Blue
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Posts posted by Blue
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Shouldn't really denegrate the Quokka. After all we're all Kiwis - sightless, flightless........ but it does seem an interesting title for such a big race. Meanwhile our Harness code has the $1m race for GRINS. Who or what is GRINS I might ask? Never see the word as kings of industry, real estate, car manufacturer , banking etc but obviously the principals have more than just a passing interest in the sport.
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35 minutes ago, We're Doomed said:
Next she will be pointing out you have spelt fuck wrong.
Errr..... 'spelled' hehe.
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6 hours ago, MissJools said:
Riccarton didn't have one drop of rain yesterday, it was a gorgeous day down there, total comtrast to Ellerslie, where it didn't stop raining all day!!!
But how much rain did Ellerslie actually get? Anyone know without guessing?
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9 minutes ago, nomates said:
Already sent one of their jumpers to Aus , Fierce Flight ? raced last Sunday in a jumps race .
Leaderboard ran second in a minor nrace in a small field last week but The Mighty Spar never fired a shot. Just as hard to win over there.
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2 hours ago, Gruff said:
On a more positive note this rain should clarify any issues around drainage . With the blame squarely targeting a 'matted root structure' which has now been 'loosened up' one could be left wondering if this will be beneficial before this adverse Weather in the short term? Time will tell but they should be making a judgement call no latter than 11am so Horses and Riders are not exposed to potential risk in this ongoing experiment...racing during rain will be interesting
Problem there Gruff is, will there be any horses working on the track prior to 11o'clock to get any sort of accurate assessment? I doubt it. They can walk, look and prod all they like but as long as it keeps raining, running a few races is the only way they'll see if it's successful or further disaster.
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3 minutes ago, scooby3051 said:
And why not have them live on trackside and maybe some interviews ...nah thats too much transparency for everyone to know the truth.
I'm not sure there's anyone prepared to ask the hard questions on air.
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5 hours ago, eljay said:
Una Anso was a "hobby" trainer back in the 1960's / 70's. She didn't drive very often - I see from HRNZ web site she only drove 1 winner. Trained out of Otorohanga and if my memory hasn't abandoned me completely had a property on the main road to Te Kuiti just south of Otorahanga.
I seem to think it was at Te Awamutu and the horse was Ra Pointer though I could well be wrong.
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9 minutes ago, tripple alliance said:
Selling the hill was the right move to fund this renovation , imagine if they had borrowed the $55 million .
I suggest a little patience , wait and see where this goes, it seems Ellerslie's biggest crime is trying to bring racing and it's facility's into modern times.
Maybe put away the irrigation and let a long spell of winter weather do it's thing seeing there are no plans to race over winter anyway. If you have to race 10 metres out should you even be racing? And would yesterday's problem have been there had they raced against the rail?I notice a comment from Stephen Marsh referring to upcoming Easter start for Provence said the 'track is perfect' or words to that effect. Difficult to know the true picture.
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1 hour ago, Al Feilding said:
Come in Winston
Winston won't be doing any track renovations that's for sure. Ellerslie, Avondale, Te Aroha all on the 'injured list' for one reason or another.
What odds the next Auckland Cup runs on the poly at Cambridge? Don't seem to have any slipping problems at least.
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3 hours ago, Idolmite said:
I don't really like picking holes in their coverage, but they provided their own holes last night. I'm embarrassed on their behalf. There wasn't one good thing about the coverage. Maybe it was a bloopers reel and the real show will be on tonight.
Couldnt agree more. I'm sure anyone could have done a better video on a smart phone without the freezing, stopping and starting.
Certainly did the occasion or the sport no favours.
- purple horseman and Iraklis
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12 hours ago, TurnyTom said:
Putting it in perspective, Flemington has 9 full time Gardner’s tending the roses, flower beds and lawn and minor maintenance. Plus they have a head track specialist with 8 staff all attending the surface the horses race on. And that’s why HQ in MLB is a superb track and always will be, the investment is there.
They have the investment and goodwill, it's the knowledge and expertise that's in question. We'll certainly never see racing on a 'hard and fast' surface again, or two year olds who have twelve or fifteen races in their first season but that was then and this is now and as previously noted, the track is one aspect, the other is the marketing side to generate interest and attendance.
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47 minutes ago, JJ Flash said:
Its loose change to them given who her father was. Of course she actually part owned it so wont be paying the full 10 Mio. Her bloodstock company will also be claiming depreciation. Overall the big winners were the other part owners and Inglis bloodstock. JMO.
Plus she has a big piece of Riff Rocket - the gravy on the KFC.
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It had us all guessing originally but when the American said he'd go to $9 mil it became a bit of a comedy (read 'pissing contest'). At the end of the day isn't that the foundation of the racing game? You pays your money and you takes your choice. Good luck to them.
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1 hour ago, JJ Flash said:
Debbie might head the Yank and others off.
But, its an auction and its only worth what somebodys prepared to pay for it.
Given most champion mares are relative failures as broodmares todays outcome will be fascinating IMO
Depending what business you're in or how well heeled one is it's probably a tax deductable transaction anyway. Apart from the pedigree it certainly looks like a well balanced filly. It has a leg on every corner.
- Insider, chiknsmack and JJ Flash
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4 minutes ago, Idolmite said:
Well tonight's pacing mile certainly whet the appetite for next Friday. Huge win by Merlin after sitting parked, but massive runs by a couple of others too (especially Don't Stop Dreaming), plus Self Assured and Old Town Road had no room to work in whatsoever. Bring it on !!!.
Yes Idol. Self Assured just nowhere to go the last 30 metres. On your big screen it probably looked like they were going to run right through your lounge. Better than being there.
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4 hours ago, Contentious said:
I do not think you could call a race the powder 'puff' derby these days
Have to call it the "Powder Poof" derby today.
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Just sacked one that wasn't making the grade. Opportunity to invest in something new but now I don't even think I'll bother.
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The thread refers to a 'promising horse'. A second and a win from two races doesn't neccessarily suggest anything more than promising. $1m in the hand speaks volumes.
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Ellerslie has yet to have anything but a good track. Once it's been through a winter of shitty weather (regardless if it races or not) and the vagaries of spring weather maybe this time next year a different and more stable pattern will emerge.
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5 hours ago, Leggy said:
It was reportedly inconsistent across the track on Cup day.
If thats the best that was offered it seems like most are just accepting it as is. I thought there might have been closer scrutiny after the initial hoo-haa.
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There still appears to be some negativity regarding the state of the Ellerslie track. Has there been any official or even unofficial feedback as to improvement on Cup day. Couldn't care less about 'leaders bias' or that stuff, just the actual track itself.
barrier draws
in Thoroughbred Cafe
Posted
In NZ in the 60s and 70s when the jackpots were running the recipe was simple. Generally big fields, fast track don't take anything drawn outside #8, wet track don't take anything drawn inside #8. Actually worked a treat but that was then, before we had strathayr where everything gets a fair go.