john legend

oh well 4 out of 8 and a few 2nds a good day all round. didnt expect Jimmy Curtin to join in with a training/driving success.Roll on day 2 thursday.

agree janitor.I have said previously good on MH for coming as it adds enough horses for a meeting to proceed. and Blue you could add an intelligent comment that would help.!! My point is how is this possible ?

M House takes 15 horses to Manawatu today . The TAB dont analyse race form , seemingly it doesnt matter as any form line in aprevious life is irrelevant. They just win at Manawatu ..so Tab make them all 1st or 2nd fav.regardless of previous life. Am I in the twilight Zone or not .? Just saying in my 60 years of betting (sometimes out of control)50 years of ownership(first winner claudelands raceway 1970)I have never experienced such domination by 1 trainer. Whats my point ? Simply this doesnt seem possible . 8 wins today ??? with seemingly average horses??????????????????????(and its red not blue Army)

I think we should shout the All stars a course at the newly established "Abernethy Charm School for interviewing techniques on track " much more interesting ...

last night a case in point,sure Greg does a good job but he got carried with interviewing Mark he did it coming back to photo area, during the photo (pos air brush him out)and after. the connections only able to wave to mark as Greg and he disappeared into the distance. The divs delayed as Mark said nothing we didnt know and Nat normally says "very much so" at least 5 or 6 times. and we know even very much so that their horses are superior, their drivng and training are superior and that delaying the judges call and divies is annoying (very much so) Before you say I am a grumpy old man I will agree with you in advance !!

Agree with Tasman Man . That it is bad enough committing the offence but leaving a trail a broken down greyhound could follow would lead me to give him a further 18 months for stupidity. (also feel must add I in no way regard him as stupid but his actions certainly were)

lets hope the selection committee and board do a better job when appointing a new CEO. WE need a person skilled in the industry .please do not appoint an accountant who is not well versed in harness racing. All the hot air of 20000 minimum races is escaping rapidly... The line that we need someone outside the industry for new ideas never works.... I have seen it in many Businesses and have seen it mostly fail over last 72 years !!

agree entirely Newmarket. When issues arise that cost no money, are logical for the betterment of the industry and fair and reasonable most Businesses would make the change "by lunchtime" but HRNZ appear to become "hey we tell you what we want not the reverse".... Many trainers grumble but they dont want to take on the might of Harness Racing, but as an owner they will get helpful "suggestions" from me as it usually costs me money everytime HRNZ refuse to change. (hope this isdifferent... they do read race cafe and they do know grizzly Legend !!)

The loose subjective programming needs to be better defined. The insert as put in many conditions states "if sufficiently wide rating range the pref.barrier draw will be used"or words to that effect. I understand group or special races it may not apply but for the average 40 to 70 races. there needs (IMHO) to be a rating band set when PBD applies.I would suggest it could be around 8 or 9 or even 10 points but it should not be a matter of choice.we were in a race at new plymouth recently where a 59 horse was added to 48,49 and 50 horses and by good chance for its owners drew a good front line position it had a JD requirement but many had Juniors on for the penalty free conditions.this is an example where having to give a superior point horse a start is simply bad policy. Come on Kevin ,your system is working but anomalies as stated should be eliminated.

At least Tim you helped out the Stratford cause by making PK a $3 fav in the last. A little while between drinks with PK but good to see.(although not a fan of tote amateur racing, where the drivers get zero for the risk they take)

why wont they put a passing lane at Menangle. would have led to a fairer result. in Chariots and pos a win for Chase Auckland in a sub 1.50 mile. Are those Committee members also members of the Flat Earth Society ?

Agree Lamoure, was surprise . Roll with Joe will have to rely on his progeny , not his Brothers freakish abilities. RWJ was 3year old pacer of the year and a 1.48.8 record and has been a good sire in USA without reaching the heights of BD. Full brothers often perform quite differently at stud and many studies have come to a result that the speed inheritence factor is hidden deep in a horses genetic makeup (60 chromosomes paired) .The phenotype (physical) shape and performance of each brother can be similar but the nysterious ability to be a geat sire cannot be assessed until pos 3 or 4 crops of racing age. RWJ is a larger horse (16 hands) than BD and foals look more impressive BUT will need to prove himself with nz mares.The demand for his foals is therefore I feel (IMHO) somewhat premature.

I liked the spotter doing the central rows. very clear when she was holding the top bidder and clear where the bidder was when s she was losing . a bit more colour to the proceedings.

Sales at Karaka well promoted and exceeded my expectations, for their first effort.congrats.

yes a great improvement from the 1 set camera days. A minor improvement could be a pedigree expert to "flesh out" the great points including crosses of gold etc. in harness racing . lack of in depth knowledge very evident. (understandable from Auctioneers expert in thoroughbreds) but really congratulations in order.

