Pure Steel

Not well. (if you're talking Auckland Cup) She Has only ever raced Fillies. was a 'lucky' Harness horse of the Year IMO last year, for 9 out of 9 wins all against 3 year old Fillies. 3 Group 1's. Let's look who ran 2nd in those group 1's then? . Fortify (hasn't raced in a year) Mantra Blue (not raced yet as 4 year old since 2nd in the Flying Fillies final in Nov to Nike) and Diamonds Are Forever ran 2nd in the other Group 1. (can't even get a win at Manawatu lately) so don't think beating 3 year old Fillies = winning an Auckland Cup ? against Merlin and the strong open company horses that contested the Grin-Race and that. JOLIMONT a Jolly Good Chance though. needs a class driver . I'd fly Cam Hart over and give em' all a fright . (Mark might be on DSD or Self Assured, both big chances)

Think BarryP with Phelan are having a great time with All the ENTAIN bosses money . Dean S has 17 horses listed with them . And now Merlin after winning the Derby double last year with Merlin they have gone and beaten Mark and Nat in the Million dollar GRIN-Race as well. (also had the Miracle Mile 2nd place getter) So will be Interesting the big Feature Auckland Cup on soon. A race Allstars have won an Incredible last 8 years running. Mark About to be twarted by Barry again lol ?

yes it was quite a quiet drive in the that with Dreams Are Free, Great drive by Nathan on Always Dreaming though, in the 2 year old Diamond Creek classic. Picks up a large 2nd place cheque and nearly Won it. so close..... Got going early after the 2 leaders finished their duel for the lead. and took over . then took a sit on the HOT Allstars favourite Rubira (BlairO) . Rubira held on by a nose , but Nathan didn't die wondering in that race anyway. (nor the Oaks lol ) Nice to see he still trained the Southern Oaks winner with his second string runner , driven by Matthew . Nathan caught parked out and dropped out.

Today is the BIG Test for the horse. can he cut the mustard or not ? 'Dreams Are Free' is chasing the Group 2 glory in his home Southern area today in the 'Southern Supremacy Final.' If he is going to step up to older brother 'Don't Stop Dreaming ' quality and be a chance in Group 1's he should win this Race 5 today. Trainer/driver Nathan Williamson also has the 2 year old brother 'Always Dreaming' in the 2 -year old $100,000 race group1 Diamond Creek classic Race 8. Sure seems is a lot of Dreaming going on in NZ ? . he won't win that though as Mark has taken one down there to beat him (Rubira) . Nathan W is a great chance of taking out the great Southern Oaks (G2) with Allstars not in it though !! with 'Ruby Roe' . showing $2.60 sportsbet.

Pondy a head short of victory in the end . Right down to the Wire in the Grand Final. Congrats to the victor's !! Also , on behalf of Team Rough Habit , congrats to the Very Speedy IMPERATRIZ team taking the 'Say No More Four's Plate 'today . A nice Best bet to Jack to finish it off in style. Well done mate. Great final to you and O'man , Peter RS and that dusty #48 too. Thank you very much John for your sterling effort there 'manning the Boards' , Scooby, and also to my fab star Rough Habit Team enjoying plenty of solid gallops against star opponents each week for a bit of fun.

Thanks John . best of Luck to your team in the Grand Final. Here's some Roughies Habits for a crack at the B Final. The 'dust' will be flying lol. Best of luck to Jack and his Team . Go 'Roughie' ya good thing lol . 1. Ellerslie R6/ 2 - 12 2. Ellerslie R7/ 7 - 10 3. Randwick R2/ 3 - 10 4. Randwick R3/ 3 - 12 5. Randwick R4/ 3 - 4 6. Randwick R5/ 2 - 3 7. Randwick R6/ 6 - 12 BB 8. Randwick R7/ 2 - 7 9. Randwick R8/ 9 - 12 BB it's a great day in Southport today 10. Mornington R6/ 8 - 10 11. Mornington R8/ 8 - 10 12. Mornington R9/ 2 - 5

There's a great story with the NZ 'Pardon My Dust' trotter Alf. When starting out in harness around 1980 the Trotter Pardon My Dust was trotting around all the North Island tracks having started his 'trotting' career as 5 year old. He hammered away against Stormy Morn, Jenner and the like for years with very mild success. As a young horse he was tried as a pacer for 4 starts but did absolutely nothing so was dumped out for a long time . Bit of luck he returns to that 'Pacing Form' today . so old rusty Pure Steel , who was the champion of Australian racing/pacing around 1980 can help get Rough Habit a win today. Thanks very much Alf for your help with Pardon My Dust (Aus) , in this Comp. Let's see if he's got some Interdominion form ? now he's an Aussie just pop picks in soon when check scratchings.

Forgot this was on last week as it panned. The Rough Habit team mates have given you something to catch it seems John . with you running a solid 4th. 'Roughie' looking good for the quinella by the look of it. excellent stuff. so just for a bit of fun >>> Veandercross 5-0 and Rough Habit 5-0 . thanks and Happy days !

