Joe Kidd

The site is just shit. Went to put a sports multi on Saturday night only to end up with a far king headache and giving up. Can only watch one option going around and around for so long before putting the cue back in the rack. Unless our TAB pull their heads out of their arse and sort it all out, they will turn even more punters cold. The whole process should be quick and enjoyable. Punters need confidence in that. If they get crapped on especially when it matters most they will eventually walk away or go elsewhere. God only knows how they will cope on the big days. Last week I had a multi going that I was losing confidence in. I tried to cash out and a message came up saying "cash out is not available". I went back to watching the event and a few minutes later it again started to look like a winning bet. Shortly after I looked at my pending bets only to discover I had none. I looked at resulted bets and saw my multi had been cashed out despite the notification that cashed out was not available. Ultimately, I was pleased I cashed out but if you can't have confidence in their notifications the writing is on the wall.

Cran not the training force he once was. Despite Nathan Purdon's breeding and his 2016 G1 Albion Park win on Ohoka Punter, I don't rate him as a driver at all. He's improved over the last couple of years but there was light years of space for him to do so. If you keep putting average drivers on good animals, all of them will improve.

I recall He's Fast and Furious running a very good and close second behind God Only Knows on the first day of the Blenheim meeting at Blenheim in January. Had next up winner so I backed it and tipped it out on here for the second day despite drawing the second row. Ran a pretty average 5th or 6th on the second day behind ordinary horses so I said never again. Has enough ability to win three or four races but I'd only ever include it in the thin end of trifectas and first fours after that run. There are hundreds of bread and butter horses going around just like He's Fast and Furious who's trainers manage to get the best from the horse's despite limitations.

I agree about the horse being so good it could make an average driver looked extra good but I was more meaning the training side of things. Safe to assume Kirsten Barclay does a lot of work with the horse away from the races. I'm not good at placating people but wanted to acknowledge the work she's done with the horse who looks an excitement machine. It's exactly the sort of horse that will draw people to see it race so hope it stays. Sundees Son must give it's owners headaches. I can think of at least 5 races it's gone up to win only to blow to bits. Some of those races it was clearly in front with the race seemingly in the bag. Time will prove one of us right and the other wrong with Kings Landing. I was never confident with him last night. Didn't enjoy the track and did extra well to run third. I'm sure it would have been a different ballgame on a fast track and that he's the real deal

I love the French harness. Went to two meetings there several years ago and it made our trotting look antiquated to say the least. As for the American shite being served up here. I honestly believe it's wrong on every level. It encourages the compulsive gamblers, the product is almost always low grade crap and it gives less time for better coverage of races that matter. My mindset is do it well or don't do it at all. One of my favourite quotes was the work of Abraham Lincoln. "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe"

OMG...get help. There may still be time but based on your statement here, it's likely already too late.

Chur

John? Talk of fining or suspending MP for that drive is off the charts Brodie. I'm genuinely shocked you would advocate that. As you know I've been critical of AS dominance but I saw absolutely nothing to be critical of with that drive. Yes, clearly the hottest favourite of the night but as you know there are a lot of punters who just see a picket line and are certain more of the same is coming regardless of track conditions. The best horse in the race by a cricket pitch but as you rightly say, a wet track is a great leveler. You've seen MP driving for years. He doesn't knock his drives about. 99 times out of 100 his drive would have been a winning drive. The track was the difference along with a great run by the eventual winner who had been quietly smoking the pipe and was also very well driven. As for punters getting burn't. It's called "Gambing" for a bloody good reason Brodie. Having said that, I see dozens of driver errors every week. Some much worse than others. The only error MP made was not winning but I can't see what he could have done better to win. That's why he wasn't charged or penalized in my not so humble opinion. When a horse has given it's best and is out of gas there is not a lot you can do, especially if you still want a horse the next day.

