What are your  thoughts on the French 1000 Guineas Stodge?

I said in another thread that between Trentham and Hawera that the numbers were great . Trentham in the winter was actually more interesting in many ways , the 3 days in July was a must for the true racing enthusiast , some brilliant memories . I know things change and move on but geez the gap from what we had to what we have is galaxy's apart . I'm just an old fart reminiscing .

Pretty decent fields at Trentham this weekend, good amount of runners considering they had racing there last weekend...at least we know the track will be safe...just wet....there used to be some great racing there in winters past. Lucky to have it in the CD at present.

No protest here it's you who needs to apologise , after asking you 6/8 times for you to provide just one example of a racist post by me and you fail to deliver , you could always say I believe in equality for all clearly you don't believe in equality for all , you are all mouth and a lack of spine .  Now you went to a performance so what do you want a pat on the back , no doubt many of us have been to all sorts of different performances , who cares . Trump , today the US had inflation falling , Tariffs will eventually  be covered by tax cuts and you misunderstand the Brits trade agreement , that deal gives the USA access for cars, beef  and AG equipment into England , a Special deal for RR cars into the US , NO TARIFF .    Now show some spine and apologize for your groundless attacks on me , yes I voted for Seymour who has Maori ancestry .

Hang on a minute , I  posted that in the middle of cooking a fantastic Tai meal , the cooking came first , better cooking a brilliant meal than fretting over a bit of spelling or punctuation , YUM .

Yet again the small guys get shafted , why does the money always have to be thrown at stakes that are already good ? I just don't understand the rationale .  

This has been a bloody sad week after this tragic accident but how great is it how everyone has rallied around the family and supported them in many different ways including the Give a little page for the St Johns, Westpac rescue services and fire brigade...and raised such a huge amount in Jimmy's memory....it is unbelievable what we can do as an industry at times...great to see such an out pouring of support from many angles. https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/in-loving-memory-of-jimmy-schick?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExa1pKQXk0cldaNVlwTDRPWQEe20FZ0MEKuG7oj0CJkUHIfs7dlQWmUQ_X1TZjmlJ3cmwQOOYSluQchFD-H14_aem_sU0amOrGRqVMGV3uGMntCg

More spin. Still dont understand why winter horses race for less than the rest of the year overall.

NZTR has unveiled a refreshed winter racing schedule for 2025, delivering stakes increases and backing Clubs that are lifting the bar over the colder months.     No images? Click here NZTR Fuels Winter Racing Momentum New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has unveiled a refreshed winter racing schedule for 2025, delivering stakes increases and backing Clubs that are lifting the bar over the colder months. Leading the way is the return of Whangārei Racing Club’s 2025 Winter Championships at Ruakākā Racecourse, now set for Saturday 28 June. Proudly sponsored by ITM/GIB, the meeting features five $60,000 Finals, providing strong incentives for connections targeting progressive winter horses.  The first round of qualifying races for the 2025 Winter Championships kicks off this Saturday 17 May at Ellerslie Racecourse, including the 2YO feature - the $100,000 Listed SkyCity Champagne Stakes (1600m). There are no early nominations this year, with all qualifying races listed in the latest NZTR Racing Programme Guide and available online here. On Saturday 19 July, Taranaki Racing Inc.’s Powerworx Opunake Cup Day at New Plymouth Raceway receives a significant lift. The Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup (1400m) climbs to $120,000, with the winner earning a ballot exemption into the $110,000 Group 3 Winning Edge Presentations 128th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton Park Racecourse. The total prizemoney for the day increases to $435,000, up $100,000 from 2024. NZTR Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty said the calendar adjustments aim to build consistency across the winter months. “These enhancements are a positive step for winter racing. They provide better structure for participants, increase opportunities at key points in the season and support Clubs that are looking to grow their raceday offerings.” The season wraps with a reinvigorated Taumarunui Cup Day, hosted by Taumarunui Racing Club at Te Rapa Racecourse on Saturday 26 July. The Taumarunui Cup (2200m) stake doubles to $100,000, thanks to a co-investment from NZTR and Taumarunui Racing Club. The 1300m Open Handicap also increases to $50,000 and the 1400m 3YO SW+P to $55,000, with total stakes for the day hitting $350,000. “Taumarunui (Racing Club) is a strong example of a tenant Club taking the lead,” said Ballesty. “They’ve put forward a clear plan to grow their feature raceday and NZTR is pleased to support that investment,” he said.  These enhancements sit alongside a major milestone at the 2025 Grand National Festival of Racing at Riccarton Park Racecourse in August this year. Held by Canterbury Jockey Club, the 150th edition of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) will be run for a record $200,000, the highest purse in the race’s history. With solid prizemoney increases across these winter features, NZTR is backing Clubs, supporting participants and building a more competitive and compelling winter season. Winter 2024-25 Feature Highlights: 2025 Winter Championships | Ruakākā Racecourse – Saturday 28 June $60,000 ITM/GIB Stayers’ Final (2100m) – Open HCP $60,000 ITM/GIB Sprinters’ Final (1400m) – Open HCP $60,000 ITM/GIB Progressive Final – Spc Con HCP $60,000 ITM/GIB 3YO Final – 3YO SW+P $60,000 ITM/GIB 2YO Final – 2YO SW+P No early nominations; qualifying races are listed in NZTR’s RPG and online here Powerworx Opunake Cup Day | New Plymouth Raceway – Saturday 19 July Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup (1400m) increased to $120,000 Winner earns ballot exemption into the $110,000 Group 3 Winning Edge Presentations 128th Winter Cup (1600m) Total day stakes lifted to $435,000 (up $100,000 from 2024) Taumarunui Cup Day | Te Rapa Racecourse – Saturday 26 July Taumarunui Cup (2200m) stake doubled to $100,000 1300m Open Handicap increased to $50,000 1400m 3YO SW+P increased to $55,000 Total day stakes lifted to $350,000 (up from $285,000) Grand National Festival of Racing | Riccarton Park Racecourse – 2, 6 and 9 August 150th edition of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) to be run for a record $200,000 Represents a major milestone and boost for Jumps racing

