RaceCafe..#1...Tipsters Thread.... Share Your Fancies For Fun...Lets See Who The Best Tipsters Here Are.

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  1. Tony is one of the best race callers there has been in NZ..for him to be told to go is really sad, why could they not have just let him go after two years like the others are doing, he makes most of the ones they are keeping look 2nd rate...poor decision and I for one wish him well in whatever he chooses to do from here on...thanks for all the great calls over the years Tony and thanks for your lifetime of service to the industry.
    26 points
  2. With the quality racing on the first day of Trentham: Telegraph G1 $450K, Levin Stakes G1 $500K, Trentham Stakes G3, Anniversay Hcp G3, WellWellesly Stakes LR etc and the opening day of the new course at Ellerslie on Sunday, I am sponsoring a quick fire competition over the two days. 1st Prize $200 to bet with. Win or Win and Place. The winnings to go to the Huntington's Association 2nd Prize $100 to bet with. Win or Win and Place. The winnings to to to the Huntington's Association All you have to do is pick two horses in each race each day. $10.00 E/W will be invested on each. Keeping it simple, there will be no Joker or quinellas. Trentham have 9 races scheduled and Ellerslie 6, making for a total spend of $600.00 As a further incentive, for every person who wins more than $600.00, I will donate an extra $10 to the association. Say No More [John] will put up the Entry Thread on Wednesday, when the fields come out. Good luck all. Liz P.S. The prize money is coming from our winning bet from the Pairs Competition [2/3 Joan and me, 1/3 Scooby]
    17 points
  3. Idolmite

    Bevan Sweeney

    That's a disappointing read Scooby. I have no idea what's going on/what's being said/where it's being said, but most of us would miss this site hugely if it were to cease, that's for sure.
    17 points
  4. NO tote windows on course? Use your cell phone! Any management consultant will tell you that on course tote windows are too expensive. Counting, handling, then reconciling cash is a hugely time consuming and expensive exercise now that the minimum wage has been pushed so high. BUT, if that management consultant had spent the past 60 years dealing with, chatting with and observing punters in many countries, as I have, then that management consultant would recognise the awful expense of tote windows is actually money very well spent. Tote windows are necessary for the impulse bettor who, with a bursting bladder says to a mate; "put that fifty on the 7 horse" as he dashes for the loo. Supermarkets recognise the impulse buyer with all that junk they have next to the checkout counters. The tote must also recognise that part of their market. A part of their market that if the transaction involves intricate manoevering of the fat fingers around a tiny keyboard, then the transaction will not go ahead. The Green Party member who wants to put $40 on Golly Gee because it is descended from that Melbourne Cup winner Light Fingers, will probably not have a TAB account.
    16 points
  5. rdytdy

    Peter McKenzie RIP

    Peter McKenzie, stud master, breeder, trainer, owner, actor (Elendil in Lord Of The Rings) etc and certainly a real character passed away last Saturday. Funeral service this Friday Lychgate Funeral Home in Wellington 11am. RIP Peter.
    16 points
  6. Chris Wood

    Trackside

    Luke sits in the impartial lane, not too close to anyone and not afraid to put things out there. It’s great, what we need, ask the questions that need to be asked, not fence sitting….
    15 points
  7. Hi Everyone, To summarize: 1] Thank you to Scooby for allowing us to run another "charity competition". You and your site are amazing. 2} Thank you also for allowing me to bring awareness to the Huntington's Assoc and the effects of the dreadful genetic disease, that it is. 3] Even more so, thank you Scooby for matching the winning prizes and offering to personally give $300 directly to the Assoc so that irrespective of the 'winners bets' the Assoc is still $300 better off. 4] Thank you John [Say No More] for the fantastic way in which you ran the competition and even more the way I know that you believe in the cause. 5] To every participant, thank you, you have all been fantastic and right down to the last man or women, you all backed up for the 2nd day. That was stamina personified. 6] I loved how the final result went right down to the wire. Believe it or not, that was designed by taking away the Joker play and the Quinella play and basing it on sheer picking ability. 7] Foxmerts and Montydrum, Congratulations on being 1st and 2nd. Can I please ask that you give your [winning] bets for next week Wellington Cup Meeting or the Karaka Millions Meeting] to Scooby nice an early so that he has plenty of time to put them on and publicize them. 8] Owing to Black Kirrama's wonderful run for 3rd, I have decided to 'invest' another $50.00 of sponsorship by asking Rev to spend it on a winning bet for the Association. I will private message with the details. 9] Finally I am thrilled that thirteen of you broke the $600 break-even position, so immediately I press send here, $130.00 will be on the way to the Association. Good luck everyone with the next competition, this site, Scooby, John our incredible scorer, plus all of you as participants, mean so much to Joan and Me. Liz
    15 points
  8. Super win for them today...well deserved Group 1 for Danny Walker and Aaron Tata and congrats to Daniel Nakhle as he has put a lot into NZ racing and we can thank him for getting Warren Kennedy to our shores...great to see.... and they have managed this horse to perfection to achieve the ultimate Group 1 prize...nice horse with a big future you would think.
    15 points
  9. I have been overseas for the last month, and the first article related to Harness Racing that I read on my return yesterday, was your story on the ATC and their $78m loss. I have absolutely no confidence in their ability to fund a replacement for Franklin, they have failed miserably to attract the Auckland public to Harness Racing and I do not see any evidence that the right people are in power to do so in the future. The total disregard for Harness Racing history and the memory of the Great Cardigan Bay is reprehensible, and further illustrates the complete unsuitability of the ATC Board to be in control of anything to do with Harness Racing.
    15 points
  10. Peter R S

