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Todays Ashburton guardian "There are only three words that could be used to describe Saturday's Harness Jewels race day and they are "a huge success", said Ashburton Trotting Club president John Rollinson. JewelsSCThe big stakes race day that saw the country's top two, three and four-year-old pacers and trotters go head-to-head over nine races, attracted record crowds and record on-course betting, even if records weren't broken on the track, Mr Rollinson said. "We had probably the biggest crowd we've ever had out there. "Even when people were flocking out onto the track, you could look back and see it was still chokka in the stands." And many in the crowd had gone all out to dress to impress. The day was as much a social event as it was a race day. Hundreds had put fashion before warmth, vying for a slot in the inaugural Jewels fashion stakes. This was one by Christchurch woman Gussie Fenton (see page three). Stretched limos and buses ferried hundreds of punters from Christchurch and with locals that meant the race day crowd ran into several thousand. Like any race day, the measure of success comes in on-course betting and at Ashburton this year, the Jewels broke records of its own, surpassing the on-course figure achieved in Cambridge last year and tipping the hugely successful Ashburton event in 2009."

Totally agree in the public stand the singing was as good or better than at a test match and everyone around me got into it. Look forward this anthem each year and it is better than some of the dirges we are served up with over the year.

Trackside radio no better!! Thursday night at Manawatu interrupted the commentary to give an all clear for a previous race and then cut away to an Australian race seconds after the finish just after the second horse home was called.

Some thoughts from 39 years of cups Like - Large crowds Harness racing how it should be - Good horses - The feeling that every driver is having a go, no one is holding back - Build up and sense of anticipation before the cup - Backing a winner - Plenty of food outlets Dislike - Long lines to get a beer - The person in front of you revising their multibets as you hear the field moving behind the mobile - Young people getting drunk and making fools of themselves - Old people getting drunk and making fools of themselves - Not being able to see around track unless high in stand, damm it all it

you said it all. A gentleman.

Whisper is some of the drivers will be going around in Green and White jerseys tomorrow. Will be watching with interest

Yup you are probably and sadly correct! As that famous Irishman once said "they know the price of everything and the value of nothing ."

Interesting choice of names and a not too subtle point being made to some people in Wellington - Well done * Race 1[12] Turbos Have Buckets Of Support Trot * Race 2[12] Martin Engineering (PN) Ltd Mobile Pace * Race 3[ 1:10pm] Green Power Is Sustainable Mobile Pace * Race 4[ 1:40pm] Askey Group Limited (Business Dvpt Consultants) Mobile Pace * Race 5[ 2:05pm] Turbos - Home Grown Not Poached Mobile Pace * Race 6[ 2:35pm] Legends Bar - Railway Hotel Mobile Pace * Race 7[ 3:13pm] Air NZ Cup Needs Turbo'lence Mobile Pace * Race 8[ 3:45pm] A'La Vista Motel Mobile Pace * Race 9[ 4:22pm] Turbo Boost 2010 NPC Handicap Trot * Race 10[ 4:57pm] MHRC Supports The Turbos Mobile Pace