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I know what you're saying. But really with the money they pour in (buying yearlings and that ) I can only support the rich and famous , as much as the battler. I hope they all get a win in the end. not many of them actually return a profit in the end , but have fun racing a few . afterall it is a sport and is about enjoyment as well as money. The quality of the horsepeople in the Nrth Island is off the scale high. Only a small band left and people like Tony Herlihy are the most humble wonderful people I have ever met. I am glad they put races on for him still in his twilight years . sure they're not battlers (any of those trainers left) but HOW good For the Sport have they been Over the years. Just amazing really. I love watching the NZ trotting still, and those bloes. Probably the saddest silly thing I do is seeing how you have given up on em' (after being really supportive up to a couple of years ago ) but Brodster has weakened you into his Bag everyone (ATC, Entain, HRNZ, North Island ) narrative , when really the product being produced is > STILL WORLD CLASS , and you can't see it . Bring on the next Cambridge night of Champions I say !! who doesn't love seeing the best go round ?  everyone except me it seems lol 😅😂🤣  never mind. we all have faults lol. 

The one small chink in Ka Ying Rising’s armour seems to be a thing of the past as the world’s best sprinter once again impressed his trainer David Hayes in a barrier trial on Thursday ahead of the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m). The apple of Hayes’ eye is going for a 17th straight win at Sha Tin on January 25, and he rocketed out of the gates under Zac Purton on Sha Tin’s dirt surface, easing away from his rivals to win by three and three-quarter lengths. He clocked a time of 1:10.36,...View the full article

i don't mind a bit of sarcasm. . only thing is,you have said many times that you belive the first pararaph. you are consistent.Always,focusing on the desparate plight of harness racings rich and famous,worried about where they may get their next meal from if the north island stakes were to be cut, or hrnz was to say,no more 5 horse fields. You've got me feeling sorry for them as well. I will put in a kind word if is see them at the foodbank next week and will drop and email to brad steele and voice my support for more 3 horse fields and 50,000 series,whatever they call them.  theres my bit of sarcasm. i'll be honest like you gamma.  i don't give a second thought to just how tough it could be for harness racings  rich and famous. Why. Because they are rich and famous. i care far more about the battlers and the small timers who have also spent their lifetimes dedicated to the same industry and haven't the wealth or had success to any great level,but kept plugging away because of their love for the sport and the horse. yeah,great stuff ATC. eroding their asset base by half a million a month for the last couple of years is something to really applaud. Well done ATC. Oh and well done cambridge.they know how to dig themselves into a huge financial hole as well. Well done to them. And well done hrnz. You know how to pick the best run clubs to throw the industries financial resources at. Come in atc and cambridge. 

Lol, i have never mentioned that the  champions of North Island racing should piss off! Of course they should get accolades for what they have done for harness racing in the last 40 years or so!  Its not Hrnz’s fault that the ATC has stuffed the racing in Auckland who was trying to make millions for racing up North! Problem is that they made decisions that have now ensured that it is not financially viable to continue to race in Auckland unless there is a massive bail out, and not sure whether that is ever possible? HRNZ certainly have no ability to be able to bsil them out as their finances are going to be in dire straights in 2 years time! Would be great for someone from HRNZ, probably the CEO to actually come on BOAY and advise us what is going on with racing in the North island? The thing is they wont because they havent got an answer and yet they continue to make decisions that anyone with business acumen would not be making! To be running races at Invercargill today for $40k and having 6 horses and being a group 3 is just hard to justify? Once again Gamma, never put down the champions of harness in either the North and South, just pointing out that what is happening can not continue.  

You would haven ridden quite a few winners in your time Bill, from memory you did a few stints in the lucky country as well.

Hopefully the forecast improves, they've got quite a few wrong lately,  mate over the coast said they were on a rain watch, hardly got a drop.

I recon that one mid week winter meeting that not more that 20 people would have been in the public outside area,  drifting in and out as the day went on..  personally, I don't actually mind! small fields! way easier to find a winner!  small crowds!  ya!   for the  photographer! Wingatui is one of the worse on a bright sunny day! as the sun is shining straight into the camera lens! so with a modern camera!  a gray day is acceptable!   