    Tony Lee

    I struggle somewhat with this sort of criticism. The guy has been a stalwart of CD racing most of his life and if you think his calling is less accurate than when he was younger just watch the tv or the race live and work it out for yourself. Tony will no doubt know when his time is up and personally I don’t think that’s the case yet. Go for as long as you want Tony!
    15 points
  11. nomates

    Well done Parksy .

    Congrats to Jonathan Parkes on getting his 1000th winner as a jockey . Well deserved , a top bloke who has gone thru some tough times recently . Keep it up buddy , only 1000 to go for your 2000th .
    15 points
  12. What is it with some owners , are they just straight out greedy bastards , CW has won them millions on this horse over the last couple of seasons , now one ride that "They" think is average and they want sack him , Christ he ran second , I don't believe he would have gone any better ridden closer as he would have had to do a bit of work to be closer to the eventual winner and IMO he wouldn't have beaten her on the day , she was super . Just like everything else in this world people want it all , be grateful for what you have got you miserable gits and stop being bad losers .
    14 points
  13. Insider

    I've been thinking....

    With the imminent demise of Newshub, there is going to be up to 200 very talented people with "media skills" come on the market, between now and June. Entain/TAB, NZTR and the Harness people should be putting the feelers out now, for anyone who might have an interest in our Industry. My guess is that many of them would have an immense amount to offer, if you simply took a line through what Guy Hevelt brought to the Karaka Sales/Karaka race-night presentation. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have Samantha Hayes fronting Trackside. Don't laugh, maybe not Sam, but there are surely dozens of quality people waiting in the wings with nowhere to go. Liz
    14 points
  14. Thanks John - despite a busy day you still managed to get some updates done and round it all up at the end of the day. Very much appreciated by all
    14 points
  15. Graham and Subbie: Gone but now eternally together The newly placed Flemington memorial for Subzero and Graham Salisbury By Bruce Clark 07:00am • 10 October 2023 5 Comments Loathe to start with a cliche but sometimes you can get blown away at the racetrack. Imperatriz twice at The Valley already this spring, waiting to see that she can do it big time, that's Amelia's Jewel at Caulfield this Saturday. And of course, Gold Trip hacking up en route to The Cups at Flemington on Saturday. If you are going to do it, Flemington is a pretty good place to shine. While it reeks of ghosts past and those well remembered, Carbine's stall, statues of Phar Lap to greet you, Makybe Diva for a photo-op, Bart's been on the move but is rightly still there, it's sheer size and vista is a stage befitting new heroes. But such horses can go as quickly as they come. So let me take you back to Flemington on the Friday before Turnbull Day, the weather, well let's just suggest it was a little subzero. Befittingly grey, a wind powerful enough to blow froth in your latte without assistance, but with a sense of rightful, if overdue reverence. It is the unveiling, finally by the Victoria Racing Club, which has a habit of stoic true custodians of what matters in the game, of the (Graham) Salisbury Subzero Memorial Rose Garden. It's been three years since Salisbury, a Clerk Of The Course at Flemington for almost 50 years, passed away, just some two months before his mate, the universally loved 1992 Melbourne Cup winner Subzero. Covid-19 had denied them a more defining send-off. Until Friday. And perhaps there was no-one more relieved than Graham's widow, Anita, who had kept the ashes of both in their family bedroom at Heathcote, until they were interned "together forever" in their rightful home, the Flemington turf. A special Subzero Rose has been commissioned and now joins the 16,500 rose bushes that Mick Ryan looks after at Flemington, somehow teasing them to bloom before Derby week, as he has been doing for 30 years. But this rose, bred, yes, they breed them, by Kim Cyrus — he's done an Ian Thorpe, a Sir Cliff Richard, a Sir Donald Bradman, a Michaelangelo, but Ryan who knows a thing about flowers obviously, reckons the Subbie brilliant white with fragrant scent, will be not just much loved, like his namesake, but a top seller. So why is this important? Well, there has never been a duo who have done more for racing in the community over such a period than Salisbury and Subbie. Everyone has got a Subbie story, but there would never be one without the other. Yes, we all know he won The Cup in ‘92 (they had to let the internationals in a year later to upstage him), even though he was bought to win a Magic Millions (for $100,000). Salisbury bought him for $1, vowed to make him "the people's horse", and leading in 17 Cup winners after him was only an entree to the "work" he did from schools to aged care homes, from corporate events to pubs and hospices. So not even the offer