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I'm sorry my dog has disappointed you in his first 2 starts, have you followed him through his break in process? without that I do ask how you can judge him to be 'a c4 dog at best," Quite Frank if he turns out to be a c4 dog I would be more then happy. I thought however I would find you some other dogs who may have disappointed you in their maiden races Know Danger 30.81 Know Attempt 31.22 Know Ambition 31.47 Know Peace 31.22 Know Class 30.84 (first win at addington in c1) Culvie Magic 31.18 Jinjarango 30.95 Cawbourne Abbey 30.88 Idol Girl 31.04 His Lordship 31.45 Jewel Eagle 30.72 I'm more than happy to continue the list if you want some others that won their maidens in times like my boy did that then went on to be very good dogs. Hunter is young, it was his first race at invercargill, and I dont think hes lost supporters. At no point did i think oh I should of sold him, I dont line my dogs up expecting to win, I line them up hoping they can win.

Can anybody in authority at the Trackside management please explain to me WHY do you persist in putting up that "black blind" on the screen that blocks the very same pictures you pay your camera crew to take for us all to see.??? I have emailed, I have rung the helpdesk and the operators that agree with my concern say we will pass your complaint on...The details are displayed on the left of the screen and on the moving by line at the bottom so why do you keep blocking fresh information of interest. For example this evening at Manakau race 3 the whole Stir up pictures were blacked out.... WHY?.. I am not the only one that has been asking for a logical reason for this ongoing insult to viewers... Clarkie

I'll drink to that.... "arrogance" .. and in actual affect it has an opposite effect on what some gripper at Trackside is trying to achieve...

Unsure if your question is rhetorical. They won't answer you. Why should they? They have no need. This very unhelpful situation has been causing considerable frustration for a long time and will continue to do so. Why? Because somebody at Trackside was given the green light to come up with a system that put all the priority on the dividends over and above everything else. It matters not one jot to them how we all feel about it. They have exactly what they want and they know best. Pure arrogance.

Twelve months ago I had 4 of my own horses in work here in NZ where they reached trial stage. Because of the pathetic stakes situation I stopped and they all sat in the paddock. I have since broken in 3 two year olds. Half are back in work now as I have decided anything showing promise will be heading to our property in Aust to race there. This is now only possible as I have a Public trainer taking up residence at my stables ,which has given me the incentive to continue here, as I have 20 horses of varying ages ,including broodmares in NZ. Further down the track I am still considering moving everything to Aust but as Nz is still the best nursery to rear young stock this has been halting this decision. I have only been able to stay in the game as I do all work myself, including shoeing. Age has made me more cautious in the riding department but unfortunately this racing is a disease which is hard to shake. I only wish those bastards in Wellington would start listening and increase stakes or at least bring back free racing,which would be some help.

The problem is Hesi he is not alone - the others are still there

Ashley. You don't have to answer to anyone other than owners when they're disappointed with one of your dog's performances. Your dog's always give their best and usually only racing luck beats them. You have a great team at the moment and are doing a top job with them. All the best for the remainder of the season. Corey Steele.

I agree.We want him back one day. The other side of Tony was his auctioneering ability and it was no better demonstrated at Calcuttas we held at Hutt Park prior to the trotting Cup at Hutt Park for several years. The bugger cost me plenty. My wife Nancy loved the evenings with dinner and the Calcutta and after a wine or three she got keen to bid but always at my cost. The first year or two she caught me off guard, bidded and Tony accepted it with yours truly paying. I finally woke up and sat behind her placing my hands around her arms and waist to prevent her bidding.It worked for a while but alas she found a way around it. To this day I don't know if she connived with Tony to out think me. The next year she threw herself back in her chair, raised her rather attractive leg and Tony took the bid off her raised toe, much to the amusement of those present and my cost. Tony has many talents but most of all a wonderful sense of humour which we all need in life to survive. Lee you owe me but we still love ya.

He holds his head very similar to Tavistock when unleashing his run. Having Montjeu and Sadlers Wells in his pedigree should help his Derby prospects.

