swampfox

Not a bad trip for finishing where he did 200K more than he got just about for winning the Railway...I would go too if I had one good enough...good on them for having a go.

Mark Cookson minutes out "well the excitement is now at fever pitch" for who sorry? The self indulgent bullshit forcing us to care about Waitak somehow managed to beat the I Wish I Win bullocks, its like they're making a school production to present to each other at lunch time. 

why compare them.had enough of that rubbish last week with pride of jenni.

Dawn Singleton was due to get married, and recently purchased her wedding dress.  Imagine, going from planning a wedding for your daughter, to planning a funeral.

Absolutely loved this! Not sure if it got any mainstream News coverage but it should have.
Interesting all the comments around poor judgement from other riders.
This was a 'freak' effort so pretty hard to point blame at the other riders in my opinion.
Let's face it - we are all talking about it because of it's abnormality. 99 times out of 100 such a lead results in the horse walking over the line, so for POJ to maintain the strong gallop to the line was incredible.
The only ride I would comment on is the brilliance of Declan Bates - in this instance his nickname 'Master' is fitting, rather than the funny connotations of it.
Seemed to let her do her own thing, gave her a little rest before the rise and then they were history.
One thing I do wonder is he she had wobbled up the straight, and finished out of the money, if Maher would have had a 'face like a half sucked Throatie' like he did with the Jimmysastar ride 🤔
One of the great G1 wins of all time and we should celebrate the positive side of it 👍
 
 

Its being reported now one of the victims was John Singletons daughter just 25 years old with her whole life ahead of her...such a senseless crime and a beautiful life senselessly cut short... A great racing man and thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this sad sad time. RIP Dawn.

The 2.02 time is misleading.   Look at the splits at the top of the replay and the first 200 is 15.14 despite her coming out of the gates like a bull!!   Then she racks off mid 11s. I think the distance was circa 2040 (I have no idea why - the rail was out on the bend but that doesn't explain 40m). In summary;
- This was an exceptional performance against quality opposition. Nothing the other jocks could have done. The race was over by the 1000!
- In October Jenni was 3 wins from 22 starts. Now she's racked up 4 G1s and produced an amazing performance. I'd love to know the back story - on her third trainer and didn't race for 10mths at one point.
- What amazing viewing! I backed a loser and was screaming for Jenni at the 300. Poetry in motion

Very,very sad.  Apparently something has been found in a vet check prior to her heading out for a spell, which meant she couldn't race again.  Another sad note is that Berri won't be able to give Opie Bosson his 100th Group 1 Win like he hoped she would. Was looking forward to seeing Berri race again next season, but sadly, it wasn't meant to be.

Sad news undoubted superstar...wish her well in her future as a Mum.

IMPERATRIZ - 10X GROUP 1 CHAMPION RETIRED It is with very mixed emotions that Te Akau Racing announces the retirement of our star mare and champion, Imperatriz. Currently Imperatriz is rated as the No.1 sprinter in the world and No.2 overall on TRC Global Rankings. In 2023, Imperatriz won more Group 1 races (6) than any other horse in the world! Her 2023/24 season has also been nothing short of stellar … with five Group 1 victories in Australia, taking her career tally to ten elite titles. She also recorded a Group 2 win in Australia where she set a new track record, and at her next start broke the very record she had just set. Imperatriz also became the first horse to ever win the MVRC Group 1 Sprint Triple Crown - effectively twice - in both a calendar year (2023) and a racing season (2023/24). Winning both starts as a two-year-old, including the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes, Imperatriz won two Group 1’s over a mile at three to be named New Zealand’s Champion Three-Year-Old. She then added three Group 1’s as a four-year-old to claim the title of New Zealand’s Champion Sprinter/Miler, and in more recent times has made her mark trans-Tasman, lauded by many commentators as the best sprinter in Australia. She set track records at Moonee Valley, then conquered the Flemington straight with Group 1 wins in both the Champions’ Sprint and the Black Caviar Lightning Handicap, the second highest rated sprint race in the world (2023 IFHA). “Imperatriz has been a magnificent race mare, I loved her from the time I set eyes on her at the Magic Millions’ sale. What she has done since has firmly established her as one of the very best race mares Australasia has seen in recent times,” said David Ellis CNZM. “From a filly that was the last to sell as a yearling, she became a Champion racehorse and when Karyn and I saw her win her second Group 1 William Reid at Moonee Valley last month, we couldn’t believe the crowd’s adulation for her, The Valley was a sea of tangerine,” Te Akau’s David Ellis CNZM said. “Her tenacity, courage and sheer determination, combined with the sweetest nature you could imagine, have certainly won the hearts of fans worldwide. The joy she has brought to her owners is indescribable.” Imperatriz won 19 of her 27 starts, including 10 of 13 since 1 January last year, and nearly NZ$7.6 million in prize money. Last weekend, Imperatriz returned home to New Zealand, for a well-deserved break at Te Akau Stud. On her arrival, she underwent an in-depth veterinary ‘warrant of fitness’ to assess her well-being before spelling. Regrettably, these evaluations have led to the difficult but necessary decision to retire her from racing. “Te Akau always puts the well-being of our horses first. The indications are that another high-level racing preparation would not be in her best interests, so whilst sad, the decision is very straightforward. Her welfare is our top priority, and she will retire a happy and sound horse,” David Ellis CNZM said. Purchased by Ellis from the Magic Millions’ sale for A$360,000 (from the draft of Brim Thoroughbreds), Imperatriz is trained by Te Akau’s Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, and has dominated the racing scene this season. “Imperatriz was simply an incredible race horse - her determination and will to win was supreme. She has been remarkable flag bearer for Te Akau’s new Australian stable and we will be forever indebted to her. It has been such a privilege to train Berri, and she’s been an absolute pleasure by every measure,” said co-trainer Mark Walker. We extend our deepest gratitude to her whole ‘family’ that simply adores her: her owners, Te Akau’s Stable and Stud teams in New Zealand and Cranbourne, with special mention to Te Akau Australia assistant trainer Ben Gleeson, her devoted strapper Jason Levin and track work rider Laura Winks - also Te Akau stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM who forged such a successful partnership with Berri. As Imperatriz embarks on this new chapter, we reflect on her indelible legacy. We eagerly anticipate following her progeny and witnessing what the future holds. While her racing days have drawn to a close and the curtain has fallen, her spirit will continue to inspire and resonate with all who had the privilege of witnessing her greatness. “She's a Berri, Berri good mare, and one that will we forever treasure.