of six figures plus in cash and a brash new Mercedes from an Arab Sheikh on an invited trip to appear at a function on a stage in Dubai, yes Dubai, could you think of any other horse that popular, could shake their lifelong bond. Graham Salisbury with his best mate. There have been countless or better thoroughbreds on the track, but as Richard Freedman, one-time trainer of Subbie, and nominated him, the horse, for Australian Of The Year, called him our greatest thoroughbred, for the longevity of his presence in public alongside Graham. Even today, Subbie's Facebook page has global fans buy merchandise of all opportunities, it was only a few years back, a fan in Scotland requested and got some hair from his tail. There have been songs written about him, children's books penned, number plates, tattoos, countless pieces of artwork commissioned or just impressioned, a statue in Adelaide (but not Melbourne, and why not despite petitions), his name on races at Flemington and the Gold Coast, a strappers award, and even a Riding For The Disabled Arena, courtesy of the VRC. He was box office Subbie, Hugh Jackman and Kylie Minogue were fans, he opened Olivia Newton John's Cancer Clinic in Melbourne, with ONJ, supermodels, Kylie Bax has ridden him, Jennifer Hawkins with him. Jennifer Hawkins with Subzero. Picture: Supplied. He ate Melbourne socialite Lillian Franks' hat and got away with it, met with then Prime Minister John Howard, who was impressed with a little trick Graham taught him and ran via Governor-General of the Day at that's year's Cup, basically suggesting the PM should meet this talking horse. Many have seen it, when a host or Graham asks Subbie a question, a few banal ones with no response, until "have you got a girlfriend Subbie?" is proposed and it never got boring and always a roaring laugh or giggle when Subbie vigorously nodded yes to Salisbury's tricked and tickling urging. When Subbie was sick, seriously ill and needed a special product from America that was on the banned importation list, it was straight to then PM Kevin Rudd for assistance with such baffling red tape and Patty "Rice Patty" McPeak's "Super Flex" was flown into Australia to cure some crippling arthritis with Rice Patty herself tagging along for the brilliant PR ride. But it was the countless trips to visit kids and the elderly that was so natural for Graham and Subbie but that so endeared the pair to all who couldn't have cared less he won a Cup or any race, but that the horse was such a gentle giant with an innate ability to read the room, any room. Kylie Bax riding Subzero. Picture: Supplied. At schools, kids dressed as racegoers from years gone by and made scrapbooks as part of school projects, in the care homes, eyes lit up as the mundane of days ticking slowly away were brightened by a horse, they might have remembered via a betting ticket or television, or just a friendly pet they could touch for a few minutes in some awe. Every trip was meticulously planned in advance by Graham with the horse's welfare coming first. The float played country and western music, his soft fluffy toy, a sheep, always in his eyeline. There were those visits to The Emerald Hotel and numerous other pubs around the country, Crown Casino, he wasn't a high roller, but a regular in the Palladium, not so that Mahogany Room. But if there was one place that my memory of Graham and Subbie eternally remains is the Very Special Kids hospice in Hawthorn, a place we visited on numerous occasions as part of our charity work with Pinchapoo, and to raise funds for the centre, that does incredible work with end-of-life care for kids. Graham was an old school man, tough as bird poo on the car roof if you like (to paraphrase H G Nelson) – but that hospice got him, yet Subbie would seemingly know exactly what to do without a hint as he walked in the doors and found those kids in beds and somehow a nuzzle here and a pat there, made a harrowing day seem so special. Like Freya, a young girl. Graham tells the story of how Subbie – "he just knew" – went to her. The next day she was gone, her parents wrote a letter a week later thanking Graham for the last and lasting memory that Subbie gave their daughter. He never forgot it or forgave himself for not knowing he could have taken Subbie to her funeral. Graham Salisbury and Subzero in 1994. Picture: John Hart Now Graham and Subbie have gone but thankfully remain eternally together at Flemington. When you go Cup Week, make a little pilgrimage down to the rose garden and say hello or thanks or – as is the modern world, scan the QR code on the plaque to remember their work. As Graham once said – "there will be a lot of horses who do things just like him in the future, but there will never be one who does things as good as him." There was only one Subbie, one Graham. Racing, and the VRC, at Flemington, now has given them a fitting forever home.
    14 points
  16. The communication from TA has been outstanding, simply superb. Just another clear example of their total professionalism to the racing industry. Applaud their transparency and communication.
    14 points
  17. THE TORCH