I see things differently Galah. I'm 100% certain the track had a significant effect on numerous runners. Mud is a great leveler on a race track. Here's a few I can recall without even trying. Coincidentally, most of the horses I will quote are AS runners. Enhance The Calm would have won by panels had the track been dry. Letterkenny Boy had most of it's weapons negated by the track. Compare last night to it's previous run. Kings Landing and Marcoola had most of their weapons negated in the big trot. The Power of Prayer never copped the track in the Welcome Stakes but was ready to stand up. Watch for a big form reversal next start. Spankem not the same horse in the Easter Cup. I don't feel Jacks Legend copped the track when it mattered either. The trot won by Sunny Glenis was a lucky dip. Several of the well fancied runners were no hope. Race patterns can be a good guide but just when you think they can be budgeted on, a back runner will do the business. If a horse is copping the wet track you'd expect to see it handy but just because you're handy, you can still be gone in a stride as many were. For me, a great night....not to bet.

I don't mind the rain on average race days but on Premier days / nights it most definitely negatively impacts on things. Must be honest and admit I'm not the biggest fan of U May Collects driver yet she's done a great job. Without wishing to impugn her skills, one has to wonder how good this horse would be in a stable like the AS for example. Impossible to see how it could have been more impressive than it's been so far.

Morning shitheel. you're a brave wee thing aren't you...but are you just a wee boy who only talks a big game when mum lets you back on her computer on the conditions you stay away from the gay porn and cross dressing sites? How insightful were you when choosing your user name. I was watching race replays before your father wanked onto the barn door resulting in his load hatching out in the sun announcing your arrival on the planet. I looked forward to last nights meeting for weeks and spent several days studying the form for a serious night out on the punt. I checked out flights to go down to Christchurch and rang a good mate to arrange catching up. He said the weather forecast was shite and I pulled the plug. I never wagered a dollar last night. Most serious punters will not "invest" when a meeting turns from predictable to a lottery due to track conditions. You are clearly in desperate need of heads up in reading race replays. MP knew exactly how the horse felt in it's prelim and unlike you, known how it was copping the track. Using up gas to get the front from wide out was not just about controlling the race. MP knew it was his best hope in overcoming the conditions. Go back to the top of the straight. Enhance Your Calm may look the winner but look deeper. There's very little left in the tank. Then look at the eventual winner Lotamusle. Has done no work from the draw and looks to be not bothered by the conditions at all. Before the turn even blind Freddy can see Lotamusle is going to be at least a threat to the trailing horse Tricky Rick with clear running. Purdon tries to put them away turning in but used what the horse had left to establish that break. It also opened things up for Lotamusle when One Apollo started to tire. 150 out Mark Purdon looks to have won the race but look at Enhance The Calm's leg speed at that moment and compare it with Lotamusle. Despite you being a far king genius in the game you need to understand that the eyes of drivers are in the front of their head. For MP to have seen how well Lotamusle was going would have needed him to near fall out of the cart trying to look behind. 100 out MP has a look to the left. Nothing there. He has a look to the right, nothing there either. 70 metres out MP hears a horse closing in on him. He tries to lift the horse one last time but Enhance Your Calm is out of gas. Lotamusle has the momentum. There was absolutely nothing MP could have done more or better to win the race inside the last 200 regardless of what some eggspurts like you say. With the benefit of hindsight perhaps MP should have kept things tight turning in but he tried to win the race. I was surprised to see Enhance Your Calm get rolled especially in a race the AS wanted very much but it's my opinion that the conditions beat him as much as Lotamusle. The biggest surprise to me was coming on here and reading calls for Mark Purdon to be suspended for the drive. Bloody ridiculous especially from a bloke who I have fully agreed with many times over the years. Having a different perspective is fine and dandy but calling for a suspension for that drive is the most absurd thing I've read on an online harness forum for at least a decade. Back in your hole...boy https://harness.hrnz.co.nz/gws/ws/r/infohorsews/wsd06x?Arg=hrnzg-Ptype&Arg=RaceVideo&Arg=hrnzg-RacehdrID&Arg=261214

the great equalizer. Some of the best horses going around tonight struggled in the conditions. Some of those still managed to win. Class. Surprised to see Enhance Your Calm get rolled. No finger pointing at the driver from me. Horse didn't cop the track and was exhausted. Can't pick them up and carry them. Mark Purdon does not go to sleep on them especially in highly sought after races. Dry track and it wins by a street. The trotting champs were a disappointment to me. Glad to see Speeding Spur do the business but the track turned that race into an ordinary affair where two of the best horses in the race struggled with the conditions most of the way.. One Change may be just a bit special. Didn't cop the track but still win the Welcome Stakes impressively. Turn It Up didn't enjoy the conditions but still won the Easter Cup. What beats this horse in the NZ Cup wins that race in November. Ultimate Sniper did what Ultimate Sniper does....when Tim Williams is not driving it U May Collect won the last like it was the most exciting pacer to come from the deep South for a decade.

