Happy Sunrise

Despite the disaster of the apartment buildings, a disappearing grass track circuit, abysmal field sizes at Auckland despite the best the stakes in the country and fields which are full of South Island cast offs, they should be happy the All Stars only make fleeting visits because, if they did, they would take the stakes away from locals on an even more consistent basis which would be the death of the Alexandra Park and Cambridge. The difference from the South Island is stark. Southland harness seems to be going fine and in Canterbury there are two distinct scenes, almost three which are Addington, grass trackers and the lower level grit horses. The trial fields are pretty big too and it is rare to see clubs struggle for numbers (the exception being Forbury at times) even Oamaru can manage fields when up against grass track meetings the next day in Canterbury. There seems to be no logic to what is happening in the North in anything they do, from programming to management, they seem lost. It wouldn't surprise me one day if the ATC came out one day and said they were screwed and needed help. Is the future that dark?

HRNZ have just put up an article from Adam Hamilton on it 2020 Inter Dominion 17 December 2019 , News NEXT year’s Inter Dominion will have a very different look to Auckland this year. By Adam Hamilton The new rotation sees the sport’s marquee event go to NSW in 2020, but just two of the four nights of racing will be at Menangle’s Tabcorp Park. Although yet to be formalized, it is understood regional centres Newcastle and Bathurst will both host rounds of qualifying heats. It expected the series will open at Menangle with heats on Saturday, November 28. Newcastle is set to host the midweek heats on Wednesday, December 2, then it’s off to Bathurst for the final round of qualifiers on Saturday, December 5. The Inter Dominion pacing and trotting finals will be back at Menangle on Saturday, December 12. NSW has conducted regional heats the past two times it has hosted a traditional Inter Dominion format, both times at Newcastle in 2002 and 2010. The exceptions were the controversial three years NSW hosted the Inter Dominion between 2013-15 when heats were held at a variety of tracks across Australia and NZ.

Am I sure? No, but this is what this reputable guy is saying. I tried to look it up online but found very little but this is from the Newcastle Herald in October (note the prize money difference again which is bullshit): The Inter Dominion series looks set to return to Newcastle Paceway next year, a decade after the Broadmeadow track last hosted qualifiers for the coveted group 1 crown. Harness Racing NSW chairman Rod Smith told participants at the recent HRNSW awards in Sydney that Newcastle and Bathurst were set to host qualifying rounds of the series, which returns to Menangle in 2020. A formal announcement is yet to be made. The November-December series, this year to be held in Auckland, brings together the best pacers and trotters in Australasia. Three rounds of three $30,000 pacing heats are held with a $50,000 consolation final and a $500,000 group 1 grand final. Trotters have three rounds of two $20,000 heats before a $150,000 decider.

It would be very costly (especially with just 30k heats) and draining at the same time. If NZ horses go then it has to have an effect somewhere. Maybe, the lead up races to the NZ Cup will be even smaller because the focus is on so much more than a single race at Addington or conversely, the All Stars might split their strength and target both with different horses. Something has to give somewhere.

Eliminates any NZ participation other than the All Stars I reckon. Maybe it will reduce Australian participation in the NZ Cup which precedes the series as it will mean an awful lot of travelling for Australians who want to do both. However, many trainers at Auckland seem to think their charges thrived on the compact racing schedule so who knows. At least it won't be too hot in Australia at this time ?

As obvious as UItimate Sniper?

The 'more is better' approach is usually the laziest option.

Would they ever consider being a tote business? Surely not? Self preservation of jobs would take priority wouldn't it? I like number 2. The amount of races from unknown places is sickening.

Enlightening. So, you are the new boss of NZ racing, what are 5 things things you would do to reverse the situation?

Is there hope with RITA or are we stuffed?

Some might say Brodie is sensitive ? Where would that tax revenue go if they did? Excuse my ignorance, but how do Australian gallops have such large stakes at their meetings? It makes NZ racing seem pathetic, especially the trots.

These odds are why racing is losing its hold over the gambling dollar. If I was looking at them I would say someone had taken a sports multi, not a racing multi at one meeting. The average person out there has no idea about horses but many more probably believe they can pick winners in their known sport whether it be rugby, league, football, tennis and netball etc so why would regular punters bother with bets on racing these days? Sports odds are usually small so the only way is to multi them up to get a high return. The All Stars offer the equivalent on Cup Day or the like but no other time. I never hear Guerin etc saying someone has a 10, 20 or 30 thousand multi ending on a horse. Why is that? Wouldn't that drum up interest and ignite people's interest in getting that big pay day? Possibly a reason why race betting is in decline.

Has that mean the odds offered by the TAB have got worse recently? I read the full article the Chief put up. Would you agree it seems to support Brodie's position that serious punters won't take any odds offered and some give it away?

Have taxes on the TAB gone up in New Zealand?

Heaven help owners who want to punt their horses at decent odds after this. The TAB will be looking to recoup their losses. I think they might also be even tighter on All Star horses on big days to stop the multi takers. $1.50 might turn into $1.30.

Blows the 'marker pegs' theory out the frikking window doesn't it. Just as Ultimate Sniper's performances do. Guerin should not crap on about being on the marker pegs ever again as it clearly doesn't apply.

Ranga, I am surprised this sentence escaped a comment from you. Oh, hang on, it is not Brodie's.

Thanks, I tipped it out to lots of people and they are very grateful. Especially if they got in early on and snared the 1.45.

Defies belief.

With performance like that it is incredible to think he missed out on making the final isn't it.

You don't. Another Masterpiece showed that after his gallop. Ultimate Sniper showed that in his amazing heat win.

Do you have opinion on the domination Ranga which is not a reply to a Brodie post?

The Purdon's 6th ranked runner gallops off the arm, losing many lengths, yet, can still beat some of the best Oz and New Zealand pacers over 2200. Really? Sell, sell, sell......there is no point in trying to the take the juggernaut on. While you will have the odd horse get a placing among the All Stars domination the winners will just about always come from that stable. Especially when they buy up the best horses like Oscar B. What does all this lead to? Boredom or inspiration? Acceptance or innovation? I will be labelled negative, jealous and all sorts of things by the usual crew but the game really is up for most trainers when it comes to Group races. The likes of Smokin By and Nandolo will never beat the All Stars. Smoking By would do a great job in Australia so wouldn't be surprised if he left. The aussies won't be coming back for the Cup next year after the last month's beating. There could be 10 All Stars in that race next year! Unless of course they plunder the free for all lol. Thankfully not. The game would be well and truly up if they started lining up runners in the lesser meetings.

Well, that was close. I am not sure how you will be feeling but I still think he is on the rise and the best is yet to come. The ride continues for you Globe!

The performance of Stylish Memphis at Auckland just now reinforces the form of Emmeryson Lee in the last at Mot. The 15ff on opening was way too inviting and the 10s now is still good, even with its draw. Young Stranger looks to be back in form and on level marks with some he has been giving a start to he has to be a chance. The place money is good at 3.10ff. Since it could be a day for the Motukarara specialists Bobby T is a good chance from draw 2 in the first at 6.50ff.