Lightning Blue

Ben Hope got tipped out down the back which resulted in a loose horse. Half the field basically semi (semi being the operative word) pulled up and a driver had the loose horse. The drivers at the front were not sure what was happening so kept going, then the clerk of the course took over the driverless horse at the top of the straight and...they start racing again. I am all for safety and I hope Ben is fine but bugger me. It is a trend for drivers over recent times to take matters into their own hands and make decisions about whether the race continues. I am of the understanding it is the stipes only who can do that. Bit like the random people running onto the track to catch loose horses when they have no business too. The starts have been awful over the weekend too. Race 4 today was a joke. Thanks Happy for that report. Sounds like fun times at the Mot. Had a look at race 4 start. That was awful start no doubt. See Ben Hope was driving in race 10 , so must of been ok from the tumble , so that's good .!!! was watching Youtube of Sam Ottley interview (quite a long one from 2018) where she got a bad injury on the grass, as horse 'slipped' over , turning for home and sent 4 or five of them flying in all directions once. very spectacular.

Race 7 the Junior drivers at Mot , is showing as 'abandoned' on the TAB site here, so won't see any replay at all. I guess something happened in that race that you are talking about Happy?? what happened?

Yes I think the Interdominion would of been a bridge too far. Amazing Dream has had an incredible year since that Big Auckland Cup win last New Years Eve. That was a quality race. As commentator said , "the best three year old fillies field he has ever seen". .Perhaps better to have cover for a bit longer as you suggest with BETTOR TWIST, with the superstar fillies coming from the back at some stage. (Ladies In Red and Joanna) but a very credible 3rd for the NZ Superstar filly. Here's the Breeders Crown Highlights though . across the 8 x GROUP 1 brilliant races. *EMMA STEWART winning 4 !! (ActNow in 3yrold colts , LadiesInRed in 3yrold fillies, Encipher in 2 yrold fillies and JustaBitTouchy 2 yrold Trotting Fillies) Emma also training both the GROUP 2, 4 year old Breeders Crown graduate' winners on the card as well. 6 of the Best for Emma. what a performance. *Lady drivers winning 5 for karrots !! of the group 1's (Kate Gath with 3 wins including 2 for Emma and a family one as well , Jodi Quinlan on the champ colt ActNow, and Kerryn Manning winning the 2 yrold trot for her family as well ) great effort ladies. !! * Ex-pat kiwi Trainer Brent Lilley (a fantastic trotter trainer) winning 2 !! (Chris Alford steering both AldebaranZeus 3 yrold trotting colts and nz bred Queen Elida 3 yrold trotting fillies to victory) That shows, and reminds them all , Just how Good the kiwis are at preparing the Trotting horses !!! excellent. *NATHAN PURDON nz trainer preparing 4 finalists !! that gave a bold site in his first year of training ( finishing with a 2nd, 2 x 3rds and a 5th) fantastic effort.

The 2 Fillies Breeders Crown 'mini' Interdominion Finals are both run and Won. The kiwi Nathan Purdon trained fillies went great with a 2nd and a 3rd, for Bettor Twist nz and Amore Vita nz . ( also American Dealer 5th in the boys final for Nathan) but local Vic Trainer Emma Stewart takes the 'First prize' in each Fillies race, as just reward, for qualifying so many terrific fillies. Trifecta in 3 year-old Final was Ladies In Red 1st -Joanna 2nd- Bettor Twist NZ 3rd( after deathseating) The 2 year-old Trifecta was Encipher 1st- Amore Vita NZ 2nd - Sounds Perfect 3rd.

R1 1 R2 3 R3 12 R4 11 R5 4 R6 4 BB R7 5 R8 16 BB Go the Foxy One. Bit short in odds but gives her best always. R9 3 R10 13 Thanks PJ for comp and hope you back a winner.

gidday Mike . looks like you are posting here for Timaru , so think I'll roll with the Gun driver of the moment Mr Dunn. Foot to floor with SUNDEES SON in the Dominion was staggering to say the least. outstanding run. At Timaru , these 2 below have great barrier draws and went excellent races recently. Both winning with ease is the LB prediction. So it's a $100 double at $6.48 = $648 1. Ranger Rick (1) @ 2.70 Win Pending Phar Lap • Race 2 Sat 20/11/21 12:32 2. Town Echo (2) @ 2.40 Win Pending Phar Lap • Race 10 Sat 20/11/21 16:42

BENSON Showing plenty of dash there Karrots!!! , a very handy prospect going forward. Will be great to see another mixing it with the 'Diamonds' and the 'Triangles'. and 'Stars' will be shooting again soon too, I believe . Nat to be back on a training ticket.

