Rusty

Always pleasing when one of the "punting portfolio" horses rolls home at good coin. Some horses go to a new level when hitting the Aussie tracks (no disrespect to the previous trainers of BCD, they did a good job), but that was a pretty impressive run tonight. Be interesting to see how far through the ranks BCD can climb.

Blue Chip Delight wins and pays $13.70 and $2.70. I said money for good quality jam. Time to restock tomorrow.

Some great races here, with the Victoria Cup (Amazing Dream v King Of Swing), The Bill Collins Sprint, the Oaks, The Vic Derby (American Dealer), The Popular Alm FFA, the list goes on. Blue Chip Delight in race 2 however is one of my old favourites, and I was sad but not surprised, to see him be exported to Aussie. In great form for months now, you always know what you're going to get from this guy. Up against some good horses here, including kiwi Sugar Me, and 2 other more fancied, and better drawn runners, but I think BCD will hold his own, should get a good run through from the second line. Have a gold coin at the Final Field $8's but the $2 to run top 4 is almost money for jam. Not the no frills, Pam's or Countdown branded jam, but that good Anathoth Farm or Barker's branded jam. Enjoy.

Sadly, I think you are on the money here. The West Coast gallops circuit is my favourite time in the entire racing calendar. Kumara, Reefton, Omoto. If these meetings are hit on the head, I will be "displeased" for a very, very long time.

Cut that out Happy, you're talking common sense. There is Buckley's chance of a decent Cup Day crowd at Addington this year. Next year isn't looking all that great either. Oh hang on, when is the next election?

I was eyeing this one up earlier today. The $4.20 fixed to run top 4 looks like a bit of value to me. Goes alright on the grass, and this is a slight drop in grade. With a good draw, should give a decent sight for a long way.

I was eyeing up Buckskin today, until the meeting transferred to Ashburton. Goes better on the green stuff, but could still win. Katherine in the same race is at good ew coin, and could be worth a go, at 5's and 2's.

Yes. The ole "Woodend Watch" horses. Hmmmm... that fresh air and beach environment can be so beneficial to horses.

Unlucky for the Methven fans, the meeting today is now at Ash Vegas. Just the one pick for me today; Race 9 (4.14pm), number 12, Beyond The Horizon. Got the chocolates for us last week at odds, and should go another good race again today ($14's and $3.30 to run top 4). The only thing I don't like is the draw, number 1, second row, from a stand. Just don't want a starter's assistant hanging on to its head at the start, which I never like seeing. I said the one pick, but I will add the stablemate Some Time ($21's and $5.50). Could also run a race at odds in the same event. I loved the dam, Some Direction back in the day. She was a 4 legged Eftpos card. I think Gambling harm awareness week has finished, so get stuck in. Good luck to all.

Good to see the good cattle out, and some great drives too tonight.

Just watched the Addington trots, Friday 10 September. Bugger me. I'm pretty sure I only heard one "chair" mentioned, for the whole meeting. Only two things could have caused this. 1. Happy's comments. Or, 2. Most of the chairs had to be left in the storage shed, due to the track not being open to the public. Anyway, whatever the reason, I think the race calls tonight were very good. Well done Mr Cross.

Count me in. Southern Harness. Many thanks.

Steady on, I'm not that bad.

I've just had a quick look at the last race for the day. My god. I don't think anything can win that race! I'm out. Until next time. Thanks everyone.

Was going ok, up until that point too Perhaps a shadow? I was following Artatac over the winter, but didn't like the skinny odds today, due to the stand start. It has previously chalked up some impressive sectionals (stridemaster). Right. Turn the page. Anything in the last anyone?

I couldn't believe Beyond The Horizon drifted out to $2.70 first 4! I had to put an extra gold coin on at that price lol Zero excuses for not winning that race, brilliant beginning, and received the run of the race. Let's go Stamp Duty!

Yeah, bit of an unusual meeting, where not much really stood out, despite 12 races. All good, thanks for the tip, I will go for the 10 & 17 quinella!

100% correct. Dead on the money.

I haven't fact checked this, but the other day someone was saying grehound racing only occurs in 8 countries. Perhaps soon to be 7?!

Race 10 (4.42pm) - #10 Beyond The Horizon, top 4 at $2.50. I think this is worth a go. Just like Father's Day, you always know what you're going to get (I got a card and chocolates this morning!). This trotter is no star, and doesn't win out of turn, but you know what is going to happen. The old boy will be safely away, and put in an OK run, and be there or thereabouts. Which in the trotter's R40-R49 grade, is half the battle.

Yeah, I wouldn't miss the dish lickers if they packed up, by choice or otherwise.

Great post Happy. Last Friday afternoon this subject was discussed on the leading commercial radio station in the country, Newstalk ZB. I can see greyhound racing being closed down within 5 years in NZ. Soon after that, the horse racing will be targeted even moreso. My perception (hopefully not reality), is unfortunately, there is a growing percentage of the general NZ public that take a dim view of dog and horse racing. The predominantly left-wing media certainly doesn't help things either, and will put the boot in wherever possible. To be fair, some industry participants (eg. Trainers), really don't help racing's cause, by doing bloody stupid things such as doping, or committing fraud via race horses. Probably getting off topic a bit, but I think if whips were to be banned (still carried by jockeys/drivers, but their use during a race banned), this would go some way to stalling the inevitable.

It's an old saying that one Happy. Some say it goes back to the early theater days where patrons would pay extra coin, to be allowed to enter first (early doors), to pick their seats. But where/when the hell did the parked position, become "the chair"?!?! Soon after M Cross started the full time calling gig, post Mark Mac? I can't stand it... the chair. Keep an ear out for it next time, it's in almost every race.

I'm not a professional driver but I'm just trying to think of the rationale behind not pulling out of the one-one, when entering the home straight. Just before the home straight, on the final bend, it looked like the horse was being niggled at, to try and keep up with the parked horse (or what Matt Cross calls "the chair", god I hate that term). The commentator said that 3rd quarter was 27 something. Perhaps the driver was thinking there was not much gas in the tank to pull out and try run past the runners in front, so instead he was to try for an inside run. Doesn't quite make much sense to me, so you're probably right Happy, with the brain fade explaination.

Small profit overall, but it was just good to have some local racing back after a short break. Life of Art was looking good for a while there, did a wee bit of work, so despite folding the last 150m, still happy enough with the run, considering.