    Trackside

    Im sorry but the state of this channel is pretty dire and the reappearance (thank God!) of Luke Radich on Weigh In heavily illustrates how low it has sunk. Luke does his rants - I wouldnt call them rants, instead it just plain sense. It sounds like a rant because all we usually get from TS is the rose-tinted glasses perspective from presenters and producers. Sitting across from Luke is Emily Bosson. You may as well fast forward the programme (if youve taped it) to the race clips or when Luke is given time to speak. She adds nothing. Zero. A talking head if youve ever seen one. To make matters worse shes absolutely silent on all things Luke raises. Why? Because she might "rock the boat" and she has agendas. Luke was bang-on with his criticism of how Tony Lee has been treated and also the overall loyalty to our quality broadcasters in the industry. Dont worry Emily, he wasnt putting you in that category. The classic comment though was when Luke labelled (and rightly so!) Legarto as the best horse in NZ. The Te Akau squirm from Emily was priceless. However, probably the worst TS "incident" from the weekend was the presentation crew at Trentham on Saturday. Rodley interviewing Centaine Spittles......he didnt have a clue about her history with Trentham or even the fact that her horse Eulogy Show was on the ballot for the Wellington Cup! I bet she walked away from that interview wondering why she even bothered. CS: "....and Eulogy Show might just need the run for her assignment next Saturday". AD: "Oh and what race is that?" Deathly silence and pause CS: "The Wellington Cup" AD: "Oh right" - embarrassment and shock. Things didnt get any better after the running when Bevan Sweeney said that the Spittle horse ran a nice race for 2nd and would put it in good stead for the Cup. It was actually her other runner In Vegas who was runner-up in what was the run of the race. Whatever this Entain lot are doing they need to have a serious meeting with someone like Luke and get the channel heading in the right direction. Put the s&%$# up some of the current crew who have been below par for too long now.
    13 points
  18. Yes Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all here at Racecafe and thanks for the support from everyone throughout 2023...for all he does running the comps thanks saynomore and for Pondy for stepping in when he was needed..and to everyone who posted or joined in the comps or the discussion, lets hope 2024 is a great year for everyone here...cheers.
    13 points
  19. Now I might be out of order here but I bet you dollars to donuts that Godolphin Australia will quietly make a donation to Dean’s wife and very young family in recognition of his great win on In Secret in the Newmarket. RIP Dean and may the powers that be, take care and look after your lovely wife and family. xxx
    13 points
  20. scooby3051

    TAB website

    I think it is you who needs to look in the mirror...and you wonder why so many people give it to you...well deserved in my opinion...
    12 points
  21. nomates

    Abandoned meetings

    Trentham gone after 4 races , 2 days after the same at Hastings . Call me a drama queen but I consider this a crisis . On the same day as the so called flag ship race day at the Karaka Millions , not a good look . Boost stakes , run the millions but it all just papering over the cracks .
    12 points
  22. Geez why cant we be positive for a change, the barrier draw was something new, innovative, times move on we need to move with them. As for the track it is world class and no reason to believe it will be anything other than super in due course, lets wait and see how it races before we all start throwing brickbats shall we. JMO
    12 points
  23. Very sad day tomorrow thanks Tony Lee for the memories...wish you well whatever you do.
    12 points
  24. Wishing all the Racecafe family a great Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May 2024 bring health, happiness and more winners to us all…..
    12 points
  25. voice of reason

