Hesi Posted February 25, 2023 Share Posted February 25, 2023 Sharp N Smart2.20 Prowess4.00 Desert Lightning8.00 Waitak10.00 Mark Twain12.00 Devildom18.00 Dynastic18.00 Savoir Faire18.00 Andalus26.00 Bitcoin26.00 Cruz Missile26.00 Loosespender26.00 Texas26.00 Jaffira31.00 Opawa Jack31.00 Warsaw31.00 Channel Surfer41.00 Dimaggio41.00 Full Of Sincerity41.00 Rising Pacific41.00 Sedaka41.00 Rockburn61.00 Savabourbon61.00 Zaboraci61.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted February 25, 2023 Author Share Posted February 25, 2023 Talking points 1. Is it all over, with Sharp N Smart the best performed horse, proven at the distance, proven in all conditions 2. Dynastic has stepped up to the mark, and who would underestimate Mark Walker 3. Will they start Prowess, or is it off to the Vinery and ATC Oaks to get Aus G1 wins 4. Devildom if the north's wet weather continues 5. Will the unorthodox route Opawa Jack is taking, trip up all the stars 6. Cruz Missile, second fave for a while, but Herbie Dyke run was lousy, 15 lengths away from Sharp N Smart 7. Mark Twain, last start was impressive, but against nothing 8. Is there a smokey in the race Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngakonui grass Posted February 25, 2023 Share Posted February 25, 2023 12 hours ago, Hesi said: Talking points 1. Is it all over, with Sharp N Smart the best performed horse, proven at the distance, proven in all conditions 2. Dynastic has stepped up to the mark, and who would underestimate Mark Walker 3. Will they start Prowess, or is it off to the Vinery and ATC Oaks to get Aus G1 wins 4. Devildom if the north's wet weather continues 5. Will the unorthodox route Opawa Jack is taking, trip up all the stars 6. Cruz Missile, second fave for a while, but Herbie Dyke run was lousy, 15 lengths away from Sharp N Smart 7. Mark Twain, last start was impressive, but against nothing 8. Is there a smokey in the race How has Sharp n Smart gone against his own age group.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngakonui grass Posted February 25, 2023 Share Posted February 25, 2023 8 is there a smokey.............JAFFIRA raced each month since Aug 22,has had plenty of things to be ironed out and i think he will strip the real deal on Derby Day. Would prefer a worse than good track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted February 25, 2023 Author Share Posted February 25, 2023 1 hour ago, ngakonui grass said: How has Sharp n Smart gone against his own age group.? 1st in Champion Stakes, 2nd Victoria Derby 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 Looks like Prowess is missing from Derby noms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 Latest market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted February 28, 2023 Author Share Posted February 28, 2023 4 hours ago, pete said: Looks like Prowess is missing from Derby noms. Yes, if you watched the interview on Weigh In with Roger James and the owners, the question mark was certainly there, it was just a matter of who would win out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted February 28, 2023 Author Share Posted February 28, 2023 Bonecrusher Stakes, Vinery, then you would have to say Aus Oaks. The more cynical might say that they were scared off by Sharp N Smart Prowess out of Derby NZ Racing Desk 28 February 2023 Prowess, the second-favourite for Saturday’s Gr.1 Auckland Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Te Rapa, has been withdrawn from the $1 million classic. Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood weren’t happy with the way she was working in the lead-up to the rich feature and have elected to bypass the race in favour of other Group One targets on either side of the Tasman. “It is disappointing not having her there, but the horse comes first,” James said. “I am fortunate that I have had many years of experience of training mile and a half three-year-olds. I have never chosen to withdraw one at this late stage because I felt we were doing the wrong thing, but I did with her. “We both agreed that she hadn’t worked like a horse should going into a mile and a half race. We know how brilliant she is and we have chosen a different path. “She will most likely go to the weight-for-age race (Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes, 2050m) on the Auckland Cup Day and then all going well into the Vinery (Gr.1, 2000m).” The stable will still be represented in the New Zealand Derby by OTI Racing’s Mark Twain who will now have the services of Warren Kennedy following Prowess’ withdrawal. The son of Shocking won over 2100m at Hawke’s Bay last start and James has been pleased with his progress ahead of the Derby. “His work has been the total opposite (of Prowess), it has been really strong. He has gone on since his last run,” he said. With the withdrawal of Prowess, Sharp ‘N’ Smart is now an overwhelming $1.75 favourite for the Derby, ahead of Desert Lightning ($7), Waitak ($9) and Mark Twain ($12). Kingsclere Stables will also have the services this week of another consistent filly in Contagious who will