I appreciate what you're saying Furlong and was aware of that detail. Many can recognize most races that are listed or group on name alone but that's not always the case and this lack of race value is with all codes. Much easier just to have the race value on the betting platform than start cross referencing for every race you're looking at. I hope they attend to this sooner rather than later.

So I see things differently to you and this equates to my lack of understanding? I don't question you being technically savvy but unsure why you even put that on the table. As a young fella, I spent many very early Saturday mornings with the Friday Flash spread over the lounge floor, newspaper lift out alongside and an ash tray nearby slowly filling up. Now, none of those including the ash tray apply. The game has evolved. Prior to Trackside / Action TV, I was sent videos by the TAB showing all the race meetings from the previous week. They were my new and improved racebook etc. Now, I do all of my study online. I spend hours every week reviewing replays of races but seldom look at hard copy. One of the issues people have with hard copy is just how up to date the information is. I had this discussion numerous times with Leo George and took on board his frustrations that he would happily share in his usual colourful way. R.I.P Leo. A common complaint over the years has been a total lack of coverage in race books of the meetings second day on the Sunday and Monday. Punters start seeking that information elsewhere when supply dries up. Another common complaint was the non availability of race books in areas for one reason or another. Couple that with the gradual decline of newspaper horse racing lift outs and the writing, pardon the pun was on the wall or should I say online. I'm an old school punter. Started out as a boy at school around 1970, years before Radio Pacific. If we wanted to listen to races we would occasionally get the double legs broadcast on the ZB network or wait till night to stand outside holding the transistor with one foot in the air facing Mecca just to get slightly improved reception. This is obviously another area of the game that has evolved. I see myself as the generation of punters that are a dying breed. Younger generations have virtually always got their device nearby. Books etc are almost antiquated with a growing % of the population. I remember seeing a meme of a group of kids standing around with devices in their hands looking down at books on the ground saying "what are they?". I'm in business and are "savvy" enough to comprehend that if there is a $ in something, then someone will service that market in fact, people will push each other out of the way to get their product in front of you. I'm sure you enjoy your hard copy guide each week but obviously there are not enough people like yourself to make it worthwhile for publishers. The only time I make a point of buying hard copy is if I'm going on track. I'm confident the same applies with many others and as we all know, course attendances have dwindled over the years. I'd like the Informant to stick around as I'm a believer in having choices and options but the future for anyone brave enough to take on this market must surely be mainly via an online format.

Friday Flash, Turf Digest, Best Bets, Informant R.I.P. All a bit like the Yellow Pages which still surprises me when another years edition lands on my doorstep. Must be at least 10 years since I actually used one as a reference source. Online is where it's at now and will become even more so in future. That's a bummer as having options is always the best scenario.There are many places punters can be reading the form etc that they wouldn't take their computer.