    Waikato Cup

    Looking at the woeful noms for the Waikato Cup makes this old man very sad and longing for the good old days..Remember when the Avondale and Waikato cups ,then the Queen Elisabeth led up to the grand final Auckland Cup on new years day.. What was wrong with that concept ...nothing , it made total sense and was eagerly anticipated ..Not all change is good ..Moving the Derby I can understand , but destroying what used to be a natural and well spaced out campaign for the Cup horses is just a trajedy .
    12 points
  26. diesel

    Luke Radich

    Was great to see Luke on Weigh In again, really enjoyed his 60 second rants, cheers Luke, more of what our industry needs.
    12 points
  27. Congrats to all the winners but not only all the winners to everyone who supported Racecafe and the comp...that is what makes the comps what they are and the countless messages I get saying how much everyone loves the comps we run here. Thanks to SNM for his tireless work scoring and managing these comps week in week out it requires so much time and effort and its really appreciated.
    12 points
  28. Pam Robson

    Erin Leighton

    Wow. Well done, Erin.
    12 points
  29. Michael Roustoby

    Gone in the wind

    No it won't Surgery the only thing that will fix it but that comes with a side order of complications,a big bill and no guarantee it will work. Unless it's a champion pull the pin
    12 points
  30. Sorry me again.. and someone may have posted this already.. but just in case someone hasn't... This is such a lovely photo of our fellow forum buddy L John Shannon Link below. Rest in Peace and what a better place than Woodville A CD home to so many champs. https://www.tararuafunerals.co.nz/blog/980154
    12 points
  31. Thats so sad thoughts and prayers with Commonsensical and her loved ones at this sad time...sad we lost another good poster and loyal member...may he forever Rest In Peace
    12 points
  32. Nerula