We've arrived a month too early John. Not fit enough yet The Rough Habit Plate is on May 18th at Doomben when we might have claimed Victory on that day lol so with Imperatriz thundering to many Victories lately , we could be in for a hard time. Although she (Imperatriz) has retired this month so can you get Jack and Oman, PRS and #48 x-rayed as well ? they might be declared un-fit to race Saturday ? also....Is this a SWAB event? I have some secret potions from racing days gone by, that I could slip our star CHESTNUT filly in the Roughie team and then my good old mate Chief Jack will think it's 'Pride Of Jenni' turned up again , and give him a Hell of a fright . also hope #48 isn't taking my tonic number 48 either lol. Hey best of luck to your Boy VEANDERCROSS matey. would love to of taken you on again John , but lets see what Stoyd has in the tank . could be a photo finish.

IT was amazing camera work too on TV . They had to Pan the Camera out so far to keep Jenni and the rest of the field way behind in the frame , that you were looking at the race like you would be from the grandstand, with No zoom at all. I think everyone cheered her home for accepting the 2000m challenge with gusto. Mr Waller came on TV after the next race as had just brilliantly Quinellaed the Queen of The Turf. But He was still visibly fuming about Jenni beating his horse in that previous race , the Queen Elizabeth. these blokes (and Gai) sure want to win everything going. not happy with defeat.

Best of luck to Sunline opponents to set her usual strong pace. 'Roughie' over the Top Late on with his Straddie like finish burst is hopefully going to occurl Thanks John. (watch out for McGinty today mate, chock full of stars n0? ) 1. Randwick R2 / 7 - 9 2. Randwick R3 / 6 - 14 3. Randwick R4 / 1 - 12 4. Randwick R5 / 6 - 13 5. Randwick R7 / 9 - 12 6. Randwick R8 / 8 - 10 7. Randwick R9 / 1 - 6 8. Morphettville R4 / 1 - 8 9. Morphettville R5 / 9 - 16 BB 10. Morphettville R6 / 1 - 3 11. Morphettville R7 / 3 - 5 12. Morphettville R8 / 10 - 13 BB

yes the Queenslander Speak The Truth is up against it from that barrier out wide. There's a young fella smoking through from the second row who is the best in the Business. has won a few of these Big goes in his time Mark will be coming at them late with both 'OscarB' in the trot , and 'Self Assured' in the GrinsRace from their second row positions. Won't worry Mark drawn there , as do no work early and both are straight into the running line , with out even trying . so the Oscar Bonavena - Self Assured double is currently $120-1. excellent odds for the champion trainer/driver ? so have whacked a tenner on that. (and are at $5.65 for the place double so put a small cover on that too)

sounds like the feeling you get watching the Black-caps in the Test cricket v Aus Idol-mate ....but lets move on and see what can happen Friday night . Arcee Phoenix trotted 1.53 last week so if he leads , they're gunna have to go quick to beat him. Muscle Mountain was enormous last week too in his win. he could do it. and in the Pacers. Kango might lead from the pole ? you never know unless ya give it a go. Merlin beat Don't Stop Dreaming fair and square in the NZ Derby and also last week he sat parked out and went 1.52 and beat Don't Stop Dreaming again . super quick and tough run, Merlin will be even better with cover possibly..... He beat the Aussies at Menangle when Mark drove him too , with a huge run from the back 3 wide attacking .. so I'm going 'Merlin' from the mighty QLDer 'Speak The Truth' flashing home late.

Looks a good chance of 'Immortal' Double at Caulfield today. IMMORTAL STAR in the first race shortly into >> FIRST IMMORTAL in Race 9. (who's spose to be a good thing today) Hoping to get a nice sit with my 50 bucks at 7-1 after R1.

Thanks John. best of luck to Veandercross to get you over the line. Alf has a funny 'mannerism' though , so watch out Mr Tiz might be Mr Fizz after the mighty Rough Habit winds up a bit, and storms on past to victory today (all going well ) 1. Trentham R7 / 8 - 9 2. Randwick R2 / 12 - 13 3. Randwick R3 / 10 - 12 4. Randwick R4 / 8 - 12 5. Randwick R5 / 1 - 9 6. Randwick R6 / 6 - 10 BB 7. Randwick R7 / 8 - 10 8. Randwick R8 / 10 - 19 that 'Rusty' Steel is still coming Alf . might get there one day 9. Randwick R9 / 3 - 7 10. Caulfield R4 / 4 - 11 11. Caulfield R8 / 5 - 9 BB 12. Caulfield R9 / 3

Winner winner chicken for dinner. Don't worry about the Winner too much Scooby. I think he has it all wrong. John isn't gunna let that tricky opponent HorlickAlf do the 'Cascadian' on him like last week , so can see Veandercross getting some revenge this week. Advantage to salute along with good old Roughie and the mighty Showgate Liz and crew. so If I 'reverse' Winner69s Picks completely , that will but him on the losing side. n0? Veandercruise v Horlicks 3 - 2 Melody Belle v Avantage 2 - 3 Rough Habit v Mr Tiz 4 - 1 Imperatriz v Showgate 1 - 4

sounds like this would be a good spot for the Iceman and his Mystic steed to be a chance if that is the case. . the speed will be hot with the Aussies burning up front and blazing to victory . too hot for the Iceman at Cambridge . the pace will be so Hot that even the chickens will be laying hard boiled eggs

