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Never said i didnt like CS….just that he is quick to judge and i am sure that stops a few from posting, needs to be less hostile

I own it and run it still, but unlike a few I quite enjoy the rhetoric on this site. While you may not like CS, he is a very intelligent hombre, and that quite appeals to me

Hey Hesi, are you not involved with the other racing site now?

Last-start winners are few and far between at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, however Douglas Whyte is confident Celestial Hero can lay down a marker for bigger and better things to come in the Class Three Plover Cove Handicap (1,000m). Not seen on the racetrack since a breakthrough Hong Kong victory at start three in July, Celestial Hero underwent knee surgery to remove a bone fragment soon after that success and has been building back to fitness since. Solid enough when running sixth in a...View the full article

While Maxime Guyon would quite obviously love to taste success as early as possible during his short-term Hong Kong stint, the star French jockey understandably already has one eye on next weekend’s Group One Longines Hong Kong Vase (2,400m). In a race he has already won twice thanks to victories aboard Flintshire (2014) and Junko (2023), Guyon partners the impressive Sosie for Andre Fabre in the longest of the four Hong Kong International Races features. “I think I have a chance. Sosie has run...View the full article

Generally moderation will be performed retrospectively, that is posts will only be edited or removed AFTER a complaint or review that shows a clear violation of the following: A law has been breached e.g. defamation, slander, the Harmful Digital Communications Act; A person's family has been abused. We have no problem with robust debate between individuals but a line is crossed when attacks are aimed at or affect people who don't have the opportunity to reply;

On the topic of running G1's on small tracks, Matamata of course running the Windsor Park Plate when HB couldn't

Uh? Try the Premier Anti-racing site for that behaviour. BTW its called debate. If you look at BOAY rules they are pub school rules.

He may have his faults, but I believe this would never happen, as happened on another site, ad nauseum, and what led to the establishment of this and other sites

It was around this time that most of 'our' better 3yr olds were still running in our black type races, then, slowly slowly the better ones started to be targeted by Overseas $$$. The Bayer then for a few years was a race when the top fillies often tried to beat the boys, often involving lots of press leading up to! If the truth be known! the Levin track might have been the smallest ever to run G1 races.. I recall a rider who won the race twice recon one she stole with a front running ride!

Clubs never had any idea about marketing, nor did they have the resource. I have mentioned this before, it is a bit like each individual kiwifruit grower marketing their product, not a hope. Then along came Zespri and everyone had to join so the kiwifruit industry went ahead in leaps and bounds with oodles of resource and professional marketing and administration

Yeah, true…. Funny that the site owner disagrees with the majority of posters on here…. not sure why he does not delete everyone, still post under our names, then comments would agree with everything he says…

Yes, it is all about this entrepreneurial streak that comes along from time to time. It is not really a beast that survives under 'committee rule'. Just look at every fucking council in NZ, or should I say Aotearoa lol. Then again this entrepreneurial thing is not guarantee of success. Classic case being Chris Weaver and how he totally stuffed what was the second best carnival in NZ racing, the 4 days at Ellerslie over BD/NYD. They used to get 10,000 on that infield on Boxing Day, all sorts, with their hydraulic platforms to watch each race. No one died lol Just shows, it is not about a country/city thing, it is all about an inspired vision and the passion to make it happen. An almost total rarity in racing clubs these days. They have done well to get the KM day going and also the NZB Kiwi, but they haven't got the formula right nor it would appear the will to get it right

Talking Otaki, as the Bayer gained in ratings, it then mobilized (sir) Arthur Williams to start spending the $$$ to get Terrace Regency up and running with the goal of G1...

Yes it was innovative of the Club at the time. But that's what happens with Clubs from time to time you have an Executive that goes "What the hell lets give this a go"! It works for a while and then politics creep in - committee members change and the new idea people can't get a look in. I remember on a much smaller scale a similar committee at the Westland Racing Club came up with the Miss Scenicland Stakes. Worked for a while and then the energy left. I still don't understand how for a very small amount of money someone can sponsor a race at a country race meeting in memory of grandad. Clubs now have no idea about marketing and rely on the administrators or ENTAIN to do it for them.

