Galloping Chat

A big effort making other clubs in Australasia look pathetic.

Integrity is an odd word to be associated with a gambling industry. Thomas, why do you think many were up in arms about the loss of various revenue streams through the TAB, like the pokies? The entire industry is funded in some form by punters who invest through the TAB, and as such they often refer to themselves as the life blood of the industry.

Tauherenikau is a club which draws a good Christmas crowd for the gallops, much like Thames.  How did the latter's meeting go at Te Aroha, or wherever it ran?

Are greyhound licence holders just taking the closure of their industry and livelihood in their stride? Unless I am not looking in the right places, there doesn't seem to be much being said. It's puzzling to me, first the decision, then the reaction.  New Zealanders have become real pushovers, as proven by how many conformed during Covid.

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  Five-year-old trotter Kawhi has only been with the Keasts for a few weeks, and already he’s turning into a good buy. The Andover Hall gelding secured his second win in his last four starts, at Timaru yesterday. Purchased by Darren Keast Limited from auction site Gavelhouse in November for $8501 he has already covered his purchase price, with stakes earnings of around $10,000. “He’s a lovely horse and beautifully natured,” says Ashleigh Keast, “I think we are going to have a bit of fun with him and we’ll just see what happens.” Before his move Kawhi had had a couple of wins with Tom Bagrie. “When he rocked up he was covered in dapples and looked an absolute picture.” The most immediate concern was that he was being hampered by tying up either during or after his races.   “So we tinkered with his feet and his feed and did fast work with him every day,” says Keast.” It certainly seems to have done the trick. Yesterday in the South Canterbury Hydraulics/ Catering South Canty Trot at Phar Lap Raceway Kawhi and Blair Orange started safely before going into the lead with a lap to go. He then skipped away at the turn holding on to win by a length and a half from Barrytown. They had cleared out from the field with 18 lengths back to third. Keast watched the race at home. “On the two occasions I’ve been there live he’s been ordinary and the two I’ve missed he’s won!” But Keast can take some credit for securing Kawhi in the first place. Bidding on the horse exceeded their initial budget before she encouraged her husband Darren to go a little higher. Already that seems an inspired decision. “Darren used to train a trotter called Lovey Dovey Moment and we are hoping this guy might do a similar job for us.” Lovey Dovey Moment won seven races and nearly $70,000 in the end. While Darren Keast involves himself in the training and the buying and selling of bloodstock, Ashleigh’s key focus is the up-coming yearling sales. As the main preparer of the yearlings for Darren’s grandparents Paul and Pauline Renwick, Keast is currently preparing a draft of 11 for the 2025 NZB National Standardbred Yearling Sales in Christchurch on February 18. This year she is preparing two “outside” yearlings in that draft including Lot 156, an Always B Miki – Lovetodream Colt for Martin and Shirley Cummings. “Hopefully this is the one they get a good result on.” And good results is what Kawhi has already produced, and with the way he won in Timaru there could well be a few more to come. View the full article