frankie

They enforce such pre start activities as well as they enforce team driving. Deep down you know it.

How about also severely penalising drivers who on a galloping horse pre-start deliberately run into another horse to guarantee a false start

Obviously a crazy situation and indicative of a lot of issues in H R these days - in Chch head office and locally in Auckland

In race 8 at Auckland on New Years Eve M Purdon was once again questioned about team driving. And once again his explanation was accepted and the " stewards noted his comments". When are they going to pull their heads out of the sand?

A disgrace. All harness reps on the Racing Board should be sacked

Luckily they didn't listen to Tim's advice on how to drive!

What a difference between Waller and Weir. The filly would have been in the paddock already if Waller had it, ala The Autumn Sun. I know who I'd give a horse to and it's not Weir.

What's going on with this horse? It clearly won't start in the 1000 or 2000 Guineas, yet it is still listed, admittedly with question marks. The connections owe it to the racing public to make an announcement!

Tim, the ATC should go it alone but only after the building mess is sorted and we get an intelligent board in place.

It was put to me last night that if the project went bad the ATC would simply sell Pukekohe to cover the losses. There must be some people, ex members of the Franklin Trotting Club, who are now looking for some where to hide?

Not difficult to work out 6 of those arrested using their ages. Haven't got the Palmerston North one yet.

The one positive about the run is that perhaps Guerin can now write about something else. How about the mess at the Auckland Trotting Club???

Seemed fully extended but it was his first run for a while and he's probably not yet fully acclimatized. I ignore the time as I noticed an average C1 horse from NZ ran 1.49.3 on the same day at a smaller track.

For a beginner on T V he's doing a great job. He's the first presenter since Stephen Stuart who actually does his homework on NZ harness racing and just doesn't babble on about M Purdon.

Tim, you obviously haven't seen the jockeys car park these days.

Correct Tasman man, it will be great when the increases finally happen. Until then perhaps they should shut up about when it all kicks in until the buildings are complete and revenue streams in place. For ever pushing out the dates makes them look un-informed and day-dreamers.

There's a rumour that there was to be a live Box Seat on the Wednesday night before the jewels but this is now under review because Mick Guerin didn't want to participate in front of a live audience. He didn't like the possibility of getting any heckling from the audience. As I say, it's only a rumour.

Understand he's off to underarm bowling land.

Not sure it's a great appointment. Breeders should be outlawed from administration. He will favour the galloping code, want to introduce greater allowances and more races for fillies/mares and will introduce payments to breeders from all racing stake money. Lets wait and see.

Speaking of Cardigan Bay, I notice his memorial at Alexandra Park, which lost its head many years ago, still has not been fixed. Perhaps it's time the Auckland Trotting Club got its act together and fixed it. Maybe a reduction in director fees could pay for it?

He was beaten by better horses on the night, for whatever reason, and driven by a driver who this time had no stable mates to help her.

Seems like they are never beaten on their merits. The stable always finds a reason. This time it's extra good as it was a pre-emptive reason.

There is much comment on trainers not buying because they don't have any owners. They need to get their act together. I was at the Auckland sales all day and know most of the northern trainers, some well others byway of acknowledgement. The only trainer who tried to talk me into a horse was Tim Vince. I and 3 friends accepted. The bulk of trainers act like beneficiaries when a Labour Government is elected - waiting with their hands out.

Trouble is that Trevor may have a better horse by the time his Alex Park Lone Star opens in 2023 !

Surely you're not suggesting special treatment?