I'm painting my fence, unless of course you need my paintbrush ?

Bayer were suppliers of chemicals to not only the rural farming sector but also horticulture and industry. As such it was a big day out for all those that bought their chemicals, probably helped with the crowd numbers. We drove down from Auckland every year, an early start, leaving at 4am Origins: Why & how the race began The race began in 1981 under the name Levin Turf Classic. It was created by the Levin Racing Club, which wanted a new “feature race for three-year-olds for a substantial stake.” To raise money for the first running — aiming for a large stake — the club ran a sweepstake: horses entered had to pay fees at multiple levels. That generated the bulk of the necessary funds, though the club also bridged the rest. The first running was over a mile (1600 m). The inaugural winner in 1981 was a horse named “Altitude.” Sponsorship & Rising Status — “Bayer Classic” emerges In 1984 the club secured sponsorship from Bayer NZ Ltd (a branch of the multinational company Bayer). The sponsorship brought significant prize money and prestige, prompting the race to be renamed the “Bayer Classic.” Thanks to this support, the race soon became one of the most prestigious targets for three-year-olds in New Zealand and Australasia.

Race results Year Winner Jockey Trainer(s) Time Second place Third 2025[2] Savaglee 57 Samantha Spratt Pam Gerard 1:23.22 (good, 1400m) Kitty Flash 55 Tardelli 57 2024[3] Quintessa 55 Opie Bosson Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson 1:35.76 (good) Zabmanzor 57 Impendabelle 55 2023[4] Romancing The Moon 55 Kozzi Asano Mark Walker 1:37.13 (soft) Skew Wiff 55 Luella Cristina 55 2022[5] Imperatriz 54.5 Michael McNab Jamie Richards 1:36.43 (dead) On The Bubbles 56.5 I Wish I Win 56.5 2021[6] Bonham 54.5 Lisa Allpress Johno Benner & Hollie Wynyard, Otaki 1:37.67 (good) Brando 56.5 Wild Moose 56.5 2020[7] Travelling Light 54.5 Samantha Collett Ben Foote, Cambridge 1:36.71 (good) Harlech 56.5 Riodini 56.5 2019[8] Madison County 56.5 Matthew Cameron Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, Cambridge 1:35.89 (good) Hypnos 56.5 Vernanme 56.5 2018[9][10] Age Of Fire 56.5 Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, Matamata 1:36.63 (soft) Belle Du Nord 54.5 Savvy Coup 54.5 2017[11][12] Hall Of Fame 56.5 Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, Matamata 1:35.54 (good) Saville Row 56.5 Jon Snow 56.5 2016[13] Dukedom 56.5 Lisa Allpress Steven Cole 1:36.96 (good) Son Of Maher 56.5 Rangipo 56.5 2015[14] Gaultier 56.5 Michael Coleman Danica Guy, Matamata 1:36.62 (good) Sardaaj 54.5 Huka Eagle 56.5 2014[15] Recite 54.5 Mark Du Plessis John Bary, Hastings 1:36.10 (firm) Franzac 56.5 Aspen 56.5 2013 No race held 2012[16] Southern Lord 56.5 Kelly Myers Alan Tait, Matamata 1:34.63 (good) Le Choix 56.5 Soriano 55 2011[17] Distill 56.5 Robert Hannam Roydon Bergerson, Awapuni 1:35.97 (good) Randall 56.5 Antonio Lombardo 56.5 2010[18] We Can Say It Now 54.5 Leith Innes Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge 1:34.27 (good) Blinding 54.5 Lady Kipling 54.5 2009[19] Eileen Dubh 55 Jonathan Riddell Francis Finnegan, Woodville 1:35.43 (good) St Germaine 54.5 Green Supreme 56 2008[20] Altered Image 56 Michael Coleman