I don't disagree with all you say. I'm sure a horse nailed down will try just as hard to win a low value race than a serious horse will try to win a serious race. The difference being that 100% of the field in the high value race have targeted said race and are there to win. The same % most definitely does not apply in the lesser races. Picking a winner can be easy at times and very difficult at other times. I routinely get it wrong for one reason or another. It's rare however that my wager fails due to it not targeting the race. What would annoy the shit out of me is a horse that has lost the race before the race has even started. Obviously, it's in punters best interests to be on to those runners before placing their wagers? I have a list of pet hates. One is insincerity. Horse is driven like the connections have not got a brass razoo on their horse. Comes off the gate like it's a trial with no stakemoney. Is not looking for a prominent position. Driver ambles around later to sit parked but makes no real attempt to lead despite the driver knowing their charge will be farked before turning in if it stays parked. Another one is drivers that are 3 or 4 back on the outside but when the train moves they don't even bother to look despite knowing they are now trapped and will likely not get a run until the race is all but over. This is a fairly typical way of masking not being there to win. The actions of that driver were invariably reflected in the betting. The comparison of course is when the driver is alert to the train like a far king Meerkat. He knows if the train goes past his chances are over. That drivers actions are also invariably reflected in the betting. Another pet hate is the horse that is going well toward the rear and has done very little work but the driver won't move. When he finally sets off he will almost need to be Cardigan Bay to get up. It runs on very strongly to pick up some minor stakemoney but was full of running at the end and is ready for the targeted race next week.This is normal and also almost always reflected in the betting. I dislike inconsistency with the way horses are driven especially in the home straight. One week the driver looks to be having a picnic and his actions are perfunctory. The following week he / she drives almost like the life of his child is riding on them winning. They are virtually beating the horse up. Most drivers have become masters at going through the motions. No need to be so blatant to pull a horse when you can mask the equivalent so it appears credible. Truth is it does not need to be that authentic for Stipes to accept the drivers justification on the rare occasion they are quizzed. I have virtually no confidence in this area which is one of the main reasons I go after premier racing. Another pet hate for me is seeing the same family name appear numerous times in the drivers list for a race. The potential for small favours that can make a huge difference at the finish is considerable. It can be akin to insider trading. I'm not saying they are rorts as invariably they are there to win on their own behalf but I feel a lot more comfortable when I see only one example of a surname in the drivers list. Two family names that I pay close attention to in Australia when I see the their name appear multiple times in the same race are Turnbull in NSW and McMullen in Queensland. Some years ago I gave up a modestly successful business to pursue a career as a professional punter. I did so on both sides of the Tasman and maintained it for just over three years. It opens your eyes to certain things such as insincerity and authenticity etc. My pet hates became aspects I would budget on and profit from until ultimately I flagged it away and returned to conventional business. I now almost exclusively only target races to wager on that I feel the trainer has targeted. The most straightforward and authentic method I've found is sought after high value group and listed races. This is why the TAB leaving the all important $ value of the race off the race description on their betting platform irks me.

I enjoy betting on the grass track races at Methven etc but stopped believing every runner in every race is there to win about 20 years ago. Why would connections bust a gut in a 10k race when there is a 50k race on it's menu two weeks later? That is especially so if said horse will be penalized for winning lesser value race. There are a % of horses in almost every race that are not fully nailed down. They could win if everything dropped in their lap but that will be the exception rather than the rule. One of the best guides you will ever get is not just form. It's money. If the money comes, get on board. If a runner gets the blows it usually runs accordingly which is why good judges describe big betting drifts as "alarming". "Educated money" comes from punters who know the horse is ready to work and win and this race has been targeted. There are a % of horses in almost every lower grade race who could be reasonably competitive in that grade but hopeless in the next grade up. They just can't run the time needed. It's not in the connections best interests to win in that grade too early so many of those horses are "managed". They will milk stake money for a season or two and keep the owner paying the bills. I'm sure there are several good judges on here that know several horses that fit this category and are routinely driven accordingly. If the horse gets stronger you will see these horses go after the win but this is almost always reflected in the betting. Fact is, it is not in the best long term interests of every runner to win. When you focus in on these sorts of horses, you learn the signs and those signs become VERY reliable. There can be dozens of reasons why a horse is not out to win a certain race. A common enough example can be where a horse is owned. Take horses racing at the Nelson -Blenheim circuit. They race at Nelson first and then over the Whangamoas to Blenheim. If the horse is owned in Blenheim they will want to see it win there but if it wins at Nelson, some horses will have far less chance to win at Blenheim. That situation is invariably reflected in the betting. As a younger fella I remember the coat pullers say bla bla bla is trying on Saturday so get on. If the person was reliable, knowing that information was almost akin to having a Back To The Future "Grays Sports Almanac". High value G1 races are the same as a reliable coat puller. You know the horse is fit enough to win and you know the connections have targeted it to win that race. All that's left then is form, ability and luck in running. If punting on low value races at Forbury works for you then good luck to you. I prefer knowing every runner is at least there trying to win a targeted race. The form and ability in G1 races is almost always more exposed than in low grade races that have so many question marks. That aside, I don't just get excited about elite races from a betting perspective. I love watching the best go up against the best. Even if I'm not having a bet I will always do my best to watch a G1 race where as I don't feel I will be missing much if I don't watch a low grade race from Forbury. Each to their own but 20 low grade meetings are still not as good to me as a Premier meeting. If you can't get excited about Friday night's Easter meeting at Addington then we are light years apart. To me, Friday night is what keeps me in the game after 45+ years.