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1196422211864401 All in the Family

If you go back in time to the middle of March, "The Avengers" ownership group had a pretty impressive Triple Crown depth chart. View the full article

The horses must have been good for PS and I to win on them 🤣

John has been driving quite aggressively for some time now. Got The Chocolates has always been a Very good horse ( probably the best in Dunn stable) and he drives him attacking a Lap out sometimes. He has beaten Marketplace on about 4 occasions to date , so that says something about his ability.  His (John Dunn)  best bet in the 3 yearold Sires Stakes Friday ( with Marketplace drawn 'Out the back')  is to hurtle to the front with the Choc's and plant the foot 😁, and keep as far ahead of Marketplace as he can throughout the race lol. 😆. if they catch ya , they catch ya. but at least they had a good go at it.  Note: In the 2 yearold Sires Stakes Final Group 1 back in November, Ferguson drove a great race going forward from the Extreme outside Barrier with Marketplace,  and burned early (then took a sit on Rubira, used passing lane and winning very nicely ) where-as John was driving 'Got The Chocolates' very hard once again looping to the breeze from a 2nd row draw,  and ultimately running 5th (beaten 4 lengths) . 

Maiden Watch Preakness EditionView the full article

Early Epsom Derby (G1) favorite The Lion In Winter will make his highly anticipated return to action after being declared for the May 15 Dante Stakes (G2) at York.View the full article

Scheduled to join Burnham Square, the sixth-place finisher from the Kentucky Derby (G1), in the $400,000 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) June 8 at Churchill Downs is Coal Battle, 11th in the Derby. View the full article

Easy one there JJ . J Dunn will lead and not hand up . Poor Marketplace what a horror draw . He will go back and pray someone gives him a tow into the race , but 1980m  I don't give him much chance at all of finishing top 2 . Even though he is the best horse in the race , its a tragedy he draw where he did 😪

Smoke and mirrors… Trump announced a huge U.S. shift on Syria President Trump is expected to meet with Syria’s president, Ahmed al-Shara, today in Saudi Arabia, a day after he announced that the U.S. would lift its sanctions on the country. The announcement came on the first day of Trump’s Gulf tour, where the U.S. president was treated to a lavish welcome by the Saudi kingdom. Trump said he had decided to lift sanctions on Syria after talking with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “Oh what I do for the crown prince,” Trump said at an investment forum in Riyadh. The end of sanctions represents a sea change for Syria: It would allow for international aid and investment that would help the country recover after nearly 14 years of war. Context: The U.S. imposed sanctions on Syria in response to Bashar al-Assad’s brutal crackdown on a 2011 uprising, which became a civil war. Syria’s new leaders and their allies in the Arab world argued that the measures had outlived their purpose. A first: A meeting with Trump would mark a stunning turnaround for al-Shara, who once led a branch of Al Qaeda, but broke ties with the jihadist group in order to moderate his image. Deals: The White House said Trump secured $600 billion in deals with the Saudi government and firms. But details it provided were vague and totaled less than half that number.  

One wonders what J Dunn and C Ferguson will do from their respective draws on Friday night. Pure and Charlie E should be able to help us as they drove the odd winner  

The $150,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap (G3) lures quick horses to Pimlico Race Course to race six furlongs. Two of the race favorites—Booth and Concrete Glory—are speedsters, highly effective when racing three-quarters of a mile.View the full article