Shad

Dont imagine to much, talked a few horses.

I got close to him once, was about 1989 the Friday night before the Kumara races, think from memory was stood down after a couple of rides, the memories and the good old days, things quite different these days, what a top rider, always got the best out of a horse in a tight finish, his other national was on Kid Columbus, a very good jumper that we never seen the best of, was heading to Australia was the Last i ever heard of him, injured maybe, his trainer M Hamilton who also had harness horses from memory, must have retired, had a number of horses, remember my uncle backing Kid when he won a flat race paying over 100 to win.

Stats certainly don't lie, one wonders why he's had the snub for the hall of fame, but the facts are there for all to see, but regardless we've always known how good he was, it probably makes the hall of fame decision makers look a bit strange.

Yeah bloody shame as always a popular meeting, looking through the fields be a struggle to find a winner, Ultimate Counsel tad unlucky last start, no champ but handy draw will help, old boy evidently pick something up over the circuit, let year the Mitchell's bought horses to Westport I think for the first time, I got on to Sinai Sermon, 25s Westport 40s Reefton, done the double, although was the March meeting, always seem to have a win at Reefton, Sinai now been exported to China, was a half brother to Lazarus.

Thought he won the year previous, was unplaced in the race after 3rd in cup, was a good horse, Empire rose won Nz cup after placing in Melbourne cup, I think, was some time ago, she certainly was a good mare, big girl, did she leave any winners in the broodmare barn

Yes turnover very high, be interesting this year poor fields, and weather forecast not looking great, hopefully it changes.

Watched him win at the Mott, one day, huge performance given he was tailed off, top horse, trained by the Williams in Ashvega.

Another great milestone in his career, to which there's been many highlights.

He certainly had a good record with the cups, Sea Swift, Samasam,soundaration, think Mercator won as well, not to mention his record with jumpers ampac winning a grand national, decoy lad, Woodbine Blue Chip, be plenty more I cant remember not doubt

Were they the colours of mercator , if so didn't he place in a Melbourne cup, many years ago.

Yes apparently this was the case, terrible luck on all fronts.

If it was rusty strut should of failed, like your car, can fail for surface rust on your tow ball these days, retraining for the issuer.

I know a few years back, the sulkies needed a warrant of fitness, not sure wether it was every year, or 2 years, maybe it doesn't apply thes day, if it still applies, someone has got it wrong.

Haven't followed him all the way through, to be honest, was looking at fields at lunchtime at work, seen him in eyes lite up at the odds, grass track, so took my chances, wiser for the experience, upside he might pay more next time, probably when I don't see him in,

Been a while between drinks, for the horse and me, go to keep the faith.