CBT

Winter Cup - #10 She’s Poppy Missile Stakes - #2 Kementari Thanks to Peter for his tireless work in running these competitions and to Leigh for putting up the $$. Good luck to everyone.

Hey Gary, Melbourne is going great guns thanks. Can’t believe I’ve been here 10 years next month! Where has the time gone?! That’s good you’ve still got the brolly. I’ll give you another one if you come back. You must be due for another Xcellent. You’ve had some good luck so far in this game. Lookin forward to the superstars returning starting with Kementari on Saturday.

Glorious Goodward Race 4 #6 Stradivarius He won this race last year and by all accounts is a lot stronger this year winning his 2 lead ups the latest being the Ascot Gold Cup. I also like the booking of Atzeni who I actually prefer to Dettori. He’s unbeaten on the horse in 2 starts. Enjoy

Indeed Ted. And long may it continue!

Cheers Rev. He won well with the big 60. Not many win 5 straight. I’m sure Graeme would have many interesting stories to tell. I’d love to hear about Seachange. She was one of my favourites and I followed her career closely before I moved to Melbourne. I’ve only read one of Bart’s books (attached) but will have a look for this one.

Actually my only bet for the weekend. Kalgoorlie Race 6 #2 Pym’s Royale He’s short as you would expect but he’s got a bit of ability this boy. He’s unbeaten on the track 4 from 4 and has to carry a bit more pudding but he should get the run of the race and pull away from the pace maker Mervyn in the last 200m for another easy win. Enjoy.

I can think of a few million reasons why I’d want to win the Slipper as opposed to the Dewhurst Ernie. A few nice horses shaping up for the Spring. Grunt was impressive in his maiden recently and is well bred to go a lot further. Smart Melody was just as her name states and should go on with it. Gold Mag looks like a quality galloper. Weir has Nature Strip flying and should be a major player in the Everest if he can stretch that brillance out a bit further and The Autumn Sun looks exciting. Spring is nearly here! I can smell it!

You’ve emphasised another important point Baz. Most people who live in Australia couldn’t tell you when a major race is scheduled in NZ (I’m talking generally here not just Foxbridge Plate). Whereas most Kiwis know when the major races are scheduled in Australia ie: Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Melbourne Cup etc. I think the marketing of major races in NZ leaves a lot to be desired where as here in Australia they have been very innovative with races such as The Everest and now The Kosciusko which have been and are going to be hugely successful.

Cheers for this drewandjo. You’ve filled in the last few years for me since I lived in NZ. I guess the point I was trying to make is a lot of the really good horses these days are sold to Hong Kong or Australia to do their racing. Sunline used to have a pipe opener in NZ but the majority of her racing was done in Australia. Ditto Rough Habit. Good horses get people to the races but there are no incentives for good horses to race in NZ. There lies the problem. $100,000 is now the minimum stake for a Metropolitan race on a Saturday. The Fox Bridge Plate stake would be the equivalent of a maiden stake now over here. Who is the best horse currently racing in NZ and if we compared that horse to Australia’s best horse Winx, which horse would attract more people to the races?

I wouldn’t have a clue sorry mate. I moved to Melbourne 10 years ago and before I moved here I didn’t follow AFL.

When I was living in NZ you had horses like Valentine Girl, Rough Habit and Seachange racing in it. No disrespect to Underthemoonlight but who?

The Foxbridge Plate was recently run. Can you name the winner? That’s my point.

Indeed Catalano. You’re right. I was more referring to Richmond when I said that. Bad luck for Nic Nat. He’s such an amazing player to watch and is a huge loss for the game as a whole.

That’s the crowd they are expecting at the MCG on Saturday for the AFL top of the table clash between Richmond and Collingwood. The Melbourne Cup and Derby Day are the two that have attracted more than 100,000. The State of Origin match this year attracted a crowd of nearly 90,000 to a sport that barely gets a mention in Victoria. Melburnians love their sport! Go the Tiges!!

Nice win by Rogie’s horse at Randwick La Zip. I’m jealous of your 23 degrees. Only 13 in Melbourne today!

Yes, I like my shorties as we all know and I’ve found another one to unload on. Belmont - Race 5 - #1 Come Play With Me He’s just better than them. Enjoy!

Well for starters both Flemington & Randwick are racing on perfect good tracks today in the middle of winter where as Te Rapa and Pukekura are racing on your typical bottomless heavy tracks. Don’t worry though Bazza, Winston will hopefully get those All Weather tracks cranking soon which will fix that never ending abandoning problem NZ has been experiencing forever.

Don’t believe what’s published in the Heraldsun Barry. That’s your first mistake. As Donald Trump would say “It’s fake news.”

How far have we fallen?? I remember back when I was at Waikato Uni and was on course to see Valentine Girl beat the champion Rough Habit in the Foxbridge Plate. Good to see Winston having a crack ,trying to stop the rot with his all weather track proposal, but will NZ ever get back to the halcyon days of the 80's and 90's when people actually used to go to the races?? We can only but dream. Meanwhile in Australia racing continues to thrive getting stronger and stronger. I can smell Spring racing!