Zither

I believe it's called the alphabet, been around a while...

Update on Camelot and Frankel, also a good idea for a charity race (but a bit of a bummer being licensed for the day and getting fined!) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-2202269/Doncaster-delight-Murtagh-Sole-Power-ends-lengthy-losing-sequence.html?ito=feeds-newsxml Mick Kinane edged home on Chris Dwyer’s Patriotic in the Clipper Logistics Leger Legends race, beating Elijah Pepper and George Duffield a nose. The race, in which retired jockeys are licenced for the day, raised over £100,000 for the Injured Jockeys Fund. Coffers were boosted further when Duffield was fined £300 for using his whip above the permitted level. Stipendary steward Robert Earnshaw said: ‘It a unique situation. We consulted the disciplinary department and thought a £300 fine was fair. The BHA will donate the money to the charity.’

Interesting viewpoint - would seem Pierro should have no problem getting over a distance... http://justracing.com.au/ 1- LONHRO - Won 26 of his 35 starts, including 11 Group 1’s. Won to 2000 metres. 2 – OCTAGONAL - Won 14 of 28 starts including 10 Group 1’s. Won to 2400 metres. 3 – ZABEEL - Won Group races in Australia to 2040 metres (Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley). 4 – EIGHT CARAT - Started five times and never won a race, but became a champion broodmare. 5 – SHADEA - Won two races in her career including the now Group 3 Sweet Embrace Stakes in Sydney in 1991 at 1200 metres. 6 – STRAIGHT STRIKE - Won four races in his career and was stakes placed to 2400 metres (Breeders Stakes). Straight Strike was named "Champion Sire" one year in New Zealand and he is a stallion son of champion Mr Prospector. 7 – CONCIA - New Zealand bred mare. When mated with champion stallion, Kiwi based sire Sir Tristram, she produced Group 1 AJC Oaks winner Mahaya at 2400 metres. 8 – MISS RIGHT NOTE - Won two races in her career which was spread between Australia and France - one at 1600 the other at 2400. 9 – DAYLAMI - Won Group 1 races in both England (King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes) and America (Breeders Cup Turf) at 2400 metres. 10 – DOYOUN - A son of Arc and Epsom Derby winner at 2400 metres - Mill Reef. Doyoun himself won the Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas in England at 1600 metres. 11 – DALTAWA - When mated to Darshaan she produced Arc (2400m) winner Dalakhani. 12 – SKY SONG - A daughter of champion sire Sadlers Wells that was incapable of winning a race, although she was once placed in a race in France. 13 – SADLER’S WELLS - Champion sire who won Group 1 races to 10 furlongs (2000m) in both England and Ireland. 14 – CRIQUETTE - A daughter of Shirley Heights who won both the 1978 Irish and Epsom Derby’s at 2400m. Criquette won two races in her life – one at 7.25 furlongs (1450m) and the other at 9 furlongs (1800 metres) in Great Britain and the United Arab Emirates. So would Pierro run out a strong 2040 metres? Well judging by his what I would call "very stout pedigree" he certainly would. Now all that is left is for him to a) travel away from home for the first time and handle that, handle the Melbourne way of going and c) adapt to racing at the tricky Moonee Valley track - so he still has work to do yet, but certainly his pedigree shouldn’t let him down.

Agree to a point. However preaching to the converted will see the product slowly die with the patrons. We need constant, consistent exposure via TV and mainstream media - this is how we attract new participants and most importantly, new corporate sponsors. Ask your (older) colleagues how many have heard of Kiwi, Bonecrusher, Sunline, Jimmy Choux - put those numbers on a chart and I bet that line heads south quicker than a pint at 5.00pm Friday. Media exposure is a basic requirement for the future of our sport, without it we will be racing for ribbons and cups within a decade.

