Welcome aboard Trevor. A couple of intelligent posts so far . . . not that that's a requirement!
I've had enough to say (unlike the stipes, who said nothing) about Balmuse and the Kelt, so won't revisit that. But I will point out that Starcraft, after the Cox, was found to carrying an injury, which was probably sustained in the Stoney Bridge (second leg of Hastings' triple crown). I still think he's the best horse in this part of the world and one of the best I've seen . . . and I've seen plenty — I've an idea I'm the elder statesman (aka fossil) on this list. In my experience, most horses in the better grades have worked their way there over a number of starts or established themselves when youngsters and have hung on for a season or so. But occasionally, and it seems very occasionally, something comes along which makes a virtual immediate impact . . . Gee I Jane is definitely one of those. In the Concorde, Vaalu had taken a small part in the early speed duel then settled handy and fairly cruised to the front in the home straight. For Gee I Jane to go past him as easily as she did suggests she's one right out of the box. Strangely, in the Railway she's two points longer than Vaalu. On the evidence of the Concorde, he can't beat her. Calveen is another overnight sensation who looks the real deal. The Gasmate looks a match in two between her and St Jessie with Penny Gem and Octapussy the spoilers. In the Cup, St Reims isn't too badly off at the weights. He's gone up 1½kg on his Counties Cup weight while Garrard is up 1kg . . . seems a bit tough on the second horse. The third home in the Counties, Singing Star, is on the same weight, as is the fourth home, Waitoki Dream. Maybe Garrard is relatively harshly treated because he was on the minimum and a kilo raise from down there doesn't count as much as it does at the top of the handicap. Waitoki Dream should be the big improver. Grylls booted him hard in the early stages of the Counties Cup to get the trail behind St Reims. And although the trail is usually the best place to be, I don't think it's an advantage when you've had to be used up early, you're chasing a free-goer like St Reims (who had the luxury of the #1 gate) and the chasing horse is not a natural on-pace type. From his outside draw tomorrow, I'd expect Waitoki Dream to be ridden with a lot more patience, beyond midfield, and come into the race late. If he's again hunted towards the lead, the conclusion I'd draw is that the Counties Cup and this race are being primarily used as tune-up races for the Auckland Cup. I'd argue that Cluden Creek has proved himself in this grade . . . a little matter of the Wellington Cup (which came hard on the heels of the Marton Cup). The Counties Cup form should hold up in this race, with Justine Coup and Our Kitty the newcomers to consider . . . so that's narrowed the chances down to seven — a pretty good argument for not betting in open handicaps, especially the big-money ones. Gil ----- Original Message ----- From: "Trevor Plunkett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 9:00 AM Subject: [racebase] Racebase > > > Hi Neil, Peter & Reaper. > > Thanks for your welcome. Since I joined, got your messages and read > (and understood) previous postings I now realise that you are all > members of a group which run and maintains a racing database. > > Perhaps I am in the wrong place?? I just thought it was a racing > group where everyone would share information, their opinions - good > stories and hardluck stories. > > If you feel that I don't meet the basic requirements of your group > please tell me. > > I'm pleased you all got Gee I Jane - I didn't see her run at > Ellerslie or her bad luck against Calveen - so her Avondale run was a > surprise to me. I backed Vaalu!!! > > I was VERY impressed with Calveen in the Breeders @ Ellerslie, in a > sintilating time and with that stunning burst of speed. She is in my > Team - I think she is unbeatable at Te Rapa in Saturday. > > I'm a great fan of St Reims and done pretty well off him this season - > but I don't think he can win the Waikato Cup - he has too much > weight compared to a nice group of up and comers - giving the likes > of Garrard 6.5 kg. Even Regal Krona is advantaged by 4 kg, while > Cluden Creek (still to prove himself against this class) has 3 kg. > I'm also have a liking for Waitoki Dream - but I think he's not at > his best yet. The Waikato Cup is traditionally a tough stayers race. > > I note that you all have been talking about Cog Hill. I've noted > this horse but know little about it other than it's good performance > against Tadan. I was planning to keep an eye on it over the next few > starts. > > Good luck for Saturday > Trevor > > > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/9cOolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/racebase/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
