OLDWHITEMAN

If this is the case then someone should be fined. If the Fords are training the horse why was Mark Gill still listed as the trainer by HRNZ?

Ms Gill is a lovely young lady and an excellent horsewoman but for some reason she is not very good in the cart. She is an accomplished equestrian rider and has won numerous events in the saddle. Perhaps it is a confidence thing Brodie? When she gets her first win she will be away!

I know you are always on the money my old mate but not according to Infohorse. Official records say M. Gill has been training in all recent starts with no mention of K. Ford. I trust your view so it must be an oversight by HRNZ?

Nope. He was trained by Mark Gill in all his starts to date, including last two starts at Waikouaiti. Ms Sheree Tomlinson has driven the horse a number of times so I presume she will be driving on Friday? Be interesting to see how he goes. Personally, I think the horse is better on all-weather tracks.

I was looking at the fields for Westport on Friday. My old mate Gotta Ticket is racing and it would have to be one of the worst trotting fields assembled ever. Robbie Holmes and Gavin Smith trained runners are the only horses with any form. I thought to myself that Gotta Ticket has a good chance of finally winning a race here but at the bottom of the field in Horse Movements: Gotta Ticket to Ken Ford at West Melton! There goes any price I might have got. Will the horse improve with a new trainer?

Here's an interesting article about the breeding of Shartin N. It's good if you are interested in bloodlines. https://harnessracingupdate.com/2020/02/28/a-closer-look-at-the-pedigree-of-shartin-n-the-2019-horse-of-the-year/

Good luck on the punt, mate!

Great achievement by the mare. There are a couple of good articles that are worth reading about Shartin N here... https://harnessracingupdate.com/pdf/hru/hru022420.pdf

Wrong, I am not a member of any of those organisations. The club I belong to is the Brodie fan club.

My old mate, I think what you are saying makes sense particularly if the track is dead or wet. I have suggestion mate. In future why don't you ring the club secretary on the morning of the race meeting, or the day before, and ask what length the grass is. Just a thought!

Both the young Purdons seem to be hitting their straps as trainers and continuing the family legacy. Wisely, both concentrate on training and leave the driving to others more qualified... take note Mr Hope.

Get a grip. Animal rights protesters are not terrorists far from it. To date, as far as I am aware, animal rights activists have killed zero people. When animal rights activists have slaughtered millions of innocents like the misguided followers of the religion of peace have then you can call them terrorists. People have abused animals for centuries, that will soon end and no longer be tolerated.

Shocking drive mate. As you say he had no control of the horse. Contrast Mr Hopes drive with the best junior driver Ms O'Reilly. She never moved a muscle smooth and relaxed and in control of the horse. Mr Hope should concentrate on training and leave driving to others like his old man wisely does.

Yes, I believe so. Harness racing is not as hard on a horse as the TB game so that is why animal activists have not targetted Addington, yet. However, whip use is a problem. Particularly, with the likes of B Hope who drove a poor race last night, excessive whip use, no control of the horse and driving like a stagecoach driver with hands held high like in a Western movie. What was he thinking? It was not a good look and it is drives like that attract the condemnation of activists. Contrast Hopes' driving style with the promoted horses driver, the best junior in the country Sarah O'Reilly, she never moved a muscle, smooth and controlled. As usual my old mate you have cherry picked my comments to suit your argument. Due to racing injuries many TB horses are put down on course. You know this, I know this. There is no dispute. Animal activists are concerned about animals and their rights Brodie. Human rights are covered by the likes of our hug meister PM, Ms Ardern. You are right my friend, Addington is unlikely to be targeted by animal rights protesters. It's more likely to be targeted by alcohol abuse activists particlulary on Cup Day that these days as you correctly state has zero to do with harness racing. The NZ Cup, the ultimate meeting in the country for harness fans, has been ruined by the involvement of the CCC and the so-called Cup Week Carnival. Today, both Addington Cup Day and final day of Riccarton TB cup meetings are a piss-up for people with zero interest in horse racing. Sadly, this will also result in the demise of both days sooner rather than later.