Exclusive: Frankel's a major star... but he's no BrigadierBy Marcus Townend PUBLISHED: 16:30 EST, 21 August 2012 | UPDATED: 16:30 EST, 21 August 2012 It’s some admission from a man whose opinion should be respected — if Frankel can win the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on his first race over 10 furlongs, he can justifiably be rated the equal of the great Brigadier Gerard. Equal, mind. Not better. In truth, nothing on four legs will ever rate higher with former jockey Joe Mercer than the 1970s icon he still calls the ‘Big Fella’, who galloped into racing folklore by carrying him to victory in 17 of his 18 races. ‘You earned your plaudits more in the old days,’ says Mercer, whose career brought him close to 3,000 winners and eight British Classics. ‘Maybe Frankel is the greatest at the present and the best for 20 years, but not the best ever. He has not proved it yet. He’s as good as The Brigadier but not the greatest ever as they classify him. That’s OTT. ‘Everybody asks how Brigadier Gerard and Frankel compare and last year, for a bit of fun, I said he would have made a good lead horse for The Brigadier, who achieved so much in his lifetime it was amazing. ‘He had ability and courage and a lot of both. He was a big, handsome horse and his racing weight never changed from two to three to four years old. He was a perfect physical specimen and his attitude was that he knew it. ‘It’s the horses who finish behind you that count. Frankel has had the same horse (Excelebration) behind him four times. He’s a fabulous horse, who would have probably been the best miler in the world if Frankel hadn’t been around. ‘The ones that Brigadier Gerard beat came out and won everything — they were horses like Mill Reef, who went on to be a champion; Faraway Sun, who was a good French horse he beat five lengths in the Sussex Stakes, wasn’t beaten again that season.’ A shoulder problem might be hindering his golf swing, but at 77, Mercer still cuts the same dapper figure as in 1979 when, as stable jockey to Frankel’s trainer Sir Henry Cecil, he was champion jockey. The pipe, which earned his nickname Smokin’ Joe, is by his side and Mercer’s admiration of Cecil’s colt is genuine, not grudging. But looking at The Brigadier’s record, even the fully paid-up members of the Frankel fan club must respect his verdict. Timeform rate Frankel — who is estimated to be worth £100million and who may run only once more after Wednesday’s race — the best horse they have ever assessed, three pounds better than Dick Hern-trained Brigadier Gerard, who is equal third-best on their all-time chart. There are close parallels between the two. Frankel was a devastating six-length winner of last year’s 2,000 Guineas and The Brigadier emerged on top in one of the best runnings of the race in 1971, beating subsequent Arc and Derby hero Mill Reef, plus outstanding French colt My Swallow. Both were career-defining victories. ‘I had never been so confident before a race, particularly when Duration won the apprentice race beforehand,’ says Mercer. ‘He was one of the horses Brigadier Gerard had been working with and he’d been slaughtering him. ‘We knew we had a good horse the first time he ever ran, at Newbury. He was last with two furlongs to go and finished 10 lengths in front of them.’ Both horses also had scares in Royal Ascot’s St James’s Palace Stakes, Frankel hanging on by three-quarters of a length from Zoffany after an injudicious mid-race move by his jockey Tom Queally; Mercer blamed himself for Brigadier Gerard’s narrow success from Sparkler. Mercer said: ‘At Ascot last year, my heart was in my mouth. I could have killed the jockey — he went three furlongs from home. Frankel lasted out but only just. That’s guts. ‘The Brigadier only beat Sparkler a head in the St James’s Palace and I blamed myself because I used to ride him in all his work and I don’t think I did enough with him.’ Catch me if you can: Frankel ridden by Tom Queally wins the Lockinge Stakes Frankel and The Brigadier have also been successful in the Lockinge, Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. But whereas Frankel victories range from seven furlongs to a mile, Brigadier Gerard won at five furlongs, took in two Champion Stakes and an Eclipse over 10 furlongs and his stamina was eked out to land the 1972 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes over Ascot’s mile and a half. That is why the International Stakes is, arguably, the most significant race in Frankel’s career since he blasted his way up Newmarket’s Rowley Mile in the 2,000 Guineas. We’ve been reminded in six races since of his brilliance and Usain Bolt-like acceleration. But a victory at a longer distance would add significant lustre to a glittering record. That opportunity comes in the one race that eluded Brigadier Gerard 40 years ago. In 1972 the three-length defeat by Vincent O’Brien’s Derby winner Roberto, brilliantly ridden from the front by South American jockey Braulio Baeza in the inaugural running of a race then known as the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup, silenced the Knavesmire crowd. Mercer is adamant that the real Brigadier, who started 1-3 favourite, did not turn up that day, despite Roberto breaking the course record. ‘Everything to look at was perfect and his work was as good as ever but the stable was under a very big cloud,’ he recalled. ‘Two and a half out, he was hacking behind them, but he never picked up and I accepted it half a furlong out. I wasn’t going to knock the c**p out of him. ‘I wasn’t concerned about the crowd reaction — it’s not in your mind, just in your heart, and that felt horrible. Dick Hern’s face was just blank. ‘When he came back after the race dear old Buster Haslam, who was our travelling head man, said, “Don’t let him put his head down, keep it upâ€