In case you missed it Rakman .. the Vic's were 'hard at play' on Saturday night with ARCEE PHOENIX giving the Interdominion Champ Just Believe a bit of flogging. 1.53.5 as they all but broke the track record , (broke the race record by 2 seconds ) and a comfortable 2 length win for the Arcee one. Think he might be the One to beat on that. these 2 Aussies are obviously in TIP TOP knick . time to knock a few kiwi's about I think?. A very nice win to Muscle Mountain too, on Saturday at Addington . looking good then, for a solid '3rd' in the Big Slot-trot at Cambridge mate ?

Might as well go the Oaks.? Did you go along and see PennyWeka win it last year for Nz Pogo n0 ? she has/had 70 owners and 40 flew over for the Big day . including the Trainer Jim Wallace. some of the owners could still be in Sydney partying ? PennyWeka had completed the Nz /Australian Oaks double . Orchestral looks set to repeat the dose

Great Best bet to Alf in the Australian Cup on the big bald faced Cascadian. Well done Alf and you fully deserve a place in john's Final with supporting the Double Aus Cup winner like that. A great ride and Win by Cascadian. Best of luck with Horlicks in the Finals . not far to the finish post today now.

1. Ellerslie R6/ 6 - 8 2. Rosehill R2/ 10 - 11 3. Rosehill R3/ 2 - 9 4. Rosehill R4/ 2 - 13 5. Rosehill R5/ 13 BB 6. Rosehill R6/ 4 - 14 7. Rosehill R7/ 1 - 2 8. Rosehill R9/ 1 BB This one's for you Alf ... I received a few pallets of Rust Convertor and have come up with some fantastic Rustic Steel . 9. Flemington R4/ 4 10. Flemington R7/ 3 - 13 11. Flemington R8/ 8 - 9 12. Flemington R9/ 5 Much thanks John .. Don't forget to give Veandercross a bit of a dig in the ribs , and to take 'care' of young Horlick Alf ..

Pretty classy opponents in all these teams make it tough to even get a squeak in Alf mate lol Best of luck to you to hang in there 6th on 27 points . will be interesting to see if the current 23 point teams 'Go for broke ' with lots of outsiders to try and grab that 5-6 point Haul to nip at your Horlick flanks The Mufhasa team pulled it off nicely last week (6 Points) and are coming home well. will be an exciting Last Round . .

Your week to Carry the hopes of a swag of teams that are on 25 points John. The Finals hopes of a nation depend on you mate !! so eat up and drink well lol. You and your Veandercross mates need to slap up a 4-zip win on the Horlicks battlers ( who are currently on 27 pts) so that Rough Habit , Sunline or Mufhasa can gallop on by them to secure the Finals berth . Suggestions >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Just get my old mate Alf going up and down on the one spot, Kloppite to turn the 'Rev's ignition off so he doesn't rev up many winners, Pondy to shoot some bullseyes as Aaron is out of arrows surely by now? and Howie sure to have an Ace or 2 up his sleeve instead of jokers to see off his Italian oppo. Mufhasa scored a six point Haul $4000 bucks last week so am sure they will feel gassed and pretty flat after that ? , and need a spell.. Roughie galloping on past into the Final's instead seems to be on the cards lol .. So come on Veandercross !!! no relying on Shane Dye to get you home this week.

I guess if there's one slot left they'll look at whatever runs second to Muscle Mountain in the Group 1 Nz Trotting Championship running on Saturday night. Muscle Mountain just adds another win to his fine record , drawn 1 in that trot. Galloping is the only way he could get beat. LOVE N The PORT a great Win over OscarB and Muscle Mountain in the last Rowe Cup up your way Rakman ? nearly a year ago now though. .. BUT perhaps he is the one to get the last slot?

The guts fell out of the trotters races in NZ when Sundee's Son broke all the 'hearts' and 'wills' of the trotters for 2-3 years. crushed em... except Bolt maybe who alas got injured.... and You're not recovered yet. Mark even refused to take him on with Oscar in one Dominion H'cap as didn't want to give his horse a heart/gut buster in vain. Paid off too, as with Sundee retired Mark trotted to an easy victory in the Dominion last November. What have you got ? Midnight Dash ? ran 2nd the other night in fast class? but hasn't won in past 2 seasons chasing stable-mate Muscle Mountain and Oscar all the time. Greg Sugar's trotter JUST BELIEVE only beaten once in the past year (by tha Froggie trotter when they ran twice on one night) ) i so am fairly sure the Slot Trot will be a Just Believe Win , He is quite a machine and just Puts out a 27 second last quarter every start , no matter the distance or position , and it's Just to much for the opponents to try and match. he's the Aussie equal of Sundee's Son