I think they are shooting themselves in the foot Flag. When I see a meaningful stake for a race I automatically take that race far more seriously and that is almost always reflected in the amount I wager. Most of my wagers are between $50 and $100 but almost all of my 1k + wagers have been on group and listed races with decent stakes. Knowing everyone involved is authentic is vitally important. An important part of the gamble is ironically removing as much of the gamble as possible. I started doing my homework for Friday nights big Easter meeting at Addington on Sunday. Have watched the videos etc of about 320 races this week. We have some of the best races I've seen for some time. Can't wait in fact I'm considering flying down on Friday morning to get up close and personal. Welcome Stakes and the Easter Cup are always favourites but I'm salivating over the Trotting Championship. Will be a huge night for the AS. They will quinella the G1 100K Trotting Derby for certain. No reason Kings Landing can't win the 100k G1 Trotting Championships. Stablemate Winterfell gives it a Game Of Thrones look and feel. They look a great bet to run the first 4 in the 50k G2 Welcome Stakes. I'm confident they will run the trifecta in the 100k G1 Easter Cup and I'm very confident they will run the quinella in the 200k G1 Derby. I would prefer the spoils were shared around but it is what it is.

between the value of a particular race and the priority a stable puts on winning that race? The answer is of course a resounding YES. As a result the $$ value of a race is hugely important betting information for punters. Why then does our TAB leave this vital detail out of the races on it's website / betting platform? Surely they can work out the significance of this information and put it alongside the race name as they did on the old TAB website? Thank you John Allen.....for nothing.