Mining entrepreneur Nathan Tinkler is trying to sell his horse racing and breeding assets. He invested about $A300 million over four years to build his racing company, Patinack Farm. He tried to sell the company to a Qatari sheik for $A200 million in June 2012. Tinkler needs finance for a coal sector acquisition. On 16 August, Magic Millions said that it will sell about 350 of Patinack's horses in a special sale in October. It is thought that Tinkler has received a cash advance of about $A20 million; Original article by Tom Reilly and Paddy Manning; The Age; 17 August 2012;

http://justracing.com.au/ "And in a final plea, can a punter's association somewhere please send Victorian trainer Colin Little some cash in a brown paper envelope, so that he can get a horse transport mob to pick up this slow gelding of his, which races with the name of Tanah Lot? For some totally inexplicable reason Tanah Lot has been left in Brisbane - possibly on his way to the annual Dingo race meeting? We’ve seen some very slow interstate conveyances come to Brisbane over the years – in fact the joint has been a dumping ground for slow and legless horses from Sydney and Melbourne, but even Tanah Lot’s mother would be filthy on him going like a mule at his two Brisbane starts. Fair dinkum how did he ever win a city race in Melbourne? You have to be kidding. His CV says he’s won $118,235, so I’m convinced that Tanah Lot was involved with Ronald Biggs in the Great Train Robbery that time – as how else would he get $118,235? Four Corners should launch a probe into how Tanah Lot comes to have $118,235 in a bank account."

Louisville, Ky. (AP) -- Move over, Millionaire's Row: Churchill Downs is preparing fancier digs to cater to the rich and famous at the Kentucky Derby. Track officials announced $9 million in renovations on Tuesday, highlighted by a new ultra-exclusive section called The Mansion. Perched on the sixth floor of the clubhouse, it will overlook the finish line and offer panoramic views, along with red carpet arrival, a private elevator, butler and concierge services, access to a private wine cellar and meals made to order. "It is absolutely an unparalleled experience," track President Kevin Flanery said. "It is an experience a notch above anything else that's ever been offered at Churchill." The renovation could bring a fresh infusion of more blue-bloods and well-to-do spectators to an event already known as much for its high fashion and celebrities as the horse race. The 138th rendition of the Derby drew a record crowd of 165,307 people this year. The crowd features an eclectic mix of T-shirt-wearing race fans who swarm the sweaty infield, to more gentrified fans in suits, sun dresses and elaborate hats. The Mansion will open in time for next year's Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, track officials said. Admission will be by invitation only, likely for celebrities and business executives, Flanery said. The price will run in the thousands of dollars, but will depend on the customized services for each guest. The track planned to start contacting those interested as soon as Tuesday. "We have demand," he said. "People want something unique. They want to feel special. They want that experience." The high-end space will hold about 320 race fans. It will feature a dining room, living room, library, parlor and veranda, along with more intimate gathering spaces in a foyer and bar. It's meant to evoke the feel of a stately home. To make way for a new stomping ground for the well-heeled, the media will get the boot. The space has mostly served as the track's media center since 2005. A new media center will be built near the track's paddock in a building that had housed general offices. The renovations also will include the razing of the Paddock Pavilion to create an open space for thousands of race fans gathering in the area where the horses are saddled. The $9 million project is the latest in a series of renovations at the track, with a total price tax exceeding $150 million in the past decade. The track spent $122.4 million to renovate the clubhouse and grandstand, which was completed in 2005. The track spent $4 million to purchase and install permanent lighting for the main dirt track and turf course, completed in 2010. ---

Re Josephine at Otaki. How many times have we seen the jockey switch (to Walsh) on a Peter McKenzie trained HRH runner over a distance in the mud produce the goods? What a beautifully rated ride by one of the best. Thanks guys! Ps. I went all up on let's go fratelli

You won't find a more 'straight up' trustworthy and helpful team than Kevin and Kathleen. If Kevin wasn't always on the lookout for a buyer he would have many more group 1's to his name.

World's fastest man has equine rival _ Usain Colt July 26 (PTI) -- Watch out Usain Bolt, Usain Colt is running -- and with four legs, he is fast. The 3-year-old thoroughbred named after the world's fastest man is being lined up for several races in Britain this summer, and his owners hope Usain Bolt will meet his equine namesake while he is in London for the Olympics. Trying to schedule an appointment with the three-time Olympic champion and 100-meter world record holder is proving difficult, however, with the opening ceremony for London Games in only two days' time. Bolt has been training in seclusion on a track at the University of Birmingham, a facility surrounded by thick bushes and patrolled by security. "Usain Bolt is not the easiest person to get a hold of these days, but I'd like to hope that Usain Colt's chance to meet him after the Olympics would be boosted if the horse wins a race this summer," said Jake Warren, one of the horse's handlers. Warren said Usain Colt deserves his name even though he has only won once -- a year ago in Newbury. "He's quite a big horse. He's very athletically built and has lots of character," Warren said. "He's a laid-back horse with a big personality and has a presence like no other." "Not other than Bolt, of course," he added. The horse is owned by Ascot Racecourse. Prince Harry is believed to have joined the Birdcage Racing Club run by Ascot, whose 100 members pay an annual fee and share any prize money earned by Usain Colt. MORE (AP) PM PM 07260907 Their aim is to promote the sport amid dwindling interest during the hard economic times. Bolt is aware of Usain Colt's existence. When Prince Harry visited Jamaica earlier this year, he met Bolt and showed him a picture of the thoroughbred. Bolt was quoted as saying that "to have a race horse named after you by someone who owns it like Prince Harry for me is an honor." "He's going to do great, takes time, work his way up," Bolt said of the horse. Like Bolt, Usain Colt has also had problems with his starts in the past year. He was forced out of the Royal Ascot meet, horse racing's biggest event in Britain, and pulled from a recent race in Ireland because rain made the track too soft for him to run. Usain Colt returned to the track on Wednesday for a seven- furlong race at Sandown. He finished second in a field of 10. "He had an amazing sprint at the end, but was held too far back by the jockey in the beginning and ended a length and half behind the winner," Warren said. "We hoped he'd win, but we hope that the good performance on the track will bring some good luck to Bolt's Olympic 100 race." (AP) PM PM 07260907 -0- Jul/26/2012 03:40 GMT It's lucky for Bolt that he doesn't have a jockey!

