Xmas/New Year Harness/Gallops Positive Tag Me Challenge

[karrotsishere]

Hope everyone has had an enjoyable Xmas day, beaut weather. Thought might be good to do a positive thread on things we have witnessed or heard about or read about in the Harness or Gallops this year 2021. Could be anything at all you like. Lets keep it positive.

Lets call it the Xmas Harness-Gallops Xmas/New Year Challenge. 

How it works - add something positive about 2021 Harness/Gallops then tag 2 people. 1 from Gallops and 1 from Harness & they do the same 😄

Alternatively if your online & would like to contribute feel free 😄 

Ill start - great horsemanship shown by Junior Driver Mr N Delany Race 6 Xmas Eve Cambridge. As per stripes report he was dislodged from sulky & dragged a distance. Spoke to a couple of folks that witness this - their account was "he showed great horsemanship, in containing his runner who was out of control"

He held onto horse not letting go, while being dragged along the ground. Crowd in the grandstand gave him a round of applause (which he would not of heard) when the horse finally came to a standstill. 

Fab as per stripes report he wasn't injured other. (Perhaps he had some small cuts/bruises). 

Tagging @pete Gallops - @Lightning Blue Harness

Edited December 25, 2021 by karrotsishere

[karrotsishere]

Will add this as well as love the introduction this year 2021 of the All Mic-ed Up (camera-with mic attached to drivers helmet). This link is to Mic-ed up with B Butcher & BD Joe latest run at Alex Park. He's funny, how he has banter with his father & brother. "Il guna try & flush Zachary out now" (Bad to Bone).

Going up the final straight "go boy, go boy get Zachary" lol. "Yes think we got him, Z doesn't think so tho, but we will see" lol. Worth a watch if you haven't seen it.

https://www.facebook.com/trackchatnz/videos/450116586612773/

[Lightning Blue]

16 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

Tagging @pete Gallops - @Lightning Blue Harness

1 . Someone has knocked off Allstars in the NZ Cup .(Copy That) which hasn't happened in many years, but proves it can still be done. so positive hope to other Trainers.

2. Grand exhibition at the Interdomonion Trot with 2 well respected NZ Trainers Brosnan and Williamson taking out a great quinella. (Maori Law and Majestic Man)

3. Grand exhibition at the Interdominion Pacing Final, with a 22 year old driver (Gallagher) and 28 year old Trainer (Grimson) after a fabulous year of results,  taking the Pacing Final with an old 'Claimer' horse !!!  Lol.  Boncel Benjamin. 

They were beating the hot 'McCarthy' Barn (who had 4 starters)  at their home track too, and giving hope to all horse owners and young trainers and drivers of BIG RACE Victories !!! now that is what harness racing needs at the moment .

tagging @Hesi and @Happy Sunrise for more fine moments in sport. 

[karrotsishere]

25 minutes ago, Lightning Blue said:

1 . Someone has knocked off Allstars in the NZ Cup .(Copy That) which hasn't happened in many years, but proves it can still be done. so positive hope to other Trainers.

2. Grand exhibition at the Interdomonion Trot with 2 well respected NZ Trainers Brosnan and Williamson taking out a great quinella. (Maori Law and Majestic Man)

3. Grand exhibition at the Interdominion Pacing Final, with a 22 year old driver (Gallagher) and 28 year old Trainer (Grimson) after a fabulous year of results,  taking the Pacing Final with an old 'Claimer' horse !!!  Lol.  Boncel Benjamin. 

They were beating the hot 'McCarthy' Barn (who had 4 starters)  at their home track too, and giving hope to all horse owners and young trainers and drivers of BIG RACE Victories !!! now that is what harness racing needs at the moment .

tagging @Hesi and @Happy Sunrise for more fine moments in sport. 

Great @Lightning Blue Ill tag them properly so they know, as sometimes not all come looking on each thread. @Hesi @Happy Sunrise (you 2 are up next - Happy, gotta say something Happy 😄 hehe)

For those unfamiliar with how a tag challenge works, its like the Bucket Challenge but we don’t have to (tip water over our heads), or plank challenge (hold body up in plank position) or Corona Virus Challenge (but we don’t have to lick loo seat - yuck).

