Midnitemagicman was one of several impressive winners at the Ellerslie carnival. Photo / Greg Bowker
Whichever way you look at the Auckland Racing Club Christmas/New Year meeting it was a success.
Biggest news was the Ellerslie gates were closed at 3pm on Boxing Day.
It almost needed to happen, even when you thought initially it might have been a publicity stunt for New Year's Day.
If you went anywhere near the birdcage area late on Boxing Day you knew the wisdom of the 3pm ban.
The jam in the bottom birdcage bar was so intense the women were using the men's toilet for the last few races.
Add even 100, much less 1000 to that number, and it was a disaster.
On a racing level, Volkstok'n'barrell once again made a huge impression. His couldn't-care-less Great Northern Guineas win was sensational.
Listening to rider Matt Cameron you know he will never win a race by a margin.
It is difficult to judge the upside to Volkstok'n'barrell, apart from it being enormous, when determining where it might end.
Cameron is adamant the high flyer has not reached anything like his potential.
"He waits for other horses," said Cameron. Waste of time - they'll never catch up. Bad luck is the only thing that beats him in the Derby.
Looking at New Year's Day at Ellerslie, there was a lot of expectation around Midnitemagicman in the opener and a sensational ride by James McDonald got him home.
Marky Mark showed he was a real star in the making in taking the Eclipse Stake. To win that at just his second start with no real pressure having been applied by trainer Moira Murdoch is sensational.
Wait until it is.
We have a plethora of good 3-year-olds, particularly fillies, and Saavoya looks the goods after winning the Eight Carat and Royal Stakes. Putting aside the fallen runners - the result of which means Craig Grylls will have all of January to fly his aircraft around town, Saavoya and Vavasour ran away from the others.
Doubtless Palace Rock and Darci's Dream would have finished close though had they not had their legs taken out from under them.
The City Of Auckland Cup; well, Delago's Secret has always looked to be heading to the headlines, but the field and the race underlined that, overall, we are no better off than Australia for top-class stayers.
As this column said last week, 10-20 years ago Delago's Secret would not have been able to get into any type of Auckland Cup, much less win it. Still, he is a lovely animal and will win his share.
Rides, well there were a few good ones including McDonald's on Midnitemagicman, but none better than Opie Bosson's beaten performance on Durham Town in the $200,000 Railway. The cheeky ride that nearly stole the pair, the race was a magnificent blend of nous and beautiful hands.
Few could kick a horse forward at that level and get it to immediately relax once in front. Bosson was able to slow them down so effectively in the middle stages, the 1:10.34 1200m time was the fourth-slowest Railway in 22 years.
Unless looks were deceptive, Fast Learner's last 200m must have been the fastest for that section all carnival in the final race on January 1. From where he was at the 300m it was remarkable that he could get up and run down Gustavo. Stunning and that won't be his last.
You have to give big ticks to Danica Guy for the job she has done with Railway winner In Style and plenty of ticks also for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, particularly for their placement of Rich Hill winner Sakhee's Soldier.
Beaten runners to forgive: Deane Martin in the City Of Auckland Cup is definitely one of them.
Under 58kg you need all the luck going and Deane Martin had none.
• Volkstok'n'barrell increased his fan group after winning the Great Northern Guineas.
• Marky Mark showed he is among the leading juveniles after the Eclipse Stakes.
• Opie Bosson displayed superb horsemanship aboard Durham Town in the Railway Stakes.
Wexford Stables eye black-type wins with Checkmate and Uderzo in upcoming races.