** Official Cricketweb Horseracing thread **

[flibbertyjibber]

As good as Ascot is it is probably worth looking at the McCoy rides at Worcester instead,has the first 4 favourites in my paper and 3 other decent rides for Jonjo.Could have a productive day.

Back to Ascot todays trixie is

2.30 Shakespearean
3.05 Strawberrydaiquiri
3.50 Byword

 

[_Ed_]

How Strong Suit won i'll never know,must be some horse to win that despite all the trouble it found.

Yeah, incredible run.

As for today, I'm quite keen on Free Judgement in the first - second to Canford Cliffs in the Irish Guineas looks like good form for this race to me. Definitely agree about Strawberrydaiquiri.

 

[_Ed_]

The Windsor Forest was a fabulous race! What a great battle between Strawberrydaiquiri and Spacious. They fought it out for about two furlongs.

 

[_Ed_]

2008 Kelt Capital Stakes - NZ$2 million
2010 "Spring Classic" - NZ$250,000

Ouch.

 

[_Ed_]

So, racing has "temporarily" stopped at Avondale.

It's a shame, but the way the club has been run in recent times, I don't see them ever profitably racing at Avondale again. Look at the regular patronage - the average age of most raceday crowds would be 70+. That's not sustainable. And the image and brand of the club and course have become such that it would take something huge to turn it around and make it attractive to younger crowds.

Plus the place has become a run-down dump. I think it would be best for everyone if they cut their losses and sold up. The ground the course is on would be worth many millions. Their Cup, Guineas and other races could be run for tremendous stakes at Ellerslie or Pukekohe.

 

[nibbs]

lol. avondale racecourse is a complete ****hole. most emphasis should be on the **** imo. a few months back i played poker up in this 'members lounge.' as it happens, this lounge is only ever used for this poker event every friday night. i think the term we're looking for it white elephant. it is in major need is refurbishment. refurbishment that no one can justify. ellerslie is more than capable of serving auckland's needs imo.

there is a purpose for the playing fields in the centre of the track to be maintained. but the rest should be sold off to developers really...

in other news, i'm interested in exploring the possibility of starting an 'unofficial cricketweb horseracing thread.' if the idea gathers support i will proceed.

 

[_Ed_]

YouTube - 24.07.2010 Ascot King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2010 (GROUP 1) (CLASS 1) 2414 m

Holy ****.

He's been given a Timeform rating up there with the best horses of all time for this performance, and a lot of people are reaching for the superlatives. I'm a bit more inclined to think it was a very good horse producing a one-off freak performance, or that since his two best runs have been over the same distance on the same track, he might be an Ascot 2400m specialist.

But either way, this performance is a thing of beauty. ****ing amazing to watch.

 

[Smudge]

Yeah, I think they've got carried away too - he had the perfect run the whole way as well in the one-out, one-back spot.

 

[_Ed_]

A strong argument that horses aren't forced to race against their will.
YouTube - Darley Yorkshire Oaks 2010
If a horse really doesn't want to do something, that's the end of the matter.

But what a win by Midday. That's four G1s for her now. Great horse.

 

[Smudge]

Not a horse, but **** I love watching Swift Fantasy racing in the greyhound staying races. Her latest race (tonight) was her greatest performance, I'd say, but here's a good example of her talent. Check out for her dropping out last early on in the red rug.

YouTube - Speedy greyhound, Swift Fantasy, wins 2010 Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar

 

[_Ed_]

The day before the first Group 1 of the new season is one of my favourite days every year. So much anticipation for the abundance of awesomeness that lies ahead. It's a great feeling.

It's a shame Katie Lee isn't running (IMO, she's truly outstanding - if she continues at the level she performed at last season, I'll rate her in the top five I've seen), but it's a top field.

I'll go with Keep The Peace to beat Run Like Al and Pennachio. Jacowils is at a ridiculous price ($51) and IMO he could easily spice up the trifecta or first four. I think it's too wet for Mufhasa and Wall Street and too short for Vosne Romanee, who I regard as the best horse in the race.

 

[_Ed_]

Great racing so far at Hastings, but not having much luck on the punt - three fourths in the first three races. Having much better luck at Tauranga, where I had earlier decided the fields were absolute ****. Funny that.

 

[Burgey]

Anyone who has owned a racehorse, wanted to, or just loves the sport, really should read this speech, given by Sir William Deane at the NSW Racehorse Owner's Dinner some years ago. It's a classic reminder of a gentler time before totalisers. Enjoy.

http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo...ad_binary/oc4305.pdf;fileType=application/pdf

 

[_Ed_]

That was excellent.

 

[Smudge]

So was Hypnotize today!

 

[_Ed_]

He was. I don't know how he did it - coming from 10 lengths off the lead as they ran down the hill to winning by just under four lengths. Incredible stuff.

I hope Alvesta is OK. He was sensational in the 2yo race, winning it by six lengths, but then he jumped the fence and apparently spent some time lying on the ground. Hope he's physically unhurt and also not too traumatised by the whole thing. I want to see a lot more of him.

 

[Smudge]

Alvesta was walked back to the birdcage afterwards, so hopefully all is right with him.

 

[_Ed_]

Lion Tamer just bolted in in a listed race in Sydney. I thought he was the best horse in the race, but I was sure he wouldn't handle the wet ground. I should have had more confidence. He got slammed into the rail at about the 250m, but then he took off. Sensational win.

 

[_Ed_]

Definitely heading up to Ruakaka on Saturday to see the awesome Katie Lee resume. It might be her last start in NZ.

She's one to watch when she makes it to Melbourne. Sensational sprinter-miler.

 

[Julian87]

Our Hussey ftw.