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What a disgrace the Ellerslie track was last Saturday. It looks like most of the grass or roots are dead. With so long not racing on it, the rail out a appalling 12m, and still they were on the outside fence. Its a disgrace of a track!

Now that's more like the "left of centre rant" that we're used to seeing. Although, after a couple of days without a bite, I was starting to fear that you'd taken your bat and ball, and stomped off, never to return to Racecafe .... again! My original statement was "And to think some morons actually thought the Addington hammering was a carefully conceived race plan that would "improve her!" Any fool can see that the Addington run didn't do her any good at all. Any fool can see that Gavin Smith had a brain explosion Any fool can see that Smith should have been charged with failing to drive her in a manner to obtain the best result. Any fool can see that the decision to race at Methven wasn't Geoff Dunns finest training moment. As for the rest of your rant - it's classic BWD/AAB/JS stuff - but doesn't change the fact that the Addington run has effectively destroyed the horses campaign, if not her career.

how many $millions of Triple Trio squanderings..have been prevented from bolstering Stake levels? Martin Saunders was an arch bluffer instituting agendas that were obvious failures and great detrimentals to the industry..and listening to him 'selling' these was infuriating for the expose' of his ineptitude. his explainations during interviews stood out for not making 'a circle of sense'..yet he was allowed to prevail over us. Who is responsible for him being re-hired!!!

After watching yesterday's racing at Ashburton I asked myself what is the point. I don't find watching $1.20 shots winning for fun, fun. Is the dominance of the 2nd teir major races good for the industry. How can one pair of trainers be so much better than everyone else. Is this good for harness racing in NZ

Is this really a comp to pick 10 horses or just a comp to pick the winner of the NZ Cup? The cup is worth $412,500 to the winner, so really if you haven't picked the Cup winner then you don't have a chance of winning the comp. What do you people think - do you like this present format based on stakes, or the old Super Stable which was points based? The present edition has been going for around 2 months and the leader has 179 thou. In one fell swoop if he doesnt have the cup winner in his stable he plummets way down the rankings.

Big Ears earned a $7500 Met Multiplier bonus at Addington on Friday night. Why does this horse deserve such a reward? Big Ears is a mediocre trotter, poorly trained and unfit. The horse has had 28 starts for one win and two placings. Generally, it breaks at the start and when it doesn't break it is beaten 1000m from home. Yet, because it lines up week after week without reward and many lengths from the placegetters, the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club thinks this horse merits a handout of $7500. Could someone explain to me how this benefits harness racing in any way.

I can understand the logic of programming races at this track in the winter months re: the track conditions, but the end of October surely there are several other venues closer to the horse population that could be utilised?

Even when they knock YOUR horse down? The punter can recover in the next race- the owner may wait weeks or months for another crack and at considerable expense.

Howie fyi.... I'll "do my bit" and have a spare set of picks for Bryan just in case he doesn't front Mind you just imagine if I lost(quite possible on current form)...be totally worst than "kissing ya sister". More like a self inflicted upper cut....ouch

Looks like Gary and Stephen haven't been able to come up with too much new stuff yet to lift that TAB customer experience so Martin hasn't wasted any time in giving John some good advice on how to boost turnover. Santa's Picks are back starting 31 October!

Remember Sam Spratt an earlier McKee Apprentice went through the same stage. Bob Vance was appointed to mentor her. I am very forgiving of Jockeys. There are enough grumpy punters bagging them already!

Classic!!!! Very charitable assessment Gubes.

Reluctant to condemn Alyssa but she managed to interefere with four horses in an eight horse field. Probably trying too hard. I am sure Noel will counsel her and go over the tape of the race. Ditto her boss.

I did say earlier to Pogo his only danger is Hughie...But good onya Porty for admitting to Belinda and I you were wrong on this occasion. will be my turn next time mate, Both those two on fire at the moment and the trainers and owners jump on the bandwagon making it even cruisier for them...But O.P,s strike rate on average to good horses has earnt him those plumb rides and he is now being recognised for his natural talented riding.