Errr referring to alcohol only of course!

A bridge too far there Mr Tubby... owners? I'll have to give the game away then!

I have a smallish His Royal Highness mare (dam by Pentire, out of a Sir Tristram mare). She's down south and I'm thinking of sending her to a local stallion - any thoughts? She's not commercial but I'm probably going to perservere for purely emotional reasons.

Thanks guys. She's a pentire mare out of a sir Tristram dam. All suggestions appreciated!

I've got a smaller than average but strong mare, and I'm wondering whether I'm better off going to a good smaller stallion rather than try and put some size in the breed - breed to her strengths or move back to the average? What are your learned thoughts on this?

perhaps they were able to pinpoint via the location services who was in the TAB at that time?

179.3

http://www.racecafe.co.nz/forum/showthread.php?t=48160 Berri, you're not alone, I believe media management is all important. Netball is a classic example, who would have watched that 10 years ago? (I still can't). What about motorsport? I have no interest in car racing but I could name several drivers and could be tempted to go to an event if it was convenient enough. It's about raising profile. It's not rocket-science.

These days 'news' is a string of sponsored infomercials and low brow 'cat up a tree' human interest stories - the news people make the news and it's a purely commercial decision what is shown. What Berri is saying is correct, we need to be sure that we are one of those regular infomercial spots on the news to raise our profile - it's a commercial reality.

I would have thought it's quite simple - Te Rapa will always be better than you think, and trentham will always be worse.

The Derby 2012: Three Reasons Why Coolmore's Thrilling Colt Camelot Will Win At Epsom Charlie Brooks May 29 (Telegraph) -- The Derby has long been considered the ultimate mental and physical test of the three year-old thoroughbred Flat horse. So can there be any sense in the Irish trained colt Camelot being odds on for Saturday’s classic? The short answer is yes. There are three reasons why Camelot will win the Derby. The first is that he is bred to do so. Although his sire Montjeu did not win the greatest Classic in the world, he did triumph in the Prix Du Jockey Club and the Irish Derby. More impressively, Montjeu is the youngest stallion since Blandford in 1934 to sire three Derby winners – Motivator, Authorized and Pour Moi. Most important, however, is the evidence that mares descended from the American stallion Mr Prospector work particularly well with Montjeu. Tarfah, Camelot’s mother, is Mr Prospector’s granddaughter. So how come Team Coolmore were able to purchase Camelot for a mere Gns525,000? Presumably because his half-sister, Ideal, bought previously by the same team for Gns240,000, was only able to scrape together one minor victory at Clonmel. Such are the vagaries of breeding horses. Camelot’s ability is obviously crucial as well. In winning the first Classic of the season, the 2,000 Guineas, the most important trial for the Derby, he became the first colt by Montjeu to win a Classic over a mile in the northern hemisphere, which makes him potentially the best and most valuable horse the stallion sired. There have been Guineas winners who looked as if they would not stay a mile in a horsebox. But that is unthinkable of a colt by Montjeu. The third reason why he will win on Saturday is that he has no issues, mentally or physically. He will handle the idiosyncrasies of the track and the mayhem of the day. Part of the reason for that is that Team Coolmore and their trainer Aidan O’Brien know the bloodline so well now; they have learnt how to harness and develop it. O’Brien himself would be the first to admit that he probably overcooked St Nicholas Abbey, also by Montjeu, in the spring of his three-year-old season, but as the saying goes: “Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.â€

No worries I had done my dash with za magic and decided enough was enough! Time to hit the bars and watch the blues account for the highlanders... Yeah right!

Those blokes on let's go fratelli won the comp with 3500. Had 300 on the nose, well done to them!

Wasn't my day. Just watched roi de jeu butchered at 40's now need red shift to win at doomben