Nowornever

I could name a few horses who would benefit with a driver change. Sometimes these guys are quite happy to run around and just get place money. I don't blame them with the handicapping system. If I owned a maiden trotter in the North I wouldn't want to win either. Sometimes better to run a lot of placings than win one and never place again for the next however many starts in a higher grade against horses who have won ten races.

I agree but can they have some consistency doing that. The GEM N EM questioning is more confusing than informing. If they are going to be subjective then question a horse that really needs to be questioned. If they are there for the public why do they question the favourite when it wins? Everyone expects it to perform so unless it dropped from double figures into favourite without cause there is no point. They should be questioning a horse like Kotare Rata who has not performed at trials has gone terrible on race day with a 13th out of 13 and an 8th out of 13 and suddenly pops up at $10.00 a place. They never question those ones but instead question a favourite with recent form who was unlucky last start and got the perfect run to win. I don't understand it and although I have asked them in the past for a reasonable explanation to this, no one can or wants to give me an answer. In any case the questioning is a token gesture because no one has ever been charged after questioning. Again pointless.

Gee the stipes must have the toughest job in racing… deciding who to question seems incredibly demanding these days.

Looked like quite a few getting passed in today. A few lots were sold over 200K. On the other end of the scale a couple of bargain buys at around 2-3K were purchased. Will be interesting to see the numbers when they come out.

Usually economic downturn is their go to excuse.

GEM N EM - when questioned regarding the improved performance connections advised the mare had been held up for clear racing room throughout the run home at its last start and had received an economical run today. GEM N EM being questioned for an “improved performance” doesn’t make much sense. This horse was absolutely stiff last start and would have won with clear room! It had two thirds in its last three starts before that so no improvement at all just a better trip. Even the public knew it was the best chance as it started favourite. Meanwhile Normie Stead, had worse recent form, sat parked and still won — even after the driver dropped the whip — yet drew no similar scrutiny. What is going on!

Rakero Rocket will be tough to beat if he draws an inside marble. He has looked good winning easily in 1:47.3 around that track Would be a winning time in nearly all the previous miles and I think he still has more in the tank. Could go 1:46.5 in ideal conditions

Most of the vile abusive remarks online would stem from losing punters IMO.

Telfers have not got anything that would go with Leap To Fame and Kingman so maybe they would look at another runner outside the stable.

I suppose Marketplace and Got The Chocolates would have to be contenders this year as well, though I don't know how they would fit in to the slot holders for Cambridge

All Stars Racing and Chris Ryder AKUTA Craig Whiteoak THE JANITOR Dennis and Mark Dunford WE WALK BY FAITH Harnesslink KINGMAN Montana Park Pty Ltd MERLIN N40 Racing ? DON HUGO OR CAPTAINS KNOCK, SWAYZEE, PINSEEKER, CAPTAINS MISTRESS Rakero Racing RAKERO ROCKET Rampant Pty Ltd ?DON HUGO OR CAPTAINS KNOCK, SWAYZEE, PINSEEKER, CAPTAINS MISTRESS Solid Earth Pty Ltd LEAP TO FAME Stonewall Stud Ltd ALTA METEOR?

Ross Cameron didn't get the memo. Didn't stay on the fence for an easy win and got beaten by the horse behind him who got the straight run to the line.

Addington Thursday and Rangiora Friday.

Oamaru has always been leader biased. Reefton is another one. Slightly more entertaining if it is wet. Motukarara with a bit of sting out of the track and they can win from anywhere and pay anything.

Thought I was going to get a good collect today but Robbie Holmes a serial offender at coming off the fence on the turn cost himself again not going up the fence on Cappaha and getting beaten by the horse behind him again. You would think the drivers would have cottoned on by now the fence at all costs is the place to be at Oamaru today. Once you come off, you’re not just giving up ground, you’re handing momentum to the horse behind you who stays glued to the markers. No patience at all.