1977 was a year out of the top drawer Flag. Grey Way's best ever win in the Easter Handicap beating a field full of stars. Ascona winning the Great Northern Steeplechase for Kenny Browne. Royal Cadenza won the Auckland Cup. Sole Command won the NZ Cup. For me it was all about two horses that we knew all about before they ever stepped foot on the track. Glide Time for Royce Belcher and Lord Module and Ces Devine. The later has always been my favourite horse and always will be. I can still recall the 77 Welcome Stakes as if it was yesterday. Motu Prince was a concern as was the Kerslake runner Main Star. We lived a stone throw from the Hills who had Single Lord and knew he was extra good. In the end we had nothing to be concerned about. The only real surprise was the price GT paid. Going through the field and that race day brings back so many memories. Even Kabase as you mention went on to win a handful of races as a trotter. In her last few races she was up against horses like Jenner, Sir Castleton, Scotch Tar and Thriller Dee. First race on Welcome Stakes / Easter Cup day was the 2 year old non tote trot won by About Now. The Easter Cup was won by Balgove for Bob Cameron beating Inter Dominion Final winner Stanley Rio. The Trotting Stakes was won by the magnificent Nigel Craig. Both fields had runners that will bring back memories for some so I've posted those as well. (30/03/2019@19:07) NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc Saturday 9th April 1977 Results Enquiry Race 7 Easter Cup, $15,000, OC HANDICAP PACE, 3200m Weather: Fine Track: Fast Race History Plc Bk Horse Barrier Hcap Stakes Fav Time Margin Driver Trainer 1 1 Balgove fr 9,750.00 3/3 4-11.7 R M Cameron W H Roberts 2 13 Stanley Rio 15m 3,000.00 1/1 J B Noble 3 2 Helen Of Tara fr 1,500.00 6/6 D R Mangos 4 3 Classic Move fr 750.00 12/12 J A Carmichael 5 4 Young Tennessee fr 0.00 9/11 6 11 Palestine 10m 0.00 10/9 7 5 Nimble Yankee fr 0.00 7/8 8 6 Trusty Scot fr 0.00 5/5 9 14 Sole Command 15m 0.00 11/10 10 7 Winning Smoke fr 0.00 13/13 11 8 Cyclone Lad(1971) fr 0.00 8/7 12 9 Direct Magic fr 0.00 14/14 13 10 Commissioner fr 0.00 4/4 14 12 Bolton Byrd 10m 0.00 2/2 $15,000.00 Divs: $5.35. $1.85. $1.50. $5.10. Quinella $11.80. Margins: 1/2 length, head, 1 1/4 lengths Times: Mile Rate: 2-06.5 Placed Horses: Balgove 1971 5 B g Out To Win - Petite Dell (by Garrison Hanover) Trainer: W H Roberts, Lawrence Owner: J P & W H Roberts Breeder: Est P P Roberts Stanley Rio 1972 B h Nevele Golfer - Rio Fleur (by Chamfer) Owner: W J Francis & G B & J B Noble Helen Of Tara 1971 5 B m Garrison Hanover - Queensway (by Johnny Globe) Owner: D P Callahan Breeder: Tara Lodge Ltd Prev NT Race 2 Race 3 Race 4 Race 5 Race 6 Race 7 Race 8 Race 9 Race 10 Next Home> Infohorse >Race Result (30/03/2019@19:04) NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc Saturday 9th April 1977 Results Enquiry Race 8 N Z Trotting Championship, $5000, C0 MOBILE, 2600m Weather: Fine Track: Fast Race History Plc Bk Horse Barrier Hcap Stakes Fav Time Margin Driver Trainer 1 1 Nigel Craig fr 3,250.00 1/1 3-26.2 B L Heron W L Heron 2 2 Armbro Lady fr 1,000.00 6/6 K D Townley 3 3 Mighty Lee fr 500.00 4/3 M R DeFilippi 4 4 Artful Lad fr 250.00 9/9 G Holmes 5 5 Rodney Dale fr 0.00 7/7 6 6 Van Lorne fr 0.00 8/8 7 7 Waipounamu fr 0.00 2/2 8 8 Dupreez fr 0.00 5/5 9 9 Best Bet fr 0.00 3/4 $5,000.00 Scratchings SCR 10 Airdrie Divs: $1.45. $1.00. $3.45. $1.75. Quinella $12.50. Margins: 5 lengths, 1/2 length, 1 1/2 lengths Times: Mile Rate: 2-07.6 Placed Horses: Nigel Craig 1969 7 B g Protector - Pipetre (by Highland Kilt) Trainer: W L Heron, Rangiora Owner: B L & W L Heron Breeder: D A Oxnam Armbro Lady 1970 6 B m Armbro Del - Val's Girl (by Battleground) Owner: R E & S T Webster Breeder: S T Webster Mighty Lee 1970 6 B g Tuft - Annabelle Lee (by Goodland) Owner: J P & Mrs E M Cutler Breeder: J R Gillett Prev NT Race 2 Race 3 Race 4 Race 5 Race 6 Race 7 Race 8 Race 9 Race 10 Next

If comparisons are to be made it's important that it's apples that are being compared with apples. I believe a growing number of owners / trainers are seeing the futility of trying to compete with the AS machine especially in the big money 2 and 3 year old group / listed races. Even if they struck the jackpot and were lucky enough to own a wonderful young horse with the potential to be a Star, they would soon get fed up with the AS using their numerical advantage and very deep pockets to squeeze you out of the races that dreams are made of. In other words, the AS are dream killers for almost all owners who are not with them. Without those dreams, the future becomes bleak. I've crossed paths with more folk disillusioned with the game over the last three years than I did in the previous 45+ years. I don't mean this to be an anti AS message. More a pro harness racing message. To compete with the AS you need more than just a top horse. You need multiple top horses. As it stands, they can afford to sacrifice one of their own to squeeze you out. It will be one of their other stablemates that will benefit from your horse burning out way before it's time. Every which way you look at it the AS have it covered. We came back from Australia to watch Glide Time win the Welcome Stakes for Royce in 1977. Back then you didn't need to be hooked up with one stable to win races like the Welcome Stakes and Sapling Stakes etc. Now those races are already signed and sealed months before those events even come around in fact, it will be a surprise if the AS don't trifecta those races. Great for the AS and their owners but more disillusionment for other owners watching this absolute dominance season after season. The likes of Ben Yole and Micheal House etc are a different ball game altogether so it's pointless to even compare. They are keeping their owners in the game with regular small pay days but that's not what dreams are made of. Cream v crumbs.

