** Official Cricketweb Horseracing thread **

[_Ed_]

Congrats!

 

[_Ed_]

Well, that was probably the strangest Derby I've seen, even aside from the fact that Epsom was completely empty.

Thrown in at the deep end only seven days after winning a maiden race, Serpentine went straight to the front and dominated. The others never had a hope of catching him.

Not sure if it was a case of a well-bred colt getting good at exactly the right time, a genius front-running ride, or brain-dead rides by all the other jockeys - or maybe some combination of the three?

 

[Smudge]

Vale Subzero, aged 32. What a horse - left an indelible mark on racing with so many Australians who probably never set foot on a racetrack.

 

[_Ed_]

Got a bit of a thrill today, looking through the nominations for the New Zealand Cup at Riccarton in November and seeing the name of my (well, 5% mine) lightly raced four-year-old.

That's a hell of a long way away for a horse currently rated 63, but it's nice that he's held in high enough regard to consider those sorts of options.

 

[_Ed_]

A bit 'same old, same old' in the Kentucky Derby today with Baffert winning it for the sixth time, but jeez that was a strong front-running performance by Authentic.

And it's really cool that more than 4000 people own tiny shares in him through MyRacehorse. About US$200 for a priceless experience.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

A cousin of mine owned a bit of a racehorse for fun, about ten years ago. But that was uncivilized European harness racing

 

[_Ed_]

A strong-finishing second today from my bloke in his first start in Saturday grade. Pretty encouraging, although apparently someone plonked a $2000 bet on him just before the start of the race - not such a satisfactory result for them.

 

[Smudge]

Congrats to _Ed_ for his win at Riccarton today. Looks like Markus Aurelius is still learning but has a bright future ahead - maybe even over a bit of distance despite the sire's race record.

 

[Smudge]

A cousin of mine owned a bit of a racehorse for fun, about ten years ago. But that was uncivilized European harness racing

Ahem, all my ownership interests are in harness racing. We're incredibly civilised. Until we have a couple of beers down us.

 

[Smudge]

Speaking of which, Some Do holds on to win at Cambridge - our 6th win from 18 starts with her.

 

[_Ed_]

Congrats to _Ed_ for his win at Riccarton today. Looks like Markus Aurelius is still learning but has a bright future ahead - maybe even over a bit of distance despite the sire's race record.

A very different story today, unfortunately - went too hard out in front and the tank was empty 150m from home. Back down to earth with a bit of a thump. Hope you didn't lose any punting dollars!

 

[Smudge]

I lost $5, but felt for you more than my tiny loss...

He looked a little worked up pre-race too, so probably didn't help himself overall.

 

[_Ed_]

Meanwhile, congratulations on your black-type placing yesterday!

 

[Smudge]

Meanwhile, congratulations on your black-type placing yesterday!

Thank you! Thrilled with her run, considering the time, and the post-race wash-up from the driver suggests she will run a belter on NZ Cup Day.

 

[Smudge]

Well that was a bit long-winded. Yes, I do hope to be a racing journalist.

This post aged particularly well.

 

[Smudge]

Pretty special achievement by 9-year-old Flashing Red, Anthony Butt, his brother Tim and co-trainer Phil Anderson. He might be an entire but I'm not sure if he'd have much of a stallion career.

I'm in a nostalgic mood, so looking at some old posts - he did not have much of a stallion career, despite being offered for free for a season or two...

 

[Smudge]

_Ed_ with a winner during NZ Cup Week. Well done!

 

[Athlai]

Congrats!

 

[_Ed_]

Thanks guys! He was given a great run by the one and only Opie Bosson, and it was amazing to watch him sprint away from them at the end. Just a shame I couldn't be there - he was originally meant to run the previous week, but plans changed and I wasn't able to adjust my travel plans. But still a very special day anyway.

And it would be remiss not to mention Smudge's Group One placing on NZ Cup Day at Addington. Outstanding.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Biggest scandal to hit racing in years broke tonight with top Irish trainer Gordon Elliott admitting that the picture that emerged on social media yesterday of him sat on a dead horse on his phone making the Churchill V sign is real.

God knows what this means to him with Cheltenham just 2 weeks away, does he lose his licence, do all the horses get removed from him etc...

All I know is despite being balls deep in Envoi Allen for the Marsh Chase I hope no horse runs in his name as the integrity of the sport matters more than a few quid in my pocket.

Feel sick tonight, this is just beyond words.