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I’m having a bit of difficulty finding information about this at the moment. Presumably, it’ll pick up in the next few days.
Was previously on Boxing Day, and moved to the first Saturday in March in 2006. Winners since then have been Wahid, Redoute’s Dancer, C’Est La Guerre and Coniston Bluebird, on Firm, Good, Soft and Soft going.
Is the dual Guineas winner, Katie Lee, still going for this? [Intention is to go for the Cox Plate later this year.]
Main rival, and likely favourite on Soft ground, is the Victoria Derby winner, Monaco Consul.
I could name a couple of other likely runners, but there’s little point as I don’t know much else about them.
I’ll just listen to the race, and have a bet on the Auckland Cup later in the week instead.
Derby down to one, hints James
By BARRY LICHTER at ELLERSLIE – Sunday Star Times
Last updated 05:00 21/02/2010PUNTERS WATCHING Zarzuela and Corporal Jones fighting it out in yesterday’s Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie might agree it will be another two-horse race in next month’s $2.2 million Telecom New Zealand Derby.
Talk to Corporal Jones’ trainer Andrew Scott and he’ll tell you it’s a two-horse race – Zarzuela might have photo-finished his charge yesterday – but the real test isn’t until March 6.
Talk to Zarzuela’s trainer Mark Walker and he’ll tell you he has a lot of respect for the runner-up.
But you get a different feel for the clash ahead when you ask Zarzuela’s jockey James McDonald what he thinks – and it’s enough to send you straight to the tote to back the filly on fixed odds.
Forget the winning margin was only a head – Zarzuela had the situation well under control, McDonald said.
"I got to the front a little bit too soon and she started to loaf a little. But I waited for Corporal Jones to head me so she could see something and fight.
"I only gave her two hits and was just urging her along hands and heels, but she was going away again at the line and doing it nicely. She was just too classy." McDonald said foremost in his mind yesterday was the importance of not giving the filly too hard a run.
"Today’s not D-day." Zarzuela was never fully extended, he said, and best of all, the camp learned that the filly could be positioned much handier in the running.
McDonald said he’d talked with Walker about trying to possie the filly closer, rather than have her drop right out to the rear.
And after securing a spot four-back on the fence, McDonald said he now knew she could do that.
"All we need now is the right track into the race in the derby." Walker said he believed Zarzuela was still vulnerable yesterday, given he was trying to keep as much petrol in the tank for both the derby and an Australian tilt.
"I haven’t done a lot with her since she won at Te Rapa. It’s a fine line trying to get to the derby and go to Sydney, I need to leave enough in her.
"I’d love to get to Sydney and show Australia how good she is." Scott said Corporal Jones had improved since chasing Zarzuela home in the Waikato Guineas and would improve further with yesterday’s run.
"Mickey [Coleman] said the filly got a neck on him on the turn and he got it down to a head at the post." Being by Pentire, Scott said Corporal Jones would have no trouble getting the extra 300 metres of the derby.
"Deep through his family he’s bred to stay all day.
"I don’t think there’s anything between the two of them, it will come down to luck on the day.
"If it’s firm, it’s a two-horse race. But if it’s wet, I think Monaco Consul will beat them both."
Aah, I’ve just found the racecard, via the RP site:-
http://www.nzracing.co.nz/Meetings/Meet … #raceLink1
Haven’t come across nzracing.co.nz before, so I’ll do a bit of browsing tomorrow.
History maker Katie Lee cleared for Derby bid
By Amy Bennett 8:56AM 24 FEB 2010
New Zealand: Katie Lee, the filly who became the first horse in New Zealand history to win both the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, will take her chance in the NZ$2.2m (£986,294) Group 1 New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie on March 6.
Owner Sir Patrick Hogan considered a tilt at the Derby following his filly’s Guineas double in November, but said at the time winning the lucrative New Zealand Bloodstock Fillies’ Series would take precedent.
Katie Lee sewed up that series when winning the Group 2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Te Rapa this month, leaving her 25 points clear of her nearest rival with only two races leftto run.
Although the New Zealand Oaks is the last leg of the series, Katie Lee, trained by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, can now contest the Derby with championship honours already assured.
Opie Bosson will ride Katie Lee in the Derby after missing the Sir Tristram through suspension.
Corporal Jones, one of Katie Lee’s main rivals in the Derby, will have a new jockey in the prestigious race.
The son of Pentire was bought by a syndicate of Hong Kong owners, prior to finishing second under Michael Coleman in last Saturday’s Group 2 New Zealand Veterinarians Championship Stakes at Ellerslie, and they have announced Zac Purton will take the ride.
The Australian-born jockey, who is based in Hong Kong, has received permission from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to miss the local races on March 6, allowing him to make the trip to New Zealand to ride the Andrew Scott-trained Corporal Jones.
"Yes, it’s disappointing because I’ve done all the groundwork on the horse and I’ve given him good rides all the way through," Coleman told the New Zealand Herald.
"He looks like one of the great chances in the races – it’s difficult to see anything improving enough to beat either him or the filly [Zarzuela] after they ran first and second on Saturday. No good crying over spilt milk."
Might be a shower on Wednesday. Weather looks sunny and 23c to 26c Thursday to Saturday. However, Monaco Consul just performed [edit: exercised] well on Good ground.
Derby market: $2.20 Zarzuela, $5.50 Corporal Jones, $6 Monaco Consul, $7 Katie Lee, $12 King Raedwald, $15 Handsome Zulu, $16 Imabayboy.
The Auckland Cup market remains unchanged with Passchendaele the $3 favourite.
If Monaco Consul goes out to 9/1, I’ll back him whatever the ground. I look at the field on Thursday. I’ve been genetically moulded over the course of 10,000 years of my ancestors being peasants and proletarians to oppose favourites.
