Joe Kidd

I remember her well. He had a promising mare in the early 80's called Lady Eastburn. We knew all about her and were ready to fill the sacks as soon as she started racing. A carload of us went over to Westport after Christmas and cleaned up. Pretty sure Murray Pash married Noel's daughter hence the Berkett colours. The horse that ran second to Chesapeake brings back memories. Dragon's Pride was the Kelly breed. Pretty sure Max Harvey bought him from the South Island and Barry Purdon trained him but that does not come up on the HRNZ site. I remember Max punting the horse up a storm when it won at the Park. My memory must be hazy as I was sure it was in BP's colours. Anyway, I digress. The Hill's of Nelson had two outstanding horses around the time as Lady Eastburn. Single Lord made it to cup class and then got exported. They also had a very good trotter called McShane who won an interdominion heat and was also sold to the US. We lived on McShane Road who the horse was named after so we had extra reason to follow him around.

I have a different take on sports betting Happy. I avoid lottery type sports bets. They pay well as there is so little hope of them rolling home. The trick is not to spread yourself thin with your up to date sports knowledge. Have a specialist sport you follow where you know all the ins and outs. If you know a team is in good form, is highly motivated and is fielding their best team etc etc, you have more than half the problem solved. If the opponents are not in as good a form, are missing key plays and you don't feel they are as highly motivated, you're in. I feel very comfortable putting four figures on an EPL game for example and routinely do but no where near as comfortable putting the same amount on a single horse regardless of who that horse is. In my opinion, it's far easier to win consistently off sports than it is off racing. If you multi up a few games, you are a realistic hope of a nice collect that can pay for a happy holiday. Can't remember the last time I did that off the gg's. Just too many variables. I missed a 80k multi when raging hot fav Terror To Love of all horses got rolled as a juvenile in either the Sapling Stakes or Kindergarten stakes. Jim Curtin drove him and looked like he'd have to fall over to lose. He came down the straight like a dromedary. Haven't taken a multi with the gg's since but will happily take a football multi.

and dislike about the recently updated TAB website? The increase in betting options on the sports side are welcomed. The cash out option is a positive despite the cash out amounts offered being woeful. Updated betting movements are extremely helpful as they invariably point you in the right direction, one way or another. The quality of the live streaming has improved. Still not 100% but progress at least. Thumbs down to the clock counting down to race start. It's invariably incorrect. Punters are being shown for example the race will start in 6 mins and 26 seconds when in fact, they are just moments from jumping. This issue is so important it's perplexing they haven't put it right. The race results of exotic bets are unreliable and painfully slow. That issue obviously needs addressing promptly. There are many other negatives but the two biggest were the shambolic way the TAB "help desk" operated during this all important changeover and John Allen's shameful Trentham interview about the changes. I'm certain the TAB lost an enormous amount of goodwill in the way they totally miscalculated the number of staff they would need on their help desk with issues that were obviously going to arise. The fact the TAB would throw their own customers under the bus the way they did not only destroys confidence in their decision making but highlights the lack of respect for their own customer base. Blind Freddy could see what was going to unfold but not those who should have been on to it at the TAB. I'm sure they will volunteer to donate 20% of their salary to the SPCA for their embarrassing monumental blunder. John Allen's interview on Saturday about the changes was serious cringe. Insulting to all punters who have been in the game for more than a fortnight and have an intelligence quotient over 30. He came across as a smiling hollow man with no understanding of what was going on. I'm surprised he didn't ask the viewers to sit on the mat like Kindergarten children while he dispensed his patronizing advice which was about as useful as a chocolate fireguard. Impossible to have any confidence in the man. What say you?

Murray Pash married into the Berkett family, a name that was once one of the biggest names in the game. In saying that, in the 70's, almost every horse Murray started at Nelson where he trains started at over 100-1 and ran accordingly. Good to see that change. For me and many locals, the biggest win over the circuit was that of Dadndave in the Nelson Cup. Trained and owned by the Trathen's who are a well known Nelson family. Over the years, I feel the locals win their share over the circuit, providing they have a horse good enough to do so. I must admit, if it was the All Stars taking home the spoils, I'd have different take on it. They have already virtually snuffed out the dream of many people ever racing a group 1 winner, so if they took the left overs as well, the end would be in sight.

The 14 day right of appeal against deportation is a farce. If the target lodges an appeal, they can't be deported for those 14 days. Ferals like that group of shitheels can do a lot of damage in two weeks. As is always the case with feral scum, it's the fault of everyone else of course, not them. I see they are very concerned about being attacked by Maori's. They have rubbished white kiwis which they feel safe to do. Plenty of similar white folk in the UK and they are not worried about them. Not so with Maori. Some of the bro's will look concerning to them hence saying the Maori culture is beautiful and welcoming but not white NZ. Fingers crossed that if the senior ferals among them get toweled up as a parting gift on behalf of all kiwi's, it's a bro that presents said gift. That should just about earn them a knighthood