I really enjoyed reading these posts .... hope some more come up soon. Always interesting to see different points of views when it comes to breeding thoroughbreds. Personally Bloodlines are important. ..but they always come second to the type of horse is standing in front of you at the end of the day. You could bred to the most desirable bloodlines the market has to offer/marketed the best and end up with a three hoof horse that no one will buy or bother racing. So when I breed thoroughbreds I enjoy taking time studying bloodlines rather relaxing part of the process and then 11.5 mths later the foal is born the first thing I am really hoping is that the foal is a great looking and well balanced type and the cleaner the front leg joints are the better.....this type does not come along offen.

HRNZ believes animal welfare considerations are paramount to the sustainability and integrity of the harness racing industry - yeah right If this really is what HRNZ believe then why would you even consider giving him the opportunity to reapply for his licences I agree with "the janitor" should be a lifetime ban

Yep, all good. Thanks for giving me the Gruffster...

No nobody could explain this because it is shite and shows desperation to get starters.This horse would not bring much income through betting and trainer doesnt have huge amount of horses start at Addington.

I think Purdon is just so far ahead in his thinking,i know of a local Ashburtonian who a few years ago had Mark look at a few at yearling sales that he thought would make older staying horse and Mark said that he thought only one would be suiteable for what buyer wanted.They got him for 6000 other 2 both went for over 30000.Mates horse had 1 start as 2yo for 2nd,had 6 starts for 3yo for 2 wins,won 1st 4 starts as 4yo and sold to Aussie for 30 times purchase price.Other 2 were bought by another S.I top stable and 1 hasnt raced other has won 1 race so far. Mark can pick out a horse for the buyers circumstances,my mate didnt buy a horse to sell,he was thinking about a cup horse but got offered too good a money.But Mark was right on ball with purchase.And to cap it all off Mrk told him who to get to break it in and school it and also suggested another trainer in early stages to keep cost down.He didnt take over training until 4yo .Because he knew what he was buying

Saunders et al should syndicate a horse and call it Proven Failure.

Just put them on hold while you find the "Householder" LJ......they tend not to ring back......

The 6 year-16 page Strategic Plan booklet, shows no plans for finding funds for a polytrack/all weather track. So, when Mr Purcell says "we (NZTR) haven't got our act together", it shows they (NZTR) haven't got the foresight for future plans for one either. NZ is the only PART I country (I checked) with no polytrack/all weather tracks-we continue to race in HEAVY10 tracks all through winter. Whats the opinion of a horse sale export tax that would be put into stakes and infrastructure (pay for a polytrack)?

Hi Eljay, I have been in both competition formats and think either one is acceptable for me. The previous one had bonus points based on group race status, along with bonus points for dividends on a section scale over $4. My formula for the present competition, and what I attempted to anticipate, was to have runners in as many of the big races on Cup day as possible, but hoping to have more runners racing on 31st December at Alexandra Park, when all stakes for the competition are doubled. Consequently, I have three of my stable who have not raced yet, and hoping all going well they will be racing on 31st December. Think I have live chances in two of the three big stakes races on cup day, so hoping they will get some decent dollars for my stable. Time will tell. Just a reminder, we can change up to two of our stable between the 3rd and 4th November if we so wish. Cheers. Robert

gubellini... This one's first G1 win gives the (recent) family fourteen G1's? All the best. Ashoka

Believe it or not jimsmith i have sometimes strayed from my moral high ground and used that word with varying results. I tend to use it and add the word ME to it. Depending who i am with and what i am doing at the time i can count at least 3 different reactions.

Has a massive book of rides at Flemington on Saturday including 4 Grp 1 rides. Even gets to wear the famous all Blue colours twice and ride at 54 Kgs. Lets hope his winning run continues.

Glad to be of service Crusty. Such a helpful and versatile word suitable for so many occasions

No Emirates Melbourne Cup likely this year. More likely to be something like the 'Guaranteed 4 k First 4 and 20 k Terminating Quaddie 3200 metre Handicap', brought to you by the all powerful NZ TAB, that says stuff you to race sponsors and renames Cox Plate's to a name that suits it better.

Great win.....but I doubt I will live long enough to see a horse get a run like that in the last 600m of that race.

Hi Porks....yes I was wrong. Been very busy lately, no not in jail.....but far too busy to be getting on here!!