    Commendable

    Following is a story I wrote for the Owners Bulletin. The reason for putting it up is recognition of those who make a difference. WINTER 2023 13 NEW ZEALAND EQUINE ACADEMY A collaboration between education-provider Skill New Zealand Limited and Byerley Park Limited, New Zealand Equine Academy was created as YOUR pathway to a career in New Zealand’s exciting equine industry. What is the most important thing for the future? Of course, it is those that come after us and carry on what we and that those that went before have put in place. IT IS THE YOUNG! Some years ago I wrote a story on Byerley Park, meeting Daniel and Elias Nahkle down there at the facility. Daniel said they had a plan to enable an equine academy to provide an education for young aspirants in the equine industry. To that end they built a classroom on a rise and were seeking a collaboration with NZQA accreditation in mind. Retired jockey Donavan Mansour was lined up to teach and I resolved to see where this went. Then Covid intervened. But we lead a fairly busy life and when recently I heard Donavan was transferring to Cambridge to set up an Apprentice Jockey Academy, as well as recruiting more students and upskilling students in the workplace. I thought I had better get cracking before he goes. Auckland Owners President Mike Gething and I headed down, met Donavan at a repurposed barn and were introduced to a roomful of delightful girls who were in the main very engaged. They were from all over the country. There was maybe a dozen in the class, and they were at week 4 of a 14-week course. The cost of which is zero as it is partially funded by the TEC (Tertiary Education Commission) and Daniel Nakhle. Byerley Park teamed up with Education provider Skills New Zealand Ltd to create the New Zealand Equine Academy. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS – A passion for horse, Physical fitness – Age 16 + years. GRADUATE PROFILE OUTCOMES – Knowledge, skills and confidence – Ability to safely handle horses in an equine facility – Proficiently create and maintain a clean and safe equine environment. The course rises to level 3 and the girls said that they did not have a pre-conceived decision of where they ended up. The first thing was to get a stable hand certificate which assured a proficiency to care and handle horses. And then look at options. There was a lot of enthusiasm to gain riding skills for trackwork. Two girls said they definitely wanted to be jockeys, Donavan leads the group with a developed syllabus that covers work – life skills and all aspects of equine care. The course work is varied and wide ranging. Guest speakers attend and provide valuable additional information. Dunstan Feeds nutritionist Gretel Webber is a regular who pitches her talks to whichever level of class present. Behind the classroom is a well-appointed gym with a lot of apparatus, some for-riding exercises. Notably there was a full sized exercise horse that had a large mirror on the near side so the rider could check the style. But it is not all classwork and likely it is the “out of class” experiences that keep the group fizzing. There is the ”self-care and pitching in” that is part of the course. The students live in on site in the main and prepare their own meals and maintain the living spaces. There are prizes of Countdown and New World vouchers to be won for good effort. The cost to live on-site is $180 per week. Then there are visits where they see vets at work, stud farms and racing stables. They visit feed companies. museums and attend bloodstock sales. They can go to the races with the float driver, see the starter, camera crew and stewards at work. And then there are the jockeys the strappers – and us the owners to observe. Prior to going to the Academy, I had sought from a handful of associates what I should say to these young aspirational equine workers. Well I got a page of those comments... who hasn’t had a jockey leap off the horse and wordlessly dive for the jockeys room? Maybe a stablehand that ignored you? But as many grizzles as there were there was supportive comments that wanted the youngies to know how important we see the people who look after our investment. And how we appreciate them sharing a word with us. The class listened attentively. Mike and I thought it was great to imprint our thoughts on young minds. I left the sheet of those comments with Donavan. He was with visiting jockey Warren Kennedy. I light-heartedly offered a copy to Warren. He laughingly refused and said, “I know all those.” Change is coming, Donavan is transferring to Cambridge to set up n jockeys’ apprentice school and level 3 Equine skills programme. Donavan will remain Programme Leader and under his wing will be Amber Sims, the well – known rider/trainer. Amber is sub 30 years old and the daughter of local trainer Patsy Riley. Amber is a past Ellerslie “Fashions in The Field” winner so she is an all-round class act. The other tutor/riding coach is Renee Faulkner. Renee is from a racing family and is a talented events rider. Donavan says, “The Academy gets some funding from TEC which does help but Daniel Nahkle has in the main been funding the programme. We do have support from Dunstan Horse Feeds and Majestic Horse Floats and have just brought on NZB as an official sponsor. We are always open to industry supporters, whether its financial, products or even volunteering their time to come and share their expertise with the students.” We recognise the vision of the Nahkle family for the inception of the NZ Equine Academy and the where-with-all to bring it all into being. Donavan has been there from the start and then there is Skill New Zealand the education provider. In an all-round word, commendable! Lastly Mike and I would like to say thank you to the girls (class). We thought you were great. If you can – go on and take your chance. We need you. The industry needs you! What you are learning is a skill that will give you a job around the world. But we would love to see you here. Neil Miller 14 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN
    12 points
  33. As soon as I read it was the trophy for the NZ St Leger, I immediately thought of 1978 and knew the winner was Disraeli. It was on Saturday 18 March 1978 and the race was due to start at 1.50pm. You're probably wondering why I remember all this... well I vividly remember standing outside a church in Guyton Street Wanganui waiting for a wedding to commence at 2pm.... it was my wedding!! But the race was running a bit late and I'm still standing outside the church listening to the transistor when the now wife and bridesmaids cars turn up... so I told them I'm not ready yet and they need to go around the block again which they duly did... a couple of times. It was all so I could hear how Disraeli got on... and it won for Tup Jennings so I was very happy. And when people ask where we went for our honeymoon, the wife has great pleasure in telling everyone I took her to the TAB.!! Not sure why she wouldn't have enjoyed it, I guess it's probably because she's not into racing but still puts up with me every Saturday.. Just told the wife about the trophy up for auction... and her response was, you're not (beep beep) buying it.... For romantic and sentimental reasons I thought she may have been okay for me to buy it... blimmin spoiled sport.!!
    12 points
  34. Gone way to soon and people complain about them...its a thankless life with unbelievable risks...thoughts and prayers to his wife and young family...may he Rest Forever In Peace.
    12 points
  35. Nerula

