Royal Nod

Hard to understand how they arrive at their quotes sometimes.   Willow Bay only $21 yet out of form and needs a scratching to get into sires stakes final.

Two big Trot races today, one for $130k & other $180k both won by top 2 year old sire Walner.  He is killing it with his first crop

3 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

ended in disaster with a big blow up between you & Brodie on Trump lol. I declared you the winner 🥇

Lol,  Hard to believe people are so gullible to believe Trump  won just because he said so.   But enough about that will stick to Sires in future posts on this thread

Just got quinella in $146k race in USA. Winner driven by Dexter 

Anyone know why Sarah O’Riley isn’t driving this week and next?

Very disappointing.  The major interest for me in the Cup was if a young up & coming trainer could take out the big one and get a big boost to his career. Would have been great for Southland HR as well.  Commiserations to all connections it must be gutting.   The way the draws fell I think he was a definite chance

13 minutes ago, Lightning Blue said:

BUT Why are Sundees Son and Muscle Mountain NOT in the NZ trotting FFA

Saving themselves for the Dominion 3 days later.  Also Sundees Son notably better over longer distance

3 hours ago, Double R said:

I think it would be of great advantage for Republican Party if there was a scratching, and Willow Bay got back in.

Good point DR.   Only thing I would say is that I am glad  Blair  is driving him because he rarely gets involved in speed duals and always seems to sum things up quickly.  That is why he  is on top of the premiership.   It does seem that Franco Indie from the draw will be very hard to beat though..

4 hours ago, Double R said:

Hi Nod,

How did your horse go, if you would like to share that with us?

Cheers.

Robert.

Nice 2nd in Race 12.   🙄

14 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

maybe were at track today. 

Indeed I was, supporting the little fella

Big day for Miki at the Meadowlands today. Won both 2 year old Breeders Crown races worth $600k each

14 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

* The weanling filly that sold for $50k at weanling sales by Downbytheseaside last year to Stonewall who is a 1/2 to Sugar Me has been named Mermaid Beach

 A lot of DBTS foals seem to have been sold as weanlings.  Not sure if this will mean they will be in short supply at the yearling sales in Feb.  Some owners may pin hook them though.   I would be keen on one next year.

A friend of mine bought one as a weanling before people realized how good DBTS was.    Should turn out to  be a bargin

Nominations dreadful this week.  Only 64.  If it gets  any  worse will  they have to  start cancelling race meetings?

3 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

Nice performance by Indie today. He's now crushed into fav for Final. 

Sub 1.52 mile rate. Hard to see how he gets beaten in the sires final. 

20 minutes ago, karrotsishere said:

Yes lets get back to talking about racing. That is why we are ALL here & the topic thread, Ashburton Monday.

I’m disappointed Cantfindabettorman is scratched today.  Would have made for a good contest with Franco Indie. 

1 hour ago, Double R said:

Hehe @Royal Nod, yeah for sure if Sweetie was part of a syndicate like many of yours on here, but she is not for that reason & that reason alone won’t share. Would love to tho with you. As I’m sure you would like to follow, as I follow yours now. Thanks for your interest tho 😄

Completely understand Karrots.  Will follow Sweet Lou here & in USA anyway. He certainly leaves nice types, and if they are out of Bettors mares all the better.   

4 hours ago, Globederby19 said:

Doesn't always work out the way one would think. We were offered big money for MM in his Aussie campaign and it was put to a vote. We said no. Enough purists onboard to want to do the best thing by the horse and keep him with his passionate trainer, regardless of reward, even allowing for the fact he is a top horse.  Personally I wasn't in it for the money, win or lose the buzz from watching your horse/horses run was enough. Not everyone is in that position and it isn't for me to judge someone else for wanting to cash up. I think the stakes available is a sad indictment on NZ racing and its administration in general. 

I remember the days of Hutt Park and the Wgtn Cup , chock full of open class pacers. Sadly with the advent of regionalising the industry and inflating costs the last Cup I remember had C5 pacers running . Loved Hutt Park, beautiful shell grit track, and fast.

Good points Globe.  It’s great you have retained MM he helps make up one of the finest groups of open class trotters we have seen, and that is saying a lot.  Agree we need higher stakes but like you I am in it for the fun.  I was in a syndicate that sold a really good race mare and I kind of regret that now. Would love to have bred from her, but you have to go with the majority.   Good luck for Ash Vegas, would love to see him win

Karrots I’m intrigued by your horse Sweety. By Sweet Lou no doubt.  Can you tell us who it is out of?  Fair enough if you don’t but I’m just interested now

5 hours ago, Happy Sunrise said:

They are completing revamping the season so I hope they address stakes as well.

Stakes can only be increased by growing revenue ie betting.  I think that will take time but I remember Woodham saying they were looking at ways to increase turnover from overseas, or export turnover I think they call it.  Hope they can put a successful plan together 

3 hours ago, Happy Sunrise said:

I think there is something inherently wrong with this programming. Newcomers to the track get a stake of 25 000 and a Group 3 FFA has a stake of 35 000.

A 10 000 difference. That is pathetic.

Sell....sell....sell.....sell.....sell.....

 

Agree. The junior Ffa should be 50k.  They could take 10k from the non win race,it would still be a good maiden stake at 15k.  I’m sure the Met could make up the difference of 5k

Well done to Mark Jones & the owners.  They have been patient with him and it’s paying dividends now.  Very wise to delay his debut until a 4 year old

12 hours ago, Globederby19 said:

Depends on the dams influence. Some sires throw to all sorts , some don't. I like the Sweet Lou's speed and ABM looks in the same mould . Bettors Delight will be around for a while yet and they are adept at all distances.

Very true Globe. A lot of Christian Cullen mares were bred to SBSW here which I don’t think was a good cross.  All his top ones in the USA  were outcrosses to Direct Scooter line mares

4 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

Could SBSW had something different re racing in USA that differs to racing in NZ that resulted in his performance levels lower than expected here … ? Could Captain T potentially be the same ... ?

SBSW had much lower fertility here. I think some stallions semen travels and freezes better than others

I’ll be sticking to Bettors at the sales next year.  He just increases your chances of getting something worthwhile.  Having said that I could be tempted by a nice Downbytheseaside if my trainer buys one.  Doing a sensational job in USA and I like the fact he shuttles here

2 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

Wait Iv just clicked to who you are, Poster version that is. If correct … your horse is doing AMAZING this time in.

So cool & super exciting!!! Very happy for you 😄

Right you are Karrots.  I only have a small share as he wasn’t cheap.  Still he is very exciting.