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Damn right, Kenny.

Certainly does, was saying a few good horses won there first race at Westport trots, armalight and our mana, both top horses of there era, been a long day hence not reading your post correctly re the winners, I'll have to hunt down an old race book to see who did win in 74, I know the club got a 1000 pounds back in the day for the worlds first triple deadheat,

how time flies!

Who won the Westport cup that year, had the gallops till 1996, nice course.

As I mentioned before, the anticipation of Ellerslie on Boxing Day used to be enormous, so not just the smaller clubs What created the anticipation at Ellerslie on Boxing Day? 4 things, in my opinion anyway 1. The overall high quality fields 2. The Derby and Queen Elizabeth which was always a superb field and the lead up race for those serious about the Auckland Cup on NYD. 3. The picnics and boot parties on the infield,. along with all the other activities that led to a real carnival atmosphere. They used to get 10,000 people 4. The huge coverage in papers like the Auckland Star and Friday Flash

interesting question! a comment that one jockey made to me once "The Gentleman of the Jockeys Room".

In simple terms I think racing needs to be made relevant, and cool again. I think our leaders are under estimating the power of the smaller clubs and surrounding communities. The people on here want to see the best horses and jockeys. The people we need to entice on track just want a memorable experience.

After reading your comments this morning I've been thinking about Chris today. Can anyone ever recall him being grumpy?

Shops and roads were mental today with all that last minute Christmas shopping. After trackwork this morning thought I'd grab a couple of things. What a stupid idea! Queues outside The Warehouse waiting for it to open. Then the supermarket was jam packed. The shops are closed for just one day for crying out loud. Some marketing genius needs to transfer that urgency to the Boxing Day races. I'm trying to think back to what created anticipation for weeks leading up to the carnival at Ellerslie. It's a different world of no newspapers where you might share and discuss at smoko. The age of the device can be a secluded experience. One thing is for sure, there does appear to be less disposable cash, the Boxing Day sales will no doubt be in full force again. This all impacts on life, and a day out at the races. Clubs need to be much more organised with pre-paid packages, and more inventive with everything on offer.

Looks shit to be honest. If the forecast is correct,be a shock if they race at all.

Just had a quick look at all the odds for the day... Not one fav from Team Orange! In the WFA Legarto has been backed, on that rain arriving? To my eye, she looked just that wee bit pretty, I noted she should improve on that run... tad thin though now at 4.40

yes and all that following a six week gap with NO grass track racing in Canterbury! It's bullshit really

It is one of those tricky forecasts. The rain arrives a couple of hours early, it is wet all day The weather arrives a few hours late, they just get the program finished before the rain

Just back Tim Williams when he is on them. They seem to fire for him. Dickie not much of a driver since he came back from Australia. Seems to end up parked or no room on too many horses that should be winning. He can still get one home if he is in front. Several drivers like that in the South as well. Cox, Smith and a few of the girls Green, Tomlinson's, Thornley's you want to be on them if they are in front or trail but no thanks if they are back in the field. Up the middle with no room the norm.

For the horse racing meeting on Boxing Day in Auckland, the weather from 12 PM to 5 PM is expected to be **cloudy with a high chance of rain developing in the early afternoon**. You should plan for wet conditions. ### 📅 Hourly Forecast for 12 PM to 5 PM Based on the most detailed forecast available, here is the expected weather for Friday, December 26th: | Time | Temperature (°C) | Condition | Chance of Rain | Expected Rainfall | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **12 PM** | 24° | Cloudy | 30% | Trace | | **1 PM** | 22° | Rain | **100%** | 3.2 mm | | **2 PM** | 22° | Rain | **100%** | 5.6 mm | | **3 PM** | 22° | Showers | 90% | 1.3 mm | | **4 PM** | 22° | Showers | 90% | 1.0 mm | | **5 PM** | 21° | Showers | 90% | 0.6 mm | ### 🌤️ Overall Day Summary & What to Expect The general forecast for Auckland on Friday confirms the afternoon will be **cloudy with breezy winds**. * **Weather**: The morning may start dry, but **rain is highly likely to move in during the afternoon**. Other forecasts also mention "a couple of showers" for the day. * **Temperature**: Warm, with highs around **21-24°C** during the event. * **Wind**: Expect **breezy West to Southwest winds**, which could be noticeable in open areas like a racetrack. ### 💡 Practical Tips for Your Day Given this forecast, here are a few suggestions: * **Essential Gear**: Bring a **waterproof jacket or poncho**. An umbrella is also a good idea, but be mindful of wind and other racegoers. * **Footwear**: Wear **closed-toe shoes with good grip**, as the grass areas may become wet and slippery. * **Layering**: Dress in layers. While it will be warm, the breeze and potential rain can make it feel cooler. I hope this detailed forecast helps you plan for the races. Would you like me to check the weather for a specific racetrack location, such as Ellerslie or Pukekohe Park, for more localized information?