    Taiki Yanagida

    From left to right Ted and Lynda McLachlan (Taiki Manager) Sally Blyth (NZTROF VP) Chiaki Yanagida (Taiki's sister) Mike Getting Auckland Owners Assoc Pres)
    12 points
  36. Fast forward a few months: The September and October Racedays, incorporating the G1 Hawkes Bay Challenge Stakes, G1 Horlicks Plate, and G1 Ormond Memorial, will now be held by Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie, and not at Hastings. After an inspection of the Hastings track last Friday it was evident that the current issues with the Hastings track will not be remedied in time to hold this important raceday. No, we haven't inspected the Ellerslie track. We're sure it's fine. And then: The November Racedays, incorporating the G1 NZ 1000 and 2000 Guineas, will now be held by Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie, and not at Riccarton. After an inspection of the Riccarton track last Friday via Google Maps it was evident that we'd rather run all G1 races at Ellerslie. We haven't had a chance to test the Ellerslie track since remedial work after last month's abandonments, but we will run the G1s as the first races on their respective days so that the meeting won't be abandoned before they've been run.
    11 points
  37. Drum roll please. The leading scorer today and the only person to individually top $1000 is Scooby. Well done mate I hope that you backed one or two. Congratulations from your teammates Liz, Monty & Joan
    11 points
  38. There has been a lot of talk around Entain injecting money to increase stakes, but the Avondale Cup is a case in point around the current state of NZ Racing. The level of input from Entain thus far, in my opinion, is merely 'lipstick on a pig'. Maybe they are taking a cautious approach in the initial stages and hopefully there are more changes to come? Backtracking in time, Spin Around won the 2007 $200,000 Avondale Cup and in 2009 added the $1,000,000 Auckland Cup to his list of acheivements. Now, fast forward more than 15 years, and the Entain 'stakes boost' sees the 2024 Avondale Cup being contested for $175,000 this Saturday and the 2024 Auckland Cup next month at $400,000. In comparison, the 2009 Melbourne Cup was $5.5m and has since increased to $8.0m in 2023. In the 17 years since 2007, the CPI has increased 52%, so all the associated 'operating costs' of your 'investment in the dream' have risen considerably. In 2007-08, there were 177 Stallions registered, 6757 mares served and the NZ Yearling Sales aggregrate was $113.4m. Fast forward again and in 2023 there were 99 Stallions registered, 4313 mares served and a NZ Yearling Sales aggregrate of $82m. Given the current stakes on offer and the associated cost increases over the years, should we be surprised that there is less and less of an appetite to breed racing stock??? Add into the mix that a lot 'breeders and racers' are 'Boomers to GenX' who grew up with on-track live racing, living and breathing the true experience, how confident could we be about the long term future?? Will the younger generations be enticed enough through their mostly electronic experience to take up the reins and breed, race and administrate the future of racing? Let's hope there are some star administrators emerging from the next generations as the current state of affairs appears to be the result of years of gross mismanagement.
    11 points
  39. rdytdy

    MOLLY BLOOM

    Interesting comments Gruff. Molly Bloom has won four of her eight starts and of those four wins I have had her on top in three of them including her as a special bet of the weekend when she won the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton. In her other win on Saturday I had her second selection. Here are the write ups for those four wins. R6 16 MOLLY BLOOM $2.00FF (15/9/2023 Taupo) She has had one start back in April at Avondale when she finished powerfully for a very close third behind two very nice horses. She was given a nice quiet trial at Avondale where she finished fourth and she is going to be very hard to beat in this. For multiples R7 9 MOLLY BLOOM $4.00FF (18/11/2023 Riccarton) She is a filly with plenty of ability and who has been unlucky in three of her four career starts including her last two particularly in the G2 Soliloquy Stakes at Pukekohe last start. Today she steps up over 1600m on a big track and if she can get clear air at the top of the straight and go through her gears she can boom home over them. R8 1 MOLLY BLOOM $1.90FF 26/12/23 Pukekohe) I have her on top as she won the 1000 Guineas with a top run for us at Riccarton last month which had been preceded by a very unlucky fourth in the Soliloquy Stakes here in October. Not sure that she should be at $1.90 but she is a nice filly who has the NZ Oaks as her target at Trentham in March. Look for her to be hitting the line strongly. R4 4 SUDBINA $5.00FF (10/2/24 Te Rapa This filly has won her last two starts over 1400m and 1600m. The latter win was a good effort at Trentham in the Desert Gold Stakes after coming from last. She steps up to 2000m for this as do a number of other fillies but I feel she will get the distance and I do like the fact she has the ace draw. If she can jump and possie up in the trail and then get clear air at the top of the straight she could then prove hard to run down. For multiples: 1 - Molly Bloom - The 1000 Guineas winner Ellerslie was always going to present problems for her last time when she finished fourth. Here over 2000m she will get every chance. I was prepared to put Sudbina on top on Saturday over Molly as Molly’s run at Ellerslie wasn’t the best and created some doubt hence I put her in for second. I believe that the evidence above clearly shows I have rated Molly Bloom pretty well and reiterate four wins with three first selection and a second selection. FYI I did not have her first selection when she was beaten two starts ago at Ellerslie. R6 12 ORCHESTRAL $3.50FF (27/1/24 Ellerslie) She is a smart filly coming in off the back of an impressive win over 1600m at Pukekohe last start and has the ace draw for this with James Mac to ride. I can see her three back on the fence in the running and if James can give her clear air early in the straight then she can let down with her turn of foot and prove hard to beat. Her work this week has been super and she is cherry ripe for this. For multiples: 10 - Molly Bloom - She has won three of her last four and is a top class filly. She will get back and look to run home over them. Whether the post comes up too soon for her on the track is the question mark. By the way I claim no expertise. My selections are but one person's opinion and I am at least prepared to offer them pre-race not afterwards.
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  40. It’s the introduction to racing for most people. They don’t know that they aren’t great fields. Actually it probably suits them being small, as it will obviously be easier for them to back a winner and get a real thrill. Isn’t it sad that the people in charge have closed down Gisborne, Wairoa and Waipukurau just to name three. All three provided exactly what Wairarapa did today. Liz
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  41. 1. Well done MG for reporting this and making it public. He has been a huge fan of the new developments at Ellerslie but like any good journalist he's being objective. 2. What a crock of crap from Wilcox and the jockeys. That track was unsafe and again highlights the double standards in the industry in northern NZ.
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  42. Miss J I agree with ZH you are quick to pull everyone up on any little thing...maybe you should think before you post and everyone would appreciate your input more...just a thought...if you are going to dish it out you must also be able to take flak too..JMO
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  43. scooby3051

