the galah

Alexandra park is showing positive leadership in programming races like this. For too long this club has failed to utilize a pool of horses who would rather race at other venues for lesser money than run in events where they are non competitive. Criticizing the programming of a race which attracts a good size field of similar ability horses,which should make for a good betting race, is not warranted in my opinion.

The horsemen don't complain about starts down there,why is that???

If they were deliberately back as far as they were ,then they sure were stupid.. Watch the video and you will see the only one on the second line who was in its correct position settled a long way in front of those who got the running start. That's not getting an advantage. That's the opposite.

I didn't see much wrong with that start, it appeared to me that those on the second line were a little asleep in lining up,so while they did get a moving start they were at a disadvantage already because of the drivers,not the starter. What would you have the starter do,wait until they all stand still and 2 or 3 on the front line start going backwards like they do in Canterbury,then be sent around again with a 2 minute delay.. Standing starts in southland have a higher % go away than Canterbury. Ive said it before,and will say it again, its the horses I feel sorry for that race in Canterbury then southland or vice versa. They don't always get the same,and it shows in their starting. Horses like michele,gypsy's choice ,and many more are a menace in Canterbury stands,whereas they will go away in southland. Or would you rather they be a menace all the time?

I've just watched that race again and it defies logic to think a horse that they cant get to move for 2 minutes and constantly standing with its weight on the back feet, would all of a sudden go forward when the tapes go. It was an accident waiting to happen,and they let it happen.

II think you would have to be a loyal supporter to back it at that price. Last couple of starts it has started that far behind them that you had done your money before they had even started. IThat leads to having runs that are harder on it physically and mentally. My theory with it is that it will run its best races when its up on the nickel pre race,and trying to restrain it during the running is also counter productive at the moment.. The horse and driver seem to have both lost a bit of confidence in each other. I think horses like that get their confidence from winning,not being driven pretty.. Having said that,good luck to them,i still hope it can deliver what it is capable of one day.

Vladimir-the rat catcher,i think that would catch on if he ever took up race driving ...."Never corner a rat" personally I think mr evans does a good job.

interesting reading. Must be costing those involved a lot of $ to fight it every step of the way. If there is nothing incriminating ,then why try to keep it from racing authorities?

What a joke that start was. That horse was always going to stand there side on(as it did when having its last start in Canterbury) .Punters on a third of the field did thier money before they started. Horses that behave like that should either be sent to the outside or late scratched,or not allowed to start from stands in Canterbury where they have to stand still before they go.

As to the vet out rangiora way,i used her once to treat a horse that had started coughing . I was just an owner trainer who did not use vets because of the cost. She was very reasonably priced and stated when treating the horse that '"Her pre race treatment wont help them run fast like some other vets pre race treatment might,I'm just treating what the problem may be",or words to that effect." I thought her very good. I know what you mean about lots using the same vets in Canterbury. My impression was you got what you paid for,deep pockets were an advantage, and preferred clients existed for the highest profile vet. Then there was another higher profile vet who is now based elsewhere who treated all his clients the same.That's just my take on some vets..

Is it not obvious that having a vet as his partner would be an asset. Personally I think his strike rate has improved in recent years because of that. That does not in any way infer there is anything illegal going on. One thing I do know is some vets will help improve a horses performance. I have seen it ,if using a good vet wasn't an integral part of some stables success, why do they spend so much money on them? Having NZ"s best driver on is another obvious asset

This thread illustrates how dubious rumours start .

