Rusty

I'd like to see all standing starts abolished, NZ Cup included, and make it a 3200m mobile.

If they are starting to behave like Americans, they won't know what a "queue" is as most don't use that word. But I definitely know what you mean Karrots. Have you ever had the misfortune to be on a cruise ship with all Americans, that are either newly wed, or nearly dead? Oh my goodness. That's next level!

Perhaps have a beach setting too. Like... I dunno... Woodend Beach!

https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/star-runner-episode-one-1990

Star Runner - First Episode Television(Full Length Episode) – 1990 Overview Related videos Credits Quotes Awards Comments Dramas on and off the racetrack are the focus of this Canadian/Kiwi co-production. Carol West (played by Alison Bruce, from Golden Boy and movie Magik and Rose) is a tough, experienced stable owner who is dead set on winning the Pan Pacific Cup with her standout horse, Star Runner. In this first episode, Carol gives young drifter Josh (Andrew Thurtell) a job at her stables. Despite clashing with gruff Jack (Martyn Sanderson), Josh impresses his boss on the track. Meanwhile a mysterious businessman flies into Auckland, and employs a private investigator to track the horse's progress.

I vaguely recall something along those lines. I think it was in the early 90's, and featured Alex park for a bit. Based in the North Island. Only went for one series.

Just incase anyone can't remember Noble Mistress... Credit: You Tube - Neil Bennett

You make it sound like I have never owned and cared for a horse before. Like I said in my post... "if you know, you know." And I will leave it at that, for the time being.

Be interesting to see if anything comes of this. As in anything decent and worthwhile, and not just a tick the box exercise. I will report back with any findings.

MOU MPI SPCA and RIB - Signed 10 Nov 2021-1.pdf

I'd go one step further, and suggest he could well be a top driver in the making. Not just in the junior ranks. I was super impressed with his win in the last race at Addington last night. Drew the widest on the front line, found the 1-1 early on. Moved at precisely the right time to put his horse into the race, but did so in a smooth fashion, not at break neck speed thinking he was driving a freakn Ferrari. Then when he hit the front about 100m out, he didn't panic, he kept his cool, despite his horse starting to run outta gas (not fridge gas, but you know what I mean). At this point he didn't go crazy on the reins or with the whip. He gently nursed his horse along to the line. He drove it to perfection, and if you didn't know any better, one would have thought that was AG Herlihy in the sulky. Off the track; a very well spoken and well mannered young man too. Looks like he has a very promising future ahead.

My old lady says, people that are mean to animals, are mean to people. I'm not going to say anymore about that. But if you know, you know.

Honestly mate, I was bloody angry that night in December. "Knowing" (fully suspecting) what had happened, yet unable to fully vent and call it out for exactly what it was. But after reading the latest story, I'm just so immensely happy for the horse.

I started this thread when I was oncourse at Addington, with a very bad feeling in my stomach. Now, I am pleased to have read that the horse is doing really well, receiving the proper care and attention he fully deserves. https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/129178750/former-racehorse-johnny-nevits-thriving-after-being-mistreated-by-two-previous-trainers?cid=app-iPhone

Dead right. And the more successful drivers employ this tactic more often than not. The pattern of racing now, especially when focussing on winning runners, compared to 10-12 years ago, has changed markedly. Most (not all, but most) winners these days need to be handy, up on the speed or pretty close to it at the half mile. It's not like the old days where one could sit 4 back the running line, and then be 5 or 6 wide on the turn and leave what were the front runners for dust. These days, a lot of front runners, just don't stop, and can reel off 2, sometimes 3, pretty quick final quarters, giving those too far back pretty much no hope of winning, and no hope at all if they are too far back, then elect to come wide on the final bend. Hence why some drivers elect to try and take a few shortcuts home. What I take from all of that is, the racing pattern has changed over recent years. But some of the stipe's mindsets have not. If you have ever sat in the stipes room during the course of a meeting, one thing is abundantly clear. There will always be a "senior" stipe, that very heavily influences the mindsets of the other stipes in the room, and this person isn't always the "chair stipe". It's not healthy when there is little room for debate, or even allowing the opportunity for a discussion involving a different point of view, between the different stipes officiating at a meeting. When the stipes are watching the race live, on multiple tv screens showing different angles, there will always be comments made by stipes during the race. But usually the comments are dominated by one individual, and sometimes the "unconscious bias" will kick in, and It will go something like: "What the hell is Rusty (the driver) doing sitting back like that? Why isn't he making his move now? He'll never win from there. What's he coming at? Is he just wanting to drop back down in grade for next week?... Oh my God, now he's going down there (the inside looking for a gap, and not going outside, wide). Bloody hell. Right, go get him, bring him in for a wee chat."

I've always thought some coin could come off the big races, the real big ones. Eg. NZ Cup. Then reallocate that money to the lower grades. Because it doesn't matter if the stake is $500,000 or $1,000,000 for the Cup, the vast majority of the field will still be happy to start at 500k. Not to mention the 3 or 4 horses that start, just to clutter up the field, not even worthy of being a "proper" Cup horse.

That whole flag debate was ahead of its time wasn't it. By about 5 years, thank goodness!!!

Those 4x $20k stakes are not too shabby in my opinion. Look they are not life changing, but it's better than $9k or $12k obviously. And good point about the NZ Cup Day stakes. They have been arse for some time now. NZMTC is resting on its laurels.

Trials... I'm reminded of one of the many stories told to me when my grandfather worked at Ces Devine's back in the day. After a trial... and the horse finished third to last after a very soft and easy run. Question: "How'd it go?" Answer: "Good. I'm pretty sure we had the ones covered in front of us... But I'm not so sure about those two that finished behind us." Times change, but somethings never change.

A similar line was used by the late Robert Asquith decades ago. It was true to some extent.

Is this a good thing for harness racing, or a bad thing? Even Stevie Wonder can see what is happening here.

It's the "horse movement" notifications that are not notified, that I want to know about. Pre-race. Not after. The $150 penalty is a joke. So if anyone knows of any, post them up on here pre-race. Cheers.

People, including the TAB odds setters in Petone, are now fully awake to just how good this young Woodend Beach trainer is. It really is quite something. It is exceptional. The ability to turn a horse around, from a previous trainer is just something else, and now, in my humble opinion, Matt Purvis has to be one of the greatest horseman in the world, to ever throw a bridle on to a standardbred.

Oh and how could Mr Woodham claim not to know who the two individuals are? Spare me! Please.

Great post Happy. I couldn't have put it any better myself. Only thing that I could add, is that I am happy that I have stuck with one of my newish golden rules when on the punt... Don't ever back a horse that is up against a Matt Purvis runner. Matt Purvis is a great trainer, that gets outstanding results!