I am not a scientist Greg, but I am a realist. It is time that you and my good friend Brodie woke up. Animal rights are totally different than climate science. Ignore and mock if you wish. I can guarantee that horse racing, mostly TB (harness will be caught up in the melee), will be targeted by activists. I can guarantee you that famous meetings like the Melbourne Cup , Ascot and Kentucky Derby will soon see unprecedented protests from animal rights activists. Mark my words, horse racing is unnatural and hard on a horse, both physically and emotionally. Like any athlete injuries occur with horses and these injuries are often fatal. Wait till the day when a horse breaks down and has to be put down while activists are on-course. Sadly, this has already happened in the Melbourne Cup, next time it happens and that could be in 2020 pandemonium will break loose. Today, many people will not tolerate animal cruelty and this movement will continue to swell. Optimism has zero to do with this issue. Animal rights will stop horse racing within the next decade or two.

I believe so you young whipper snapper. Unlike Brodie I don't think All Stars domination will be the cause of the death of harness racing. I believe animal rights will be. Scoff if you wish but there is a growing trend worldwide against cruelty to animals. Ongoing research shows that animals feel pain and suffer psychological harm from activities such as horses racing. Harness racing could front foot this by banning whips, something my good friend Brodie is vehemently against. Mark my words animal rights activists will soon direct their anger towards horse racing in general. Currently, they are focussed on rodeos and they have nearly killed that inhumane "sport". Once rodeos are banned, horse and greyhound racing will be their next target. The end is nigh and it may come sooner than you think.

I agree my old mate. There are problems galore with harness racing and I have doubts that it will survive more than another decade or two. The sales were successful, they usually are, but they cater for a small minority in the harness racing world both national and internationally. Few can afford to buy a horse let alone race one unless they are syndicate members. Syndicates are OK but most will struggle to make money. It is a great way to have an interest in a horse and exciting for the owners if they get a good 'un. But there are more poor, slow ones than competitive horses. Harness racing is struggling around the country except for the strongholds of Canterbury and Southland. Michael House is keeping Central Districts afloat and Auckland is a terrible mess. Canterbury and Southland racing attract good fields but the likes of Nelson, Blenheim, the West Coast and Forbury have piss poor weak fields full of slow horses. Crowd numbers are falling and few new fans would venture to the likes of Forbury to watch given the calibre of horse on display. There are few up and coming trainers and drivers with the exception of Regan Todd and Michelle Kerr. Drivers likewise Sarah O'Reilly and Sheree Tomkinkson are the standouts, the rest including B. Hope are mediocre. If that young fellow keeps driving the way he did last night a serious accident will occur with both horses and drivers injured badly. The corrupt Winston Peters had done nothing for harness racing and he never will. Brodie is right, harness racing is facing a bleak future if things do not change fast.

"Getting a go"? What are you on about? What have "younger" buyers go to do with it? Auctions are sales in which items for sale are sold to the highest bidder. If you have the money and outbid everyone else you take the prize regardless of age or gender.

Dead right. He got off lightly.

I think Sheree Tomlinson and Sarah O'Reilly are the best junior drivers around at the moment. Sheree has driven 21 winners this season, while O'Reilly has driven 15, although Sarah O'Reilly has the better UDR.

Perhaps we need to ask where is the Minister of Racing, the dishonourable Winston Peters? He was going to sort out racing and get it back to its glory days. To date he has done zilch, lot of talk but nothing else. It seems Peters enjoys getting handouts from the big business involved with racing but he is not interested in the grassroots of the sport. He is out for what he can get, Winston lining his own pockets at racings expense. Corrupt crook!

Disappointing effort from Majestic Man. Despite his draw he should have gone better than that if he is as good as the connections and trainer claim. It is starting to look like he is an overrated horse who is destined to be close to winning a G1 but no cigar always in the money but not take major stake. I know he is young for a trotter but is there much more improvement in him realistically? I doubt either MM or Oscar Bonavena will ever rise to the heights of the likes of Icandoosit or Stent?

My Canterbury spy tells me that the two Fred Fletcher trained Royal Aspirations trotters he has in the two-year-old trot both go well. The master trainer Fletcher does not take many to the races these days, but those he takes generally perform. Unfortunately, it's only a seven horse field so divs won't be generous. All Stars also have two well-bred trotters debuting. Will be an interesting race.

You are right my friend. Sarah O'Reilly would be an exception but she comes from a respected Mid Canterbury family in an area where harness racing is strong. I don't see any young family members from the likes of the T. Butt, McGrath. M Purdon, B. Purdon, R. May to keep the dynasties going. Once these households names go, and that may happen sooner than you think, harness racing will become a sideshow.

Thanks mate. I thought he may have retired and let Anthony take over. Who will take over the reins when Tim and Antony retire? Doesn't seem to be any young Butts on the scene except K. Butt and she is only average driver at best in my opinion of course.