Was quite hard to get trotters to do much at a young age. Agree with Robert that a zillion miles are involved. As Globe was saying the Great Evander sire was prodominant for years , like Easton Light and Petite Evander (a grand Auckland trotter who went to Usa and Europe to compete for the Weaver family. Here's a funny one for you Karrots, an aged Great Evander mare named 'Peg Evander' (right side in this old photo) was the very first trotter I drove , she never got much better with age lol, as she had more fancy trot steps than a French cabaret 'can-can' dancer lol. She did win some here and there but a crazy drive. but the funny bit is Don Hayes at Kumeu had her as a maiden trotter , and once, he was half the length of the straight in front at the Ruakaka shifting sands track, and then the Sulky Fell to Pieces !! hahaha.... one in a trillion chance, so Don was on a 'sled' over the line but 'Wolfie' had gone past her unfortunately . so she still got a 2nd placing. lol. We couldn't stop laughing at that mis-fortune. Talk about ways you can get beaten? , but that was one you'll likely Never see again lol.

Absolutely Globe!!! . Easton Light won at 13 years old in 1978 , my first year gong to the trots. I remember him well from that , and my dad saying to me, when Easton Light won that night, That the Winner was born the same year as me back in 64'. and is old as the hills for a horse, but still Winning. Easton Light winning the big Auckland trotting FFA defeating Framalda of Purdons and Nigel Craig (Nz record holder) at his ripe old age.

Smolda was at about 10-1 as well for That Interdominion Grand Final Win which was pretty good odds. And Franco Nelson made the Final too for Robert Dunn and Dexter steered him home 5th.

Huge money on offer in the West over there Summer carnival. 100's of thousands of dollars, so a good option. McCarthy must be licking his lips for Interdominion with Amazing Dream and Copy That not turning up , that gave him such a hard time in Brisbane during Winter. NZ representation will be small. So a chance for Aus to 'exact revenge' on the kiwi's after the mauling and Bloodbath of the last Interdominion at Auckland in 2019 . Nat won that on Ultimate Sniper , and don't think an Aus horse even made the Grand Final last time? . Back to home ground at Menangle , an Aus win this time round would be good? Smolda and Laz won the 2 finals in the 'wild west' Perth, for Marky boy in 2016 and 2017. With Tiger Tara the winner in Melbourne 2018. (Tiger sort of a hybrid Aus/Nzer lol)

Here's the 2 Fillies Finals . Notice the 2 year-olds go for $300, 000 compared to the 3 year-olds at $200,000 prize money. same for colts/geldings finals. Would of been better at $250,000 each , but anyway. Just have to get your horse going earlier to races. BETTOR TWIST nz (for NZers Nathan and Ant's) still with one top filly inside her, could pose a problem. Beach Music one 6 of 7 this time in and a 3rd in the Vic Oaks . should lead. With the 2 year old Final AMORE VITA nz off the 2nd line for Nathan , and a horrid prospect of Nine times 'Emma Stewarts' horses, giving her a hard time. Emma with 4 lady drivers and 3 junior drivers (and Moran and Sugars) to try and Grand Slam that $300k Final. good luck to em'. 7 9:15pm VILLAWOOD PROPERTIES BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 23 (3YO FILLIES) FINAL (GROUP 1) 2240M $200,000 3YO Fillies. 3YO Fillies. RBD. Mobile 2ND LEG DAILY DOUBLE, 3RD LEG QUADDIE Form Horse Trainer Other Eng. Driver Class Hcp 1 21146 LIFES A BEACH NZ Andy Gath Josh Dickie NR83 FR1 2 13111 BEACH MUSIC Emma Stewart David Moran NR90 FR2 3 26045 ALIENS EXIST Chris Svanosio Chris Svanosio NR66 FR3 4 1s221 BETTOR TWIST NZ Nathan Purdon Anthony Butt NR115 FR4 5 13s35 SPORTY DANCER Todd Prest Chris Alford NR80 FR5 6 18144 TAY TAY Alex Ashwood Alex Ashwood NR60 FR6 7 45433 TREACHERY Emma Stewart Kerryn Manning NR60 FR7 ------------------------------ Second Row ------------------------------ 8 s2014 TOUGH TILLY Emma Stewart Kate Gath NR91 SR1 9 46636 DOUGS BABE Geoff Webster Michael Bellman NR60 SR2 10 19167 EVA MATEO (Em 1) Peter Manning Jodi Quinlan NR65 SR- 11 s7353 RUNAWAY CELEBRITY Emma Stewart Cameron Hart (C) NR68 SR3 12 11122 LADIES IN RED Emma Stewart David Moran NR98 SR4 13 12212 JOANNA Emma Stewart Jackie Barker NR99 SR5 8 9:44pm RIDE HIGH BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 24 (2YO FILLIES) FINAL (GROUP 1) 2240M $300,000 2YO Fillies. 2YO Fillies. RBD. Mobile 4TH LEG QUADDIE Form Horse Trainer Other Eng. Driver Class Hcp 1 41s43 HEAVENLY SIGN Emma Stewart Connor Clarke (C) NR40 FR1 2 21334 RELENTLESS ME Brittany O'Brien Jack Laugher (C) NR45 FR2 3 26s56 OUR LITTLE JET Emma Stewart Jodi Quinlan NR34 FR3 4 41 SOUNDS PERFECT Emma Stewart Kerryn Manning NR41 FR4 5 15s12 PLAYING UP Emma Stewart Greg Sugars NR50 FR5 6 s1s46 SERGIOS ROCKET Emma Stewart David Moran NR39 FR6 7 3s454 JUST HOPE Russell Jack Zac Phillips NR48 FR7 ------------------------------ Second Row ------------------------------ 8 1s224 ENCIPHER Emma Stewart Kate Gath NR50 SR1 9 13823 FIAMMA Emma Stewart Jodi Quinlan NR47 SR2 10 21367 ELEGANT (Em 1) Geoff Webster Geoff Webster NR39 SR- 11 2s631 PETILLANTE Emma Stewart Cameron Hart (C) NR52 SR3 12 s1112 AMORE VITA NZ Nathan Purdon Chris Alford NR51 SR4 13 12515 RICH BEAUTY Emma Stewart Bailey McDonough (C) NR51 SR5