I believe the last time I was on that course was 1974! sleep two nights in the Grandstand! Doh! can't recall any winners from that meeting!

Nearly a decade after taking up the mantle as private trainer to Cambridge Stud owners Sir Brendan and Jo Lady Lindsay, Lance Noble has delivered results that he hopes to embellish at one of New Zealand’s racing’s biggest events, Boxing Day at Ellerslie. From his base at Lindsay Racing’s lavish Karaka facility, Noble has prepared more than 120 winners in the gold and black Cambridge Stud colours, and with a select team lining up on the first big day of the holiday racing season, he’s looking for more. Noble’s team is headed by Jaarffi (NZ) (Iffraaj) in the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m), a multiple stakes-placed six-year-old seeking her first major win. He will saddle up two runners, topweight Mollify (NZ) (So You Think) and Daring Dame (NZ) (Almanzor), in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers Championship Final, as well as First Dance (NZ) (Zousain) in the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final, Frostfair in the Entain/NZB Pearl Series and two-year-old debutante Liguria in the SkyCity 1100. “Part of the brief when I accepted this role was to target the big days,” Noble said. “Brendan and Jo love racing at Ellerslie, especially on these feature days, so to have six runners in their colours on Boxing Day and another couple for New Year’s Day from a team of 24, that’s very satisfying, a big effort from everyone involved. “Mind you, they’ve still got to front up, but we’re not there just to make up the numbers, they’ve all got the credentials to perform in the races we’ve set them for.” Jaarffi meets opposition to compare with the very best Zabeel Classic fields, headed by triple Group One winner Waitak (NZ) (Proisir), reigning Horse of the Year El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) and perennial Group One bridesmaid La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos). Add quality performers such as Legarto (NZ) (Proisir), Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor) and Victorian raider Kingswood (Roaring Lion), and Jaarffi’s attempt at a black-type breakthrough will be no pushover. “Yes, it’s a very strong field, as good as you could expect, but our mare has had an ideal build-up, she loves the track and is drawn well,” Noble said. “She had no luck when she was just beaten in the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) here in March, so I’d like to think she can be right in it.” The stronger of Noble’s double hand in the Dunstan Stayers Final (2400m) is Mollify, who has earned her 59 kilo topweight with wins at her last two starts. “She has come a long way pretty quickly and it’s fair to say she deserves to be topweight. “She does put herself in a race and it’s reassuring that she has followed a similar path to our two earlier winners of this race, About Time (NZ) (American Pharoah) and Aquacade (NZ) (Dundeel). “Daring Dame’s form is a bit patchy, but a couple of things have gone against her and she’s at a good spot down in the weights. “Frostfair (NZ) (Written Tycoon) had an excuse for her last performance at Te Rapa when she blew the start, so you can put a line through that. She’s such a big mare, she can get a bit claustrophobic if she’s in the gates too long. “Her previous form was good and also in her favour is her record on the track and over the (1400m) distance.” “Our Stella Artois Final runner First Dance was beaten a nose at her last start by Moxie (Strasbourg), who is the likely favourite in this race, and the time before she finished second to Smart Love (NZ) (Savabeel). “She has an ideal draw and I’m very happy with her.” First Dance acted as baby-sitter for Noble’s Boxing Day debutante Liguria (NZ) (Snitzel)4 at Monday’s Ellerslie gallops session and both pleased with their work on the course proper. Liguria represents a significant phase in Noble’s time at Linday Racing, being the daughter of one of his early feature performers in the same colours, Gr. 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes winner Vernazza (NZ). “That’s the beauty of my role here, the fantastic bloodlines I get to work with, and Liguria is no better example being by Snitzel from a very good galloper. “She’s a first foal and has really strengthened and developed lately. She has a beautiful action and has run two nice trials and up against what you could call a pretty even field, I’m looking forward to seeing how she goes. “You have to be realistic going into these sorts of days, everyone’s primed for a crack at the good stakes and it will be very competitive racing, but we’re just happy to be part of it.” View the full article