To me he is a definite throwback to Volksraad, looks, temperament, build, and even racing action for the few starts he had and Volksraad whose progeny has gone over distance was out of Celtic Assembly (a dam of G1 winners), and we all know Secretariat's CV as a damsire. I think distance shouldn't be a problem for him as long as the jock doesn't fight him. He seems to love running so you let him run.

perhaps one more category .... "lunatics" ANd there are definitely days when I wonder if I am in this category given the state of things in racing here ...

I could but i don't want to offend our more prudish viewers

Some years ago, I recall talking to an owner whose mare had won around 10 races - some of them rather good races (I am still dreaming of producing a horse of this quality!) At the time, I was shocked to learn that in financial terms, they were still slightly in deficit. Yes, yes - many of us do it for the passion we have for the thoroughbred and the sport - but the cost:return ratio is ridiculous and the sustainability of the industry must come into question with increasing costs (and stagnant stakes). What percentage of horses ever make a net profit? Anyone hazard a guess? Now this is tricky - `cos costs and other factors are variable - but how many wins should a horse have to chalk up to reasonably be expected to put the owner in the black? I don't know the figures for what is an "average" racehorse - what percentage get to the races - ever win a race etc - but I am led to believe a horse with 2 wins to its name from very limited starts is probably better than average? I have such a horse. Love her to bits and still hoping to see more from her on the track. But I can tell you now - I bred her -she is by a mid-range stallion ($12K service fee) - she has been well-placed race-wise - and I have managed to save quite a lot on agistment and doing things myself with her. But if I was brave enough to do the sums - I know I would be in a massive hole as far as stakes vs costs. In fact sometimes it feels like someone has drilled a hole in the bottom of my bank account and the dollars are trickling (occasionally gushing!! ) out! That example - and that of my friend from a few years back, are stark examples of the fact that the rich (TAB, industry officials) get richer - and the owners get screwed.

We had a great day at the sales yesterday selling 3 of the top 5 yearlings, this trio amassing $1.8m between them TOP LOTS - MAGIC MILLIONS GOLD COAST YEARLING SALE - DAY TWO Lot C/S Sire Dam Vendor Buyer Price 249 b/f Redoute’s Choice - Flavoured Arrowfield Stud, (As Agent) R.Worthington/Scone B’stock $720,000 359 b/c Redoute’s Choice - Kidman Newhaven Park, (As Agent) J. Harron B’stock/J. Moynihan $720,000 308 b/f Snitzel - Hokuspokus Arrowfield Stud, (As Agent) G. Waterhouse Racing/J. Kelly (USA) $620,000 252 b/c Sepoy - Florentina Segenhoe Stud AUS Pty Ltd, (As Agent for Fairway T’breds) Moody Racing P/L $520,000 389 br/f Redoute’s Choice - Line Honours Arrowfield Stud, (As Agent) Lee Freedman/Jon Kelly (USA) $500,000 230 ch/f Snitzel - Fairchild Bell View Park Stud Gerald Ryan/Jadeskye Racing $450,000 207 b/c So You Think - Dorabella Kia-Ora Stud Scone Bloodstock Services $430,000 246 b/f Redoute’s Choice - Fit And Ready Vinery Stud, (As Agent) Belmont B’stock Agency (FBAA) $420,000 271 b/c Exceed And Excel - Fumble Willow Park Stud J. Harron B’stock/Snowden Racing$400,000 283 b/f Fastnet Rock - Global Dance Element Hill Lee Freedman/Jon Kelly (USA) $400,000 If you want to watch some excitement we will be selling our best colt in mid-afternoon today. He is Lot 485, a Smart Missile colt. The link to watch the sales is: http://www.magicmillions.com.au/live-broadcast/

There should be no food shortages in NZ,Derek Fox has a big enough chip on his shoulder to feed everyone.

Derek Fox should be investigated by the authorities for displaying an attitude that murder is OK if someone offends someone else's cultural sensitivities. Possibly a very dangerous individual in the current NZ political environment, especially for one who is/has actually been involved in politics here.

Figures I work on Jess when I visit the "sane" zone are--10% make it to the races, 4% win a race and 1% pay their way. So sanity not a common state amongst race-horse owners but then again same applies to getting married, having kids, buying boats,drinking booze, etc. The biggest outrage is having to pay to line them up at the races so that the bureaucratic bludgers can retain their bloated-salary jobs.