Did you see Ascot Park race 8 has No 3. 'PETE' as a starter ? , in a desperate ploy to move up from the 5 Points in the 'Tour' here, is he starting in the race? 1 / AscotR1 1 2 / AscotR2 2 3 / AscotR3 1 BB Desparado . You betta believe it lol. 4 / RosehillR1 3 5 / AscotR7 14 6 / AscotR8 2 (not Pete) but Go Pete ! anyway, if Pete is on this one ,for Pete's Sake. 7 / RosehillR4 7 8 / RosehillR5 8 9 / RosehillR6 3 10 / RosehillR7 5 BB

Thats an easy one . Sir Anthony Hopkins did a scary job, and won an Oscar as crazed Hannibal Lector in "Silence of the Lambs". (also an Oscar winner as best picture 1992) The horse's will be lambs to the Slaughter if he tries to start the race. Bit of liver, fava beans and a nice Chianti should do him as his wages.

Well another birthday this week and so getting way to old for that caper lol. Besides Mr Orange makes most others look like a 'Lemon' in their driving ability. And you need acting talent?. Rusty Crowe born same year as me, so far too old. How about VINNIE BENNETT ?? with a name like 'Vinnie' must be able to drive a bit. Vinnie Knight in Victoria, won a fair few 'Big ones' in his day.

So Cam has the same 'Grand-dad' (Derek Jones MMNZ) as Anthony Butt then. Anthony now based in Victoria, and has a great 'Strike-rate' as a trainer too, as well as being world top shelf driver. No wonder Cam is doing so well then. Blue-blood.

quite the opposite Pete. I think we were admiring the horses progress and I was impressed with the Winter wins . just wondering why he has such few starts this year. Thought he must have an issue because of the minimal races , but inferred nothing about cheating?. Benson's Mate could go on to pretty big things , won 3 of last 4 now.

That is one strange progressive horse....... Beaten 10 lengths at Nelson a couple of times at beginning of year. then.... Then a couple of wins at Addington winning well in June, wonder why they didn't continue on racing then? , as was 2 outstanding runs and wins. (beat Suger Me) must be unsound at a guess?. (to have just a 2 run prep in June) good to see he is back in action again. seems to be a better one to follow than 'Crystal Daytom' for the punter?.