Michael & Paul Moroney, Matamata 1:32.50 (good) Spontaneous 56 Izonit 56 2007[21][22] Keepa Cruisin 54.5 Leith Innes Stephen McKee, Ardmore 1:34.85 (good) Run Like Al 56 Satinka 54.5 2006[23] Porotene Gem 54.5 David Walker Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge 1:40.10 (soft) Jokers Wild 56 Figueres 56 2005[24] Wahid 56 Hayden Tinsley Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth 1:36.18 (dead) Shikoba 53.5 Izzat 56 2004[25] Ambitious Owner 55.5 Leith Innes Murray Baker, Cambridge 1:34.77 (Good) Fiscal Madness 55.5 Magnetism 55.5 2003[26] Russian Pearl 56 Hayden Tinsley Bruce & Stephen Marsh, Woodville 1:34.96 (soft) Taatletail 53.5 King’s Chapel 56 2002 Bunker 56 Opie Bosson Trevor & Stephen McKee, Takanini 1:37.14 (soft) Dane choice 56 Cheerine Kid 56 2001 Final Destination 53.5 Gary Grylls Vannessa Hillis, Matamata 1:34.9 (good) Shinnecock 54 Armondo 56 2000 Tit For Taat 56 Hayden Tinsley Wayne Herbert 1:35.11 (good) Star Satire 56 Sir Clive 54 1999[27] Buzz Lightyear 56 Opie Bosson Robert Priscott, Te Awamutu 1:35.28 Domero 56 Greatthings Happen 56 1998 Tobruk 56 Leith Innes Graham Richardson, Matamata 1:37.67 (soft) With Drawn 56 Kaapeon 56 1997 Love De Tor 53 Greg Childs Michael Moroney, Matamata 1:33.69 (good) Foxwood 53 Quality Kingdom 53 1996[28] O'Reilly 55.5 Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:35.74 High Return 55.5 Rebel 55.5 1995 Prussian Blue 55.5 Shane Udy Davina Waddell, Pukekohe 1:34.97 (good) Anemos 56 Super Crest 53 1994[29] Avedon 55.5 Darryl Bradley Felix Patrick Campbell, Awapuni 1:34.81 Starcent 53 Allegro 55.5 1993[30] Al Akbar 55.5 Gary Grylls Chris Wood, Cambridge 1:43.97 (heavy) Western Red 55.5 Facing The Music 53 1992 Nimue 53 Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata 1:33.66 Kaaptive Edition 55.5 Hula Strike 55.5 1991 Veandercross 55.5 Jim Walker Chris Turner, New Plymouth 1:34.35 Overwhelmed 55.5 Captain Cook 55.5 1990[31] Eagle Eye 55.5 Noel Harris Murray Baker, Woodville 1:39.64 Sir Alberton 55.5 Play On 55.5 1989 Phillipa Rush 53 Lance O'Sullivan Jim Campin, Cambridge 1:36.20 Pumpernickel 55.5 Status 55.5 1988 Krona 55.5 Peter Tims Roger McGlade, Taupo 1:35.53 (good) Straight Order 55.5 Kate’s Myth 53 1987 Young Indian 55.5 Peter Tims Norm Morgan, Ruakaka 1:35.75 (good) Sound Belt 55.5 Candide 53 1986[32] The Bishop 55.5 Maree Lyndon Don Couchman, Hawera 1:36.78 Margarella 53 Precocious Lad 55.5 1985 Bonecrusher 55.5 Jim Cassidy Frank Ritchie, Takanini 1:36.90 French Polish 53 Seadreamer 53 1984[33] Princess Dram 53 Maree Lyndon Neil Bradley, Hawera 1:35.90 Avana 53 Kingdom Bay 55.5 1983[34] Burletta 53 Jim Cassidy Felix Patrick Campbell, Hastings 1:36.0 Eastern Bay 53 Prince Ariba 55.5 1982 Our Flight 53 Maurice Campbell Errol Skelton, Levin 1:36.2 (good) Red Tempo 55.5 Clansman 55.5 1981[35] Altitude 55.5 Stephen Autridge Bill Ford, Matamata 1:36.00 (good) Noble Heights 53 Volare 55.5

Yeah - the Twilight Christmas at the Races hospitality packages are sold out. People are really starting to enjoy these poly tracks! I see free entry for common folk on Mufthasa Day. Hasn't been sold out the last two years. Pain to get to the races as the trains weren't running the last two years. Anyone interested in a fund raiser to get @Huey to the races?