Starting at Head Office!

this is quite a shame.. have a lot of time for maroney brothers/horses. but as I have stated in past.. this would not be the only stable in nz that has problems of this sort... driving taxis around the takanini area , stable hands, jockeys returning to stables drunk and high never got looked at and when I said it , my comments were attacked.as bullshit.. and wrong... like any industry.. this one needs a clean out...

Sad day for our industry when one of the most well known figures of the sport is expendable. Sends a very clear message about how valued those who contribute to the sport are seen by some in Wellington and that as Tony said, it really is now less about the horses and personalities and simply a tipping channel.

Addington today & no surprise IMHO. I sure hope the stewards finally now have enough evidence to sort this one out. Funnily enough, the #1 (tote favourite) beat the #2 to the finish line, although it was for the minors.

More guilty than Blade Runner.

When they do the racing form on the TAB website and do the write ups for the last starts in the form guide (as in the mini form option that you get on the website and in the racebooks etc) what margins do they use in the form guide for their last start margin.. the ones we see posted on the TAB results website or nzracing info.. does anyone know? Because if they use what is posted on the TAB results then they will be way off. It's not just race 4 today SLB, it's a few races, and come to think of it, not just today...

You must be quite short Prodigious? Because that one appears to have passed well over your head!

Good post chestnut.I have a share in a 2yo Darci Brahma filly out of Mistrale.She was a Volksraad mare who won the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth over 2400m.Volskraad also sired Torlesse who won the N.Z. Cup over 3200 m.

So its quite possibly an excuse of convenience?

Rotorua Race 8 John, Nekky, Alf, Brian & Maria end the day on a winning note, with John once again a dominant winner. John & PJ are through to Saturday's Grand Final and as I am making a 4th spot available there are two more finalists to be found from the 10 competitors who can still claim a place. Big showdown at Tauranga over 8 races tomorrow ! 1st - 10 My Secret $3.30 $1.60 2nd - 1 Blue Wagon $3.20 3rd - 2 Ester $2.50 Scr: 13-18 Leaderboard (points in brackets) 366.00 John (10) 267.00 Nekky (6) 205.00 Alan (4) 195.00 Mike (2.5) & Alf (2.5) 178.00 PJ (1) ---------------points line------------ ---------profit line-------------------- 138.00 Sarah 137.00 Brian 121.00 Ray 103.00 Richard 102.00 Geoff 95.00 Rob 89.00 Rosina 86.00 Maria 51.00 Jack 48.00 Cam & Betty 23.00 Howie POINTS 47 John 37 PJ ------confirmed finalists above this line------------------------ 24 Nekky 20 Jack 19 Richard & Howie 16 Alan 13 Geoff 12.5 Brian 12 Alf 11 Sarah 10 Cam ------possible finalists only above this line----------------- 7 Rob & Ray 5 Betty 3.5 Mike 1 Kay 0 Maria

We have sold 7 yearlings so far for $4,305,000 so it's a good sale thus far. Best sellers are : $720k for a Redoute's Choice filly, half-sister to Aerobar $360k for a Snitzel filly out of the 1000 Guineas winner Clean Sweep

Four in a row - backed them all and backed 2+3 in jockey challenge. Wish it was always this easy.

Retired. Riding work at Baker/Forsman stables and has a jims mowing franchise so if you need lawns done in Cambridge/Hamilton give him a ring.

The view of the Gavea track from the Redeemer statute is absolutely awesome. As are some of the other vistas from there. Ive been fortunate enough to visit Rio a few times in the last ten or so years and have been to the races at Gavea on most occasions. They race Friday nights and Sundays from memory, on turf and dirt, the facilities are very good with a beautiful members area (no jandels) which includes a stricking marble staircase and concourse. The public area is also very good. Entry costs if not free are very minimal. On my last visit about two years ago there was group one racing ( a derby I think) and if there was an admission charge it was small and included a sheet with a form guide. The course itself is near some of the better parts of Rio as in Leblon and Impanema and probably only a mile from the beach. Next door is the home ground of Flamingo Football Club one of Brazils trendy clubs. If heading on course its probably best to sharpin up your Portuguese. Firstly the pronounciation of "Hippodrome" so the cabbie can get you there without you having to do all sorts of horse riding charades on the pavment untill they go "AH Hippodrome". The tote system is easy and simple to use, but knowing numbers in portuguese is a help, though the tote staff are generally quite obliging. Calafete.

