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To all our loyal members and guests wishing you and your loved ones a safe and Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year for 2020... Thanks for everyones support this past year as we have continued to grow and be recognised as the voice of the industry... we will continue to strive to keep updating the site and the features of it for everyones enjoyment and participation... be safe and be happy...Leigh

Well it does contain the bare facts, doesn't it??

Hope that comment made you feel better poundforpound. I'm not perfect like you, but I am open and honest and do not care what you think of me

The Otago Daily Times counts down the 150 greatest moments in Otago sport. No 50: Dead heat at Dunedin Interdominions (1965) The official photo finish from the 1965 Interdominion pacing final, with Robin Dundee (outside) and Jay Ar (rail) crossing at the same time. Photo from <i>ODT</i> files. February in Dunedin of 1965 started with a visit from the Rolling Stones, but towards the end of the month began an event which really gave the city some satisfaction. The 1965 Interdominions at Forbury Park were talked about at the time as Dunedin's biggest drawcard since the South Seas Exhibition of 1926 and, on the front page of the Otago Daily Times of January 15, ran an article predicting the series would prove to be the biggest money-spinner for Dunedin since the goldrush. The Forbury Park Trotting Club was only awarded the Interdominions after Auckland, whose turn it was to stage the series, turned the opportunity down in 1963. That left the club 16 months to prepare to host Australasia's premier harness racing contest. The racecourse's existing facilities were deemed insufficient and so a new stand - considered at the time as the most up to date in New Zealand - was constructed at a cost of £106,000 (the average wage at the time was under £50 a week). The Forbury Park Interdominions marked the first time the series had been held under lights in New Zealand and the first time the races were broadcast live (on radio) since the club had changed to night trotting in 1961. The series lived up to expectations in many ways, with 15,760 people attending the final night on March 3 ( a Wednesday!) and 52,354 attending the four nights in total. The £147,901 on-course betting total on final night was a record for Otago and Southland, while the off-course figure of £182,362 was the largest bet on a night trotting meeting to that point. The ODT of March 4 recorded that over the series the racegoers consumed 45,000 cups of tea, 50,000 pies, 2000 gallons of beer and chips equivalent to 100 sacks of potatoes. The racing itself had a sensational climax when the pacing final ended in a dead-heat between Jay Ar and classy mare Robin Dundee, but only after Jay Ar was originally decorated as the outright winner and was parading with the victory sash while Robin Dundee was taken to the stabling area. Robin Dundee's driver, Doody Townley, who had kept insisting the presentation was premature, had told Jay Ar's trainer-driver, George Noble as the horses eased down: "I think I got you, George" to which Noble had replied: "Yes, I think you did." In the trotting final, champion South Australian mare Gramel, who had won her three heats from the back mark of 36yd, was upset by Southland mare Poupette.

That River Run in the first at Te Rapa looks interesting , two trials , second of which nice pointer, there is a few in this race though, one of which looks very progressive but from a stable reknowned for getting them up Sporadically . Worth a watch

A few runners that I thought were interesting this weekend , India at Te Rapa . 3 time winner over 2400 at Catterick Bridge . Low level track but some big stables send decent maiden fillies there to get head in front . Valachi and Cambridge Studs seem to be getting a few of these fillies down here from good staying families so good on them . This one half sister to Big Orange from a Stud that has been breeding good horses to race themselves for years .Distance should be way too short today though on known form . I like High Bridge in Sydney today , trip ideal could be his turn. Mega Heart ex Oh Romeo here from South Island and Tangmere the Frankel Karaka Sale topper from few years back should go well at Sha Tin tomorrow . I see Big Blue been scratched tonight at Cheltenham , was 33 to 1 . Looked decent ew value . Poms might be dismissing him bit early . He is decent chance of winning somewhere up there and could be at big odds .No chance at festival though. Anyone else got something to look out for ?

Wishing all a happy safe festive season and prosperous new year.

Westland RC chairman Gray Eatwell is a seasoned campaigner when it comes to monopolistic organisations. He is also a District Councillor. Good luck to RITA and Winston. They might come off second best in this stoush.

Well done Westland I hope many follow, great work

Cannabis.... well many years ago as a full time track rider and a very busy one at that. I fractured my neck in a spectacular fall at the gap at Avondale. I was one of the lucky ones and walked away from that fall.... but for the next three years I suffered from numbness and muscle aches and pain down the right side of my arm and body, YES I continued to ride track work and YES I began having a tote of cannabis by pipe just before I would go to bed at night, it was the only pain and nerve reliever that worked so I could sleep all night. My rule with this drug was not to use before nightfall and it was only one or at most two totes... just to release the pain so I could sleep. The drugs the doctors offered me were very powerful and addictive and i refused to take the prescriptions. These days I hav no need to use this drug and haven't for many years now. I do share concern regarding riders turning up at the track totally stoned of their faces. I do believe in using this drug for certain pain relief and illnesses.

GO BORIS . If you want a great example of what not to do then have a look at what just happened to those who ignored the will of the people and opposed and delayed Brexit , they got hammered . The British election result should strike fear into the democrats in the USA , they are trying to undermine the elected president , the choice of the people with their pathetic attempt to impeach Super Don , if they continue on with this baseless strategy they will also be punished at the next election. Voters have long memories and don't forgive . Winston has realised this that's why we have this attempt at a super bribe , moving the port at Auckland to Whangarei is just that , a bribe , not unlike Kiwi build , that didn't go well did it .

I got mine this afternoon. I couldn't be more pleased with the improvements in readability. Dennis [editor] has obviously listened and acted.

Merry Xmas Scooby and all the racecafetarians hope you all have a happy New Year and make heaps Cheers BH

merry xmas everybody

I did, thanks very much team

Merry Xmas Scooby...And a Prosperous New Year ... Merry xmas One And All ...

Merry Christmas one and all. May every bet be winner over the Christmas period and have a safe and happy festive season.

a MerryChristmas to any an' all..and a Happy New Year too

MERRY XMAS SCOOBY DONT OVER INDULGE ON ALL THE GOOD STUFF.

The racing is the attraction and the personnel.like rugby league final it's the game and the players.i think that is what we need the spotlight on..both have been great but the outside world haven't been included to cheer them on.

Will your beloved All Stars win all 8 races they entered in Iraklis?