Lancewood lizzie s first foal should be well sought after in Karaka sales.as it is a colt by sweet lou andshe is by bettors out of a falcon seelster mare from the very succesful kamwood family (dianne wood) .it was by ET, but should go for big money. (lot 41) also first foal of linda lovegrace lot 47 being by somebeachsomewhere out of bettors/inthe pocket mare from great family.

yes congrats,, it will get harder nowwith the new club conditions, "for horses trained north of cook strait" for rest of season . I think this a bit mean spirited ..... but I am pushing for an addendum being "south of Hunterville as well !! (and not keen on Taranaki !)

There is some nice horses in the top 10 and a grand daughter of scuse me...see lot 37 could be a foundation mare for someone after racing career.. .by bettors...also full bros to chase auckland lot104...., Another grand son of scuse me lot 95 is pos a sale topping colt being by usa super 2 year old sire sweet lou out of bettors mare.Of course the safest investment would be Bettors out of A CC mare.2nd dam being oaxaca lass and it is a colt lot 59 ........... these will all sell well, and the up and coming sires, sweet lou. a rocknroll dance,auckland reactor will be great for buyers.however there will be highnumber of passings I expect and a lower average than last year.

agree lamour, completed my appraisal Karaka and I was waiting for the standouts to jump out but they are not there. sure the top 10 will sell well but there is a def.lack of highest quality as in previous years. maybe why Purdons buying big in Australia. Maybe some breeders are not happy with the new setup with their 1000 rules/ Breeders do not seem keen on using thisforum so it may remain a mystery.Another answer maybe that the best 5 or 6 families that produce the classic winners year after year are now tightly held and are raced by the breeders or purchased privately (for big money) The only problem is that this first NZB foray into Harness racing sales looks like a bit of a disaster although they will not admit it. They are used to selling yearlings (thoroughbred) where a 20000 price is considered as a gift for the purchaser and an insult to the seller .I wonder what will happen when they sell lots for alot less (unfortunately)

true W such a lack of top drivers we lost out as small trainers often do and no cigars for setting up 1.58 grass mr. even Todd Mitchell flew down late to fill in gaps .Still we not greedy and the big AK Reactors need time. (now time is free or is it Ivan?)

Thankyou Ivan for the replies,stupid but extreme humour..... You have made my day ,even if our horse is to front up to hopefully get more money from Kapiti club today or as you say run for fun and a net loss.!! keep playing the banjo Ivan its getting quite good!. lol

Was happy to get a winner at this meeting .Ivan the great Wa...ker. No proof just a lot of dribbling . your nurse should allow you out a bit more. They will have a big crowd in one of nz fastest growing regions . tomorrow.. Thankyou Mary and committee for having the longevity and backbone to put on good racing for those that enjoy harness racing. The worst thingin harness racing (besides stand starts/crossings and monte trots aggh!!) is those negative people like you Ivan that get a kick out o seeing the whole industry as a conspiracy to rob you of enjoyment and funds . I would like your full name published so honest hardworking can see you with your new nickname as above.

I know it is a topic every year but why cant they be improved . perhaps a bobcat and experienced operator could at least improve the bad ones eg. yes my pocket is speaking as well as training fees lost at Tauherenikau. but the thoroughbred track people should give us a fair go.. I watched a rocket that hasbeen travelling through space for 9 years send back accurate photos from objects on the edge of our galaxy wow! but get a reasonable flat surface for race day at a galloping track too difficult .... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AS stated in harness news today ... "Vincent is excelling as a stallion !" Now I know he was a brilliant racing machine over a short career and could have become the next superstar but he is not excelling at stud just yet with 250 odd mares in foal. There is no reason to not be impressed with his fertility, that s fine and his artsplace/jate lobell blood through the great Art Major who did excell at studr It is also the same bllodline that has seen Sweet Lou excell in hiis first 2 year old crop. in the USA. I see every reason to say Vincent has every possibility to be a great sire but this for the future, HAPPY NEW YEAR CAFERS... MY EARLY RESOLUTION TO TRY TO NOT WINE TO MUCH 2019...!!! ROLL ON tAUHERENIKAU. WE WANT THE STAKE AND THE 1500 MAIDEN BONUS

not when virtually every comment you have made is an insult to a large trotting fraternity with collectively millions invested in property and horses. some of your amateuretc etc. insults are against people such as Doug gale a group winning trainer also Stephen Doody trainer originally of Blossom lady and Te Kawau. Perhaps Auckland track should become more apartments and the funds distributed around centres such as cambridge/manawatuI have personally only stayed in harness racing because of Manawatu Harness racing and the tremendous efforts of a volunteer committee who do their best to produce top facilities/for horses and patrons often on a shoestring budget. After 50years in harness racing as an owner/breedertreasurer/committee man and fulltime sec.manager for metoeven give you any sort of reply. I have fought battles when the odds were against winning over introducing a passing lane to nz/free entry to courses/ $75000 trainer bonuses etc all worked may explain why Messara report will only be implemented where it is economically sensible. Not where it woulddestroy a large betting pool as well as a large trainer/owner pool.in the lower half of the north island.population around 1 million