The perception that NZ breeds all the good stayers, and comments to this extent in Bart Cummings book, have fueled a sudden leap in the number of Australian buyers at the NZB sales this year.  All good for NZ, but when you look at the Melbourne Cup (Australia's richest staying race), the numbers just don't stack up.

NZ bred horses have won the Cup only 3 times in the last ten years; and Australian breds have won the last two with Viewed and Shocking.

Of course, there is more to a story than just one race, but it does seem like perception and reality aren't the same thing in this case.