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Mike, years and years ago I was at Sha Tin for a very low key Boxing Day meeting. Sunline had a fortnight or so ago beaten Fairy King Prawn, the very good local champion, in a classic Hong Kong Mile. I was watching a field in the parade ring when I got introduced as a New Zealander to a local gent. He waved his hand dismissively at the field and said 'Ah, Sunline, she sh*t on these!'... Here's hoping one, at least, of the two Kiwis than won, so impressively, yesterday can be even half as good as she was!

Avondale Cup, Wairoa Cup, not a bad weekend for Zed.

Gentleman Jack, used to help him roll his horses thru the 60s, a wonderful man who gave me much learned advice on life and some about racing One of the nicest I have met and known in my life, a gentleman with staunch fixed views Was very successful in harness also. Always had a very small team but most were stars

Slightly off the topic..I remember - just - Jack Shaw from when I was a green school-leaver, working in my first stable job at Riccarton. Female stable staff were a rarity then, as were riders - I think, in those early days Fran Kerr was the only one I recall, followed by Jan Kerr, and Patsy [became Mrs Eastwood ]...but Jack would always doff his hat to the girls. 'Morning, ladies' he would say. Boy, times change!

Couldn’t help but feeling sad watching Aalaalune going around again today at Ellerslie . Sure isn’t the same horse since it left Jacob McKays. I wish they would give it back to him to train where he gave it the TLC it obviously loved. Some horses just don’t like being in big training establishments.

We would all love to one half as good as any of them. Part of the beauty of this game is people's opinions. If someone thinks Sunline is better than Melody Belle, that is an opinion not a criticism of Melody Belle and all her lucky connections.

Once again the Whale goes outside the square at Winton...NOT.. Captain Finns 2.1, R K Finn 3.1, and Pay Me Speedy 2.0. Same old boring picks that the whole country are picking anyway.

You might have to give his recent yearling purchases a little more time....

Aalaalune's run was certainly a head scratcher yesterday? Opie Bosson was on too and he can normally get a rocking horse up to place. I agree with your opinion the owners should never have taken the horse off Jacob McKay. The horse seemed happy and was producing the results in that stable. That decision was a head scratcher in it's self. Not to mention the owners decision to take on the older horses on at GR.1 as 3yo in the early spring Oh well...damage is probably done now. As I've said before owners should let trainer's train without interference.

A pretty good run by that entrant who finished on 20.0, too!

I also remember a Trainers' Assn meeting, many years ago, where the merits of bringing in the ' permit to train ' category was discussed. As a relatively young and naive sort of person [ then ] I couldn't really see any reason why there should be opposition. But, there was quite a swell of opposition. Standards will drop, said one, there will be licence holders now who can offer far cheaper rates because they have another income, so the professional trainers will lose horses, and - how can these part timers teach apprentices or stable staff? The licence-from-a weetbix-packet term came into being then, I think....

Yawn.......How many times I heard that the last 20 years........You know you know

It irritates me, too, when people try to 'compare' horses, which inevitably means one or other has to be considered a lesser performer. All mentioned are wonderful horses, it is a privilege to watch them perform and equally, to see the very able handling of their fine young trainer.

does anyone think that melody belle or avantage are as good as probabeel? If all 3 went around in a race whether 1200m ,1400m or 1600m I think probabeel would distance them. one of the best mares we have seen for a very long time

Had real ability but always thought that they broke her heart starting her in the Tarzino. Similar scenario to Baldavino. Looked to have any amount of ability aswell but never seemed to come back after being thrown in the deep end.

Box Seat tipsters no better. Just ignore them all and back your own judgement is my suggestion

Cooper you are spot on. Jacob did very well with her. Sad to see her racing so far below her potential at the moment.

And all the crap about cutting down travel,judging by the fields they had at Richmond,Blenheim,Palmy North and the number of Canterbury horses racing in Southland seems lots don't mind the odd trip away,maybe Palmy North might have had a few too many meetings perhaps but kept at a sustainable number they probably can still operate.

Amazing stallion. Wellington cup last month!

This from Jack Shaw in 1972 who, among others, trained the Champion Beaumaris. ion Beaumaris.

How good is she A real x factor here

I have posted the odd comment on the other site wondering why they can't run races in conjunction with gallops,look at today,Hasting 8races, why not 3 or 4 harness races,there still seems to be enough numbers still,even without Houses support,(if he turned up as well even better).that Manawatu get,no reason at all I reckon. Not sure if congrats are in order for hrnz,we still not sure who wanted rid and who actually got rid of some of those clubs,a bit murky on that one. As for the lovers of harness racing it's probably not the public that is so important here,it's the owners/trainers that are the ones that need racing,if you lose it,it's dead in the water. Its a nice day here so I'm going to enjoy it,have a good day anyway.

Fully agree - Probabeel our best mare running around NZ/Aus at the moment.