Bidding to equal Silent Witness’ long-standing record for the most consecutive wins by a Hong Kong, China-trained horse, Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) swept to an imperious barrier trial victory at Sha Tin this morning (Thursday, 15 January) ahead of his tilt at history on 25 January. Preparing to chase a 17th straight victory when he contests the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin next week, Ka Ying Rising cruised over 1200m on Sha Tin’s dirt course under Zac Purton, clocking 1m 10.36s, and beating stablemate Romantic Son by three-and-three-quarter lengths with Galax Patch third, while Helios Express was a sedate sixth. The six-time Group 1 winner pleased trainer David Hayes as he vies to match the towering winning streak of Silent Witness, who was unbeaten in 17 starts from December, 2002 to April, 2005, when he was toppled by Tony Cruz stablemate Bullish Luck in the Champions Mile (1600m) by a short head. “Ka Ying Rising was very good. That was probably the fastest I’ve seen him jump out of the gates,” Hayes said. “His gate speed was incredible and then he was happy to just cruise along and won as you would expect. “Zac said he had a healthy blow afterwards and that’s why he trials because he needs a tune-up before his race. He’ll have a bit of striding work next week and next Wednesday (21 January) he’ll do a bit of work and then he’ll be ready to go. “He’s giving the impression he’s not going backwards. It’s hard to say he’s better than the performances he’s been giving recently but he looks like he’s right on song for the 25th (of January).” Since losing twice by narrow margins to Wunderbar as a three-year-old, Ka Ying Rising has soared to dizzying heights in 16 subsequent starts since February, 2024 – annexing six Group 1s, including the world’s richest sprint race, the G1 The Everest (1200m), twice breaking Sha Tin’s 1200m record and rising from 69 in the ratings to 138 as Hong Kong’s highest-rated horse. Acclaimed as Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year for his unbeaten eight-win 2024/25 season, Ka Ying Rising returns to competition next week for the first time since surging to victory in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on 14 December. If successful in the three-race Hong Kong Speed Series’ opening leg, the Centenary Sprint Cup, Ka Ying Rising would then have the chance to take outright ownership of the record for the most successive wins by a Hong Kong, China-trained horse in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m). View the full article

Stakes targets are in the offing for in-form gelding Brave Spirit (NZ) (Swiss Ace) if he continues his purple patch of form in Saturday’s Hope & Sons/Adam’s Plumbing Open 1400 at Wingatui. The consistent six-year-old was runner-up first-up in his stable debut for trainer Jospeh Waldron at Riccarton in October before going one better at the Christchurch track a month later. He then stepped up to Open company for the first time at Wingatui on Boxing Day where he was victorious in his 1200m contest. Waldron has been pleased with the gelding’s progression since that run and is confident of a similar showing at his home track this weekend where he will jump from barrier three with apprentice jockey Triston Moodley in the saddle. “He should get a perfect run from that draw,” Waldron said. “Triston knows him well after his last run, so there won’t be many instructions, he knows how to get the job done. “He has been in great form since his last start, so there is no reason why he can’t win again. “It was great to see him take that step up and win in Open company, it shows he is well and truly up to that level. “He has got a better record at 1400m than he does at 1200m, so I am really looking forward to seeing him at that trip.” While contemplating sending Brave Spirit to the paddock for a spell, Waldron said he may be tempted to contest next month’s Listed Property Brokers – Ray Kean Hazlett Stakes (1400m) if he performs up to expectations this weekend. “He is up in the ratings now so if he did happen to win, or be competitive, and comes through the run well, he could possibly go to the Hazlett,” he said. “At the same time, he has done a good job for us this time around so we could put him away and wait again. We will take it one run at a time and be grateful that he has already done what he has done.” Waldron is also looking forward to stablemate Mawkeb making her New Zealand debut in the Cargill Contracting And Wae 65 1200. The daughter of Deep Field came into his care while he was in Australia and following a good spell she will make her first appearance for the stable this weekend. “She is a long time between runs,” Waldron said. “We got her just before we left Australia. She has a fair bit of wear and tear, so she needed a good break, which we gave her, and she has had a slow, easy build-up and is doing everything right. “She is a very good wet-tracker, so any kind of rain that we get between now and the weekend will be of real benefit for her. “She is more of a 1400m to a miler type horse, so as long as she is hitting the line it will be a pass mark. She is going in without a jump-out and almost 12 months between runs, so she will well and truly improve from the run. “She is classy and she looks well placed back in 65 grade, but there are certainly no expectations.” Waldron will also be represented by Group Three performer Let Fly (NZ) (Raise The Flag) in the Skevingtons Waikouaiti Cup (2200m). “She was okay in a very oddly run race last time,” Waldron said. “It looks like we should get a better run from the good draw (2). “Up in open company is not really ideal and Mayor Of Norwood (NZ) (Ghibellines) is a good horse, so he will be hard to beat, even with the weight (61kg). It is a pretty even bunch around him so we are looking forward to hopefully seeing a bit more from her this time.” View the full article