Royal Nod

Not sure Mile  racing is Krugs go.   Bettors are better over a bit of distance I think, maybe that’s why BD has been more successful here than in USA.   That’s my latest theory any way

3 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

My potential Top Lot results today - got 2nd Top Lot, missed selecting Top Lot which was Lot 295

Lot 222 - Passed In

Lot 229 - $150k

Lot 240 - $55k

Lot 261 - Passed In

Lot 277 - $36k

Lot 287 - $210k (2nd Top Lot) - brought by Stonewall Stud

Lot 293 - $80k

_____________________________________________________________

Lot 295 - $260k Top Lot brought by Stonewall yet AGAIN

Don’t know what they are going to do with so many horses.  They will be competing against themselves on the track.  A few of the usual big buyers are missing out on lots they would normally get. 

Vanadium 

First of all congrats to the club for decent stakes and putting on a few mile races, I enjoy them.

Have to take them to task however over the conditions of the non winners trot race where winners were allowed in but with a 30m handicap.

That is silly to me.  Some of those winners were rating 40 and wouldn't be competitive with a 30m head start let alone a handicap.

The rating system is designed to match horses up to be competitive with each other. It can work quite well if used properly 

It seems some programmers are determined to try and turn the rating system back  into the old class system.

Most owners or  trainers that fish probably have those problems anyway

On 12/23/2021 at 8:26 PM, karrotsishere said:

Congrats to Royal Nod for Republican Party winning today at Ashburton. Nice win. 

Thanks Karrots.  He out for a spell now with long season coming up.  These horses get more holidays than teachers lol

Happy to be avoiding Akuta for now

3 hours ago, Lightning Blue said:

'E' day for Saturday with some more Excellent Equine Examples with some Extraordinary Echievements.

Here's a couple now. An Exquisite Northerner and also a winner there at Moonee Valley too. (to be tricky)

 

What ever happened to Peter Shand ?

2 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

100% agree. I really loved the Jewels. Remember was so excited about them, started a thread 2 months out lol. Really liked how horses who raced got to qualify, therefore a horse like Sweety Lewey if managed to qualify fair & square would get a chance. 

But also with that recall peeps saying it cost the industry too much. 

Yes was worth about $200 k per race originally but as HRNZ finances took a turn for the worse it became unaffordable.  Hopefully it can be resurrected in the future because was a fantastic event.  Still think Cambridge should improve their every day stakes before they go putting $150k into a single race.

I should say I am in favour of the concept but it should be a sweepstake as originally announced.  It's ridiculous to put industry funding into an event that will only benefit a few wealthy participants. 

I see all races are for $9k.  This means a rating 40 - 45 race has the same stake as a race earlier in the day that has horses up to rating 62.

Not sure if this is the Clubs decision or if it is mandated by HRNZ.  

As we have an overflow of horses in the 40 - 50 rating band and a shortage of horses in the higher bands would some one from the club or HRNA like to explain how this helps 

retain better performed horses in NZ.

6 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

. Jewels was taken from Camb so a replacement for them.

Don't get me started Karrots.  The Jewels was a fantastic event that a lot of people at all levels could get involved in.

The Jewels was originally meant to be shared around the country.  It should have been shared between Cambridge, Ashburton and Southland.

HRNZ made terrible changes such as moving away from mile racing and taking it off Ashburton.

A true master class in how to destroy a great concept.

6 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

8. Not costing industry anything as slot owners pay + a top up from host Camb club.

I understood HRNZ were putting up 150k.  Can anyone confirm?

I am against any industry funding as stakes are so poor now and this will only benefit a few wealthy participants 

16 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

Noted your lil fella is in at workouts today. Nice line-up of horses at South workouts today. 

Nice quiet run 

Grand Circuit finished over there for the season so no news of late.  That Peter Profit site doesn’t seem to be very onto it.  Sounds like a few of their articles are off the mark.

37 minutes ago, Double R said:

Hi Nod.

Yes, I think it is a mistake.

Do you think you might give them a tingle, and point our observation, and they can then correct it?

Cheers.

Robert.

Have emailed them DR.   Hopefully I hear back soon

"all people visiting our facilities on site at Addington will be required to present their ‘My Vaccine Pass’ to show they are fully vaccinated. This will ensure we will be able to operate at close to our full capabilities during the green setting"

Above statement is taken from Addington press release.  My question is, is this a mistake and they mean Orange setting as the last two words?

2 hours ago, Double R said:

Hi Nod.

Here is the contact information for David Di Somma, if you want to contact him.

Dave Di Somma
Harness News Desk Content Manager
Tel +64 3 964 1200 ext 819
Mob +64 21 316 966
Email david.disomma@hrnz.co.nz

Thanks Double R will drop him an email on Monday 🙂

1 hour ago, Double R said:

Life is different these days compared to the past

I was watching an old rerun of All In The Family this week and noticed in a scene shot in a bar that all  the photos on the wall were of Harness Horses.  Have noticed a similar thing on reruns of The Fugitive.   Just shows how prominent Harness Racing was as a sport back in the 60s USA

The people responsible for content on the sports news would have no idea what Dexter is up to or may not even know who he is.  It’s up to HRNZ to inform them and get these types of stories out there.   Dave Di Somma who works or did work for HRNZ was good at that when he started obviously using his contacts from when he worked at TVNZ.    I think he may not be there anymore as I haven’t noticed him doing any stories lately.  

With it looking likely Dexter will be the leading money earning driver in the USA again this season, and therefore likely he will be voted by the USTA as top driver of the 2021 season  I think HRNZ should be looking to get this news onto mainstream sports news TV.

What other sport is there where a New Zealander is basically top of their profession in the world and it gets ignored by the mainstream media as has happened the last 2 years?

Is Dave Di Somma still working for HRNZ?   When he started there he managed to get Harness Racing stories on the TV news but there has been nothing of late apart from Cup Day.

Come on HRNZ, get the wheels in motion

18 hours ago, Globederby19 said:

But do you or anyone know what trainers look for in a horse

I think most top trainers look for a combination of pedigree and conformation.  I remember Katy Perry  by Bettors Delight was knocked down for only about 17K.  The dam had left about 4 of racing age at that stage and nothing very good.    Trainer bought her because she was an athletic type.  

The dam Karen Donna  went on to leave a couple of good ones after her.   Just goes to show, confirmation and overall type  just as important as pedigree.

19 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

Curious, might be a dopey question. But do you or anyone know what trainers look for in a horse to see if they will be a young gun filly or young gun colt/gelding? At what stage do they know? Maybe, maybe not? I see All Stars a couple of Bettors, 1 Sweet Lou & 1 Art Major yearlings soon to be 2 they are working with atm. Haven't yet checked the females. So wonder what is was that made them work on these 4 to potentially be young guns oppose the others the same age?

I would say All Stars only select yearling  that look like they will  make early to late 2 year olds and train them all up to see what ones have talent.  The 4 you refer to are most likely the ones showing most talent in training.   

Thanks Karrots.  1st  time I had a placing in a group 1.   No stopping the Blue Army today though. 

Agree I think Major Perry will have a go for the lead.  Wouldn’t like to see us in a speed dual for the lead.  Hopefully Blair can work some magic.  The more I think about it it may not be such a great draw.  

I think Cantfindabettorman is the value in the race. $13. 00 & should get a good run from the draw