Happy Sunrise

Kicks it while being held by 2 attendants right next to spectators. How classless is that. I almost hope someone feeds it to the mainstream media. Maybe Gary Woodham can get his code of conduct out of the filing cabinet and do something in addition to whatever the stipes do.

Not the sport I used to know. Reminds of Gavin Smith whipping his other runner in a trial at Rangiora down the home straight to teach it... something. Pertinent question. I always thought most want to look after their livelihood. I know some young fellas who enjoy harness racing and punting and they are saying 'what the fuck' about this. Not once, but twice in consecutive races. I really do wonder what is with harness people sometimes. The game is a weakened state as it is, the small fields are the biggest sign of the struggle. Anyone know the turnover for Methven?

Lots of defenders about his use of whip etc in recent times but this behaviour is unacceptable. It begs the question of what he does at home doesn't it. He actually got off a misuse of the whip charge in this race so I suppose he is being targeted by the stipes with the misconduct charge🤣 Harness shoots itself in the foot yet again. LADY VINCENT - driver C DeFilippi defended a breach of Rule 303(2) alleging that he misconducted himself when kicking the mare on one occasion in the abdomen prior to the start. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from Stewards, a Starter's Assistant and Mr DeFilippi, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved and reserved their decision on penalty. Mr DeFilippi was issued a $100 Minor Infringement Notice. In taking this course of action Stewards took into consideration Mr DeFilippi's recent record in relation to this Rule. Mr DeFilippi also defended a breach of Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations alleging that he used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from Stewards and Mr DeFilippi the Adjudicative Committee dismissed the charge

And my multi tomorrow, Virginia Clowers (win) Wynberg Watch (place) and Victor Bravo (win) Odds are 26 to 1. Add the error of Tu Tangata (top 4) at 2.50 to make it 65 to 1.

If you are so inclined, the odds for Tu Tangata (and a couple of others) are muddled up at the moment. Paying 2.30 for Top 3, but 2.50ff Top 4

Never the twain shall meet. "Racing Victoria refutes the assertion that EPO use is widespread in Victorian thoroughbred racing. We have a robust and active testing regime in place for both EPO and opiate-based stimulants and there is no evidence to indicate the systematic use of either within the state of Victoria," said Racing Victoria's general manager of integrity, Dayle Brown, said. or Some of the biggest names in racing have said that sophisticated drug cheating has become rife among well-known stables. Respected trainers and veterinarians have confirmed the allegations are valid, citing several examples in both horse racing codes over many years.

That is not happening at the moment. Not one bit with the current administration.

They could do away with stands, it would solve a lot of problems but it would be monotonous with non stop mobiles. Stands are fine if the starter is good lol

I think it did. Inconvenient but fair enough. If they late scratched it, there wouldn't be many horses left in some races. It is not ideal but just the way it is. I have finally learnt not to expect much in the way of fairness in harness racing. The amount of trainers who only get warned or slapped with a 50 dollar fine for presenting horses with different gear at race time annoys me. Shouldn't that be normal practice to turn up with the correct gear? I congratulate the stipes for giving 10 years to Burrows but the little things on race day need to be tidied up and I think trainers and drivers need to lift their standards. That crossing at Oamaru is another thing that must turn punters off. Most punters I know don't mind losing but messy starts, crossings, receiving interference from poorly behaved horses is enough to drive some away, especially having a big bet.

Exciting times whenever he was on the track. He could have even taught the Ozzies a thing or two about aggressive driving. I thought this drive by John Patterson was more circumstantial than deliberate, his horse got stuck in a place it couldn't extract itself from due to its ability. How after 14 starts it is still rated a MR40 I am not sure, maiden or not. Surely it should be down to 35 already. The handicapping system needs a new bottom. 35 is just too high lol. KID GLOVES - broke in the score up and was out of position at the start. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the mare. Raced wide throughout. Weakened over the concluding stages. Driver J Patterson defended a charge under Rule 869(3)(g) alleging that he drove in a manner capable of diminishing his chances of winning when allowing his horse to race three wide throughout before weakening. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from Stewards and Mr Patterson the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved. After hearing penalty submissions Mr Patterson's driver's licence was suspended from the conclusion of racing today up to and including 26 February 2023 (6 days).