Darryn and Briar Weatherley are under no illusions about the holiday task ahead of Bulgari (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) but are confident the three-year-old is up to making a strong impression. While respectful of the competition, the father and daughter training combination have faith in their colt to give the more favoured contenders a run for their money in Friday’s Gr.2 Jimmy Schick Shaw’s Auckland Guineas (1400m). “We are really happy with him, he’s up against it with that filly (Well Written (Written Tycoon)) and Pam Gerard’s horse (Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes)) in there, but I wouldn’t have him in if I didn’t think he was a chance,” Darryn Weatherley said. “I really like the horse, he’s been unlucky in a couple of runs and he’s got a very good future.” The son of Hello Youmzain won his only start last season and this preparation hasn’t had the rub of the green, finishing in behind the major players in both the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m). Two runs back, Buglari was fourth after an interrupted run at Te Aroha and last time out over this course and distance was unplaced after being denied clear air in the straight. “He worked on the course proper on Tuesday morning with Inside Out (NZ) (Proisir) and he was super, he’s very bright,” Weatherley said. “We gave him a trial last week at Avondale and he’s really come on from that with flying colours. “He will strip a fit horse on Friday and there’s only seven other runners, albeit a couple of them go very well, so he’s going to get a nice run.” Stablemate Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir) will also face a stiff task when he steps out in the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) following a last-start runner-up finish at Pukekohe Park. “It’s a strong line-up and he deserves his spot in the field, he’s a Group One winner (Tarzino Trophy, 1400m) so we’re looking for a nice run from him,” Weatherley said. “If he goes well, he’ll go back to Ellerslie for the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and he should be even more competitive over the 2400m.” The stable’s other runner on Boxing Day is the genuine Inside Out, who will contest the Stella Artois Championship Final (1500m). “He’s another one who you can’t get a line on in trackwork, but he’s very well and hasn’t put a foot wrong,” said Weatherley, whose son Sam will be aboard all three runners. He was a debut winner in the autumn and the chestnut son of Proisir added a couple of fifth placings before a break. The four-year-old finished runner-up in his resuming run at Tauranga and was again second last time out at Ellerslie where the step up from 1300m should be ideal. “He’s improved with every start and went a really good race the other day and meets the horse that beat him (Rise Companions (Capitalist)) better off at the weights,” Weatherley said. View the full article

