Overcheck

The way I look at it Palliser is that the horse in front of her was under pressure, and she had a decision to make as to whether to wait and hope for a gap in time or go wide with a certain run. She may have done the wrong thing but theses drivers often have to make their decisions very quickly and it doesn't always work out. As a punter I would have been glad she did what she did with the certainty she would not be held up.

I can't see any reason why they shouldn't be able to race on their own all weather tracks, and it does provide variety.

The media full of left wing loonies hate racing because people get enjoyment from it, it provides jobs and gives the Government a lot of tax. This is the opposite to what these idiots think New Zealand (not aotearoa) should be about. They obviously live miserable lives and spend a lot of time looking for stories that blame somebody of wrongdoing. Then racing gets coverage.

The media hate racing because it brings pleasure to people and they are all about the sad things in life, as well as promoting the Governments lies.

The horses are faster now Tauhei Notts although don't seem to be stronger than in Orbiter's time. That may be because they are asked a lot of at 2and 3years old. The tracks are so much faster now which must be contributing to the fast times.

60 horses evacuated safely last night and so far no damage to any property. Fire came close to the stabling complex and is being held in check by the firemen despite strong winds. The smoke is fortunately blowing out to sea.

I think it would be well before the 1950s as I don't recall seeing most of those drivers during that period. I am pretty sure A Pringle didn't drive then but a Jack Pringle did. I could be wrong however as the mind is not as good as it once was.

Still my favourite horse of all time. The crowd used to cheer him as he went past the stands in his preliminary, and he would nod his head up and down as if acknowledging the applause. A household name during his racing time.

I was there that day and watched the race from the inside of the track and liked Smokeaway which was paying 3pound odd for a place. Once the fire got going it became the omen bet and came down to 1pound 10 shillings for a place and ran third. A collect but not what I was expecting.

Starts yesterday were good for both stands and mobiles and a huge improvement on Lamb's tactics, so yes I would say you could bet with confidence tomorrow.

Iraklis, I didn't say he was right, in fact the opposite. What I was saying was that if he wasn't a stipe then the other stipes would have done something about it. It is obvious he made a hash of the start---again.

Iraklis, the stipes wouldn't declare a false start even for this blatant shambles because Lamb is also a stipe. I think that is the reason nothing has been done to correct the situation. Past starters didn't use varying methods and got the field standing at the tape and then letting them go.

That's sad mikenz. I can remember Highland Fling winning and all since so I am not young, but I am still excited by the great race as much as I was as a young kid. There is something magic about the race even when fields are perhaps not as good as some in the past. It is still the NZ Cup which every harness owner, trainer and driver wants to win more than any other. The second Tuesday in November each year history is made. Mike, I would think you are far too young to be thinking old.

Still get plenty of breakers in the run up to the mobile starts, probably because the starter is hell bent on breaking the record for a vehicle reaching the start line. Standing starts have always had some breakers but now the main problem is the starter who has several ways of letting them go, none of which are fair to the whole field. This also gives some drivers a chance to try and out think the starter and get a flyer. The old starters didn't have all the trouble we see now because horses were made to STAND at the tape and drivers that tried to be smart were quickly bawled out.

Not ideal of course, but still a race to bet on and driver allocation will be some guide.