Royal Nod Posted October 3, 2023 Posted October 3, 2023 Surprising that Nat didn’t turn up last Friday to drive Self Assured. Now she isn’t standing in for Mark on Milwood Nike. Is she away or has she given up driving? I wonder if she will make an appearance on Cup Day? Quote
Double R Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 12 hours ago, Royal Nod said: Surprising that Nat didn’t turn up last Friday to drive Self Assured. Now she isn’t standing in for Mark on Milwood Nike. Is she away or has she given up driving? I wonder if she will make an appearance on Cup Day? Certainly a mystery Nod. With Copy That out of the Cup, will that mean Blair Orange will be driving Republican Party now? Cheers. Robert. 1 Quote
Happy Sunrise Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 12 hours ago, Royal Nod said: Surprising that Nat didn’t turn up last Friday to drive Self Assured. Now she isn’t standing in for Mark on Milwood Nike. Is she away or has she given up driving? I wonder if she will make an appearance on Cup Day? A very valid question for punters and others. If it were a public-worthy reason (covid, holiday, injury, giving younger ones a go etc.) the likes of Guerin would have said it because he loves to disseminate news like this. He would be mentioning the future implications going forward to the NZ Cup if there were any, and who would be driving who etc. He has always had a direct line to them so his silence indicates it is private (in my opinion) No big guns from the stable at Methven for the Cup so a change in plans there from previous years but probably more scheduling than anything to blame. With Copy That out of the race the All-Stars have a much stronger hold over the race now. Akuta, with a reasonable run, wins in my view. And did the TAB know Copy That was sore and left him in their readjusted market to tempt punters this week? Akuta into 2.75 and Copy That at 9s? Then it became public he is lame not long after. 1 Quote
Lightning Blue Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 1 hour ago, Happy Sunrise said: If it were a public-worthy reason (covid, holiday, injury, giving younger ones a go etc.) the likes of Guerin would have said it because he loves to disseminate news like this. He would be mentioning the future implications Was waiting for Greg and Mick to tell us on the BOX Seat broadcast but they said nothing 🙄. so now I'm getting a bit worried about my fav QLD lass 😔 , but she wasn't driving through last month either , which sort of suggests an overseas vacation maybe . (in their summer) A lot of people did that this year now the borders are flowing after the 3 year virus hiccups with travel. Natalie was still driving for Mark and Nathan through August. but getting close to the Cup and Derby and Sires Stakes time now... Quote
Royal Nod Posted October 4, 2023 Author Posted October 4, 2023 10 hours ago, Double R said: Certainly a mystery Nod. With Copy That out of the Cup, will that mean Blair Orange will be driving Republican Party now? Cheers. Robert. Would certainly expect so. Blair has always really liked him. Quote
Double R Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 2 hours ago, Royal Nod said: Would certainly expect so. Blair has always really liked him. That is wonderful Nod. Reading this morning about Olivia Thornley driving Millwood Nike, it says that Mark Purdon, and Blair Orange are suspended, and Rasmusson is sidelined. Cheers. Robert. 1 Quote
Royal Nod Posted October 4, 2023 Author Posted October 4, 2023 42 minutes ago, Double R said: That is wonderful Nod. Reading this morning about Olivia Thornley driving Millwood Nike, it says that Mark Purdon, and Blair Orange are suspended, and Rasmusson is sidelined. Cheers. Robert. Thanks Robert. I’m not sure what the purpose is of having a suspended & unavailable list on HRNZ website when it was last updated on 31 st August Quote
