Maximus

would be an interesting discussion if not for the fact that the posters and the article both refer to 'Sunlight' not 'Sunline'. And if they cant get the horse's name right their opinion aint worth a shovel full of horse shit.

seem to recall Darren Flindell referring to her as the 'noted wet tracker Concert Hall' Wasnt up to it on the day.

..have you thought you might send NZTR an email asking that pertinent question...would take all of 30 seconds,

THE unluckiest runnier in the Guineas - for me - was All Black Bourbon (5th). Another 100m and he'd have had them on toast. 1600m next time and with any more give in the ground he is a VGVB (Very Good Value Bet)

thanks mate, good summary..so, not many this century (2?) by the looks ...

as a matter of curiosity how many 4yo mares have won the Akld Cup in the modern era (say, since 1970). CTD may be a good horse in the making but its hard enuf for quality 3yo fillies to 'show up' in the Spring/Summer as a 4yo -and not many get to run over 3200m unless I am horribly mistaken. Was Rock Diva 4yo when she won?

Please list them.

RM, you didn't address the question(s) ...I have no issue with Harris's ride on the horse ..10 out of 10 ,,,just want to know if anyone else thought he struggled to pull her up and allowed her(?) to do another lap warming down ...

what's confusing Ragamuffin Man?

a privilege to be there to watch MB demolish them ..but the lingering question for me is ..why did Troy Harris allow her to complete another lap of the track instead of pulling up with the others and trotting back to scale? Was he unable to pull her up? Exhausted? Dehydrated and feeling faint/weak? He was blowing much more than her after the race and appeared to be in severe difficulty a couple of times...that's a fair old warm down from the winning post

I thought Frontman was Value Bet of the Day at Ellerslie,..couldnt believe the price ..ticked all the boxes for me - except for racing experience/ miles under the belt ...phenomenal effort for close 3rd given the fact that he missed a lead-up race (Matamata abandonment). Could do a 'Jon Snow' and be a true revelation in Sydney. And so could Milford.

they got some practice in at the last meeting - held under Level 2 conditions

and likely to change several more times - hence my comment. Let's just hope it all works out well in the end (though, with people like the Tamakis leading the South Auckland approach to L3, it aint looking good for a L2 Sunday

not worth considering at all

what brasses me off most is that between them the two health 'authorities' had sent the non-responding 'close contacts' a letter - so they had a PHYSICAL ADDRESS - but nobody thought it a good idea under these urgent circumstances to knock on their flocking door!

looks to me like they've already decided the venue for Sunday!

yes, spare a thought for everyone in the industry affected by this Gummit decision ..its not just one race! ...lots of business gets done over the carnival. Is it viable to run the Derby on Cup Day instead?

yes, well done well deserved, Jacob.

definite chance and very game in the Guineas, Gruff.. my query on him is whether he has enough 'miles' in his legs for 2400m next week ...only 1 start beyond 1600m - Milford is already a winner over 2100m at Ellerslie in Jan (Gingernuts Salver)

I'm keen on Milford in Derby ..a bit one=paced in Avondale Guineas but ground away, only 1.5L from winner at post over 2100m without threatening the winner ...reckon 2400 Ellerslie next weekend will be spot on! hopefully will be the superior stayer on the day .close relative of Sacred Falls

perfectly said, Jacob. Many of us who watch the industry quite closely (but dont / cant know all the ins and outs) could see what was going on with her placement. It must be quite difficult for you to see the way her career has unfolded thus far after she showed such potential as a youngster. Good luck for the future. You have the right attitude.

If memory serves, she was quickly removed from Jacob's stable straight after the surprise narrow loss fresh-up at Ruakaka ($1.40) and sent to Team Rogerson. Failure in the Tarzino was the first of many unplaced starts ad she has only won one race - a maiden at Te Rapa. And here she is rattling round R65 fields in the summertime of her 5yo season. Wouldnt surprise me if Team Rogerson put her over the sticks before she retires. And I'm only half joking...

Anyone with half a racing brain can see that Aalalune has been poorly placed and over-raced ever since she surprised everyone by placing in a Grp 1 as a 2yo. Rogie had dollar signs coming out of his eyes and the horse got wrecked as a result of impatience to get more black type and 3yo glory....but why so early in the Spring? Beaten in a maiden sprint at Ruakaka, straight into the Tarzino early Spring with a horse whose racing style screamed for more ground and wetter tracks and just a bit of time to grow into herself. She is a shadow of what she might have been if they'd just waited for the autumn of her 3yo season. Even now, reckon she'd go alright in Victoria over 2000m+ in the autumn/winter starting with country tracks and maybe a Patrick Payne-type of trainer/ Class is permanent -she's got a motor annd a heart - but the change of handling and environment is what's required, if it aint too late. Just my opinion.

1st=18 Ashrun 2nd=13 Surprise Baby 3rd=1Anthony van Dyck Last=10 Dashing Willoughby