Happy Sunrise

At the very least this horse will go some big races on the grass in the country cups this season.

This is the only rubbish bit in it. As a starter he should make sure the race starts fairly and if drivers do not comply they get spoken to or fined etc. It is not in the hands of the starter to independently judge the actions of drivers before the start which he can therefore interpret and in turn allow a start which is not fair for punters. That is heading into race fixing perceptions.

NZ Metro TC - Sunday, 9th August 2020 Race 9 - CUP WEEK HOSPITALITY ON SALE PACE Stewards have concluded an investigation into the start of Race 9 at the NZMTC meeting at Addington on Sunday 9 August. As part of this investigation Stewards spoke with the Starter, his assistants, and several drivers with the intention of not only ascertaining the circumstances that caused the start to be effected in the manner in which it was, but also to agree what actions were needed to minimise the possibility of a repeat occurrence. Stewards in the first instance sought the opinion of Starter Peter Lamb as to why the field were released when several runners had not been brought up into their correct position. Mr Lamb explained that due to the capacity field size he had split the horses into three circles as per standard procedure. It was his opinion that, when called into line each driver had ample opportunity to correctly address the barrier but some were either slow to react or reluctant to do so, and so as not to disadvantage the horses that had been correctly brought up, he released the tape. With the benefit of Stewards replays Mr Lamb conceded the 2nd row horses had not been afforded the desirable amount of time to take up their correct positions ultimately meaning they had to start further back than should be reasonably expected. The replays also showed some drivers either granted their horses some additional time when circling prior to being called up as instructed or were unusually slow to react to the instructions of the Starter when appearing to have time to turn in or move up into their starting position. After considering their explanations the drivers were advised it was expected in future they make a more positive contribution to the pre-race formation and ensure they are more obviously attempting to bring their runners up into a straight line in a timely manner. Stewards discussed with Mr Lamb whether his viewing platform should be relocated but it was agreed that to move the platform could potentially raise other issues for the starts from that point. Mr Lamb promoted the idea of his assistants taking a more proactive role in ensuring that horses, and in particular those on the 2nd row, were in the correct position as the front row was forming up. His race day crew were shown the film of this start and a discussion was held and agreement reached on what they could do to better aid the Starter and drivers in these circumstances. In conclusion, it was determined that several factors had contributed to what was both perceptively and in actuality a start which fell below the expected standard. It was accepted by those involved that for a start to be effective there needed to be a certain level of collaboration between the drivers, the Starter and his assistants. Whilst confident the current procedure was the best one to ensure as many horses get away in a fair manner, Mr Lamb took it upon himself in future to permit the second row more time to come up without adversely affecting the front line horses who traditionally have to wait. In conjunction with this, drivers must ensure they react at all times in a timely manner to any instruction given at the start of a race and non-compliance with this may result in the Stewards issuing charges.

That is the debate in this case isn't it. Don't think one blames the starter as it is an issue of timing. No siren so the stipes didn't think so nor Robbie Holmes.

But it was due to its own manners. How many times do they wait for a single tardy runner which upsets the others. It was sugar's own fault really and I can't complain about Lamb's timing on this one.

Has to be today. If they don't share it then it tells you a lot about transparency. They can't say it is an employment issue so they can keep it behind closed doors surely. Would make a mockery of it all.

I think the horse played a part in this one as it did not move up as requested with the others. He didn't wait for it. By the sounds of his language, the starter has been told off as he was a lot clearer and using better instructions.

It is not error it is arrogance. How thick can they be?

So the Board and Chairman who are in charge of harness racing and are highly experienced cannot understand or even follow employment processes regarding a CEO? One of the simplest and most logical processes to follow and they can't do that? I think that speaks volumes and if they cannot get this right how can they be expected to get anything else right.

Nothing in the stipes report tonight again. Have they forgotten. I need a break from posting. It is depressing 😂

So Holden is on the way out? Will he apply for the job? What happened to consistency and stability? Does anybody in harness pay attention to this ongoing debacle, and it is a debacle. Heaven help harness racing.

How many locked wheels have there been since the restart of racing? Lots. It barely ever happened. Maybe it is time to get tough on this growing practice as it is costing the goodwill of harness punters. Just another thing.

The bets on Zambia started with a couple of 200s from memory then another higher before someone put thousands on after it had dropped. I missed the reason for Zambia dropping through laziness. Under Mitchell Kerr's care....zoom zoom.

It is on a horse who I don't think will win the race but it will win in the near future. It is just a cover bet on the unthinkable happening. Covering my arse but more for my heart rate.

Krug's bandage was flapping everywhere. Stablehand Cran couldn't have put it on correctly lol.

I look like that already!

I simply cannot follow this. Somebody help. In an update today: 2. CHIEF EXECUTIVE ROLE The Board is now in a position to confirm Phil Holden’s contract as Chief Executive has been extended to 31st March 2021. The process to recruit a Chief Executive has been initiated. The position will be advertised in October and it is hoped an appointment will be made before 31st December 2020. Yet a few days ago it was permanent but above it says March next year and the position will be advertised. 4. Appointment of CEOFollowing this month’s HRNZ Board meeting, Chair Ken Spicer has also announced that the contract of Interim Chief Executive Phil Holden has been extended and becomes permanent. “We are very confident in Phil and with all the changes going on it was felt that itwas important to have consistency and stability”.

Oblivion is the word. Tried another 25 each way bet today and was restricted to $23.60 on the win bet. WTF is that about. What is the difference! I will have to get creative when I have a decent go in the future it seems.

I thought some of the races were ok odds wise tonight. However, Hell's Shadow opened at 5.50! She did win over 2600 the other week but it was a very weak field and she fell in. She ran a good race last time and was unlucky but seems to be a moody horse. Out now to 6.50 but that is unbackable odds for her in a field like this. I just don't know why they can't open her higher to entice some punters. She will probably win now and the quinella will be with Zambia 😂

Zambia into 3.80 from 7ff. Wow. I wouldn't be a taker of either price as I think it is up against some pretty experienced horses with ability tonight. I thought it would need to trail Laver the whole way round to have a chance. It will be a true indication if Zambia is going to go on with the job in the future. Adds a bit of spice. Good luck to those who had a crack on him.

Might have racing start at 7am so it appeals to the addicted gamblers evening market in Europe.

Not my cup of tea. Easy betting though, doesn't require much thinking.

Back to HQ where the only consistent participant are the horses. A decent bet is Melody's Mischief at 6FF and 2.15FF. Should get a decent run and has run a fast 2600 time behind William Wallace. Should run top 3 so a free hit at 6s. Also a drop in class for her.

They should only be on group races. No surprise they lost on regular racing as that would be a nightmare. Only knowledgeable large punters would bet on that stuff.

I think those odds were wrong and not live anyway. Sometimes, for some unknown reason the TAB has stupid pricing up (but not live) and then the real odds come up completely differently. Why they still maintain the original odds as a reference point is odd but must be something to do with the website. I have read articles in the past which say all bookmakers are doing the same.