Trots

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