing from someone who has seen him in the flesh. I hear Prima Park paid good money for one today in Melbourne. They are good judges.

Not the mandatory socks and undies this year; instead I get a 6 set DVD 'Legends of Horse Racing' featuring Frankel, Mill Reef, Nijinsky, Dancing Brave etc. Purchased from the Big Red Shed apparently. And about as expensive I gather as a pack of Mickey Mouse emblazoned boxers. I take back everything I've said about the joint.

Underrated conditioner this bloke. Not everyday of the week a trainer improves a Baker/Forsman horse. Also never easy to get a horse to win fresh-up over 1600m like he managed with that Eighth Wonder filly the other day. He's had some crap luck too lately. Good on you Paul.

Tuesday really put the icing on a fine stallion career. 13 Group 1's with a number in Oz, says it all really. I can't recall a stallion siring the winner of the Newmarket (Recurring) and the Cup. Not bad value at 13K. Classic stamina with a turn of foot. It's still a preety good recipe.

Te Parae/Little Avondale

Morning, I'm trying to locate the black-type winners from a stud going back a number of years, 60 in fact. Does anyone know of a search engine that maybe able to help me please. Cheers

Bakers rate second horse.

Sounds grimmer than a Nat's by-election after party trying to get a jockey for the Bay this weekend. I 'm aware of connections of a genuine Cup show trying 20 jockey's and/or agents today with no luck.

Mathew Ryan.

Good luck with the filly Mr Gee. She goes allright.

A couple of decent cardboard boxes of the bed and breakfast, few hundred copies circa 2005-10, one careful male owner who has kept them fed, watered and regularly serviced; space now needed for her House and Garden. Mt Eden, Auckland