Rusty

Pre-race comments and selections will be telling. Normally I don't give a rat's for Matt Cross' selections, but I would be interested to know his first 4 picks for this race. No doubt during the call, a horse will be "in the chair" and quite a few horses "will be under" other race horses during the run. God knows how they don't get trampled on. Post race, if this thing wins, it will be a superbly rated John Dunn drive, and no mention of the previous 23 starts with more ducks eggs than a Chinese street market. Be interesting to see if any of the other drivers will be turning their necks back and forth like they are a spectator at the Aussie Open tennis, during this race. Meanwhile, #9 in the same race, is Korbyn's drive, opened up at 26s and went out to $126. Comments for the runner, now say it is scratched? What the hell is going on?

This is a sad reflection, but very true reality for the sport in its current state Karrots. Racing has'nt been 100% squeaky clean for at least 60 years, but in the last 15 or so years, it's the worst it has ever been in my opinion, at least in the harness code anyway.

Thanks Happy for your post, and sharing your observations. They are important, but it's almost like noone, or at least not many people care too much about this b/s, or they are just too scared to pass comment. Unfortunately, here in Jacindastan, I am unable to freely post my opinion, what I think, what I suspect, and what I believe (about the magic beach), without facing repercussions down the track.

Excellent point. I didn't even think about the new time frame for the NZ Derby. Just thought I would throw Akuta into the Cup selection, as I don't think anyone else did. He probably won't even start. A year too soon. But if he did, Purdon wouldn't do so, if he didn't think he would be a chance. I think Akuta will have an incredible record by the time he finishes up. Injury free hopefully. He is something else.

Northern Oaks : True Fantasy Northern Derby : Akuta The Race: Akuta Auckland Cup: B D Joe Rowe Cup: Sundees Son New Zealand Cup: Akuta!

Big shout out and thank you to the tote operators on the West Coast galloping circuit. All that I encountered (many!) behind the windows, were extremely prompt, professional and pleasant to deal with, often in less than ideal facilities. Well done, your efforts were much appreciated!

Nope, no can do. The top 4 bet is a bit of a favourite of mine, and it's not available at a TAB outlet, nor a tote window oncourse. It's only available online.

Akuta, Cyrus and Shan Noble (sounds like a law firm that trio) are probably just popping into Nelson en route to Auckland.

My New Year's resolution Happy, is to give up Milkshakes, and start early morning jogs along Woodend Beach instead.

Was at $4.20 last night and $3.60 this morning at about 9am (both final field odds). Didn't plummet straight from 7s into 2.10 in one hit, depsite what the TAB graphics read.

"Assisted by J Dunn." It's good that junior drivers can be "assisted" by more senior drivers. But should they be allowed to be assited by drivers that competed in the same race? I'm not sure. Pros and cons I guess. Not wishing to suggest nor imply something dodge went on here, with J Dunn's runner placing 4th, but perhaps the junior drivers would be better "assisted" by a senior driver that did not directly participate in the same race, strictly from an integrity perspective. J Dunn was obviously a huge benefit to K Newman in this example. "Everyone" is very pleased, and the matter is closed. However, what if J Dunn had driven the winner? He would still be able to "assist" K Newman in the stipes room. Is there no potential for conflict of interest here? Should the junior driver not be assisted by a senior horseman that did not drive in the event, to preserve integrity? Or does it not matter, and it's irrelevant who assists the junior, whether they raced in the same race or not? "No sir, I heard (insert junior drivers name here) yelling to his horse for more effort, but the horse was huffing and puffing on the bend and under pressure. In my opinion it couldn't possibly angle out at that point of the race, as it needed to preserve any energy it had left, in the hope to pick up the leader in the straight, and with the leader potentially running outta gas. Oh and Mr Guerin always says marker pegs are gold, gold, gold in races, so junior driver made the right decision in my opinion, and I would have driven the horse the same way." Just food for thought anyway. Let's hope that the "evidence heard from all parties" in this case, sees the light of day soon. Should make for interesting reading.

I hope you're right mate. Have to keep our eyes peeled!

Good recap. This goes some way, in a small part at least, to explain why many people are disenchanted with many aspects within the sport at the moment.

100% correct. And I highly doubt anyone would disagree with those three sentences. I just hope that further information shall soon be published relating to the evidence supporting Mr Newman's case. I fear this may not be forthcoming however.

I'm looking forward to the races on the Coast next week, starting with Greymouth JC at Omoto, on Monday. For fear of putting the kiss of death on anything, I shall not mention the reasonably good weather forecast for the coming week or so. A quick scan of the noms shows up some regulars and not-so-regulars, for day 1 at Greymouth. It's good to see support for the circuit with trainers/owners etc getting in behind the clubs on the Coast. Let's just hope those pesky up to no good "wild pigs" steer clear of Kumara!

With Sundees Son staying put in NZ, and the intended trip to Aussie scrapped before it started, it got me thinking. When was the last time R Dunn had a runner in Australia? Seems to have been a while. A mate suggested Franco Nelson. Has there been a stable runner compete in Australia since then? Quite unusual for a successful stable not to send a horse or two across the ditch more often . Perhaps their horses are scared of spiders and snakes? Or maybe they just prefer the comforts of home.

Anyone have one of those soft neck brace things? Or perhaps a neck pillow, that passengers wear on planes to sleep? Asking for a friend. He needs to borrow it. Has a sore neck today.

Certainly not wanting to say it was a great drive, however I can understand a driver three back the pegs, looking around for the train to come, so they don't get boxed in (if indeed they do not wish to get boxed in on the markers). However I can't think of any explanation as to why he wouldn't try and peel out when the opportunity arose, going round the final bend. Unless he was thinking that the horse directly in front of him, would give him a good enough drag into it, and was aiming for a late surge through the inside from his horse. But a blind man could see Martin John was being niggled at before the home straight, and the leader was slipping further in front. That Kath and Kim phrase comes to mind; "It's noice, it's different, it's unusual."

Was definitely a highlight for some, that is for sure!

Yeah in a similar vein to the "free speech" in China lol Sorry, let's stay positive.

I have no words.

Jesus Happy, don't go there lol "Don't do it Cheryl, don't do it!"

Positives for me from this year: 1. Some good work undertaken by the Racing Integrity Unit, to get the lifetime ban imposed on Mitchell Kerr. 2. Again, with the RIU and their efforts, including the use of a hidden surveillance camera, to catch Woodend Beach trainer, Jesse Alford. These are real positive steps for an industry to try and clean up its act, sending a signal to anyone that wishes to cheat and/or deceive the hardworking folks in the game, that they may get caught, named and shamed, and spend a bit of time away from my favourite animals, so they can bloody well think about what they have done. And maybe look for a job elsewhere, away from horses. If anybody for one second, thinks the aforementioned points are not POSITIVE, wake up. Wake up now, before it's too late, because the harness racing that you have grown up with, and loved, will not be around as we currently know it, if such low-lifes are not caught. My greatest, more positive highlight however, eventuated in the second week of November. It's one of the most important things that has happened within the racing game for some time now, and is quite literally a game changer for the industry. I can't quite share the news just yet, but I will as soon as I can, in a new thread. Here's hoping 2022 will bring some positive highlights involving performances on the track, rather than off it.

Like my mother used to say to me back in the day (re: (ex)-girlfriends); "You can pick 'em"!

Mate, it's pretty obvious to me. You often provide invaluable information with expert analysis and opinion on all things racing. You once labelled Cam Jones the best horseman in the country. Happy speaks. The punters listen lol