Rusty

28.5 seconds? Or minutes?

What have we got $23.60 on Happy? What are we cheering home? My thigh has almost recovered from last Sunday, so good to go again.

Here you go Happy, wear this and pop into a TAB retail outlet (if you can find one that is still open):

Dead right Happy. I enjoyed watching the racing on the tv, made even better with a few of your picks, and Dougie's coming in. It adds a bit of interest to the day. Thanks everyone.

Happy, Happy, Happy... Joy, joy, joy. My thigh is dead and will be bruised very shortly, but I don't care, thank you very much for throwing Lindenny out here.

Thank you for answering my call out for you earlier and posting this Dougie! You know your horses mate, well done!

Thanks Happy, paid good ew money. Tough run in transit, and will be worth following for sure.

I put a little something on Cochy Malc last night on Final Field. More just from the formline, and driver than anything else. Hopefully it is a case of "great minds think alike"! I'll be on Thank You too thank you!

Anyway, lets get back on topic. Has anybody got any selections today worth having a dollar on? Happy is in fine form so got his pick marked down. Where has Dougie gone too? He was always good for a winner!

My name is Rusty, but my possessions are anything but. The house is constructed of a nice brick (severely devalued if painted), and the fences are either wrought iron and brick to match the house, or completely covered in vegetation so can't be seen. The car is almost brand new so no need to be painted. Anyway, I love the royal blue with silver stars on the Camry. Just left the face that needed the spruce up unfortunately.

I'm over these bloody restrictions. Was looking forward to getting my face painted.

Dead right. It's a little thought of fact, with the extra costs of conducting business on a stat day. Great post Mikie, some very valid and important points made.

Sometimes races like that are nothing more than glorified trials. They should almost be non-tote events.

Yes, almost impossible to win from back there, at those sectionals. That race reminded me of a few things. 1. The driver that was fined by the stipes in Aussie a few months back for going too slow (as leader) during the running of a race. 2. Sometimes it's true that the driver/jockey of the horse outside the leader (in 2nd, or 3rd position) dictates the pace of the race, moreso than the leader.

Good points raised above. Quite interesting. I'm going to reserve judgement until close of business Show Day.

Who does it down there? I will have to have a listen. There is certainly an art to commentary. A tough gig.

As a commentator I was scratched well before acceptances. Too hopeless, but you're right, still be a blast (for me at least anyway). I've heard in recent times that there are plenty of "chairs" (chairs as in seats not cheers), situated on the Adddington track proper. Surely this isn't true? You'd think these days Worksafe NZ would be all over this health and safety issue. Especially with a dozen or so horses racing at a decent clip immediately behind the aforementioned chairs. I've looked through my Pentax binoculars trying to find this chair that the commentator is referring to during the running of a race, but I'm buggered if I can find it. Like I've said, my eyes are shot and my commentary days were over really before they even started.

Safely away, surely Classie Brigade eats this lot.

Dead right. Pay attention Happy. And if it comes in, you will be heavily restricted with any future bets. Probably limited to literally a few dollars only, with a liability of $50.

Happy you were in fine form picking winners at good odds last Sunday so I'll be following your selections again for sure. Thanks for posting them. I have had a quick look at the card. It should be a good nights racing, but with the domination of last season's leading premiership winning trainer (Robert Dunn), it is a real turn off for me with him having 5 of the 9 runners in the feature race tonight, it is no good for racing and it is killing the game! And another thing why does the main race have to be called the National Handicap Pace? Surely a major political party shouldn't be sponsoring a race, and don't they know one can't say "handicap" these days? It's "disabilities", not a handicap.

Funny you should say that Happy. You are right on the money. I was fortunate enough to get offered a stipes job couple of years ago. True story. They seemed like a nice enough bunch back then. I'd be dead keen to be a race starter. How do I go about trying to become one? I think I am suitably qualified... I'm usually pretty aggro, full of myself and think I can do no wrong, I'm always right. My eyes aren't all that great, but I like the sound of my own voice. So much so, that often I can be heard just yelling out to myself; "HAAAPPPPY", or "RIIIIIIIIIIGHT".

I gave race calling a go back in '88-'89 but was absolutely rubbish at it. Just couldn't for the life of me remember the colours (except for the good horses, or the ones I had some coin on). However I'd definitely bring the crowds back, festively plumper punters and all - with the introduction of 99 cent "meat" pies oncourse. Don't ask. Just eat and enjoy.

No, unfortunately the one I had didn't survive Oaks Day at Flemington a few years back.

Name for a racehorse: "Covid Gotta Go" Sired by Gotta Go Cullect.

Cup Day, Jewels Day, Covid Day? Why couldn't racecourses and the land they are positioned on be used for Covid19 testing facilities? The traffic jams and extensive queues look horrific at some places. I heard in some places today commuters were ditching their cars at places and walking to work due to traffic jams. There is plenty of space at racecourses (even during race days with no crowds oncourse!). They are usually fairly well located geographically and you could have punters, sorry patients, lining up round the racecourse and/or in the car park/hard stand areas in their cars. Probably wouldn't want too many urban tractors on the trotting all-weather surfaces, but the gallops tracks could be a goer I reckon. Actually maybe not... hmmm nah, they might be ok, unless it is absolutely coming down from a great height and the penetrometer reading is no worse than a Soft 7. Whilst the punters, sorry patients, are waiting for their tests, they could be given information sheets on how to place bets, complimentary race books and pens, face painting and kiddy totes for the children, and cheap beer, pies and chips could be on offer. In the higher socio-economic areas the old man with the $9 icey coloured snow-cones could be brought in, maybe in late January with the warmer weather. Lolly scrambles probably couldn't take place due to social distancing rules, but they could possibly be already banned as far as I know due to potential discrimination issues these days, due to festively plumper/less mobile kids being less agile and slower than the faster, skinnier kids. For a lot of people this could be their first time at a racecourse, so every possible step should be taken to ensure their experience is an enjoyable one. Right that's enough from me... I'm off to the Covid testing station.