Just something positive about the industry you love 2021  - then tag the next person x2 😄

Will a make final list at end 👍

Edited December 25, 2021 by karrotsishere

[Happy Sunrise]

37 minutes ago, Lightning Blue said:

tagging @Hesi and @Happy Sunrise for more fine moments in sport. 

1. The rise of Sarah O'Reilly. She is such a genuine up and comer. Seems to get the best out of horses and my feeling is looking at the fields each week is starting to be rewarded with more drives by trainers (unconfirmed feeling) 

2. Robbie Close and his ability to be patient and come through a field rather than be 7 wide and no chance. He would have to be in top 3 for getting a horse home. Great driver.

If I had a wish for 2022 it would be to see Robbie Close, Sarah O'Reilly and Sam Ottley driving a horse in the NZ Cup along side Dunn, Orange and Williams.

@Rusty and @Mardy can chime in next.

[karrotsishere]

Thanks Happy since you & Lightning added multiple things, Ill add a couple more 😄

Like how Cambridge Club are young hip in thinking & try new things/initiatives. Eg

1. South Island Transport Incentive (Glenthournes connections have been great benefactors - 1 penalty free win too).

2. New race called The Race

3. All Mic-ed Up Series

4. 24th Xmas Eve - Introduced a day just once a year where it is BYO.

Speaking of trying new things/incentives - like how HRNZ have announced & trying a new calendar (introduced many new incentives from Jnr Drive incentives to Country Cup races, to breeding incentives & also new Birthdays for horses.

Ill go ahead & also tag @Double R as looks like the galloping folk aren’t that interested in getting involved. Mustn’t be any positive news for them to report haha. 

[Rusty]

Positives for me from this year: 

1. Some good work undertaken by the Racing Integrity Unit, to get the lifetime ban imposed on Mitchell Kerr. 

2. Again, with the RIU and their efforts, including the use of a hidden surveillance camera, to catch Woodend Beach trainer, Jesse Alford. 

These are real positive steps for an industry to try and clean up its act, sending a signal to anyone that wishes to cheat and/or deceive the hardworking folks in the game, that they may get caught, named and shamed, and spend a bit of time away from my favourite animals, so they can bloody well think about what they have done. And maybe look for a job elsewhere, away from horses. 

If anybody for one second, thinks the aforementioned points are not POSITIVE, wake up. Wake up now, before it's too late, because the harness racing that you have grown up with, and loved, will not be around as we currently know it, if such low-lifes are not caught. 

My greatest, more positive highlight however, eventuated in the second week of November. It's one of the most important things that has happened within the racing game for some time now, and is quite literally a game changer for the industry. I can't quite share the news just yet, but I will as soon as I can, in a new thread. 

Here's hoping 2022 will bring some positive highlights involving performances on the track, rather than off it. 

[Happy Sunrise]

7 minutes ago, Rusty said:

Positives for me from this year: 

1. Some good work undertaken by the Racing Integrity Unit, to get the lifetime ban imposed on Mitchell Kerr. 

2. Again, with the RIU and their efforts, including the use of a hidden surveillance camera, to catch Woodend Beach trainer, Jesse Alford. 

These are real positive steps for an industry to try and clean up its act, sending a signal to anyone that wishes to cheat and/or deceive the hardworking folks in the game, that they may get caught, named and shamed, and spend a bit of time away from my favourite animals, so they can bloody well think about what they have done. And maybe look for a job elsewhere, away from horses. 

If anybody for one second, thinks the aforementioned points are not POSITIVE, wake up. Wake up now, before it's too late, because the harness racing that you have grown up with, and loved, will not be around as we currently know it, if such low-lifes are not caught. 

My greatest, more positive highlight however, eventuated in the second week of November. It's one of the most important things that has happened within the racing game for some time now, and is quite literally a game changer for the industry. I can't quite share the news just yet, but I will as soon as I can, in a new thread. 