Today it seems the concept of having to be in front over short 2000m races has gone to some driver's heads, going so hard early they are gone way before the finishing post.

Aussie racing is different. A lot better in many regards, no tame affairs like we have in our group 1s. I don't get the language Ray Green uses, 'unadulterated stupidity' and 'half a brain' would hardly endear himself to the Aussies for next time.

They are still at it, still want everything their own way I never knew a driver had to hand up. “I’m more pissed off the way it happened. It was just unadulterated stupidity on behalf of that driver. Anybody with half a brain would have handed up. It cost him too as he stopped (to sixth).” And article about the bleed of which they have no concern: https://www.lincolnfarms.co.nz/stories/copy-that-found-to-have-bled-after-choking-down-and-faces-28-day-stand-down/

In this crazy world it will probably be Matt Anderson.. But seriously, someone who actually does practical things like Branch would be a big boost to the game.

Credit, where credit is due to the RIB. 10 years for Burrows sends a clear message. Anderson has to go for a life ban from associating with harness. And to think, people used to defend wholeheartedly the rights of these people when it was clear what they were up to. And still, the regular harness media (and social media) won't go near the decision, can't even bring themselves to condemn a person giving a horse vodka. Crickets. Brad Reid's article needs to be read again: If we as an industry can’t come together and condemn this sort of behaviour publicly, a culture of tolerance and acceptance will inadvertently perpetuate and continue to rot us from the inside out. Our own people are the single biggest threat to our industry’s survival. Not the left. Not the greens. And not administrative decisions made by the governing body.

I have no idea what you are talking about.

Does Burrows get referred to another agency?

and have Phil Burrow with a tube of vodka down by the winning post......the drinker could chunder everywhere as the horses finish and have a viral video for life. How many 21st birthday parties would that get in? Brilliant 😂

And if that doesn't do it, they should employ that guy to run in front of the horses like he did at Trentham. Maybe he won't be so lucky.... Going back to Gladiator times and sacrificing a few idiots during the race would get the punters back for sure. That would even justify an entrance charge!

Probably changed his mind when he learned of the 10% reduction in stakes.

He should, as others are already doing. It is a very bad sign for harness that it cannot sustain the interest of its own trainers. They race for a pittance in harness and they know it.

Good riddance, and Matt Anderson should never be allowed back. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/you-just-want-to-do-your-best-harness-racing-trainer-admits-tubing-horse-and-injecting-it-with-vodka-on-cup-day/5RM7XXO5LFDT3EBYYLV47CBRDQ/ My favourite part is this: Burrows, who was not at the hearing, said in his submission he was “sorry” for his actions. “I made a poor decision,” he said. He said it would have been in his best interests if he withheld some information and lied as he would then have faced a lesser charge. “It seems honesty and integrity is not the best policy.” How can this person talk about honesty and integrity? Maybe he was on the remaining Vodka. Good on the RIB for giving him that long.

A bit of biff of between races would get the crowds back as no one likes 45 minute intervals.

Heaven used to be in the big stand, jugs on the leaner, head out the back for a pie or chips from the van, see countless people one knew on the way in the various parts of the stand or even coming out of the toilets. Then, out and up the concrete steps to watch the race with the horses running past well before the winning post. One always used to know if you were going to win halfway down the straight.

Did you not head outside? No room in the stand? 😂 That was my old mate Brodie in disguise and his female bookie. It was 50 000 rupees which is 950 NZ dollars but they were debating the exchange rate which may have taken it over the $1000 NZD anti laundering limit. Serious stuff. Eyes everywhere you know. Trying to think of the last time I saw trouble at a race course between patrons but I can't. Not even back in the days of the old stand at Addington. It is usually between license holders these days lol.