Rusty

Yes that's Mark, and he managed to tip out a $12 shot.

100% dead right. "Alright folks, we know this can be a stressful time for some, with uncertainty and the unknown, however please remember that you are all going to be part of the consultation process, we value your feedback and we will listen to you... now.. which hand would you like the fingernails ripped off from first? The left or the right?" The point is they are going to do it anyway, but they want to come across as being seen to include staff as active influencers and "listening" to them.

100% dead right. "Alright folks, we know this can be a stressful time for some, with uncertainty and the unknown, however please remember that you are all going to be part of the consultation process, we value your feedback and we will listen to you... now.. which hand would you like the fingernails ripped off from first? The left or the right?" The point is they are going to do it anyway, but they want to come across as being seen to include staff as active influencers and "listening" to them.

Yes!!! And sulky wheels being very oversized too, and getting locked up with my one!

I'm the only person I know, and I know at least a dozen people, three of which are racegoers, that dislike grass track racing. That said, I would still take a day at the grass track races, than a day of no racing. I can only think of one explanation for the different lengths of grass, as highlighted by Brodie... The old Morrison has finally given up...

Should be some good races worth watching. Robin Dundee: Race 5 (10.15pm NZ time). 1609m. Princess Tiffany, Bettors Heart, Step Up and Havtime v the fave in Speak No Evil (12 wins from 15 starts). Chariots of Fire: Race 6 (10.50pm NZ time). 1609m. #12 Self Assured ($3.20), currently 2nd fave behind #5 Lochinvar Art ($3.10). Interesting to note, all stars, sorry all starters for the Chariots went into the retention barn at midday Thursday and will remain there until race night. Nothing new for this arrangement to occur. But it's interesting nonetheless. Makes one's mind... "spin". Or am I over thinking things here, and that's why my mind is spinning? Anyway good luck to the kiwi contingent.

Yes, my apologies, Ranga you are dead right... He does have a bit of coin to cough up however.

Race 7 - number 10, Chloe Rose Only a 3 year old filly but I think she will go very close to winning. Won 2 stand starts from 3 attempts. And off the 15m today. The postman has beautifully soft, manicured and gentle hands, so she should step away for him. She showed more toe than a roman sandal last start to get up from a hopeless position, and was brilliantly aided by the Orangeade. He got a wee holiday and a fine for his drive, but we won't talk about that. He sticks with the ship today. P.S Trainer is in desperate need for his winning percentage from the race as he has a rather hefty fine to pay too just quietly.

Good question and I don't know the answer sorry. One thing some drivers employ, is to stick the whip behind them, and up in the air, at or above head (helmet) height. This usually keeps the trailing horse an extra yard behind the driver employing this tactic. The extra yard can sometimes make all the difference in a close finish. You often see trailing horses get their snoz all over the driver's helmet in front of them. It can anoy the sh!t outta the driver. Not allowed to do the reverse head butt these days, but the ole stick the whip up in the air, behind the helmet trick keeps the trailing horse back a bit. Some of the smarter drivers do this on a regular basis. Not the reverse head butt, but the whip at head height, but held under the arm trick.

At a guess, and a very rough one at that, I would think they would pull the pin on it as soon as the last of the eligible horses are no longer eligible for the respective sponsored races. Eg. Tonight's 3yr old fillies race, all of the fillies were sold via the PGG sales. Does that sound about right? I could be way off the mark however and been wrong plenty of times before.

Maybe sulkys and drivers helmets should have rear vision and wing mirrors?!?! Would greatly assist with team driving, sorry I mean, with safety aspects.

Thanks for posting the race on here. I agree with everything you said and I am sure others do too. I found it amusing how McGrath was looking like he was a spectator at the Aussie open. Damn near would have needed a neck brace to help the sore neck he would have received from turning his head so much. Funny how he stopped looking around as soon as Sheriff zipped on past him.

Dead right.

Just looking at the weather forecast and there is every chance of rain for Saturday. Not that Catalyst would need any assistance, but it would definitely favour him moreso than his main rival, Alligator Blood, who is untried on a soft track on a raceday.

Dead right. Get On, is way more laid back, yet somehow comes across as a way more professional and slick production. When Trackside TV lost the services of Des The Silver Fox Coppins on a Saturday morning a few years back, they also lost a lot of regular viewers at that time slot.

Stylish Memphis arrived late oncourse, so stewards scratched it.

Anyway, turn the page. Has anybody got anything worth chasing on the rest of the card? I need money for groceries later on. As it stands at the moment, the A2 organic milk will be getting replaced by the dairy dale...

I thought Baxter would have gone a wee bit better than he did, but take nothing away from the winner. God, I hate grass track racing for the trots. Sell the track, sell the bloody lot of them lol.

Sorry Ranga I can't help you regarding track conditions. But race 5 Baxter is running around again. I posted Baxter on here last week at $3's final field the place, and he is still looking for room up the straight. Bloody unlucky. If anyone did their money cold, go again today!

I'll start with a disclaimer: I hate grass track harness racing. I know most punters love it, but it's just not my go. But that aside, Race 9 - Baxter at $3 final field the place will do me. Ran well on the coast and is rated by the trainer. Race 2 - Duke should be closer than last time out with the postman back steering him. One of the better maidens going around. And Rusty I Am... in Race 4. But only because I am Rusty.

Ditto. I'd be fairly certain we wouldn't be the only ones either. The final field odds are absolutely sh!t sometimes, especially the place odds. And even moreso when they run the first four payout promo. Cut the odds to buggery, but can occasionally still be worth a crack.

Does anyone have any tips/picks that may be worth following? Anyone other than Greg O'Connor? I have no tips or inside oil at all for the meeting, and I have a few bills to pay for coming up, so in need of something. Doctor Tim in race 3 might be worth a look. Down in grade, junior drivers race so God help them all, but S O'Reilly drove him an absolute treat in a 2600m junior driver's race last February. At $3.30 final field the place, could be worth a gold coin.

Actually I probably shouldn't have said anything about the kids running around and the parents not being able to watch and/or invest in a race.... The do-gooders will quickly point out to me there is a problem in society, that pops up all too often, of kids being left in the car, whilst mum and/or dad are in playing the pokies or whatever. Clearly that is not acceptable. The parents could at least take the kids in with them and teach them how to count cards at the tables or something instead.

From my observations, most kiwis that have a typical office based job, working 9-5 have it easy to get their bets on, anytime at all (if they have internet betting available on their computers/cell phone). It's the stay at home mums/dads with wee ones running round the show I feel sorry for. Lucky just to even see a bloody race sometimes! Let alone get a bet on. Working for families, Children's commisioner, child youth and family, and every other government agency, really need to offer more support to the stay at home parents, so they can bet with confidence and in a bit of peace and quiet. Should be an election issue.

It's good having the odds out earlier, it can generate some interest. But the odds-setters (sorry I can't bring myself round to calling them bookies) often have the markets at ridiculous percentages, and more often than not it is actually better to wait closer to race start time. Unless of course the odds-setters have "missed" one.