Here's hoping 2022 will bring some positive highlights involving performances on the track, rather than off it. 

Great stuff. 

Was waiting for #3 Gazza's Glazed Ham?

[Rusty]

Just now, Happy Sunrise said:

Great stuff. 

Was waiting for #3 Gazza's Glazed Ham?

I have no words. 

[Happy Sunrise]

3 minutes ago, Rusty said:

I have no words. 

That is their plan.

[Rusty]

3 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

That is their plan.

Yeah in a similar vein to the "free speech" in China lol

Sorry, let's stay positive.

[Lightning Blue]

1 hour ago, Rusty said:

My greatest, more positive highlight however, eventuated in the second week of November. It's one of the most important things that has happened within the racing game for some time now, and is quite literally a game changer for the industry.

Sundees Son trotting 3.56.6 for 2 miles ? (3200m anyway) Certainly a 'season' highlight 2nd week of November? (and all-time harness racing highlight)

Probably the 'single most destructive' run I have ever seen ever. . Absolutely jaw-dropping . It was a game changer . How quick will opponents have to go to even keep up with that? Mark Purdon didn't even bother trying with Group 1 winner Oscar B who won the Nz Trotting FFA days earlier. 

 A NZ record by 4 seconds or so ? I'm still stunned beyond words from that performance by Sundees Son at his last start.

 

[Rusty]

3 minutes ago, Lightning Blue said:

Sundees Son trotting 3.56.6 for 2 miles ? (3200m anyway) Certainly a 'season' highlight 2nd week of November? 

Was definitely a highlight for some, that is for sure! 

[karrotsishere]

9 hours ago, Rusty said:

Positives for me from this year: 

If anybody for one second, thinks the aforementioned points are not POSITIVE, wake up. 

All good Rusty, rule on this thread is no po-poeing on someone elses positive. As its theirs thru their eyes. Ya forgot to tag 2 peeps, so Ill do that for you - hopefully we can keep this thread going for another 24 hours & get some more in. 

Tagging @Blackie @Trotslover

[pete]

I have something positive from yesterday.

Fantastic to see a couple of battlers, horse and jockey, win the G1 at Ellerslie.

[karrotsishere]

Come on peeps surely someone has something to add positive. Cant be the end of the thread so early. 

Bit sad if no-one else see anything positive to report from 2021.

Why bother following the sport if everything is just negative?

@craigos1 @Field Commander @Enteebee @Globederby19 @Mike @Addington

Edited December 27, 2021 by karrotsishere

[Enteebee]

getting win number 100 for the syndicates i started and another Interdominnion runner up but boy it would be nice to win one  

Edited December 27, 2021 by Enteebee

[Globederby19]

2 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

Bit sad if no-one else see anything positive to report from 2021.

I didn't get vaccinated , one big positive. Nothing to do with horses of course but it does have a trickle down effect. Im not in hospital , MIQ, don't have pericarditis etc etc, and can still get into my fav Cafe here and Taupo. My snooker career has been curtailed due to Club NZs draconian and nonsensical rules, but hey all's good with the World apart from the global genocide going on around us.  Happy New Year guys. Happy Punting.

[Addington]

James Francis reining one home at 10's and change on the first day at Westport. Following to 2 Nairn horses wins the Xmas credit card account is paid and in  a healthy credit.

Her indoors knows nothing of this activity.😃

Edited December 27, 2021 by Addington

[Globederby19]

3 hours ago, karrotsishere said:

Why bother following the sport if everything is just negative?

As long as my arse points to the ground and there are trot races on then it is a positive atmosphere. Whether it be a nondescript meeting from the West Coast to Cup day at Addington its living the dream. Glass half full Karrots , not half empty.

[craigos1]

1 - Seeing the terrific crowds on course over the Christmas period specially in the South .

2 - Watching Bettors Twist race so very well throughout the season. I picked her out after 1 start that she maybe special and love the way she tries so hard. She never wins by a lot , but boy she gives her all.

