harewood

You are right in taking the hot favs out. They did it for Winx last start but not sure if it was a success or not. Would imagine not hard to do just create another market. And I worked out it was too early for Aus to bet the same way you worked out the early races had a lot of Oz money propping them up. Personally would think it would be the other way round, once the Aussies wake up after the first few races more likely to bet on the later ones as they start to look at their own races.

The best would be KOS and Ocean Ridge. Neither from the above. Both will reach open class and possible G1

A cursory look at exported horses in the last month shows this promising bunch heading offshore. A Lister, Cable Beach, Dracarys, King of Swing, Mongolian Hero, Motown, Ocean Ridge. This is only in one month. No wonder the depth of fields is being depleted. They may not have all reached open class but would certainly have strengthened the ranks. And there were 27 yealings and 2 yr olds exported as well. Most I suspect unraced but no doubt a far few with ability. Would banning the All Stars dominance stop this. If the AS closed down would these horses stay or would the fields be even far weaker. Who can blame an owner wanting to sell when such big money is offered. How are we going to stop this plundering of our talent. Can it even be stopped. Remember this is only in the last 29 days

Not on the money this time Brodie. The first half of the card was the weakest by far. Too early for Aussies to be betting also. Rather condescending Brodie. and a bit smartarse ish Didnt think you were like that. I thought you didnt bet on the tote and neither did your "mates" therefore your comments are irrelevent on this matter as the turnover figures were tote only.

So close. My wife backed Shared Secrets and looked like it was going to win untill Master Pat, well headed fought back. They never fight back like that if you have backed them. Twoz back luck. Thats what keeps us going back to try again I guess

Ashley Locaz one of last years Jewel winners, trained by All Stars and owned by Murfitts daughter is 4th dam related to Ashley Knight out of Ashley Star A very good breed that keeps on producing.

The figures I put up were thru the tote so money from the big punters like you who you say bet fixed are not in these figures. The early races were the weakest turnover with the first half of the card averaging for the win 14 K while the last half averaged for the win 23K The main trot had the biggest turnover 32 K win. Not quite on the money with this one.

So was I A lot of very good horses in all the races. Can still remember the Derby smash right in front of me, AND the race still carried on. Not today it wouldn't.

Disappointingly weak fields for what used to be one of the premier days of the year. Where have all the horse gone. AUSSIE! Apart from the All Stars many of the very promising juveniles and 3 yr olds are sold over the ditch. WA in particular are prepared to pay big money 150 K for them so why wouldn't you sell. Not many make any where near that in NZ never mind the training vet etc bills. How do we keep them in NZ, change the handicapping? (look at Aus where many have won well upwards of 30 races and are still in a competitive grade), increase the stakes (that wont happen in a hurry with decreasing turnover) Any ideas.? As I had a bit of time WD I quickly checked the turnover of Addington and Riverton You are quite correct. Just checked the win and place so roughly Addington turned over 205 K in 11 races and Riverton 335 in 9 races. The average per race was Addington Win 18.7K Place 12K Riverton Win 37K Place 23K Wow thats a huge discrepancy for a supposedly premier day of harness racing .Doesn't look good for future stake gains.

Naval Officer?

You draw the best out of people Brodie!

Im sure Ive seen huge crowds of young people at Cup Day and Show Day, both day meetings. But you probably were not there as you dont like these days. Young people as you put it will not go to night meetings unless the club changes its format and does something to attach them. They would far rather go to bars where there is music.

No Brodie They have run it several times as a night meeting with little success It ALWAYS USED to be a day meeting drawing big crowds. Surely you are old enough to remember that. Was only a few years ago.

Your memory must be short Brodie. ALWAYS used to be a day meeting. Always better turnover when there are more meetings on and more people are watching and betting on every race. Enjoy Hawera.

Please show Iraklis' quote where he is 'CLEARLY' saying this because I have read his post several times and cannot find such a quote.

Brodie have you not just done what you are claiming is perhaps wrong. Ie making innuendos of what Iraklis posted. He never said what you posted therefore you are reading into it something that you want to beleive but was never said.

That was interesting thanks KH Even the mobile arm and it worked. And then they all have a rest for half an hour and race again.Wonder how many horses they have to run a programme or did I just watch it. Have you sourced any vids from China yet

I routinely check the HRNZ website for horses that have been exported from NZ just to see whats leaving the shores and what I might see pop up in Aus that would be worth keeping an eye pout for. Normally just about all are exported to Aus with the odd one to the USA. This past month I notice several to Canada, one to Tahiti (beach racing?) and 9 to CHINA. Now something must be going on over there to want that many in a month, must admit never heard of any of them but they are all registered standardbreds. Any ideas any one. And NO not for chow mein please.

Is that the same as Harcourts having a 70% share in real estate or Bunnings forcing small hardware stores to close or Toyota dominating the new car industry. Should they all turn customers away and tell them to go else where and support all the struggling smaller businesses. They are the leaders in their chosen areas just as the All Stars are. Its up to the rest to improve and try and increase their market share or try a different approach to survive. This is the way it is in the "free world" with democratic rules or are you suggesting we should look at a communist style where we are all equal and no one rises above the rest. Not for me thanks Brodie.

Was he supposed to drive all three? I know hes good but that good?

It was a race record at the time. People may well say the same about Lazarus in 20 years time when they are running 3.45, slow time and he only beat average fields. You can only beat whats in front of you and as you well know its not good to compare eras. Its more the way you dominate a race that makes you special and both Steel Jaw and Lazarus have done that and thats why I will remember those races above all others. Sure titanic battles, Hands Down v D Lady, were great to watch but nothing beats a horse dominating a race and making it his own leaving the others as well beaten also runs. I also loved when Armalight did similar a couple of years earlier in a slightly slower time. Any suspicious about that race Bonnies Chance won the cup the year before and Camelot the year after, Our Mana ran several placings and we all know Hands Down well so they were not a mug field. Looking forward to continuing our discussions in Perth

Andrew "Hoss" Bensley, journalist, renowned racing scribe etc, spoke to Bowman on Mon and Bowman told him the horse gave a small "pig jump' just before the said incident. Hugie said he slightly adjusted his riding position to compensate and at that the horse reacted and abruptly moved sideways causing him to fall off. So I guess Admin you are partly correct in what you saw.

Steel Jaws cup was one of my all time favs At least 6 lengths clear at the 800 and pulling his head off Did he stop NO won by an even biggrr margin Just sheer raw pacing power Loved it

Scary eh for us oldies.

Geoff Martins first drive back today after 15 month off and drives Danke very well for 3rd. Great place money. Interesting to watch his drives from now one. Am sure he will be under a lot of watchfull eyes