Rusty

29 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

Riccarton is 2.1? I thought South Island gallops was like palmy trots.

The bonus bet promos have certainly helped Riccarton drive turnover. Races 1 to 4 inclusive, returning a refund in the form of a bonus bet, if your runner finishes 2nd, 3rd or 4th.

Gives punters something to chase, and they have more confidence in betting into the markets, as the gallops don't tend to have 23 start maidens come out and win paying $3.50 after recent atrocious form. 

Two key ingredients for punter participation, are promos and confidence (trust). Something the gallops have a lot more of than harness at the moment.

8 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

If you can't beat em join em?

Take the money and run?

Violet Knight is a genuine observation as I used to like the horse. Hence, why I know about it but it will be off most people's radar.

Thanks for sharing your tip. That horse hasn't even featured in my atlas, nevermind the radar. 

What odds are we hoping to get for it (based on this early stage for noms only)? 

Here you are Happy. Only the best for you mate, feel free to use it every week. 

It is not uncommon for a horse to be transferred to a bigger, higher strike rate, stable. It's very common. Happens multiple times every season. 

However, when this occurs the horse in question, is usually on the up, or at least shown something on the track or at home, that resembles ability. 

It's not common to have a horse that has had one third from 20 something race day starts, to be transferred to a leading stable. Especially when the horse in question has had such poor recent form, as Happy highlighted in his opening post: 

Last 4 runs:

4bk otr,wdr tn,asked,no impact (12/12)

Soon ld,no peace,on retreat 600 (12/12)

Prkd,1x1 700,grinding bid in str (11/11)

4bk otr, 3wd train, no impression (10/10)

Today's win is no surprise at all, and the divi's reflect that. 

The Stipes quite rightly asked the question regarding the improved performance, and J Dunn responded by saying the horse had "derived benefit from being trained on the beach in a larger stable environment."

Ok then. That'll do me. 

13 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

Hope horses are very consistent in their performances.

Yes, and good honest hardworking folk, the Hopes. Ben has a bright future ahead of him. A credit to his parents and those around him, like RT May. 

9 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

Now off to the beach. 

Woodend Beach? 

2 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

The first person to get done with the code of conduct will most likely be an amateur driver lol

Current TAB odds: $1.10 

2 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

Just to bring more attention to it. The Whale has Twice Shy as one of his selections. 

How will it look with Stella beating a hotpot put forward by the Whale?

Craig Thompson has Whale Watch.

Happy Sunrise has Woodend Watch.

Both not to be missed, and valuable pointers to the punt. 

24 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

How is Matt Cross going to explain this on TV?

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? 

3 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

Going off it unfortunately. Starting to form the generalised similar opinion that the General Public has towards the sport.

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.  

6 hours ago, Mike said:

Hi Rusty

With the new racedates out I d would be nervous about Akuta lining up in the NZ Cup

Isn't the NZ Derby a few weeks later?

I think he's the best I've seen since Lazarus so who knows

Mikie

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! 

5 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

Can you even do a top 4 on a betslip?

Do the old machines allow an operator to do a top 4 verbally? Oh my, don't tell me the multi million dollar website has a purpose.

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. 

35 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

Rusty V Globe. Wow.

Not sure which one would need a trip to the dairy for a milkshake on Sunday morning before the races to improve their chances. 

Mmmmm.

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

45 minutes ago, RaceChat said:

Someones mates are having a happy new year.....Something doesnt pass the sniff test on this.

Opens at $7s.....way to  long , then drops straight to  $2

Seems a bit suspect to  me

 

 

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. 

On 12/30/2021 at 8:51 PM, karrotsishere said:

Here is the report. Wow nothing, not even a 1 race day holiday. Go figure. 

Westport TC - Sunday, 26th December 2021
Race 10 - IT@WORK MOBILE PACE
Junior driver K Newman (HIGH FLYING HARRY) assisted by J Dunn defended a charge alleging that he failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure his runner was given full opportunity to win the race when electing not to shift his horse outwards between the 600 metres and 300 metres when an opportunity existed resulting in HIGH FLYING HARRY becoming held up behind a weakening runner leaving the final bend. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from all parties, the Adjudicative Committee dismissed the charge.

"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. 

12 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

Unlike Rusty,  I think it will be written up and published. If they write up whip charges then they will write this up.

Going to be a good read and will set a precedent.

I hope you're right mate. 

Have to keep our eyes peeled! 

29 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

Thought would do a recap. This is ALL from public made info.

1. A driver on final ever drive over-used whip, was issued a $500 fine. (More than drive fee).

2. Have an assistant starter that admitted betting on husbands account, without his knowledge. Placing bets on Cup Week. Which is against the rules. No fine was given. 

3. We have a stripes report that states as evidence re still pix & video footage shows, driver had ample opportunity to move out from the 600m - 300m. No fine was given. 

4. We have RIB scratching a horse. A betting plunge was publicly noticed. We have 2 news outlets report a needle was found & a trainer was helping with enquiry. We have a trainer state publicly via social media they were there & had spoken to RIB, but were not themselves under investigation & their horse was allowed to start. Then we have a racing news outlet say RIB most likely won't be pressing charges as a witness has removed statement. (if last sentence is correct no fine will be given). 

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. 

1 hour ago, Blackie said:

It would be interesting and I believe more comprehendible if the arguments in these sort of cases were published. After all, we are meant to be in a new realm of Perestroika or openness. To my eye at least, that sort of drive, to anybody with any knowledge, is pretty indefensible.

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.