You would have to feel sorry for the punters who were on. Maybe its a gore cup thing. as it was a replica of his drive on kilowatt kidd in the other gore cup 6 weeks ago. That's punting though,even good drivers like he is make some poor decisions sometimes. It is surprising how many times you see a driver angling into a non gap,behind tiring horses when they only have to pull outside the horse they are following to get a clear run, or waiting 50m too long to go, then getting boxed in. Sometimes waiting pays off for them and they look clever,and maybe they are. They are judged on the final result. However when they don't get a gap they look a bit silly as happened today. As punters we all have our bad luck stories. I remember about 25 years ago missing out on being the only winning ticket holder on a decent pick 6 when the horse I had in the final leg was the biggest certainty beaten you could see, beaten simply because of an incompetent drive by a high profile driver at the time ,who actually got suspended for breaking his own horse up early in the race. It settled 15 lengths last in a 13 horse field,weaving all over the track looking for a run down the home straight after coming wide then angling in again for no apparent reason, when it only had to pull out to win,being beaten by 3 noses in a blanket finish. It happens. I may be frustrating joe kidd ,hopefully having a moan on here has helped you, Lets hope you bounce back, tomorrow may just be the day.

User friendly? Are you employed by the tab in some way by some chance?

Brodie is unlikely to post selections on here as if you are putting reasonable $ amounts on,then you are only reducing your odds by telling others . I like reading peoples selections,and actually think those who do so on here are very good. Its just the horses selected often seem to have the odds shorten. So each to there own. I don't know why some keep asking for brodie to name his selections, which if he did would reduce the odds, when he clearly wants the tab to increase the odds. It would be a contradiction, and not on the money if he did so.

The website is such a backward step for racing followers. Whoever came up with the current set up obviously had no idea about punters needs. Much of the information no longer displayed is what punters look for.So many other issues. Personally I think it just a display of incompetence by those in charge.

well its been about 3 weeks and as far as the racing side of the website goes my opinion is still the same. The website is far inferior to what was there previously. Its slow, it discourages betting, the layout is poor,and while it does have some new features I like,it has definitely meant my spend has gone down. In the last couple of days I have had feedback from 4 different levels of punter,and all said the website was poor to middling. I just heard the box seat say that it was going ok,thats certainly not my view and I am still to meet anyone who thinks so.

No doubt the diversion probably just relates to the lower grade drug charges such as possession. Its the way the justice system works for those who previously have relatively clean records and sometimes applies to those who have not offended for a while. Who knows,maybe those who have been charged with more serious drug offences such as supply may have been able to negotiate their way into less serious charges in return for admission of guilt. Press reports state none of the diversion relates to the serious race fixing charges.

Good to see the kitten back on track with a good performance yesterday. I liked the way he drove her,keeping her momentum going and finding the line nicely. It should be a good confidence booster. although its never easy when you start from the unruly.

A mile rate of 2.23 meant it had to be one of the slowest races ever run. Certainly had the slowest middle half seen in recent history in a race.. Not even a mention in the stipes report about the change in tactics from majestic one who ran a mile rate 16 seconds faster when winning the same grade the week before.

Watching the races at Timaru today its quite noticeable how the good drivers like May, Williamson, Williams make the racing far more competitive and exciting to watch. That seems to rub off onto other drivers as well. Lets hope none of them get suspended as they make the racing worth watching.,even if you don't back a winner.

Westview. Just one point you made which I think needs clarified.You mention the 1 day rule and not being able to treat for dehydration and other possible animal welfare issues.. The notice on the hrnz website last week I thought specifically referred to that and said horses could be treated under official supervision or if permission was officially granted.. Of course the reason for such a rule is to try and prevent stables giving their horses substances on raceday that would enhance performance. Of course that is a very hard rule to enforce. I note apparently 2 people connected with the same stable currently have a charge pending in court for that very reason. You do a good job promoting harness racing and through that a lot of people have a good deal of fun. keep up the good work.

degenerate-meaning immoral or corrupt. ahh. yes.... but not the gamblers. I know you take the mickey,either that or you don't watch southland harness.

There you go. Gavin smith sits 3 back the fence,with a $54 outsider in front. What happens,the gaps open and home he comes. Gone from mug to genius in a couple of hours. All in a days racing.

Mr mclellan is an excellent horseman,its just his intent that is the worry. He does have a long history of not trying to win.He has spent time on the sideline a couple of times for that I think. So from a punters perspective,he always deserves a bagging,in my opinion..