Me thinks you need to work on much bigger things other than your attention span....now, back in your hole.

You didn't have to read it pal. Tried to cover what was need to be said. Thanks for your invaluable input.

I saw a meme that struck me funny. It read, How do you get attacked online? Express an opinion and wait. As an articulate man I'd much rather resolve a disagreement via communication but if it turns to custard, I will go where it takes me. Would never in five lifetimes say anything online or over the phone that I wouldn't happily repeat offline. To me this is about personal integrity. If you're not prepared to repeat your perspective offline, you shouldn't being doing so online. I can categorically assure you, this is not the case with everyone online. There we have zeros becoming 8 ft bullet proof Arnold Schwarzenegger's free of any sort of consequence to personally attack and ridicule to their hearts desire. Each time they escape consequence they become more confident in their pretend world. Their favourite method is passive aggressive ridiculing jabs that they fire off at will and then wait for a hit. That modus operandi is seen on most online forums but every time you catch up with them offline, their response is invariably exactly the same. "Oh look I'm really really sorry, it's just a big misunderstanding". I shit on those people. Trolls worthy only of contempt. I saw the impact they had on beautiful Charlotte Dawson and a young lady my family treasured and adored. I've had my two youngest daughters trolled online by absolute maggots and have had two of my businesses attacked by piss ants that I fortunately caught up with but not before they had cost me many thousands of dollars and slurs on my business integrity that still linger. Online trolls are like sunburn on sunburn to me. Sterile vanilla communication online has limited value as does direct conflict. Sooner or later both will put you to sleep. Most definitely the sterile boring communication will result in you counting sheep sooner. Interesting subjects with a bit of colourful communication is the right balance to my eye. Will own the fact I have nothing but contempt for the oxidation pond. The cartoon dog is bereft of a backbone and has allowed the site he took over to become a place where hypocrisy, fake news and favourtisim rule. Their highlight these days is sad arse Ted the misogynistic troll. They do have some excellent members but they are a minority. JJ and his cute little friends from the oxidation pond are eunuchs. Right from the off they signposted what they are and their desire to turn this site into oxidation pond 2. This came about with me over the ridiculing of anyone who dared express reasonable reservation over the long term ramifications of the All Star domination of the high value harness races in NZ. I'm also not a fan of choreographed musical chairs in high value races when the AS have multiple runners. This invariably results in them having control of races while conserving as much energy as possible. The outcome in almost all of these races is inevitable. It's light years away from a level playing field. One small group of owners will be delighted season after season. A much larger and growing group are becoming disillusioned and that's not good news for the future of our sport. Happy to acknowledge the magnificent achievements of the AS but I never lose sight of the much bigger picture. To witness this unfold every season but say nothing and turn a blind eye to the ramifications is in my opinion, tacit approval and an enormous error. It's becoming a divisive subject. In the red corner you have those who doff their hat to the AS but are becoming increasing concerned about the bigger picture long term. In the blue corner you have AS cheerleaders. They won't hear a word spoken against their heroes. Anyone who has the audacity to express concern is attacked and ridiculed. They are invariably described as grumpy, envious and ignorant losers. This line of attack is clearly designed to shut down the subject and those expressing a perspective contrary to their own. The AS are as pure as driven snow and that's all there is to it. The AS cheerleaders are not remotely interested in discussing / debating the subject. Attacking, misrepresenting and ridiculing is their MO. This is divisive and not going away any time soon. JJ is the quintessential blue cheerleader so his welcome departure will help restore colourful but positive communication here....until his brave boyfriends slide out from their holes.

Don't threaten me cute wee thing and save your patronizing advice for anyone who seeks it. As for what "others" think of negative communication here. Everything I said was topical. I've noticed that ever since you arrived and started throwing your passive aggressive fluff around this place has become more divisive. It's clear your goal is to undermine this site and then crawl back under your rock with "who me?"...you're worthy of only contempt and I shit on you.