Purdon is ahead of the other trainers. If they want to get better, they do their jobs better, and they get better animals. This is market forces at work. The truth is the NZ harness racing industry has fallen so far off the pace, it is now a case of a couple of professional outfits who are using all the modern training techniques, and the part timers, and those who try to have big teams by cutting the corners using jogging machines and galloping instead of putting the level of detail required into producing finely tuned professional equine athletes. The game has moved on. The industry here hasn't. And those have haven't are being left behind on the track. It doesn't help that a lot of the success the Purdons have is in the short term gain business, 2 and 3YO racing. But that is another story.

Good decision, but there is no mention of the length of time Stratford will lose his licences. I think it should be a lifetime ban.

My Jimmy Choux - Miss Alini colt ran 3rd ay recent Avondale trials also.

Thank you jimsmith. My edjewmarkation has now be completed.

He's done a bit of work Porky. He may surprise. Good on him.

the idoit pogo is having a bad weekend his missus credit cards were stollen i heard boris ask him was he reporting this to the bank & police peoples but pogo said no way he reckoned the theifs were spending less than she was.

Yep, it's worthwhile reading, I enjoyed it

I meet a lot of stallion owners or people who are interested in the stallions wellfare only. Were the chegue book mentality exists. They are happy to take any mare for any reason. My chosen roll in the business is to help brood-mare owners get the best results and breed a top horse.

Breeder I embrace the right of Swynford or anyone for that matter that is prepared to put forward and postulate their thoughts on pedigrees. It is wonderful that we have a platform here to discuss these matters and it’s good that some of these theories and observations are, whether we agree or not. I like to look at all the angles before making up my own mind about what works and is going on behind pedigrees. When we discuss and investigate openly on this forum everyone benefits in the end. What this latest example involving the results between Good Journey and daughters of O’Reilly clearly demonstrates IMO is that O’Reilly himself and not Best In Show could be the factor behind the apparent success of the pattern to date. What is also evident is that the “mirror” theory involving other related sires stemming from Best in Show is not working as well. Redoute’s Choice probably the most successful sire that is tail female to Best In Show has displayed a distinct affinity with mares by Last Tycoon whose sire Try My Best is also a member of the Best In Show family. (22% stakes winners to foals). Howeve, like Good Journey, examination of the results of mares by related sires Hurricane Sky, Spinning World, Umatilla, Xaar, Masterclass and O’Reilly have not yielded anywhere near the same results for Redoute’s Choice with only 1 stakes winner between them (27 foals of racing age, 16 starters, 15 winners and one stakes winner - Tranquillity ). Interestingly there have been just two foals out of mares by El Gran Senor and his son Al Hareb sired by Redoutes Choice.( El Gran Senor is an own brother to Try My Best). Redoute’s Choice has sired NZ Derby GR1 winner Redoutes Dancer and stakes placed Strive To Excel to this pattern. Perhaps in the case of Redoute’s Choice the catalyst may actually be Sex Appeal, a daughter of Best In Show. The advent of the computer has IMO made breeders lazy and they look to duplications and linebreeding close up on pedigree grids to make some sense in what would otherwise be a sea of names on a page. I suspect that being able to point to a duplication provides a ready and plausible answer behind the success of a horse. Duplications and colour coded patterns on a page are a source of comfort and give breeders a sense of purpose and confidence when planning a mating. The narrowing of the breed in modern times means that we are going to see more and more inbreeding, duplication (and multiplications) of certain influential horses to the extent that it will become the norm and accepted practice in the industry. Already new terminology is being coined by pedigree analysts eg “parallel line breeding”. I remember a time when “international outcross” was bandied about and “hybrid vigour” and these were terms used to explain the success of horses that were the product of bringing together geographically isolated thoroughbred populations whose local bloodlines were each quite different to the others with some commonality further back. I suppose Danehill would have been a fine example of the “international outcross” when his mainly American bloodlines took off with the Australian bloodlines laden with Star Kingdom and European elements. With the advent of shuttle sires and large commercial books of mares many sales catalogues around the world nowadays look quite similar.

Good discussion. Pedigree is one thing but you either have an athletic horse standing in front of you....or you don't . I'm a breeder but would prefer to be a buyer....down to one mare now!