 

[Trotslover]

New racing calendar must be an upgrade on old one and was well overdue also how they backtracked on closing some tracks like Geraldine who always had good stakes and turnover 

[Blackie]

1. Spending 1/2 hour with DD Nyhan & Denise, reliving the golden days and providing solutions to all of racing problems, RIP DD, true legend.

2. Laying a hand on 3 time Cup winner Terror To Love, him actually letting me and not giving a toss, what a temperament.

People and horses, besides a few bad eggs it throws up its a great game this, let’s not forget it.

[Lightning Blue]

3 hours ago, Blackie said:

2. Laying a hand on 3 time Cup winner Terror To Love, him actually letting me and not giving a toss, what a temperament

The real 'Blackie' had a lovely temperament as well , (and some ability too just like TerrorToLove) with 4 Interdominion Grand Final wins and $4.5 mill prizemoney.

That's him (now 21) with Nat this year at her mum's place in Qld. and that's him in his racing days on my Moniker to the left there. 

( he's the champ Oz Blackie, so you must be the champ Nz One lol.... ) 

Another Highlight for Karrots thread here,  is in the BLACKS A FAKE G1 this year at Albion ,(the race named in Blackie's honour)  the grand mare 'Amazing Dream' for NZ came and won the race, beating the two best Aussie runners going around,  in King Of Swing and Expensive Ego.  'Copy That' had big Brisbane win too in the Sunshine Sprint to fly the kiwi flag high.

[karrotsishere]

Noms have closed. Thx to those who contributed. What a fab list we made! In brief as below 25 points. Don’t forget in near future Rusty has something to share - positive which is a game changer, but he can’t quite share yet. Wonder what it is ... ? TBA.

1. Handicapping system - work in progress, amend as they go. Latest being allowing rating down to R35. Also scrapping 2 win horses from not being allowed to drop below R45.
2. Great horsemanship shown by Jnr Driver, N Delany R6 Xmas Eve Cambridge.
3. Someone has knocked off Allstars in NZ Cup which hasn't happened in many years.
4. Grand exhibition in Interdom Trot with 2 well respected NZ Trainers Brosnan & Williamson taking out a great quinella. Grand exhibition at the Interdom Pacing Final, with a 22 y/o driver & 28 year old Trainer, after a fabulous year of results, taking Pacing Final with an old Claimer horse. 
5. The rise of Sarah O'Reilly.
6. Robbie Close & his ability to be patient & come through a field rather than be 7 wide.           
7. Cambridge Raceway Transport incentive.
8. New race called The Race.
9. All Mic-ed Up Series.
10. Cambridge 24th Xmas Eve introduced a day once a year BYO.
11.  Some good work undertaken by the Racing Integrity Unit.
12. Sundees Son trotting 3.56.6 for 3200m.
13. Fantastic to see a couple of battlers, horse/jockey, win G1 at Ellerslie Boxing Day.
14. Getting win number 100 for the syndicates started & another Interdom runner up. 
15. I didn't get vaccinated.
16. Whether it be a nondescript meeting from the West Coast to Cup day at Addington its living the dream.
17. James Francis reining one home at 10's & change on first day at Westport.
18. 2 Nairn horses wins, the Xmas credit card account is paid & in a healthy credit.
19. Seeing terrific crowds on course over the Christmas period specially in South.
20. Watching Bettors Twist race very well throughout season, she tries so hard.
21. New racing calendar an upgrade on old one & was well overdue.
22. How they backtracked on closing some tracks like Geraldine who always had good stakes & turnover. 
23. Spending 1/2 hour with DD Nyhan & Denise, reliving the golden days & providing solutions to all of racing problems, RIP DD, true legend.
24. Laying a hand on 3 time Cup winner Terror To Love, him actually letting me & not giving a toss.
25. Grand pic made public of Blakes a Fake at age 21 with Nat this year at her mum's place in Qld.

Edited December 29, 2021 by karrotsishere