Oh I get it now. But surely if you win two Cox plates, a Doncaster or two, go overseas and have success at the highest level....then you are the best mare we have produced, right? I suppose context is everything. Those top class horses we have coming through now, racing here and in Aus. Awesome.

Pure Steel mate you said a mouthful there ay ay what a mouth watering thought.....Temporale didn't go down by much and he was whackin the whole time, was bloody great to see had a soft spot for the fella when he was with the Iceman.... Cheers Iraklis

I would not mind owning any one of the 3...why is it everyone has to knock good horses...yes she is a super mare but the others are pretty damn good too..Super training effort by Jamie to have them ALL performing at such high levels for so long...we all should be grateful they are not rushed off o the breeding barn like so many others are. JMO.

Congrats to the winners! I was a winner too! Anytime I finish in front of Ohokason and Insider - I’m a winner

is way better than advantage and melody belle have said this for ages now. bohemoth had the charm run probabeel was 3 wide for the whole entire race almost and about 5 wide on the turn ran past bohemoth like it was standing still unreal run

Don't dismiss the chance that Ameralinha may also be in that esteemed company in the next 12/18 months -imho.

That was huge win. She was entitled to beat today with her trip etc and still brained them. JMHO but she is NZ’s best mare. She is top draw.

Yes great win.Well ridden by Lane.Plenty more spoils to come. Aegon too was superior although it did get a bit sticky for Bowman.Probably knew he had more petrol left than the others. Onwards and upwards for him.Be hard to beat in the Doncaster if they went that way.

rogey said it was going to be extra good

Probably too late is my opinion.

Final results for the day. Dead heat rules applied but didnt make any real change. Dellajaz and Camacho retained the top 2 spots but Memphis3 got up to pip Paigezim for 3rd. Congratulations to the winners. NAME CURRENT TOTAL Dellajaz 98.5 Camacho 95.0 Memphis3 93.5 Paigezim 93.0 Lynzim 83.0 Stoyd 82.5 Floyd Pink 81.0 Racing Jimmy 78.0 Gruff 73.5 Black Kirrama 64.0 jayar 61.5 Cabbage 59.0 Cubes 57.0 Tarantula 56.5 Trump 56.5 Disillusioned 55.0 Majestic 54.5 Orphanpete 54.5 bazza54 54.0 Jenlove 51.0 Mikenz 49.5 Pegasus 9 48.5 Arjay 46.5 Talk 1 46.0 Soliloquy 46.0 Mrzim 46.0 Goodison 45.0 Warren 44.5 d.burrow 43.5 Tasman Man 41.5 Hone 41.5 scooby351 41.0 We’re Doomed 39.5 Archer 39.5 Ohokaman 39.0 mike28 39.0 Caroline 37.5 Sir Castleton 37.0 Slam Dunk 36.5 L.J.Shannon 36.0 Beecee 36.0 Nukkledragga 34.5 Mr_gee 34.5 Houlahan's Dream 33.5 Gubellini 32.0 Peter R S 29.5 Jack 28.5 Littletramp 27.0 Insider 27.0 Al Feilding 24.0 Stodge 22.0 Ponderosa8 20.0 Wrinkles 12.0

you on the gin?

So Danielle Johnson forces her way through by pushing Mr Fox out of the way and costing him any chance and goes on to win. George and whoever in the commentary almost treating it as a joke !! Calls it competitive because she's the leading jockey! The word i would use is interference! ...and NO I didn't have a bet in the race so not sour grapes over a losing bet!

Totally agree, the old Boys club syndrome and Simon is part of it, he shouldn't even be commenting, it is not on. I remember Sam Spratt getting a suspension for something far less than that. Our Industry us so so inconsistent with the way they operate.

So it was all true, Joe P got the boot and the rich got in. Just saw a verandah FULL of people, so how does that work ? oh well, my 100 dollars for drink, food and other extras is going on LOTTO !!!

Suppose you thought bowman was right doing what he did too nothing great about that ride. Was shit.

I did have money on it but agree entirely. In fact it was probably more blatant than Bowman's a few months back apart from the lack of a horse falling etc She did it twice yesterday without a mention as well and you may recall her flippant remarks about who she can push out of her way last Saturday at Te Rapa. Surely setting a bad example to the apprentices.

BarryB summed it up well. Scroll back and have a look. Anyone who practices “blind loyalty” is nuts.

Careful ! , next time you put Petrol in your car you’ll be supporting some overseas Arab Sheikh!

couldn't find the bong ....

Friday arvo drinks go down well

In fact, it worked SO well, they had to change it! Railway, Akl Cup New Years, Air NZ stakes in March, then the Easter. Etc. But I am sure the corporate racedays in March make money for them, so fair play. It's a shame the racing is almost an afterthought.....

Yeah you couldn't get much better, than the Counties Cup, Avondale Cup and Guineas, then boxing day Derby, followed by Auckland Cup on NY day. worked for ages ...

Surely not--their kindness is saving the world!

No chance of winning HOTY 20/21. A rating 78 or Something will win an Otaki Group 1 and knock her off