line-up in the Gr.2 Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Awapuni on Wednesday. The daughter of Proisir has been highly consistent in her career to date, winning one and placing in six of her nine starts, including a runner-up result in the Listed Futurity Stakes (1400m) and placed behind Prowess in the Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) last start. Her trainers were particularly pleased with her run over 2000m, having previously only run up to 1400m. “We jumped her from 1300m to 2000m and I thought her run was huge,” James said. “She has trained on well since, has drawn well (2), and we are pretty happy to have her down there. “The favourite (Family Ties) commands respect, but behind that I think they are an even lot.” Contagious is an equal third favourite with Val Di Zoldo with TAB bookmakers at $5.50, behind Family Ties ($3.20) and Pennyweka ($5). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 Well I just hope the best performed horse in the race by a big margin gives them a galloping lesson, so the race can regather some credibility after the series of mediocre horse that have won in the last 5 years. God forbid Roger James with his R65 winner, that has raced against nothing this season, gets up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigos1 Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Roger James is one of the best trainers in NZ. A terrific Derby Record. Why are you knocking him? Mark Twain is an out and out stayer ............ may not win but if it did it wouldn't be a surprise to me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 Not knocking him, just thinking out aloud, that the more traditional route to a Derby is running your horse in some of the Guineas lead up races Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 2 hours ago, barryb said: I hope you are wrong Hesi as I have backed it, sure you can tell from the price change. That explains it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Could be another C'Est La Guerre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 It's not fair on the punters either. How can you assess a horse that has not run against any of the other top horses in lead up races Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 43 minutes ago, Hesi said: It's not fair on the punters either. How can you assess a horse that has not run against any of the other top horses in lead up races I would say fairness to punters would be the last thing on most trainers' minds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 Fair comment, without punters there is simply no racing industry and indirectly, no breeding industry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 And following on from that, an industry that does not look after it's customers, who are the punters, is doomed to ultimately fail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 In the UK they often go into big races without any lead ups at all. I don't really see how you can criticise a trainer for a particular preparation that may not agree with your needs as a punter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 I think the new CEO heading up TAB NZ Mike Tod, has that as his priority focus, with all the promotions that are being done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 (edited) 9 hours ago, Hesi said: Not knocking him, just thinking out aloud, that the more traditional route to a Derby is running your horse in some of the Guineas lead up races Why must he follow that path...he is a very good trainer I think I would trust his judgement....not that I am saying he can win but I think Roger has some clue what he is doing. Edited March 2, 2023 by RJB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 31 minutes ago, Hesi said: And following on from that, an industry that does not look after it's customers, who are the punters, is doomed to ultimately fail I think owners are just as important..if not more...no owners then no horses for the punters to feed on...it cuts both ways. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngakonui grass Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Channel Surfer has SOLILOQUY as 5th dam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngakonui grass Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 WARSAW by vadamos who won up to 2400 dam by SUNDAY SILENCE.plenty to like about the bloodlines.Bred to run dist and a lot further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximus Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 35 minutes ago, ngakonui grass said: WARSAW by vadamos who won up to 2400 dam by SUNDAY SILENCE.plenty to like about the bloodlines.Bred to run dist and a lot further. yes, he's a smokey good EW chance IMO, esp if they run it at a solid tempo MM 4 hours ago, Hesi said: It's not fair on the punters either. How can you assess a horse that has not run against any of the other top horses in lead up races who ever said that punting is fair? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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