BETTOR TWIST ( 6 time NZ group 1 winner) looks set to be favourite in next weeks 3 year-old Fillies Breeders Crown Final. Smashing them for Ant's and Nathen Purdon last night (with a nippy 54 second closing 1/2 mile. very impressive. Fellow kiwi LIFES A BEACH (josh Dickie) will join her in that FInal. And the SIX x Powerful EMMA STEWART trained fillies too. will be great to see What they can come up with.... to beat the 2 good NZ fillies. 3 Year old colts Final, will see the Emma Stewart trained Vic Derby winner ACT NOW, go around at $1.30 i reckon. Emma's other 2 of 'Beyond Delight' and 'Major Moth' (who defeated the NZer American Dealer last night) are some hope . AMERICAN DEALER could take victory for Nate and Ant's but will need a 'Special' drive. like a mini Interdom! 2 Year old Fillies Final , will also need a Special drive from Ant's for the kiwi AMORE VITA to take victory. Emma Stewart having NINE of the 12 Finalists !!!!!! stunning. If he can out-manouver that lot , than really deserves the Win. 2 Year old Colts Final, and the Andy and Kate Gath team have the short priced favourite in CATCH A WAVE. hopefully the 2 Sweet Lou's can have a crack for Karrots , and near win it, in 'He's Charlies Angel' and 'My Ultimate Baxter' (who both placed in the semi's) QLDer there in 'Tim's A Trooper' too. Go boy ..... some great Breeders Crown finals Coming Up real soon, will be fantastic.

Jogged it in too, at just $1.30 win price. Everyone can see how good this horse is now. Hope MACH DA VINCI has a crack at Interdominion starting soon. He is from down NSW Menangle wayas well, so might 'go home', but like so many visitors to beautiful SouthEast QLD, just wants to stay on, as best place to live. One kiwi bloke, some would know there in NZ, has stayed on. GRAEME HARRIS , a fine Cambridge horseman . His own horse GLENEAGLE WARRIOR, was run down late in the last race at Albion last night, for Vicki Rasmussen.

Anthony Butt soon had American Dealer well placed from there anyway , with usual first-class driving. Ran on very well for 2nd . (winner trailed leader) One of Nathan's 2year olds missed out qualifying for Final but AMORE VITA ran 2nd ok, and through to Final. The amazing EMMA STEWART team qualifying 5 all around it. Three of them driven by Junior Drivers, with one taking victory (and 2 lady drivers as well) Emma gives 'everyone' a go !! fantastic stuff........ and ALL 5 qualified for Final . just rewards ....... Reckon that is the 'first time in history' a leading Trainer has used 3 Junior drivers in one race, to Qualify 3 x 2 year-olds for a BIG Final of any kind, in the world.

The Breeders Crown SEMI FINALS are /were on Saturday evening. 2 semis being run for each of 2 yearold then 3 yearolds colts And fillies divisions. Will be very keen contests , even for '6th Place' in tonight's races at Melton , as only the 'First 6' in each of the 8 Semi-Finals will make it through. Kiwi Lad Nathen Purdon trying to qualify ALL 4 of his for the Big Finals next week. including multiple NZ feature winners Bettor Twist and American Dealer . and Nathan has Amazing Dream racing at 2 am Sunday morning NZ time lol..... in a Group 3 Breeders crown 'graduation' . Should be a gift for her. Local EMMA STEWART qualified an Astounding 29 of her 33 runners (2 galloped) from the heats last week for tonights semi's. Interesting how many get a TOP 6 finish to go In Finals. Race 1 has just completed, and 'He's Charlies Angel ' ran 3rd so is safely through to the 2 yearold colts Final .( .Sweet Lou. fav of Karrots)

Quite a stunning performance by a trotter at the time . Seen leading the Nz FFA (won by Hands Down in the end) in this photo. On Cup Day Scotch Tar had run the Nz record for 2600m beating No Response by many lengths. Giving trainer "Slim ' the confidence to take on the Pacers (again) One night at Auckland ,and in his wayward days. Scotch Tar ran right off the track on Wolfie to the outside fence in the home straight . Still won by a length with only his 'Ears' showing in the official photo finish. (as was brushing the outside fence at Alex Park. ) was quite something .

Yes , Bolt for Brilliance held up the 'trotters' side of North v South extremely well. Would of broken the NZ '2 mile' record himself running 3rd, from way back of the field in the Dominion yesterday. What a jaw-dropping race that was.?? I was shocked they (Sundees Son) nearly broke 4.00 minutes last year. This year, SS in around 3.56.5 was quicker than Copy That winning the Nz Cup. quite amazing.

Craigos and Max 'pay the penalty' for going against Mark and Nat in the Purdon/Cullen stable trifecta of race 8. They join Dancing Show on the also ran list for the day that has had 2 winners. HESI now on $724 in the bank, and RICHIE $595.35 . congrat's to them. Left in play are just GlobeD with a top 4 multi, Karrots with Chevron Top 4 in the last as well , and N'Grass a BADtotheBONE 100win speculator. Signing out from Oz for the afternoon now, so Hope you enjoyed the racing!!! and some Group 1 action coming Up. all the best.