Te Akau Racing will be hoping to unwrap some late Christmas presents when they head to Wingatui on Boxing Day with a handful of runners. Their charge will be led by a two-pronged attack in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) courtesy of Cool Aza Rene (Cool Aza Beel) and Marokopa Falls (Hellbent), who have drawn at opposite ends of the spectrum. Group Three-winning filly Cool Aza Rene has drawn the ace marble, while Group Two performer Marokopa Falls will jump from barrier 10 in the 15-horse field. “They bring two different form lines, but they look two really nice chances on paper,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains in partnership with Mark Walker. Cool Aza Rene mixed her form over spring but secured her maiden stakes victory in the Gr.3 Barneswood Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton in October before running eighth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton last month. She ran third behind Friday race-rival Cashla Bay (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) in a 1000m trial at Timaru earlier this month, and Bergerson is happy with his filly going into the Boxing Day feature. “Cool Aza Rene is a hard one to get a line on at home, but she had a freshen-up following the Guineas, she just failed to see out the mile,” he said. “Back to 1400m will hopefully suit. I thought she trialled well and she has done really well down there in the south.” Marokopa Falls was third last start in the Listed The O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui and that form was franked last weekend when runner-up War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) took out the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham. “I thought Marokopa Falls was good last time at Wanganui without a lot of luck, trapped three-wide on speed but stuck on really well,” Bergerson said. “She has travelled down in good order. “She will obviously need a bit of luck from out there (10), but she is in good form and should run well.” On the undercard, I’m A Dirty Rascal (Galileo) and Elegant Lady (NZ) (Highly Recommended) will represent the stable in the Grand Casino Open 2200, with the former looking to bounce back to form ahead of next month’s Gr.3 NZ Campus Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham. “I’m A Dirty Rascal had a bit of a funny run in the (New Zealand) Cup (Gr.3, 3200m), Gryllsy (Craig Grylls, jockey) couldn’t get him to go and then he grabbed the bridle in the last 200m and attacked the line,” Bergerson said. “We have given him a bit of a freshen-up and the rain shouldn’t worry him too much. Hopefully he can run well and we can get him to the Wellington Cup later in January.” Elegant Lady was runner-up on the Riccarton synthetic earlier this month after finishing eighth in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) last month, and Bergerson is hoping she can continue her improvement on Friday where she will carry just 54.5kg. “Elegant Lady failed to see out the 2600m at the first meeting of Cup Week and is another that has had a freshen-up,” he said. “Back to 2200m suits and she can handle a bit of sting out of the track, so she looks a nice lightweight chance.” Stablemates High Roller (NZ) (Ace High) and Cognoscenti (Castelvecchio) also featured prominently at Riccarton Park’s synthetic meeting earlier this month, winning their respective races, and Bergerson is hoping they can bring that form to the grass in their respective ODT Southern Mile Heats (1600m) on Friday. “High Roller is always a horse that could gallop but needed a bit of confidence,” Bergerson said. “Hopefully he got that from his first-up win with the blinkers back on, and they stay on for Friday. He has trialled well on heavy going, if it was to get heavy. He can hopefully go through the grades now. “It was a good, positive ride by Bruno (Queiroz) on Cognoscenti (last start). He has got to take that step up to 75 grade now, which is always really tough, but hopefully he has got a bit of confidence and can continue from his good win on the poly.” View the full article

Never mind Auckland. What’s the weather forecast for Patterson Park?

i see maurice mckendry driving most of the telfer horses today,instead of j dickie, who only drove the one from the stable who wasn't given much chance by the trainer in the preview. They certainly are different drivers. Mckendry tends to drive at a more consistent speed,but not very aggressive most of the time ,whereas dickie tends to put them up on the speed whenever he gets the chance. because mckendry drives them kinder and the horse doesn't bust a gut trying,the stable may improve,but then again dickie is the better driver if you are a punter. who knows its a stable i think you would go broke betting on,but they are nz 's leading stable on wins. Theres also seems a diifference in performance if north island horses transfer to the south island,they always improve,but then lose a few lengths when they go back up north. the horses in the north isalnd tend to go way from stands ,whereas the horses in the south island tend to always break in stands. Of course there are some obvious exception. then you also have the north isalnd horses go better when t williams drives themif hes up there. i find them a confusing stable to follow. but they look like they will break the nz record for number of wins.

Very common for lots of rain through the festive season, fouls up all the beaches in Auckland, only a few days ago I note a lot of no go zones, me old mate TAB always tried to talk the place up but I wasn't convinced lol.

It's a forecast for 48 hours' time. Keep an eye on it, the rain may not arrive till the end of the day Some of those fields a bit skinny though

Sigh, speaking wearing a punters hat! perhaps #1 pet HATE, Rain on the day... "Cloudy, then a period of rain with heavy falls in the afternoon. Northerlies, turning westerly in the evening."

Three from Augustin Stables will vie in a field of 11 3-year-old fillies on the turf at Santa Anita.View the full article