I agree, a very well deserved retirement, Zaaki had nothing left to prove.  No use racing him until he breaks down,  retire him while he's sound and happy.

He's not going to win every race he runs in, he wasn't going to beat Pride of Jenni in the ASM, but 2nd isn't too bad a placing either.

. Care to tell us what achievements and contributions you have made to NZTR at an executive/Governance level?

So correct FF , I have always found CG a professional and pleasant human being ? I wonder how many of these tossers have actually met the man ?

What you done in your life??????????????? from the way you write is your IQ at a minus level./
Mt Smart Sold out and will be for the rest of the season.
Racing going ahead in this country.
There are a lot of jealous pricks on this site who would have lasted 10seconds in the roles he has had.
 
 

I am heartbroken over this very sad news. RIP Verry Elleegant.  A Champion and a very beautiful girl.

So so sad...RIP great mare.

Great to see JMac in NZ and winning both the big races yesterday at the Karaka Million meeting. Well done to him. Hopefully we will see him more in NZ now.  The best in the World. And he is such a really nice person, modest, charming and totally genuine. Great ambassador for NZ and the Industry.

From Racing.com: 
Strathalbyn’s Sunday meeting has been postponed after Kelsey Hannan was taken to hospital following a fall past the post in the opening event of the day.
Hannan’s mount, Grant Young’s Iva Dream, appeared to clip heels and hit the deck around 50 metres after the finish line, throwing the 21-year-old over the front.
Reports say Hannan was slipping in and out of consciousness but was able to move her legs and squeeze people’s hands, complaining of neck pain when responsive.
The talented Kiwi apprentice was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in an induced coma and a neck brace, with further updates on her condition to follow. The other jockey's riding at the Strathalbyn race meeting took a vote and elected to withdraw their services for the rest of the meeting,   The remaining 7 races will be run this Friday, at a venue to be decided. 
 

Geez why cant we be positive for a change, the barrier draw was something new, innovative, times move on we need to move with them. As for the track it is world class and no reason to believe it will be anything other than super in due course, lets wait and see how it races before we all start throwing brickbats shall we. JMO

Dumbest POTY so far

I thought projecting onto the side of the Sky Tower was a pretty cool touch! 
Anyone make it into the live draw in person?
Thoughts about the draws given? I guess weather will play a big part.... or maybe not so much with the superior track they now have!

Wouldn’t Hong Kong Racing love to have James riding there full time. Great duels between him and Zac. Another ding dong in Race three last night. And then there was the G1 but that was always going to be Voyage Bubble. 

He is working hard. On Saturday he had 6 rides In Sydney --3 wins, one 2nd, one 4th and one down the track Then he hops on the plane for his rides in Hong Kong.
Well James --I like to see hard workers succeed.

Great front running horse .