    Tony Lee

    100% agree..I always hate this type of thing too...has been a great caller and when HE is ready he will hang up the binoculars...still he is a damn good caller in my humble opinion, not great like before but still damn good.
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  44. nomates

    More funding?

    Trackside is stale and outdated , it is time for a major overhaul of it's whole presentation .
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  45. Not a lot of thought went into knocking out TeTeko, great summer track, and a good fill in Winter and Spring track, sad to see it go. Might be old fashioned, but Gisborne and Wairoa had their place too…..
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  46. In a day and age where jump racing isn't getting the attention and praise it deserves for excitement during a traditionally quiet/boring part of the season for flat racing I say it was great to hear Aarons calls of the premier jump races on saturday. Ric Mcintosh took the colour and excitement of jump races in Aus to another level,do we have our own version of Ric waiting in the wings in Aaron? His calls did Justice to a great days racing. Hopefully others within the industry can get excited about our great sport. Winter jumps races sure beat watching them slog round the outside at various other courses on the flat. I didn't see any money for Jump Racing in the entain deal specifically but I assume there will be a carrot to encourage more participation. A few new jockeys are coming through, 20 something hurdlers at the trials today at Cambridge with a variety of trainers.The future could be bright if the right people get behind it and promote the great spectacle it is. Sit on your hands and you wither and die. Good marketing is the fertiliser that grows a successful business. Letting it go won't help the industry I'll give you the tip. exhibit A : Oakbank in South Australia. Removing jumps was suppose to bring them into the new age and bring the crowds back. The crowd was outnumbered by track staff and security guards this year. So thanks to Aaron for his enthusiasm and great calls. (i hope I don't hear to many of them and Im out riding in the premier races in the future ) I hope more trainers,owners,potential jockeys and the powers in charge of NZ Racing find the same enthusiasm as Aaron. (note: a few of the jumping community spoke highly of Aarons calls today and I was encouraged to give him kudos on this site,which I was happy to do)
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  47. Sadly, what they do in the south is just remove any other options for trainers and put up a few feature meetings on the synthetic so that trainers are compelled to race on them. It doesn't disguise the fact that it was a very suspect decision initially. As Scooby says though, the money was only available for an AWT, no other options. Twice now Winston has been in a position of some power regarding racing and both times he has just pissed the money away. I always feel he must have had someone advising him each time and that person or persons has had absolutely zero idea what is best for the racing industry.
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  48. With Alpress out for a while he is a huge boon for the CD , good guy and really pleased for him .
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  49. Hi Everyone, This was our sole successful three horse multi: Posted yesterday at 11:17 AM Randwick r1 Osipenko r7 Militarize r8 Giga Kick thanks Liz nice gesture. The value $13.86 There were lots of winners, all over the place and some at fantastic prices, but none of the rest of us could string three winners TOGETHER. It doesn't matter though as the Huntington's Assoc will still get the $50.00 I originally promised. I want to thank you all for participating and Scooby for allowing the site to be used of such an event. To John who does the scoring on all of the other Comps, I don't know how you do it, week after week month after month. Yes, today was fun and I enjoyed every moment, but week after week...NO. Thank you again everyone. Liz
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  50. Exactly. We need them, we'd be stuffed without them. The rapid acceptance - and excellent results - of imports Kennedy, Zackey, and Doyle only showcase that the north ain't full of superstars either.
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