Mattski

Isn't racing a bit like a box of chocolates Forest - you never quite know what you're going to get!

The new season has started and hopefully our tracks will eventually improve! How about 2-3 picks for NZ trained horses that we think will have a big season? I will make a start......... 1. Bonneval; We've all seen lots of good 3yr old fillies that haven't kicked on but I like the look of this one. She has scope, top trainers and is out of a Zabeel mare. Is she a genuine cups chance? 2. Mime; Hasn't been over raced and I think can continue improving and have a very good season.

With fine weather today and tom which horses will be suited to puggy/holding ground in the Winter Cup?? thanks

Thanks for all the info. His fee here $12k does seem good value compared to 35k Euro up north! I guess he hasn't had a super-star down under so that the Aussie buyers etc. take notice (he has had a Karaka million winner and derby place getter etc.).

We are looking at sending our mare to him. She is on the smaller side (not tiny). I have seen a few ShowC's that are a bit small. Do they tend to be smaller on average? Thanks.

In Bart C's book his view was that the only decent surfaces for horses are grass and secondly river sand. Are there specifically river sand tracks out there and is this an option for NZ??

Who are some of the most disappointing stallions to stand in NZ? i.e. came with great credentials and just didn't produce? Danzatore was pretty disappointing wasn't he? Although left some good horses overseas.

You make some good points Berri. But one of the major reasons there are no NZ sires in the top-20 is our stallions don't have the runners there compared to the Aus stallions who are serving massive broodmare numbers. Snitzel and Sebring have had over 300 runners in Aus this season - Iffraaj has had 27 ! But I totally agree we need lots more 1400-1600m 2yr old races and decent staying races with decent stakes. Not Chalmers Handicaps for $30k.

It seems crazy to me that Tarzino, Vadamos are about $15k and the same price as Darci who has had 30 stakes winners and excellent winners 2 runners. Tivaci even more. Isn't Darci much better value?

I am interested in him as Monsun clearly a great sire of stayers. But the thing that makes me nervous as his best form and G1 was as a 5yr old. Not sure I've got enough patience to wait that long!

No.2 my last crack = Battle Wagon?!

Vice Regal?

I see ABC already has 3 today. How many behind is she now - presume too far to mount a late challenge?

Overall the Informant is a great product. One thing I missed last week was the breeding of the Aussie runners. I like to see who the NZ breds are. Can this be included again going fwd? Thanks, Matt

Thanks very much - appreciate the feed back.

We are thinking of sending our mare there this year. Obviously he has some very good credentials. I am interested if anyone has one of his weanlings or has seen them? What was his fertility like in year 1? Many thanks, Matt

Apparently Pour Moi only served 59 mares in 2016 - thought he would have served more after Sacred Elix won a Group 1. Windsor also have 8 other sires for 2016! Some of the Pour Moi's are a bit slow maturing apparently but at least he can throw a top horse!

Any tips for a dreamer chasing the prize? Aside from keep your $ in your pocket!

Go to Derby day on the Sat if possible also.

Awesome thanks Skelly

Are you able to easily break down by stakes winners to winners also thanks?

Excellent article. Doesn't this again show how brutal racing is. Galileo probably the best active sire in the world today. He served 720 mares in Aus and left only 3 Group 1 winners!!

It seems in general that quality sprinter-milers (per Waikato stud policy) have a better chance of making good quality stallions esp down under. Obviously there are always exceptions like High Chap. Fair summary?

We all know the sensible decision would be to sell G-Nuts. So much uncertainty in racing. Sofia Rosa, Capella and Valley Girl were all top 3yr old fillies. Not one of them won a decent race at 4. But racing people are not often rationale and those of us who love the game would rather have the interest than the cash.

Dwyn - good call re Teofilo! It will be interesting how many decent staying types Cape B leaves as 4-5 yr olds. I guess at the end of the day around 8 out of 10 stallions are commercial failures? Even lots with good credentials.