Lightning Blue Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 40 minutes ago, Maximus said: perhaps the poor woman is unwell and wants to say nowt about it, cos it's personal.? Just guessing. MM yes , it seems one bloke says she had a minor op so back in action later this month . (she Might win the Cup too. very strong chance now with Copy That out) Quote
Happy Sunrise Posted October 5, 2023 Posted October 5, 2023 2 hours ago, Royal Nod said: I’m not sure what the purpose is of having a suspended & unavailable list on HRNZ website when it was last updated on 31 st August It is up to date on HRNZ. Quote
Lightning Blue Posted October 5, 2023 Posted October 5, 2023 44 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said: It is up to date on HRNZ. Earlier in week Blair Orange was on the list of 'Suspended and Unavailable drivers ' but Mark wasn't . Must of been slow to up-date..... So i had a rummage around on his drives from last week at Addington where found the Whip offence things stewards were grizzling about . A warning then suspension on 2 of his drives. As if Mark Purdon doesn't know how to drive to win lol.😂 can't be much bad driving going on to 'Call out the Best there is' lol😂 Quote
Globederby19 Posted October 5, 2023 Posted October 5, 2023 (edited) On 10/5/2023 at 11:11 AM, Double R said: Reading this morning about Olivia Thornley driving Millwood Nike What a run sitting parked all the way, and a quick time to boot. The horse just glides over the ground, even under pressure. That was first up !!, 15th in a row, gee how good can this animal get. Test run. Ignore. Edited November 12, 2023 by Globederby19 Quote
richie Posted October 6, 2023 Posted October 6, 2023 On 10/4/2023 at 9:21 AM, Royal Nod said: Surprising that Nat didn’t turn up last Friday to drive Self Assured. Now she isn’t standing in for Mark on Milwood Nike. Is she away or has she given up driving? I wonder if she will make an appearance on Cup Day? Common knowledge that she has had a minor op programmed for quite a while.Is expected back driving about 13th October I believe 1 Quote
Lightning Blue Posted October 6, 2023 Posted October 6, 2023 2 hours ago, richie said: Common knowledge that she has had a minor op programmed for quite a while.Is expected back driving about 13th October I believe Good to know she'll be back on deck in sulky shortly . junior Olivia Thornley filled in with 3 winners last night . driving like Nat. that'll cheer them all up😊 . Quote
richie Posted October 6, 2023 Posted October 6, 2023 3 minutes ago, Lightning Blue said: Good to know she'll be back on deck in sulky shortly . junior Olivia Thornley filled in with 3 winners last night . driving like Nat. that'll cheer them all up😊 . I havent really rated Olivia until last 6 months.She seems to have more confidence now to drive good horses like they best horse in the race Quote
vanturk Posted October 7, 2023 Posted October 7, 2023 On 10/6/2023 at 10:29 AM, Globederby19 said: What a run sitting parked all the way, and a quick time to boot. The horse just glides over the ground, even under pressure. That was first up !!, 15th in a row, gee how good can this animal get. The Winx of harness racing Quote
Lightning Blue Posted October 10, 2023 Posted October 10, 2023 21 hours ago, Maximus said: really? How many races has this standardbred won on end? How many Group 1s? MM Millwood Nike 15 wins from 15 starts so far Max. She has raced just Fillies so far with the 4 Group 1 wins . That was the 2 year old and 3 year old Sires stakes for Fillies and the Great Northern Oaks back in May (her 14th start) .. she has just resumed now getting ready for the Nz Oaks Grup 1 next month at Addington. A filly can easily be dominant so it's Not particularly un-usual. Bettor Twist recently dominated around Nz as a 2 and 3 year old but couldn't go on with it , when turned 4. In Aus 'Ladies in Red' races this Saturday Melton in a big Group mare's race . she dominated at 2 and 3 in fillies grade as well . 27 starts for 22 wins and 5 x seconds. she was 3 x beaten by a stable-mate 'Tough Tilly' who is also in this Saturday race. and is finding it 'Tougher now in older grade 😂 just 2 wins from 7 as a 4 year old. I'm thinking Millwood Nike will Not be Quite as great next year at 4 when taking on the 'boys' . Quote
