Double R

Karen is a very good presenter, knowledgeable and professional. Her contribution to NZ racing has been significant.
I had a couple of very minor interactions with her over the years and found her a delight to deal with - and very generous with time etc.
Wish her all the best going forward.
 
Col
 
 

Hi Brodie,
Yes, many people do like to see their horses race on course, but some of these same people do not live in the area where their horses are trained and race. Without any evidence to back my next statement, I reckon more than 50% of owners do not live in the area that their horse is trained or race in. Sometimes a plane trip between our islands or Australia is the only option to see them race. I find it a great opportunity for a change of scenery and a re-energizing of my body and mind, regardless of the result.
Cheers.
Robert.

Having raced against the Allstars for many years, I can share with you, for me, I have never been envious of their horses, but respect them in the manner which they deserve. Of course, they are good, and very good, some of them, but this is a wonderful sport, and many variables can come into the final result. Up until this year they would have had a conservative 40 yearlings to have broken in, and choose the best potential, and hence their wonderful results in the 2 and 3 year old races. I read, that this year, the number of yearlings will be around 20. It might, and I say might, mean that they will not have so much domination of the younger races in the future. Time will tell.
Cheers.
Robert.
 

Hi Brodie,
Yes, many people do like to see their horses race on course, but some of these same people do not live in the area where their horses are trained and race. Without any evidence to back my next statement, I reckon more than 50% of owners do not live in the area that their horse is trained or race in. Sometimes a plane trip between our islands or Australia is the only option to see them race. I find it a great opportunity for a change of scenery and a re-energizing of my body and mind, regardless of the result.
Cheers.
Robert.

I thought I would put this up for what its worth.
 A wee while ago we, as a syndicate ,agreed to send our nice trotter Father Xmas to Aussie to race, and still under our ownership.  The reason being that he had reached his mark just below the top rung and was finding it tough off of long marks . He was sent to Brent Lilly, at Melton. He has had 3 starts so far for a third and two wins. He won today at Boort, in track record time ,from 10 mtrs and won by 15, doing it tough in the middle stages with Chris Alford up. My point being,
I couldn't give a f---k  what the Purdons are or aren't doing frankly. Today  wasn't a group 1, it wasn't at a premier track.
But what it has got is a battling trainer at grass roots level achieving things in his own right, with owners (and there were lots glued to there screens today) cheering him and the horse on.
Its things like this that keep an industry ticking over despite what some may think.
Long live the others
 
 

I raced one in a Te Akau syndicate out of Censibelle - No Nonsense.
Was my first galloping winner actually - funny horse but had a bit of ability on his day.
Te Akau "decided" he would suit Singapore - he didn't

I had a wonderful afternoon at Te Aroha, and met Racecafers, Raewyn and Ted. Good racing as well, and a good crowd in attendance.
Well done to them, and thanks for the hospitality.
Cheers.
Robert.

It was great to be on course to see him win his 1000th, and see the presentation made to him by Noel Harris, an hour or so later in front of his jockey friends and those in attendance. Comment was made "the next 1000 will be harder"!!!
Cheers.
Robert.

I had a wonderful afternoon at Te Aroha, and met Racecafers, Raewyn and Ted. Good racing as well, and a good crowd in attendance.
Well done to them, and thanks for the hospitality.
Cheers.
Robert.

Hi Ivan,
Maurice retired in 1974, before Lord Module started racing.
Cheers.
Robert.

It was great to be on course to see him win his 1000th, and see the presentation made to him by Noel Harris, an hour or so later in front of his jockey friends and those in attendance. Comment was made "the next 1000 will be harder"!!!
Cheers.
Robert.

It was great to be on course to see him win his 1000th, and see the presentation made to him by Noel Harris, an hour or so later in front of his jockey friends and those in attendance. Comment was made "the next 1000 will be harder"!!!
Cheers.
Robert.

It was great to be on course to see him win his 1000th, and see the presentation made to him by Noel Harris, an hour or so later in front of his jockey friends and those in attendance. Comment was made "the next 1000 will be harder"!!!
Cheers.
Robert.

Wishing you a good result on Saturday Blue.
Cheers.
Robert.

Wishing a good result in the Oaks Cubes, and perhaps the quinella with Blue??
Cheers.
Robert.

Very slow race by todays standards, only 4.05 but still one of the fastest up till then.The bunch behind were pretty ordinary with no standouts, just good journeymen pacers. Our Mana ,Camelot, Sunseeker, an over the hill Hands Down, Enterprise, Derby, Ben, and of course Bonnies Chance again over it.  I always had my suspicions about him being "juiced "up for that , as he was taken on in the FFA and weakened out to finish 10th.

Yes, raced in 1983 Interdominions in Auckland, and finished 2nd to Gammalite in the final.
Cheers.
Robert.

Excellent rational post again by the I man.  It has been already proven the AS shop is not closed and that they do race in the mediocre races. The recent sales suggest there are many people willing to invest in Standardbreds.

I don't care what the race is or where in nz it is, i think the judge's call should be broadcast like it used to, not second hand thorough the presenters, very poor in my book.

Agree Robert. While leaving the racing gear on the sculpture just looks bloody silly, the simple fact is that a damn good jockey riding him to 17 wins in some of the most prestigious races of the time helped create the legend. They were a special partnership and IMO deserve to be remembered as such. I'm a bit surprised the Mitchells haven't recognised that fact.
Then again, the ARC might decide to charge anyone who wants to have a pic on the Champ...might be a good earner.....

Ok I know this is irrelevant really as the statue is there already so just for fun should Big Red have G Stewart on or not.

Just to wrap up the weekend - we had a leisurely lunch at HQ yesterday with Leo and Tasman Man who popped in to say hi. Fair to say two great characters with plenty of racing (and other) stories. 
Thanks for sharing the bosses table with us Leo - just as well you did as the place was fully booked. Absolutely recommend HQ - fun place and food was excellent.
Right back to reality :-)

Interesting statement skipper.
More often than not I pick after my opponent (because I like to see track conditions, scratchings, etc..) and on many occasions I will have 10 or more picks the same as my opponent.  I tend to follow form and therefore don't often pick outside the first 4 or so favourites in a race.   Picking second against someone who does likewise means I will often have a number of picks in common.  I don't deliberately change my picks to have less in common (unless I've breached Peter's limit).
I personally don't consider this is "negative" and I certainly wouldn't label it "taking opponents pix".  If the person who picked second couldn't take their opponents picks then the first picker would have a huge advantage.   I think Peter has set a very fair limit (6 different) - doesn't give either first player or second player advantage.
Anyway back to my study - still trying to break into the Magnifcent 7.
 

I didn't think ENDOWMENT'S run all that shabby either. Drew 19,  3 and 4 wide whole way, blistering speed at 600 to lead til the 100, 1/2 head from 3rd.
Better draw the placings would have been different.
I wouldn't be biased though being breeder and owner, and I'm very proud of his great run.
Pundits agreed though, the run was massive. Never mentioned him before the race (except Stu Laing). Suppose we're pretty lowly in the scheme of who they talk about prior.
2nd G2 to Demonitization. Just waiting for a good track. And pulled up in splendid condition. Watch this space.

Fingers crossed. 
Savvy Coup will be hard to hold out .
Go Treasure