john legend

You want to get out a bit more Stables. !!

Stables Stables you do not know the area and I hope you are just stirring as there are enough horses trained in Taranaki, Bulls Manawatu, Wairarapa,Wellington region plus on track to maintain Harness Racing . Mike Berger, Michael House andothers enjoy racing here and many top horses have and are being developed here, I am picking you"re a person that wears the term JAFFA proudly without understanding its full meaning...!

not such a great ff. turnover (TAB) big punting non existent. Novelty value otherwise. and half field breaks (see stipe report) including fav. wow . also did not know weight carried by each until 3 minutes before start. another bad feature. Oh well another 3 or 4 junior drivers off to find employment in Aus. and our betting club happy to avoid AK altogether. I may be in minority but honestly is our great sport that dumped saddle trots and pacing decades ago wanting to return to the bad old days . If a fall occurs on an all weather surface it would be serious as less forgiving than grass. Sorry but shouldnot be tote racing.(at least someone knew not to make it part of pick 6.)

The sale of the breeding share gives opportunity to breed 1 mare to him each year in USA . lets have a guess at stud fee now the Takter" managed " to reduce it somewhat. Remember also the owners are not harness Racing breeders but are thoroughbred mega breeders/racers....lots of competition in the breeding barns in USA at present with subsequent reduction in stud expectation. My guess is around the $US15000.00 fee but could range from $6000 to $16000. given level of oppn. eg sweet lou full and closed at 12500 in usa.Their onlyhopenow is to purchase good mares and wait for 2 year olds to arrive If it was my laz would stand him at 9000.00 to give him numbers to start. Dad Bettors Delight standa at 15000 as does the brilliant new sire Capt Treacherous.

can i push my luck and comment one last time.... Mick G. has now entered comments on Monte racing . He assures us that Ak trotting club is committed to a summer series of monte racing ..... Sorry Tim but the dripping water eventually wears away the stone (as we all know) thats why I wanted tto turn the water off before the brilliant Ak Committee made montes tote races (everyone said only non totes) and then only if short noms to add a race. NOW A SUMMER SERIES. from the very same people that brought in the no talking rule for drivers.(or tried to) .

meant to add eljay no SI have the good problem of plenty of horses. but the lower north island with good horses trained By Doug Gale, Scott Dixon,Stephen Doody,Murray Gibbs,Phil and Willie Fleming etc etc. is a poss source .

Take your point re Kevin Smith, but he is a real student of harness racing and can think outside the square. If a racing secretary just juggles the horses that nominate and there are only a handful of pacers it is timely to seek out the root of the problem Not just fill in gaps with Monte racing etc. perhaps licence dual sulky races for tote betting (sorry got carried away) A PR person is needed as well to assist the Secretary.. Mr Smith reads these columns for fresh ideas and is the ONLY person ever to have the courtesy to ring me to put me straight on reasons why decisions made., and often to sound out certain matters .

Rusty no need to exclude relatives My bet still difficult to find someone to defend" his starting procedure". I did discusswith Gary Phillips that he might like a week in November next year to be at addington to avoid current malaise. As the present encumbent is part of the Judiciary which in effect controls the starter and can fine him for incompetence there has to be a conflict of interest

one idea was put in "race or sell" topic with extra conditions added as in USA. Regardless of reasons or those responsible Auckland needs to get someone to find answers, or outside classic/group meetings they will run at a serious loss.

thank goodness Addington racing friday as AK turnover I predict will go through the floor. 5 trots including a ..................... wait for it agh!!!!!!!!! a Saddle trot . the big city needs a Promotion person to find why a handful of pacers are even interested in racing at our mega city. Excuses have run out. I amsure we may have brought some horses North if a travel subsidy was offered. but never any contact from anyone. I realise a saddle trot a novelty and the once a year corporate clients that buy some refreshments will have a great laugh at it. Why not have 2 saddle trots (10 races) as it will be amusing but of no benefit to regular drivers. Geez Auckland missing Kevin Smith bigtime.! I know I am turning into a grumpy old (71)man but I can see serious errors of judgement after 60 years .as bob D says "you dont need aweatherman to know which way the wind is blowing!

yes lowdown, thought the small Whale(who I respect) was putting Cam out to dry by belabouring a very minor point. Every commentator develops their own sayings and who cares as long as they are calling your own horse home . Swing on in Cam.

