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Wow. What a day for Shirley and her pooches today. Biggest congrats to her. A hard working and very knowledgeable trainer who deserves every bit of success that comes her way. Surely everyone made a packet today?

IMO the ATC's intention's were sincere and sound to future proof the sport. Promise good sustainable stakes with budgeted increased cash flow from the apartments and retail rentals of their developments. It was expected this would give owners and trainers the confidence to increase horse numbers. As a newcomer to club I asked at a recent AGM why more 'like v like' races weren't planned among lesser grade horses including even amateur type of horses to get the field sizes up and the answer was that ATC should be catering for and aiming for a better quality of racing. This answer infers that the lower classes belonged at Cambridge etc.This would be OK except that horse numbers have continued to dive in the North. A couple of my syndicate horses have been sold but when races are cancelled through lack of entries or you are racing in wide bands of ratings and your horse has little or no show of even placing ,then it soon leads to moving them on.Then the rating system which can hammer your chances adds to the frustration. What is puzzling to me is the fact that the ATC and Cambridge don't control the calendar and programming and work together to ensure even decent sized fields. e.g. this week.....we are into winter racing now so instead of having 2 x meetings in two days with fields patched together...only 7 races at ATC surely a record low.....there should have been just the one meeting with decent sized and more even fields.Surely a win /win/win.All horses racing for better stakes ,more like v like , a better spectacle for betting and one club can cool heels for a week ! At this time ,desperate measures are needed and though you would not cancel a meeting a very short notice , some flexibility and collaboration would surely have a better outcome. There are the horses in Waikato/Auckland area ....but expenses are much higher than in south ,even feed I believe.

yes Westview.it s the manner of his wins which excites most of us. Many horses string 2 or 3 wins togetherand the owners and friends can get naturally optimistic they may have a buuding champion.However having watched 1000s of very promising horses it is rare to see one like UMC HE IS SPECIAL and after 6 from 6 any distance/any comp/stand/mobile He just appears a pacer who while still learning to race has untapped potential.A big plus is the owner will not sell "at any price"Lets hope he can get the general public intersted in harness racing as only champions can do.

Race 7 Cambridge." I've had several relationships that haven't lasted as long as this race is taking to run." I might not be mg greatest fan,but I enjoy his sense of humour.

I shouldn't drink during the week!

Good thing you didn't because they ran at New Plymouth. and there was a pretty good chance the Apprentices would go ok in the races you listed - it was an apprentice only day (apart from the two highweight races)

The ATC chose the higher risk/higher return alternative did they not. Don't current realities indicate they got it badly wrong. They won't be judged on good intentions. Putting that to one side. Why is it those running the ATC think increasing stakes would result in increased numbers? For years they have been saying the same thing, and for years that has not happened,so why all of a sudden would a failed strategy work?. The ATC aims to cater for the higher quality horse. So they would rather programme 8 races and have 6 or 7 in them, rather than programme 10 races with many having full fields. Its all about the quality. Do they not realize how dumb that sounds, but that is how they think. As I've asked before,does a full field rating 40-to 45 with a good but lesser stake return the club more or less $ from betting than a 6 horse high quality field,normally dominated by a favorite? And what about the fuller fields contributing to more connections turning up to the races, and the long term positive effect success,at whatever level,will have on future participation. I actually think the atc has contributed to decreased participation with their high quality approach,and once those participants with horses lower in the ratings give up,,You won.t get them or their horses back.,and they don't get replacement horses...

I recommend googling Nasal Strips for horses there is a ton of stuff about them on there very interesting.

Racing people were told almost 6 months ago there were serious police charges around the corner. Overseas betting accounts were being investigated. Many previous major Darren Weir wins were possibly under threat of disqualification. Owners were given no grace, Their horses were immediately scratched and barred from starting until new trainers found. Compare with Damion Flower his horses many in partnership with influential owners the stewards went out of their way to have them carry on racing. Whats worse the importation of $millions cocaine or having a few jiggers hidden away in the bedroom. It would appear the latter. I note Jarod Maclean hearing set down for June 17. Should be interesting.

We (harness racing) are certainly Doomed, if was left for parochials like you to guide it's destimy!!

One important point...don't put any other kind of bet on the nominated race(s) before you take the Win bet! I got caught out the other day with a $5 each way bet on Race 1 somewhere