Counter Punch

Wild Excuse should go pretty close - I dont mind our horse, Jafa Kitten for a place either. If she behaves.

Outstanding effort that!

Like Sails tonight, Happy. Looks her kind of race.

Fair point. You could argue a good draw helped Thefixer win the Cup too. But does that make him any less of a horse?

When right, he's more than good enough to compete with some of those mentioned above IMO.

Hard to see how those two races, plus a lot of other feature races around this time of the year in 12 months are going to be run at all. With Inters in Auckland, races like the Green Miles won't have any horses left to run in them.

Prestonpans arrived in Aus this week. Joins Tim Butt stable.

He's right. One of those involved with Inca, was involved in Blue Magic. And did time for it.

Wrong. This won't f*ck the harness code big time. We are talking about a group of around a dozen people. Roughly 1 per cent of the harness racing population. Yes, they may be high profile, and yes they may be successful - but if found to be guilty on what is being alleged the code will be all the better for any departures. People said the same about Blue Magic, it was going to bring the industry to it's knees. It didn't. However, in saying that - there are other issues which will be of more concern going forward for the industry that have a much higher chance of, as you so eloquently put it, f*cking the code ie' breeding numbers, handicapping systems, poor management etc.

Here's another; All About Henry in Race 8. 7 starts at Mot for a win and 5 placings. But it gets better. Wet grass track form is: 6 starts for two wins and four placings.

Highland Reign

Money received from fines is placed into the general HRNZ allocation pool and used to distribute funds within the industry. I think that's right.

Purpose of the rule - a wolf in sheep skin, really. A prime opportunity to gather revenue while masquerading as doing the right thing to keep the animal activists at arm's length.

The rule is rat shit. But be careful - it is no longer excessive use of the whip, remember. It is using the whip more times than permitted. Hit the shaft 11-times and you'll be done. Club the horse nine times leaving welt marks and you'll escape the wrath of the RIU and JCA.

A rugby player can gouge someone in the eye - therefore breaking the rules of the game, but his team can still go onto win. If the incident is unseen at the time of offending, that player is often put in front of the judiciary and then suspended, or in some cases fined as happens in the NRL. If they then repeat the offence in the future, they face a much more significant punishment.

Lucky enough to spend a lot of time with Doug as I grew up. Fair few trips to Forbury which always took a little longer than they should have due to the need to stop at the pub at Makikihi for a jug or two on the way down before carrying onto the races. An absolutley gentleman of our sport and a wise old soul too who was never shy of a bit of advice. Harness racing and Mid Canterbury is a lot poorer today for the loss of a bloody legend. Rest in peace, Dougie.

Isla's Joy - Race 3 Barrett - Race 4

Yup horribly out of form.... 10 runners last weekend. 3 winners, two seconds and a third. Only two of the 10 missed the call.

Ultimate Sassenach qualified pretty nicely. $35 atm. Seems a good place bet.

Think they've ruled Kaikoura out with him. Cruz Bromac headed for there.

I'm going to go with getting his fitness back. Mark was certainly expecting him to need that run yesterday and almost predicted that he would blow out late. I would imagine we will see a very different version of him come next Monday at Ashburton... Could you back him as favourite at the moment? Absolutely not IMO.

To be honest, thought it was a good place bet. But had a little on the $46 so happy days. Surely lightning can't strike twice but We'll Meet Again in Race 10 trialled up super a few weeks ago. Great each-way fodder.

Race 5 - #12 Trick Star - $41 & $10

Yes, both were there and accepted their awards.

Sorry Taku, frustration wasn't at you. I was more meaning the headline of this thread. I'm all for justice being served if allegations are correct, however it frustrates me that every time I log on to this site I see this thread, in capital letters sticking out like dog balls.