He went the slowest time in the last 18 runnings of the race that are 1980m or 2000m, dating back to 2002.  

They generally only have two NZ meetings on a Sat these days. I think the last Hastings meeting only had Riccarton on the same day, no northern meeting.

Merlin to sit parked and still deal with them. WOW.

Really , you don't think something has to change ??? especially in track management . Well I suppose your answer gives helps enables them to continue what their doing .  Or maybe it's because it's Trentham this time your happy to cut them some slack . NIMBYism alive and well .

The weather? I guess that’s the answer? n0?

He is not going be any worse than the second half. LMAO.  What does this mean? If he's at the very back of the 2nd half (ie last), I guess he's stll right.  So ...any position between 1st and last is covered by this magnificently astute (or stoopid) statement. Racing's Quote of the Year...no make it the Century ... Way to go, Jack! 

I would suggest that they try to lead on him from that draw .

If I recall, Craig was meant to ride Mehzebeen last week but had trouble making weight?  

Yes, thanks for the update. I guess that the Karaka Million Is now out of the equation given that she feels like a classic filly. That in itself is a great recommendation except for what I picked her for LOL

Inside draw a challenge for Jimmy November 15, 2024 NZRacingDesk Former Kiwi galloper Jimmysstar(NZ) (Per Incanto) will step up to Group One company for the first time on Saturday when the lightly-raced son of Per Incanto contests the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The winner of two of his three starts in New Zealand for Hastings trainer Guy Lowry, a majority share in Jimmysstar was sold to clients of Ciaron Maher in September of last year and the chestnut has continued on an upward trajectory for his new connections. Now the winner of seven of his 13 starts to date, Jimmysstar was beaten by stablemate Another Wil in the Gr.2 The Damien Oliver (1400m) at Flemington a fortnight ago and will again clash with that key rival, but gets back to his favoured Caulfield track where he is unbeaten in three starts. Maher’s Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull believes there is little between the stable’s trio of runners which includes Group One winner Southport Tycoon, Another Will and Jimmysstar and said the latter will have to overcome a tricky draw in barrier one. “Jimmystar is only a length or two behind Another Wil but I think has drawn a bit sticky in one, given how he normally races,” Turnbull said.“Hopefully we can trifecta the race. We have had a fruitful spring so far.” Turnbull said it was hard to predict where Jimmysstar would be in the run. “It is hard to say where he will be. He is not going be any worse than the second half. He’ll be midfield to box seat around abouts. “But it’s just that element of being too forward and having to ask him to be out of his comfort zone because he is a better chaser and he has run his best races being off them and trying to catch them. “I’m not doubting him by any means, but it would have to work out and flow properly, especially being at Caulfield.”

Peter, I take your point, but I really think that it's because there are normally plenty of CD horses down there, and of course  the CD Jockeys too, hence the CD (if in competition) will be fields fill of apprentices, not that I am saying that is bad thing!

Had a look at Caulfield and Riccarton Cup Day. Good odds on offer at both…. Caulfield R1 Kiwi mare FAREWELL TO EIRE gets Jamie Kah down in weights $10/3. HAARACAINE back in distance but value $19/5 R5 PHARARI….nice sprinter with D Lane $2.70 R7 AELIANA…..looks bet of the day $3.40.   MATISSE $16/4 ( gets Zahra ) and LOVELY CUT $12/4 for odds. R9 JIMMYSSTAR $3.30…..great course record here.. R10 CIGAR FLICK $13/3, DANNY ST DARCI $19/4, EXTRATWO ( blinkers ) $11/3 all value. Riccarton R5 THE SCUNNER $5/2….gets Spratt fresh up, nice trial R6 LOVE POEM $11/2, RAZIAH $16/3…….faves hard if they run 1600m but too short R7 BUOYANT $8/2….nice fresh run, raced better in OZ. R8 MILLEFIORI $23/6 overs second up, SOUTH OF HOUSTON $8/2….best Oz form right in this… R9 CUP…MARY LOUISE $15/4, NEST EGG $12/3, CANHEROC $12/4 ( Spratt off Mehzebeen ? ) TRANZED $8/3…backed in from $31 ?    

Ok Colin, if the 3 year old are so advantaged, I guess that we will see a number in the Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham in a couple of weeks time, especially from those northerners who don't want to travel to the South Island.  What do you say?

Oscar B perfectly driven, to the inch really, even though the margin was bigger. 

Merlin … massive …..

Pretty good today Showday for Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan anyway. for the Northerners.  Group 1's with Merlin and Meant To Be today  . The Inaugural Velocity with Better Knuckle Up. so 3 x Real Big ones for the North. maybe you need a few more horses at Addington to hold them out for the locals ?😎 Oscar B did a good job to knock off the Aussie 'Just Believe' anyway for the locals.  so a little consolation for the South 😅

What test? WFA Analysis Since the horse racing weight for age (WFA) scale was introduced in Britain back in the 1860's it has undergone very few changes - until recently. Modifications to the Flat scale in 2017/18 were prompted when it was realised that 3yos were distinctly advantaged at longer distances.     5f 6f 7f 8-9f 10-11f 12-13f 14f+ ALL 3yos 1.02 0.96 0.98 1.10 1.21 1.29 1.57 1.11 4yos 1.09 1.12 1.07 1.02 0.92 0.99 0.87 1.03 5yos 1.07 1.09 1.14 0.92 0.90 0.84 0.89 1.00 6yos 0.96 0.93 1.00 0.94 0.78 0.69 0.70 0.89 7yos 0.87 0.88 0.71 0.87 0.76 0.55 0.47 0.77 8yos 0.77 0.81 0.74 0.74 0.63 0.44 0.67 0.72 9yos+ 0.66 0.71 0.63 0.43 0.28 0.54 0.52 0.58 They still are. The table above shows significance* by age and distance in all-aged Flat handicaps from 01/01/18 to 13/11/24 (ie: since the modifications). It is clear that 3yos are still advantaged at longer distances and that older horses should receive weight allowances, especially at longer distances.

This was what they had hour by hour from 1AM until 11AM in MM...so maybe the decision was right if a little late.....1.6, 3.5, 6.3, 5.3, 4.7, 4.9, 5.2, 4.8, 3.1,1.7, 0.4          

It seems that for many years there has been no CD meeting on the same day as Riccarton, including Trentham being scheduled for today Friday so it’s not competing tomorrow. Seems like CJC are a protected species? I have nothing against this, just an observation!

just thought worth a mention spent all day in Wellington two drops of rain all day