Lightning Blue Posted October 10, 2023 Posted October 10, 2023 8 minutes ago, Blackie said: Far better profile pic LB Blacks A Fake . He had the Winx form for a good long while . 70 odd wins from 100 starts. not bad. been near 20 years since you won a Victoria Cup though Blackie . (Blackie is Blacks A Fake stable name ) Who's winning this years one (Victoria Cup this Saturday night ) then Blackie ? After all this time can it be another Queenslander at last ?? LEAP TO FAME . It's a great field of the best in the nation currently. (I'm not confident after the Lions and Bronco's narrow defeats lately 😁) PRYDE'S EASIFEED VICTORIA CUP 2240M $300,000 Pacers. RBD. PACERS. Mobile 2ND LEG DAILY DOUBLE, 3RD LEG QUADDIE Form Horse Trainer Other Eng. Driver Class Hcp 1 75121 BETTER ECLIPSE Jess Tubbs Greg Sugars NR120 FR1 2 2113s HONOLUA BAY Emma Stewart David Moran NR120 FR2 3 12041 BULLETPROOF BOY (Em 1) Scott Ewen Scott Ewen NR120 FR- 4 s2115 ROCK N ROLL DOO NZ Michael Stanley Michael Stanley NR120 FR3 5 12121 LEAP TO FAME Grant Dixon Grant Dixon NR120 FR4 6 s2185 CATCH A WAVE Andy Gath Kate Gath NR120 FR5 7 18111 AMORE VITA NZ Emma Stewart Chris Alford NR120 FR6 ------------------------------ Second Row ------------------------------ 8 16554 MACH DAN Emma Stewart Mark Pitt NR120 SR1 9 01111 HI MANAMEISJEFF NZ Jason Grimson Cameron Hart NR114 SR2 10 127s3 CAPTAIN RAVISHING Ahmed Taiba Nathan Jack NR102 SR3 11 2s413 ACT NOW Emma Stewart Jodi Quinlan NR120 SR4 12 18111 ENCIPHER Emma Stewart Kate Gath NR120 SR5 13 20121 SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS NZ Belinda McCarthy Jack Callaghan (C) NR120 SR6 Quote
Blackie Posted October 10, 2023 Posted October 10, 2023 Great field there, always is. Leap To Fame’s turn maybe? Last year Rock N Roll Doo was brilliant winning it. Then there is Emma Stewart…. Great race. 1 Quote
Globederby19 Posted October 10, 2023 Posted October 10, 2023 I like Honolua Bay from the front, and have a soft spot for Spirit of St Louis, but will need the right run from there. 1 Quote
Happy Sunrise Posted November 9, 2023 Posted November 9, 2023 On 10/6/2023 at 8:41 PM, richie said: Common knowledge that she has had a minor op programmed for quite a while.Is expected back driving about 13th October I believe Still out? No sign of her or any communication from anyone about her status. Quote
richie Posted November 10, 2023 Posted November 10, 2023 16 hours ago, Happy Sunrise said: Still out? No sign of her or any communication from anyone about her status. Yeah I heard last week was going be driving at trials on Wednesday but cant see where she did.Who knows what's going on. 1 Quote
Happy Sunrise Posted November 10, 2023 Posted November 10, 2023 3 hours ago, richie said: Yeah I heard last week was going be driving at trials on Wednesday but cant see where she did.Who knows what's going on. She is such a fixture in the big races it is a shame she won't be there Cup Week. Quote
richie Posted November 10, 2023 Posted November 10, 2023 1 hour ago, Happy Sunrise said: She is such a fixture in the big races it is a shame she won't be there Cup Week. Definitely,saying that Olivia Thornley hardly missed a beat in Nat and Mark's absence Quote
Happy Sunrise Posted November 10, 2023 Posted November 10, 2023 57 minutes ago, richie said: Definitely,saying that Olivia Thornley hardly missed a beat in Nat and Mark's absence Olivia is doing exceptionally well. Do you know the particular reason why MP didn't get back on Chase A Dream? Just leave Olivia on since she is doing a good job? Quote
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