It's a bygone era. The key to the Bayer Classic was the HUGE sponsorship from Bayer and their links to the farming community. That huge sponsorship attracted the best horses. Even in those days Trainers and Owners chased the big dollars. In 1985 when Bonecrusher won the race was worth $122,000 which is about $450k in todays money. The NZ Derby that season was worth $200k so the Bayer was very attractive. In fact it was worth more than the Grp 1 2000 Guineas. From my perspective it was those top horses that got me rushing to the TV on a Thursday.

Jockeys' Guild President & CEO Terry Meyocks issued a statement Monday saying that NYRA and the Guild had made progress regarding the dispute that led to the jockeys walking out after the first race Sunday at Aqueduct. “NYRA and the Jockeys' Guild had a lengthy and productive meeting (Monday) to address the issues that led to the cancellation of live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack on Sunday,” Meyocks said in a statement. “This was an unfortunate event that impacted the owners, trainers and bettors who support NYRA throughout the year. Today's meeting was an opportunity to turn the page, and we thank (NYRA Chief Executive Officer & President) David O'Rourke and his management team for their willingness to listen to the concerns of our membership and their commitment to a renewed level of communication with the riders. We look forward to the resumption of racing at Aqueduct on Thursday.” Thursday marks the next day of scheduled racing at the Big A. “NYRA was pleased to participate in today's meeting, and we look forward to a strong weekend of racing at Aqueduct,” NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna said in a text. Citing a number of differences the New York riding colony had had with NYRA management over the last year, the jockeys refused to ride after Sunday's first race. One of the issues was NYRA's decision to ban the riders' wives, girlfriends and children from the jockeys' room. The families were still allowed to congregate in a kitchen area just off the jockeys' quarters. “I have never seen such disrespect to a jockey colony and the people who work in the jocks' room,” Carmouche told the TDN after Sunday's walkout. But what apparently was a “final straw” occurred Sunday when NYRA Assistant Clerk of Scales Brian Pochman was asked to go home for the day after he declined to take on additional duties. NYRA had asked him to manually record the weights as a backup plan in the case that a computer system used to do that task malfunctioned, and Pochman balked when told he needed to take on those additional duties. Pochman was not fired. Carmouche, who is the New York representative for the Guild at this time of year, defended Pochman, said he had been doing a good job and that he believed NYRA had piled so many responsibilities on him that it was hindering his ability to properly do his job. The post Jockeys’ Guild’s Meyocks Expresses Optimism About Racing Resuming Thursday at Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some great winners of the race back in the day Phillipa Rush, Bonecrusher, Burletta, Veandercross , The Bishop etc

Only @Chief Stipe so it doesn't count.

The New York Racing Association and the Jockeys' Guild have reached an agreement that will allow racing to resume as scheduled Dec. 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack, following a dispute that led to jockeys refusing to ride in the final eight races Nov. 30View the full article

Talking mid-80's, that race day then had Massive local support! The track would be just about full before the 1st race! The really were a serious progressive club back then, getting that sort of race was very impressive! I have just had a quick look through me collection and for those 80's meetings I was working for Ken Lush, it was Photopress back then, so don't have many, I do have plenty from the early 90's... back to those 80's meetings, I use to take the turn for home photos then for Flash, so had to walk up the straight for each race!!! Rather amusingly, I would get followed up and down by a tribe of you Māori kids! Always asking 'give us the winner of this race', I had a top strike rate for that sort of thing! Ove the years I got to know a few of them! one was a very cheeky young fella who went on to be a pretty good rugby player! Calos Spencer. Comparing LRC to Ellerslie back then is a tad hard! On course back then, then were always solid crowds for any big Raceday! Personally, back then, I always prefered Wgtn Cup Week 1st, Chch 2nd... not even sure I would have ARC cup week 3rd.. defiantly not now a days.. Reflecting back to those times as a punter! While the fields were as a rule much bigger and hence the complexities that come from that, there was no where the amount of other punting distractions as in today! I'm sure I would have 15/20 hours studying every meeting!