KEY POINTS:
What a good thing beaten Stand Tall was in the New Zealand Cup.
He got back to his old tricks of missing the start, but this time only by one or two lengths, but it made the difference between being midfield and, as it turned out, back in the tail of the race.
But what really cost Stand Tall and apprentice rider James McDonald the race was the saddle slipping forward at the 1400m.
The favourite finished the race only 2.7 lengths from the winner, Hoorang, in seventh place with McDonald sitting up on Stand Tall's shoulders unable to ride him out properly.
"I'm sure I'd have won if the saddle hadn't moved forward," said McDonald.
"He still managed to get cover the whole way, but it was impossible.
"He was still getting over them in the final stages.
"It was unreal - very bad luck."
* * *
You had to feel for John Sargent.
Young Centaur, which he half owns, missed the NZ Cup by half a head, Il Quello Veloce gets bombed in the last stride to lose the million-dollar 2000 Guineas and Red Ruler had Melbourne's A$350,000 Sandown Classic won until the 80m, finishing third.
But, as they often say in racing, second's better than third and third's better than fourth, and ...
* * *
What a stride Guineas winner Tell A Tale has on him.
The ground he covers in one bound is truly remarkable, and just as well because he was no chance to pull Il Quello Veloce back 200m off the line on Saturday.
With the big, long, almost goofy strides he takes, Tell A Tale simply gobbled up the deficit.
Trainer Mark Walker said he doesn't know if Tell A Tale, out of a Sir Tristram mare, will manage the 2400m of the Derby at Ellerslie early next year.
You'd probably like to have a small bet that he'll be there.
Physically, Tell A Tale doesn't exude strength.
When he stretches out he has a slightly underdeveloped look about him, which begs the question, how good might he get if he does gain additional strength.
Some horses don't, of course - they always just look like they might.
* * *
If there were excuses for runners behind Samurai in Saturday's $80,000 Platinum Homes Tauranga Stakes, don't embarrass yourself by voicing them.
If Samurai had been beaten it would have been the greatest racing injustice of the day, outside Stand Tall at Riccarton.
Twice early in the run home Samurai was disappointed for a run between horses as he tried to improve from last.
That would normally spell disaster.
Instead Samurai had a third crack and after this time being successful stormed down the outside with a finishing sectional that would have been spectacular.
The win was richly deserved.
Neil Connors has done a marvellous job of keeping Samurai sound, often working behind a farm vehicle to keep the weight off the 7-year-old gelding's dodgy knees.
Yet he has still been able to race Samurai infrequently. He had just four starts last year and four in 2005.
Legs permitting, the success at Tauranga won't be his last win.
* * *
Andrew Calder pleaded not guilty to a charge of careless riding in allowing Kildonan to shift in near the 1000m, checking Fully Fledged in Saturday's 2000 Guineas.
Because of Calder's travel plans out of Christchurch, the inquiry was adjourned to a date yet to be set bythe JCA.
Jason Waddell pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding on She Kin Fly in Race 10 at Tauranga, being suspended for four racedays.
Waddell has taken the permitted one-week delay on the suspension and will ride through until after Saturday's $150,000 DHL Counties Cup.
Chris Johnson was warned about keeping a true line when winning the last race at Riccarton on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, the North Canterbury jockey was fined $300 for being unable to make the carded weight for Tap Again, being replaced by Robbie Hannam.
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It might have been a long time between drinks for John Kiernan, but his double with The Winger and Criss Cross at Riccarton on Saturday was remarkable.
Kiernan trains mainly unsound horses at Te Horo Beach.
He doesn't win out of turn, but his record of winners to starters is better than most.
The Winger hadn't raced for a year, but Kiernan had him in the right shape to last a tough struggle in a competitive carnival race.