Which bookmakers are daring enough to quote Monaco Consul a third favourite in his home-town Derby?
I guess winning two Group 1s across the Tasman in separate states doesn’t stand for much!
This should be fun …
I don’t think there is anything new or interesting in this, but I’m too tired to look for anything else. By the way, the four winners since this race was moved to March were drawn 18, 13, 20 and 18, so I wouldn’t pay too much attention to it.
Bedtime.
No luck of the draw for Zarzuela
By Mike Dillon
3:59 AM Thursday Mar 4, 2010The hardest thing in racing yesterday – getting a favourable quote out of the Zarzuela team after the filly drew gate 13 in Saturday’s $2.2 million Telecom Derby.
The 2400m might be an extreme distance for 3-year-olds, but barrier draws are important in any major race, regardless of the distance.
Everything has gone to plan for one of the best fillies we’ve seen in years and it could all be brought undone in the first 120m of Ellerslie in New Zealand’s richest classic.
Matamata trainer Mark Walker and premiership leading jockey James McDonald left Ellerslie two weeks ago after Zarzuela won the Championship Stakes with an identical thought: "All we need is a good barrier."
The slight consolation is that the two main dangers, Corporal Jones and Katie Lee, have drawn gates No 11 and No 10.
Unless they get extremely favourable luck, it won’t be easy for any of the trio.
Visitor King Raedwald will do it tough from the outside gate of the 15 runners.
There was a dramatic TAB reaction to the barrier draw. When the agency opened it’s final field betting yesterday it eased Zarzuela out from the hot $2.20 price to $2.80, a massive percentage increase.
Corporal Jones at $5 and Monaco Consul at $6 both shortened in slightly and fourth favourite Katie Lee remained on $7.
Trainer Andrew Scott, while less than happy with the No 11 barrier, is at least pleased Corporal Jones is drawn inside Zarzuela, setting up what will be a fascinating early tactical battle between James McDonald on Zarzuela and Hong Kong-based Australian jockey Zac Purton on Corporal Jones.
Scott was adamant at Ellerslie after Corporal Jones finished a tight second to Zarzuela in the Championship Stakes that his horse had as much go-forward improvement in her as Zarzuela.
Nothing subsequently has changed his mind. "He worked solidly on Tuesday morning and I’m really happy with him.
"He’s the fittest he’s been this preparation and will be peaking on the day. He’s as healthy as we can get him."
Zarzuela and Monaco Consul came through their final serious gallops with flying colours at Matamata yesterday.
Both worked right-handed 8m out on the course proper, which was good.
Zarzuela (McDonald) was partnered by Minqar Qaim (Anderson), swinging into their work from the winning post and timed to run 1200m in 1:17.1 and the final 600m in an outstanding 35.6.
Both Walker and McDonald were thrilled with Zarzuela’s work.
Walker described the light blow she had afterwards as ideal three days out from the Ellerslie classic.
Trainers Mike and Paul Moroney were likewise fully satisfied with Monaco Consul’s final hitout, which he completed on his own with regular trackwork rider Reese Jones in the saddle.
He was timed from the winning post in 1:17.5 for 1200m, the last 600m took 36.2 and he broke 12 seconds for his final 200m.
Jones described the work as at least equal to his final gallop before heading to Sydney and winning the Spring Champion Stakes in early October, while the Moroney brothers expressed the belief that the High Chaparral colt has returned to his best at exactly the right time.
Derby market: $2.80 Zarzuela, $5 Corporal Jones, $6 Monaco Consul, $7 Katie Lee, $12 King Raedwald, $14 Handsome Zulu, $21 Imabayboy, $26 Military Move, $31 Time Keeper, Ballybit, $41 Smokin’ Gun, $61 Martial Art, No Emotion, Jungle Time, $101 Volgus.
* * *
Interested parties get free entry into Ellerslie’s $20,000 Punter Of The Year competition on Derby Day on Saturday. Also up for the taking is the $1000 highest syndicate turnover prize.
Minimum betting fund per syndicate – restricted to two per syndicate – is $1000 and $100 must be spent on each of the 10 races.
A buffet lunch and non-alcoholic beverages will also be supplied to all entrants.
The infield for Saturday will now be transformed to become the Telecom Carnival, featuring iconic Kiwi band The Black Seeds as well as DJs Tim Phin and People of Paris.
Multiple food and beverage options will be available to purchase on the day and the Auckland Racing Club has ensured that prices will be great value.
Racegoers can take advantage of an online-only four tickets for $40 deal before 5pm tomorrow or buy tickets for $20 on the day.
Racegoers can still bring food and unopened non-alcoholic products to public areas on the grandstand side as well as to the Telecom Carnival.
The infield, outside of any licensed area which the club establishes – such as the Telecom Carnival – will now be used solely for parking.
No picnics or boot parties, regardless if they are alcohol free, will be permitted.
IMPORTANT[/color:1rzuexvp]
Gilmore Girls is about to start.
You can watch videos of New Zealand races via
You need to register, giving your date of birth etc.
[edit: just leave the field where they ask for your Acosa(?) number blank.]
They immediately tell you your login name via your email account, and you’re away.
This should make the Auckland Cup interesting, as I don’t usually bother to watch past performances of horses, but for that I will go through the field.
Green Desert grandsires yet another Derby winner . . .
edit: Only just found out that the Sire is chasing his 9th championship, or something. Oh well, I was wanting to find out new stuff.
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A brilliant ride on the winner from Michael Walker who is on the comeback trail after a near death experience on a pig shooting expedition. A top class jockey well up to the best in Australia and NZ.
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