Racing: Great rides highlighted racing on good footing

Jimmy Choux riden by Jonathan Riddell wins the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Hawkes Bay Guineas. Photo / APN

Group one racing at Hastings on a good track finally gave punters a level chance of backing a winner as well as looking for some candidates for coming events.

Best Ride: Jonathan Riddell's poetry-in-motion rails ride on Jimmy Choux to win the Guineas. Mickey Coleman came up with the same on Altered Image.

Most Improved: Daniel Stackhouse. In terms of style, he didn't look like a jumps jockey winning four at Riccarton on Saturday.

Best Performance: Unquestionably Katie Lee. Defied the pattern to flash home from last on the home bend. Fabulous. Bring on Australia.

Head-Shaker: The 1.33.97 Thundermore ran to win the R70 1600m. Even on a day of lightning times, that was sensational.
All Not Well?: Last year's winner Vosne Romanee eased up by Opie Bosson in the big race.

Forgive: We Can Say It Now: Copped a check at the 1200m and was only three lengths away. Stay on side.

Aspinal: Found to have foot injury after racing well below her best.

BACK THESE:

Affairoftheheart: Slipped leaving the gates and made ground late from last. Found to have slight injuries to leg, hip and hock.

Electronic Socks: Wide in mid-field and was not far away. Eligible for easier races.

Bone Of Contention: Flushed three and four wide to make his run and few horses launched from there in the first half of the programme. Kept coming though.

Rockburn: Found most of the trouble in the race.

Maradona: Lacks the experience of the Guineas horses but still finished third.

Jimmy Choux: It wasn't just the magnificent rails run that got him home in the Guineas. He'll take beating in anything.

Altered Image: The wait has been worth it.