As claimers didnt take off in Nz perhaps another separation from the present set up used extensively in USA to keep horses racing.... is conditions such as "FOR UP TO 4 WIN HORSES THAT HAVE NOT WON MORE THAN $3000 LAST 5 STARTS." the wins and dollars won can change but advantage is trainers could find race with other horses in a struggling category.works well in uSA.(maybe even 1/2 points for win) dont like copy trump country but may be some merit with trainers/handicappers ideas.

One replacement would be a huge improvement is Gary Phillips ,CD region starts everything except dogs but no doubt he could do that as well. A respected horseman. Lack of theatricks,no screaming Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigghhtt.' just gets on with people and his job. (only thing we dont want to lose him but Cup week woth a thought.

I will just add, how lucky is woodlands stud to have bettors,american ideal and sweet lou, outstanding. It would be difficult to get into any of their stallions and sweet lou with his outcross bloodlines suiting many mares inc. bettors. I am certain the fee of $6000 plus gst will rise considerably next season as there will be many disappointed broodmare owners this season.

Hi Lamour, you are correct as this season over in usa has progressed., Sweet lou has got stronger and is a real standout with his first crop. He is now rushed by breeders in USA and looks like getting same support here. It is totally justified both with a strong pedigree, great performance and now standout siring record. also well received world wide at yearling sales. I have no financial interest in sires so can give iindependant advice.

ATC would be or should be able to put a remit to conference along these lines if they wanted a rule change during horses on the track for a race or during the race. People Ive spoken to including galloping trainers think this is honestly a joke. Did this slip through the Committee late 1 night when the participants were A. not listening, B needed to take their medication, or C. had opened the liquor cabinet a little early. Harness Racing has many administrators these days who lack the most important attribute of all,,...... COMMONSENSE.

it really is a brand Purdon benefit when the big money is up. They rest their 2 big guns and still have half the free for all field. Go TT.(threw Jack L. in to give the post more impact lol.)

3 hours now waitng for felds show day. the word incompetence is seeming more appropriate by the minute.

a bit more on destreos. was mostly racing in queensland but the owner/trainer moved to tasmania and last season he raced at launceston and devonport tracks mainly. Because he races every week on the trip to Tasmania he stopped off at several trot tracks to race on the road trip (paying his way)south. It looks like they were hoping for the 100th win and now he has been retired as he would be 15 now. last start august 2018.

another solid equine citizen in the south may set new records Alexy,,.223 starts and close to 50 last season.But as only a young 9 year old gelding (despite the name) by Courage Under Fire could reach 300 in next few seasons. Another advert for the newish handicapping system.

I know who will win the cup now that M,G. has worked out that Tiger Tara has no chance and the Bookies are stupid in keeping it fav. All based on draws. Must be a flying mile where draws are paramount. No I checked its still a stand/ 3200 mtre test. The stand start at Addington esp Cup day becomes a lottery and after 100 metres horses can end up in any order. 1 important asset is a horse that has huge experience and can handle pressure eg. TT.

good to hear from you trotting fan. I know what you are saying. you are 100% correct. I was a Club Manager and within an hour of noms closing if light. the big ring around.took place. I still appreciate the positive responses from many trainers incl. bernie Hackett,lou Driver etc. Of course some jokingly said will come if my horse gets good draw. strange but they usually did (by incredible luck !) leaving them open is a bad habit to fall into for many reasons (could even be a corrupt practice) especially when the field is already full.

simply not good enough especially 2 already full fields !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leaving noms open beyond original time seems to be the mindset for addington officials. Even when the press, serious punters, want to know the rough make up of fields esp when lots of horses need to be eliminated for cup day. even 3 of the 4 left open have full fields and the other for a change for punters would be small but highly competitive.. I suppose they do it all season and imagine trainers have forgotten cup day has come around again. NO owners and trainers are not stupid.............

think the big blue attack will be repelled by theTiger returning home. Just look at his withering Vic cup win only 3 weeks ago. He ran a great field raggered including Chicago Bull and Franco Nelson in a 1.53.4 mr. for group 1 glory. (2240 mtrs)He is a Bettors Delight and is well experienced at Addington. He has a great record and although getting on in years retains the strength,speed and manners to win 13th nov.(IMHO)