Ashoka, I think you'll find the problem with the passing lane at Alexandra Park is its poorly designed. When the lane is presented it appears there is room for a second inside run but as you get closer to the finish line it angles about 15 percent causing a second inside runner that gets in there to run out of room. E.g. Pocket Me (Auckland Cup) and Stent (most recent case), running over the pylons. Of course, it's too late when you realise it cuts back inside the final 50m but you're already in there. I recall Mark Jones saying it closes quite markedly near the finish, if you'll excuse the pun. So, I think the ATC will confirm there is only room for one to use it to the finish, but good on you for investigating. Hopefully your questions will improve actions for the future.

Well when you are fat,bald old and ugly as well as unemployed time is the only thing you have on your side.

I think there could be more than that - it sort of reminds me of insider trading and I am sure there is a history of that with one or more of the board members- by the way what is the board members expertise in property development- might not be much as lots of people think- and the ceo whats she an expert in. it is always possible boards ceos etc come into an organization wreck it and then move on to more highly paid jobs- I am sure racing has many examples of this. any way john has the cat got your tongue- or have u been told to zip it by the bosses- the ones that personally recruited you. how many members or friends did u sign up to the club so you and your mates took the risk out of losing votes on proposals of the board,

I tend to agree with hsvman. I'm still a bit neutral on passing lanes full stop but appreciate that view is a bit archaic. Always roll my eyes when one gets up the passing lane to nut something that has worked harder - and the commentator/presenter says something like - "super run there"

I can't hear you signed Mr NOCANDO cHAIRMAN OF NZRACING.

The only way I can pay for my horses is wife trains them so reduced cost and my separate business supplements the costs also.Sometimes you wander what would I be doing if I did nt have a love and passion for these racehorses maybe have a freehold mansion on the beachfront instead have the morgage workin my ass off 6 days a week and chasing the dream or maybe shadow love it all the same.

haha.. it's pretty mod now Biff you still have to duck the odd chicken bone thrown randomly over the shoulder, and I might not be too quick to go to any the loos out the back near the fence line, but in the stand area very classy and the track is mint.

LOL... The dog is only 16 months old and has only had two starts!!! Gotta love the experts on here that can judge a young pup off 2 race starts. If I had a pup that was only 16 months old and ran a 5.80 / 18.02 middle split at Addington on debut I would be absolutely stoked.

He has now had the gall to appeal. Hopefully the Appeal Judges will increase the penalty.

He should get extra time on top of what he already has for wasting time and money, he should take it like a man and be grateful, he could of killed someone with his reckless actions.

Great! A super opportunity to really make him pay for the carnage that he created. Fine him $15,000 / $20,000 instead, and help pay for the running of the JCA. That will stop him and a few others from being so reckless in the future. Disclosure: Over the years some of my horses have been carved up in key races thus virtually stuffing the whole season which has cost of $20,000 +, hence my very strong view on this matter.

Wow its great to hear Tony again.

Fantastic Glen.. Couldnt be more deserving after what happened at the Cup meeting... Made sure we were perched in front of the TV for what was a brilliant win Well done Glen..

Loyalty is admirable, extremely, however the owner always has the last say, most trainers acknowledge that. Jack Denham had his way or the highway, he had the Whites, and before them Millie Fox for years and years, he didn't have Nick Moraitis for long considering as Nick likes a say, just ask Anthony Cummings, he lost plenty. At least it appears this owner has the horses interests at heart and not their ego……good luck to the chestnut flyer, I saw him win in Oz, he has a heart bigger than himself…….he can eat himself stupid, go well fella.

I read an article which said he has been retired by the owners rather than putting him through the trauma of a new stable.

..after the women's marathon distance athlete of a few decades ago? Joan won the first Women's Olympic marathon in 1984

Nothing wrong with Australians........"They were all hand picked by Britains finest magistrates"

I still have a problem with the view that just because it was the best horse in the race (subjective opinion sometimes of course) - if it carves up the field it is ok for it to hold the race.