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Chris use to ride this boys uncle Grand Rapids

Best of the best Baz and settles them well, more importantly Chris will tell you what you have, few words a wry smile but you know if you listen

CW Johnson

Awesome ride today Its nearly 4 weeks of re-education so far. might be finally turning a corner... and it was full on windy, blowing all that a horse would shy at

Had a friend who got a pair of meatloaf undies, on the front it said I will do anything for love, and at the back, it had, but i wont do that.

Some where in our industry there must be a brain that processes logic. We are failing at most things racing and one of them is the platform of racing distances for our two year olds. In fact I might add all racing but let's just stick to the 2yos. I watch racing from all around the world so I suppose I have a slightly more expansive view on what is right or wrong. Not saying I'm always right (you there Leo), just saying that if your knowledge filter's gain is open, you probably have a better perspective. I also travel extensively and go and look at things that interest me. Horses is one of them. So imagine standing in a stable in France, looking at a whole bunch of blue bloods by the best sires out of cracking families and spying a cracking put together colt that could grace any turf anywhere in the world. Strong, powerful sort, sensational head with a great balanced jowl, good size, great eye, ever so slightly out in near fore but nothing to get squeamish about. Knees closed up, not up behind, looking a picture of health. So on type a really nice 2 yo. The month is May and he's just had a quiet gallop with 15 others in a string. Moves beautifully. So thinking this will be one to watch, I sidle up to the trainer and cheekily ask him where he was going to run. The response stopped me. "I am going to run him in a maiden 1600m race in the later part of summer " was the response " probably on a lessor track for confidence". Well there you go. !600m first up for a 2yo who looked like an early 2yo but with scope. So this was the result....the horse in the Hamdan colours blue and white...raced in front all the way http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/race-replays/2/4041/ Now I fully expect this horse won't break down. He won't have his career extinguished or curtailed due to having to run flat out over too short a distance, on bad tracks where you have to accelerate around bends because you've had a bad barrier draw, or that the racing surface is buggered. I expect this horse to go on to a listed stakes race, back over the right distance and then on to other assignments as a three year old with high expectations. Why don't our leaders understand that physiologically 1200m racing for our 2yos is limiting our potential and the potential of our horses? If they don't look at this aspect of NZ racing with urgency, then they are all morons of the highest accord.

Quite seriously Berri, I don't think there is anyone who looks at these sorts of things. There are so many structural things that could easily be changed to enhance the industry at little cost, but no one is really interested enough or clever enough to do them. I have even radically suggested that the SI should consider a 2yo race further than 1,200m myself in the past. It is all "big picture" stuff these days; no one is interested in "boring" things. Now if you were to suggest 25 race courses that should be closed down you would get lots of interest. That is the sort of thing that enthuses people these days.

I sent him to Massey a couple of days after the race for a full examination and bloods etc. All clear 100 percent okay. He reacts to his envoriment... for eg, I was riding him just walking him around and a bird sung out a bird warning call and he reacted to that... I was working him just on sunrise and as the sun came up the sunlight set him off .... this is why the full cup blinkers went on and now he's not so reactive. I'm not young and I don't know if I'm going to be fit enough to give this lad the type of work he needs. Thanks for you comments thou.

Christ Tim, if Aucklanders can't get off their arses to go to the Park, who in their right mind would expect them to go to Pukekohe...??? Too many other options on a Saturday night for the discretionary dollar. The only thing that gets people back to the track is Champions. And they are in short supply right now. ....

"Permanent scowl"; "nothing pleasant to say" This sounds like your sort of town Crusty. That's what you get for living "up north". We don't get that sort of carry on down in the Heartland ....in "Real New Zealand".

A little aside but reminds me of the Irish lad who fronted up to the Pope when he was doing a mass blessing and healing session. The Pope asked "What is your problem my Son?" The lad said "Can ye help me wit my hearing, Father." The Pope laid his hands on his head, blessed him, uttered the usual magic words in Latin "Hoco Poco, chocolate and Cocoa," then stepped back and asked "How is your hearing now my Son?". The lad answered "I can't tell Father. It's not till next T'ursday."

You’re kidding! No?

The whistleblower surrounding the Trump/Ukraine president phone call.... i believe was baited!! typical Q operation taking place. (optics) I wouldnt put it past the white Hats to do so.. afterall the information came by the whistleblower third-hand, and given the malcontent.. of many Anti-trumpers and the levels of stupidity they exhibit.. they fall for FAKE INFORMATION albeit fake news continually!! The cleverness of the white-hats of course is the bait is used to bring the corruption of Biden to the Fore... making it public and giving it media attention!! (this serves multiple purposes) The MSM fake news outlets of course move into damage control.. by switching the narrative making it about a National Security Issue.. Sensible people with good discerning gifts already know the how the MSM operate!! Their patterns are so obvious now, it would be diffucult for a blind man to Not see!!

although some have known for a good while now... its good for people to see a passionate man who is shedding light on corruption!! The man was once the Mayor of New york city... during the time when the twin towers came down!! gotta love this man for his passion and courage to take on the role which the FBI has failed to do!! https://youtu.be/pPsiSM4H8ZY

At last.... some real truth about climate change

That lovely "Lifestyle Village" doesn't seem quite so appealing now does it....??

Shame, but it was well known that he had soundness problems, that's why he hadn't raced as a younger horse. Lets hope they can get him back

I'm afraid harness in the north ain't going anywhere.maybe reverse.

If he's that reactive to ride then he may have something wrong with his back or wither. Horses are normally very genuine but react to what they feel. You might just need to investigate that. If you had a croock back or neck and it was bad as soon as someone gets on top, you might also react the same way. Just thinking about it.

i don't know who i feel more sorry for you or greta thunberg ohoka would you keep ringing des coppins or the whale for 3 years if they never tipped a winner????? sniff some pepper or swig on some vinegar ohoka i don't think its too late..............

Sent my mare too him. Fingers crossed. Seems to be promising reports out of both europe and waiarapa about the stock that he is leaving

I may be wrong, but I seem to recall that one of the main reasons they changed from Saturday nights to Friday nights was they got first bight out of the workers pay packet before gallops on saturday day. Of course nowdays very very few workers get a brown envelope on a Thursday or Friday as it all goes into bank account so this argument no longer valid. Yes Tim, at least the club should try some Saturday nights. We know you trainers would relish the motorways without the Friday 5 pm congestion and I'm sure many of the general public would also embrace this.

Wasn't pukekohe bought at a bargain price to be a showpiece training track.aint seen much money spent on it.the functions are often racenight. Not sure how many would attend a meeting at pukekohe.what about shifting to Saturday nights at the park.

It was on that basis Baz that we have even carded an extra race for you to have a bet on at Te Aroha on Sunday. Speaking of Petoton great to see Jason Waddell back out on the track and winning. See you Sunday

Churlish is how I would describe any knocking of Melody Belle. Her performances in her last 2 runs have been exceptional. The discussion about where she rates against Aust opposition (and against past top horses) is all opinion at this point and hopefully gets clarified by her going back there this season. Surely at least she has confirmed the correctness of her horse of the year title for last season. Looks to me that she goes even better when there is rain around - maybe the Ifraaj mare provided that extra talent. The other interesting thing is that she won less each time in the 2019 versions of the HB first 2 legs than she did when winning the same races in 2018. More evidence of our declining industry.

News here that Meatloaf is to be the replacement act. Zelda sayed thats left field n0? like a bat out of hell......

Geez Berri! "This aspect" might have to find a place in the queue somewhere.

I imagine our ' leaders' are listening to our 'trainers'.