Rusty

Desperate times, call for desperate measures... Ladbrokes Australia are now offering odds for tomorrow's weather in the state capital cities.

Just cleaning...

Hit the nail on the head.

Sounds good... I like the idea. But the difference between NZ and OZ, is that horse racing is in the DNA of Aussies. Respective state governments in Australia actually support their racing. Whereas in NZ it is almost like racing has a stigma to it, and if you are a racing supporter, you're looked down upon.

Thank God grass track racing will soon be a thing of the past... I always struggled backing a winner on the turf. Generally horses just couldn't quite run as fast as they could for me. I'm just joking. But not really. I do feel sorry however for the majority of harness fans, that do love their grass track racing, and hope that it returns for them, like it usually does, later in the year.

Dead right, thanks for clarification... So it comes down to whether or not they were operating last month... as someone questioned if they were, and online advertising states "opening April".

Hang on, hang on, hang on... So if this outfit was not open this time last year, how could they be eligible for the subsidy? Am I thick, or just stupid?

$140+ GST in Canterbury.

I'm just grateful that we have some racing on, and a few good horses going is a big bonus.

Makes a lot of sense. A lot, if not all, of the top tier races, will attract the exact same horses, irrespective if the prize money is $2m or $1m. $500k or $250k, it wouldn't make any difference.

Two horses I have been "following closely" are Buckskin (FF 6.50 and FF 2.40) and Bettathanfast (FF 5.50 and FF 2.15). I think you could go quite angry on each of these today. I couldn't buy some items at the supermarket the other day due to the panic buying over the chinese flu, so the money that I saved, will be going on these nags. Respective drivers are doing a fine job this season and both horses should give a decent run for your money. I only hope there is no starter's "assistant" hanging on to Buckskin at the standing start, drawn 1 on the front line. One of my pet hates, but that's a story for another day. Go you good things and get up, so I can feed my whanau via a pizza delivery.

All "magazine style" shows scrapped, and a number of contractors, not permanent employees, have been terminated by the Trackside TV bosses.

No more Box Seat, and no more Michael Guerin on Trackside. He offered his services for free... however he still wasn't wanted. Sure, he wasn't everyone's cuppa tea... but his knowledge and analytical thinking (although admittedly wasn't always on the money, but other than Brodie and B Orange, who is?) will be missed.

There is a slight delay on Trackside, as Sky TV is in slight delay, but Vodafone TV is even worse, with over a 40 second delay to the coverage.

Hey mate, just out of interest; were you on course or watching it on the telly or damn fangled interweb, trying to get on? And did the early tote closure save, or cost you money?

Hmmm... gee I hope NZ racehorse trainers, currently overseas, manage to get back into the country before the self isolation rule kicks in.

What's the length of the grass today?

I'm pretty sure it was rule 213 (1)(c), not 213 (1)(b)... but who knows with the current state of events around the world.

Exactly this mate. Either "has had, or may have had"...

What a pack of farkn posers, that whole management team... look at them. Pens are poised. Give me break. Bet ya they know everything too. Everything except anything about horse racing and what the punters want. Get rid of the bloody lot, except for Mr Croon and Mr Balle. Two good guys that know a thing or two. Sack the rest.

Bets placed during the time that the horse was shown to be scratched, should be refunded. They won't be. But they should be. Do the right thing NZ TAB and cop it on the chin.

RIU have labeled it an "admin error".

Catalyst coming home. Bruised fetlocks.

I think the hood is going back on next start.

The odds weren't too bad; final field v tote, but the trick was waiting until closer to start time. Wait for the percentages to come back to a realistic level. Both winners he had, were the same price, tote v final field, at the jump. If they run the same promo again, my advice would be take full advantage of it, J Mac is a strike rate jockey, but don't go backing them too early on in the piece if possible.