Counter Punch

Worth noting - and this, to me, is a major problem in some ways, but perhaps a positive for other clubs in another is that what money is spent on course nowadays is irrelevant for so many clubs. We've moved to a bulk funding model here in New Zealand, where clubs know from the outset of the season how much money they will receive for each meeting and then it's up to the individual clubs to budget how that money is divided across their meetings throughout the season. In the past a percentage of the on course and off course turnover was delivered back to a club post their race meeting. If they had an absolute cracking day and turned over $100k plus on course plus a huge amount off course and in fixed odds betting it could set the platform for future meetings to perhaps have a bonus increase in stakes whereas now, those sort of situations are less likely because there's no added incentive to drive higher turnover. Sure, if a club has a good day, those figures will be considered when it comes to revisiting their bulk funding payout for the next season - but unless a club has a bumper season in which they have no weather related issues and good big fields with lots of turnover it's largely a case of the good days doing enough to counter any potential losses on the bad days. Punters Clubs used to be a club's bread and butter. You could put one on - drive the hell out of it - get people on course punting and get the majority of the prize money back from what was invested in that room or area alone. Now it's a little harder to justify them because the direct result of their success isn't as readily evident as it has been in the past.

Absolute bolter for the day. Prince Teka. Sliding blinds on after looking set to get a dollar in two runs back and knocking off when hitting the gap. Tiz A Sizzler is a very nice horse in the making. Just Michael was huge last time out. Rake looks a decent each way in the last too.

Yes, over a year ago now. He went through the Standardbred Rehoming Programme after a good break out in the paddock and is now strutting around the ring down in Herbert on the way to Dunedin I think.

No confidence. He just can't get going early without losing his balance. Which puts him back in the field and then he's always chasing. Take him to the workouts and or trials and he trots out like a stag. I think he can win a few too, but there's a bit to get sorted in the brain department before that happens. Have an investment on either Just Michael or Tiz A Sizzler tomorrow instead.

Poor form from the TAB or smart work. At that price, considering all factors (fresh up, quality of field, poor record on track etc) perhaps it was a smart business decision to take that bet. The chances of the horse winning and the punter claiming the $17k were far less than what the chances of the horse losing and the TAB pocketing $12k. And of course we dont know the record of the punter in question but you'd imagine the bookies did and that may well have played a part in the decision to accept that bet. You could say a sound business decision made there. On the other side of the coin, knowing your ability to find a horse paying $4-$5 to place Brodie, I'd be less likely to accept a $1k bet from you because the chance of having to pay that out is higher.

They race once or twice, I think. That particular meeting is usually a pretty good one with horses having final hit outs before Cup Week.

Even worse. Think you'll find that's the Motukarara gallops meeting

Pretty simple really. Horse didnt get a start in maiden. But because there wasnt a full field in the higher trot it could get a start there.

Very true. His fresh record is exceptional though and that's a very even looking field. As for you, Brodie. I call bullshit. Looking through those fields there is some good opportunity to make money. Particularly in the place markets at current prices. Something you are usually quite good with.

Some good races there tonight. Also some pretty straight forward and uninteresting races too though to be fair. Couple at a bit of each way value to hopefully kick start the weekend. Race 2 Norman Richards Race 9 Rum In The Sun

Despite the fact he's outside of the race conditions, he'd get into the field irrelevant because there isn't enough horses there to fill a field from those within the conditions. The fact that he is outside the conditions because his rating is not high enough is different to had he been outside the conditions because his rating is too high. If there had been 15 eligible nominations for the race and they all accepted then he would be on the ballot.

Darryl Kerrigan in Race 3 and Essence of Easton in the last.

Essence of Easton and We'll Meet Again

Lazy? I can assure you there is a group of dedicated, passionate and hard working people on that committee who are trying their best to get things back on track.

I'm not going to say anything for fear of putting someone in a difficult situation. Extremely disappointed in this outcome especially for some particular individuals. However, was happy to roll up the sleeves and lay out the welcoming mat today to the Methven Club at Ashburton. Won't be a rock hard track, but should still be good racing.

Again not 100% sure but believe it is largely voluntary work with a small element of costs for overall caretaking of the grounds.

Methven track would almost have work done on it every day. It's a pretty big undertaking and very variable when taking into consideration weather ie; too dry or too wet or even something as simple as how many horses have been going over it. Workouts and trials held by Mt Hutt Trotting Club last season saw more than 1,000 horses (probably closer to 1500) on the track during the season - which coupled with five race days, which this season stretches to six, means that there is plenty of work required to recover a surface post meeting and maintain it at a decent standard. Westview better placed than me to offer thoughts on work done on the stables bend but basically it's been a major issue with drainage for quite some time, also a direct lack of sunlight in some parts so work has been progressively done to try and improve that portion of the track. Work such as removing/stripping back trees which bordered and the bend and ultimately the work that was done at the completion of last season.

Think the other Hope trotter is the more likely of the pair to feature - and wouldn't be surprised if there is a driver change coming at some point if Monbet doesn't measure up.

Hopes have a decent chance of it too Provided the two trotters return to where I think they will.

Only trained one winner at Methven. And even then it was only half a win. Beach Skipper dead-heated a few seasons back.

Track manager says no fear of not racing at Methven on Sunday. "Not scared of a shower or two of rain." Hope that doesn't come back to bite him in the arse.

Yes, let's get trucking early on a solid speed, work harder than any other horse in the race and leave nothing in the tank. Too many good horses have had Cup preps ruined by gut buster runs fresh up - Mainland Banner v Flashing Red springs straight to mind. It's a shame the unbeaten run has come to an end. But at least that pressure is now off and the focus can be on doing everything to have him at Addington in November. These are horses we are talking about, not machines. Maybe I'm getting cynical, but anyone who's questioning how that horse was driven today has no understanding of limitations when it comes to horses and just how much a hard, tough run can bottom a horse. Especially at the start of a preparation. Let alone, fresh up with no hit outs, off a 50m when they're running time off the front like they did today.

Gran Chico..

You are kidding me right? Richie, please do explain what Kirstin was supposed to do. And please keep in mind that she stated and stipes reported that the horse would be driven with a sit. 2.51 post to post and run his last half in 53.

That's the problem here, Brodie. Or at least the perceived problem. This group of regulars that you speak of don't go to a day. Yet more than 20,000 other people come instead and are prepared to pay money to do so. Logic would suggest that with Cup Day crowds remaining strong, Addington is doing something right in terms of the day. It's a shame that the day doesn't suit some of the purists, it really is. But similarly I know of a large number of those very same people kind of people who flock to Cup Day for the occasion that it is. I have a group of friends who are now regular race goers because of Cup Day experiences.