Rusty

Thanks for posting this Happy. Saves me a job hunting the interweb for it. Unfortunately the Stipes haven't followed up their line of questioning properly. Or if they did, it hasn't been published in the report. When did a horse 4 back the pegs on the turn at Ashburton, ever end up winning a race? By not moving at the 1100m mark, did that decrease the chances of winning, moreso than if a move forward was made? The $2 shot would not have been left parked, can almost guarantee it. Especially with the stablemate leading. If a less experienced driver, a junior, or dare I say it, an amateur, drove in this manner, would the Stipes be as lenient?

That is an excellent point. One that is so ridiculous, it's quite funny. And did you see what its odds were, for those last 4 starts? $100+ , $44, $48 and $70 (thereabouts). Plus keep in mind, those last 4 starts, weren't exactly months ago. It raced only a few weeks ago. New trainer today and it's $2. Go figure.

Hmmmm... yes. Why indeed. And it closed off at $2.00 on the final field market. I can't recall the last time I saw a $2 shot allowed to be trapped 4 back the pegs, whilst going down the back straight in single file. And the horse (stablemate) to start the train forward on the running line, comes out from behind it (5 back the pegs), all the while the other stablemate is leading by 1.5/2 lengths up front, and this all happened about 1100m out from home. If this happened in Oz, there would be a few questions asked. Why it was paying $2 would be the first, of many.

Looks like he has a real future ahead of him, pretty impressive win tonight. Were my eyes playing tricks on me, or does he need a longer hopple? His gait just seemed a bit short. Perhaps it was a shorter hopple with the stand start tonight? His trainer has forgotten more than I know! Anyway, all the best to connections, hope he stays in NZ! And great to see Ginger Man feature on the breeding page. He was a goodie.

This site is great. People with an interest in racing can share a viewpoint, an opinion, a tip or two, and get some enjoyment from it all. It certainly is a breath of fresh air and a real credit to the site's owners and contributors.

I will have to try and dig it out, but there is a funny video clip on youtube ayear or two back, about the anti-racing brigade, protesting on Melbourne Cup day. A man goes around a lot of the protestors and asks them a few questions each. Eg. "So what do you like in the first?" "Do you think (horse's name) will get the 2 miles?" "Where were you guys when it was p!ss!ing down from a great height, back in June at Caulfield?" Great stuff. What I call balanced journalism lol

From a recent newspaper article: Otakou marae kaumatua Edward Ellison said while he agreed with the Māori Party's initiative in principle, it would be "a rash move to rush forward in a change of that substance and nature". At the core of his reservations is the history of the name Aotearoa, which many people did not realise originally referred solely to the North Island.

Best thing for the horse. Well done to connections for making the right call.

It's official! New Zealand has changed its name. But not to what a lot of people were expecting it to be changed to. (No, the Government haven't quite Maorized 100% of everything). New Zealand is now... Jacindastan.

That was the one I was half keeping an eye on too, as I thought it was the main danger to Riot and Rose. Was under pressure a long way out. Almost like something wasn't quite right with that horse, as was a below par run.

And the last thing, that I will say before hitting the sack... The local NZ media are largely in love with this current government, especially the PM. Sure there are the Mike Hoskings and Lynches etc in the media, but the majority of the media love her, and very rarely ask any tough questions. Why? My guess is because a lot of the journalist's employers, are getting massive coin at the moment via all the Covid-19 adverts! Oh and when they do ask the tough questions to the PM, what happens?? She refuses to be interviewed by them (eg. No longer does the PM go on the Mike Hosking breakfast show (Newstalk ZB)). Peace out. "Tova, then Jessica."

It's not common public knowledge, but here is the reason much of the media is all over the Maori language in recent times, and will be for some time yet (at least). The government have provided a fund where media outlets can dip into. From memory, I think the total fund is about $55m, over a three year term. But, like everything that is "free", there is a catch. What's the catch here? The media outlets (eg. Mediaworks, Fairfax etc) that receive some coin from the fund, have to demonstrate/acknowledge a Maori connection/association and appreciation for the Maori language. Of course the media will very, very rarely: (a) admit openly and publicly about receiving this free money, and (b) be even less likely to openly and publicly advertise the small print (the terms and conditions), about the Maori language being incorporated into their coverage. So that is why most of the public are clueless about this. It's a very dangerous slope, the government pulling strings with a large portion (majority) of the media. Just ask anyone that has lived in Fiji or China.

I agree. 134% is common for the harness racing markets.

Riot And Rose (Pins). May be worth following this 4 year old grey gelding, from the P Moody barn. It was a fairly good win today (with a sizeable weight) at Horsham. Had to do a wee bit of work, and then received a check when starting to wind up in the straight. Luke Nolen travelled just for that one ride today, so that says something in itself. That's 4 wins from 4 starts now. He has a big race or three in him yet, so may be worth a follow.

Great minds think alike? Sundon was a hell of a good looking horse, and I'm starting to think it may not be him, as the pic just doesn't look quite right.

I could only guess... Sundon?

Nice new profile pic Happy.

Right, I think I may have found one here. The almost forgotten horse (and one of my old favourites). U May Cullect. Current odds to win the Cup: $201 Top 3: $34 Top 4: $21 He's had his issues, they are well documented. He will obviously need to perform well this week, and also at Ashburton, but IF (it's a big IF), he makes it to the start for the Cup, he could give them a fright. Am I prepared to take the $200's on offer to find out? Well one doesn't have to put much on, when they're paying that much. Good luck to connections.

I'm not 100% certain for the reason, sorry Happy. If I get confirmation will keep you posted, but he's definitely been withdrawn, and now subsequently out of the betting markets for the Cup.

Like I said to someone on here recently, even a broken clock is correct twice a day! All this kerfuffle over rankings etc does me head in. Like most, not every single year, but most years, any connections of a horse that wants to start in the Cup, will get a start in the Cup. It's not like it was back in the good old days when horses had to earn their way into Open (Cup) Class. The depth just isn't there these days, due to a few different reasons, but the export market is obviously a contributing factor.

Nice horse. But unfortunately been withdrawn from the Cup this year.

Hahaha not to put too finer point on it! We have all been there mate. Takes some balls posting picks up for all to see, especially in this fomat, so it's a credit to you. It's a tough time of year, with the winter horses coming to the end of their preps, and the spring/summer horses, just starting back up again. Like you say, turn the page, and go again next time!

You could be right Happy, and it may be the year of the upset, but here is my first four guess; 1st: Self Assured 2nd: South Coast Arden 3rd: Copy That 4th: Daylight Those three should honestly gap the rest, even if they were a bit slow away (and I'm assuming Amazing Dream is staying put in Australia). To me there is very little depth there. I do have this awful feeling in my waters, that there will be a horse (or 5) that shouldn't really be there, and they will bugger it up for a more favoured runner. It's due to happen again in a Cup. It won't happen in my lifetime, but I do really wish that they had only the best of the best start in the Cup, and not just have the also rans entered to make up the numbers to 15. To be fair however, I guess if you owned a horse, and it was the 15th best horse to qualify, or gain an entry to start in the big race, then who am I to dash one's lifelong dream to have a runner in it. Just my opinion anyway.

Haha nope, far from it. Even a broken watch is correct twice a day.