Shad

The old one bid short, an old chesnut from way back.

How about the owners who want to have a punt on there charges to make a bit more than some of the winning stakes, only to have the trainer or scribes lowering their div, by talking their horse up, guess thats where the winders were coming from. But times have changed and if the owners don't mind, i guess its fine.

Certainly has achieved it all, owning, training, breeding, a great stalwart of the industry, the south would be lost without him, and his stable, and breeding establishment, will be keeping an eye out to see how their progeny go at the sales.

Agree with your thoughts, i read an old article and thats where i got confused re the oaks, it is abit late for raise the flag i fear, seems most want the 2yrs and 3yrs for the classic races, and the days of giving them time is not to often heard of, and with so many sires around to choose from its easy to miss the boat. Good that he got a stakes winner all the same, and it will be interesting to see how his older progeny preform over ground.

Must have got my wires crossed somewhere, was a good win all the same.

Thought unfurl's win in aus yesterday was impressive, maybe going to Queensland oaks, good to see raise the flag get another winner, also the gore guineas. Broadside also preforming well over there.

Anyone remember eric percy, done the nelson and blenheim circuit.

I Some do say it is better on the other side, at the end of the day we all have our choices, where we live or what race meetings we attend, aussie racing doesn't appeal to me as much as the nz product.

Just goes to show you don't have to go to the big city meetings to enjoy a great day out.In my experiences you can't beat grassroots racing, just has it all. Be a real shame to lose it.

They can't even drop theirfoot from the sulky, without a warning, will never be allowed to stand up.

The rating 65 certainly does punish the up in coming horses, and sum that of the older horses that have won many races get off ok in comparison, just wondered wether a rating 65 that gets placed 4th in a rating 75 gets penalized when returning to its 65 grade.

What a devastating outcome, thoughts go out to all concerned, sumtimes we take things for granted when horses are unlucky or ridden poorly, but when a tragedy like this happens it makes all rest pale by comparison.

Left a few mudlarks in his day.

Wonder if they will race if the rain keeps up,think they have had the odd abandonment.

Crickey at those prices you should be able to demand trackside, thats certainly very poor, you will be suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

One paper was quoting it as methport, thats abit tough, probably no different than any other town in new zealand. Very prestine and scenic part of nz, with the added bonus of grassroots racing at its best.

I think that was her, had another one called highly favoured. That certainly was some time ago.

Kumara at least get a way bigger crowd.

I was told some time ago that the kumara track, was only used on race day, locked up the rest of the time, was a lady that even trained a couple out there but had to take them to grey for a gallop Have to be about 30 odd years ago.Don't know how true this was.

The ellerslie of the south some say, except much more entertaining.

Fantastic entertainment all around, and we are still talking about it, only place it could happen, a special win, a marvelous 97yr old training a winner, and a mistake by the jockey, who remembers the surprise trooper race from the reefton trots sum years ago, when he was way out in front, was a spectacle to, would love to find a replay of that, a must see to, well done to all concerned, the show certainly went on.

Either way it was a good win and abit of light hearted comments from me, not to be taken to seriously, understand your point re the stipes, was surprised nothing mentioned, could only happen on the coast, i usually follow all my picks through the circuit, learned over the years to stick with them, don't worry to much about them when they head back north.

Think it needed the last to runs, didnt put me off, got it at 60s fixed, in all fairness should have been 160s, followed all ginga few years back, went know good at reefton, greymouth or kumara, but stuck with it, was 3 wide all the way at hoki and won going away.Takes a special horse to handle hoki.

Our spice will go down in history for that win, what a effort, a big thanks must go out to the riders for racing today, so easily could have cancelled, they must be applauded, there can't be to many tracks that could take 70 plus mills of rain and still race.

Cheers, i think it must been the pope guy, i knew it was one of them but was a long time ago, haven't times changed no horses there now, keenan another name that i recall and williams to, isn't it a shame.Mind you not many other gallopers on the coast.