I can see several very sound chances with outstanding first day form but will label just two. The first is the place bet of the day. Could win but is a great place bet. 16 Fast and Furious in race 4 finished strongly in a very competitive finish on the first day. Will be shocked if this local is not there when the whips are cracking. You have to wait till the last race for my other special. Very open field but 4 Di Caprio in race 10 looks a superb chance to my eye. Impressed by his second on the grass at Rangiora two starts back and had very little room in the home straight on Friday. Loves the grass and is ready to salute the judge. Cover in all options. The other good news about today is it being very unlikely we will see any farcical performances where the best horse in any given race falls asleep at the back of the field while the leader walks them

You're onto it Galah. It was painful to watch which I did with no sound on. The middle sectionals were in slow motion yet the Abernathy horses especially did not move a muscle. Not a good look at all and blatant. Of course the stipes won't say a word and if they ever do ask the question, they will accept whatever limp noodle explanation is offered up. It's exactly the sort of thing that destroys confidence in harness racing, especially lesser meetings. Watch how certain runners from that farce, race in future starts when the money that counts to them is on. I can emphatically guarantee the drivers won't be sleeping on the job then. For the record, Prince George is an ok horse in solid form, but he's no Lyell Creek.

Hilarious F U. I knew I had seen him before...many moons ago. He's a dead ringer. We will all smile every time we see him in future. I will add to that pleasure with a fitting piece of music which they should play every time he starts his shift. .

Tuned in to watch the trotting races today but only on mute. I just can't be dealing with the caller and the guy in the studio from the Thunderbirds is serious cringe as he tries to mix lame attempts at humour with over familiarity . First race was competitive and enjoyable to watch. Wish I could say the same about the race won by Prince George. He's come right and was always going to make the back markers work from their handicap. What surprised me with the junior drivers was the complete lack of initiative displayed by rival drivers when Jack Mackinnon was walking them them inside the last 1400. I refer especially to the Abernathy horses who very obviously conceded the race early on so used it as a Saturday afternoon workout. Interestingly, Prince George dropped in price from 10 to 4.60 and ran accordingly. Majestic One on the other hand got the blows from 1.60 to 2.70 and also ran accordingly. I'm not a big fan of horses using tote races on a Saturday as a workout. I enjoy competitive driving but unfortunately, Jacks drive on the winner was the only competitive drive on show. Will be interesting to see if anything is said about obligations etc and the fundamental difference between a tote race and a workout. Abernathy horses have a reputation for being put in the race. Perhaps that only applies when they are doing the driving.

On the subject of inhabitants in the oxidation pond. I found three youtube links to the cartoon dog present owner and the plight of that website. As I'm a generous guy I will share the links with y"all. The first shows what is happening to the site at this time. The second shows how the scooby do doos is dealing with his new reality every morning. Very sad of course . The third shows his well established dynamic with the arrogant one.

Yes I agree.You could just see him chewing his gum while he sat as church mouse winning by a pixel. It's not often you can call a nose victory an easy win but that it was. David has mastered his Fonzie impression I have a couple of winners for the second day tomorrow that I will share once I've got my price.

The Dude in race 3. Liked the way he ran home for a strong third when last on the grass at Rangiora behind a fairly decent horse. Backed that up with another sound effort at Timaru. Ready to salute. Stablemate Maria Tsarina in race 5 is smart and on the up. I expect her to be too good for these as she goes through the grades. Should be two winners. No butts about it.

I joined up there when Dave and Ange ran the site many years ago. They created a voice for racing people where previously all we had was to yarn at the TAB or your local along with the occasional letter to the Friday Flash. It was an excellent site that was very well run. They valued their members and the privacy of their details etc. Everything was above board. Nobody was ever threatened for daring to express an opinion. There were no protected species. Then it all changed. Most adults dislike hypocrisy. They also don't enjoy being disrespected and abused by anyone let alone the two wee men responsible for turning that place into a divisive oxidation pond so they voted with their feet. I was one those who won't tolerate being threatened. That place is now a shadow of what it once was. BOAY is what that site could have evolved into if it wasn't for the arrogance, self interest and egos of two people especially. This site is a breath of fresh air and a pleasure to read and contribute into. I enjoy my daily visits and the quality of the other contributors. Cheers.

Had to laugh today when i read the cartoon dog bereft of a back bone but the owner of a long term brown nose speak of free speech. I hadn't given him credit for having such a well developed sense of humour. It's free speech there as long as your opinion is the same as his and the wee man of whom he has his nose firmly between his arse cheeks....or anyone who is a protected species there. I called the twerp out over his iron curtain treatment of one of the biggest stories of NZ Racing in 2016. That being the farcical situation of Ross Neal the then boss of NZ Racing Integrity having an affair with a trainers wife. Anyone who dared speak reasonably and fairly about this very important topical issue was threatened with having their membership shitcanned. There was huge interest in the story yet every message put up by numerous contributors was quickly deleted. We've all seen doggy do doos version of free speech https://horsebetting.com.au/new-zealand-racing-integrity-boss-under-fire-after-fatal-affair/5167/ How the little man with no power must long for the day he had enough members to threaten anyone who wasn't a supporter of his protected species. It's all good for a laugh. Not sure what I enjoy most about that site now, him trying to convince others that it's the premier site, him pretending he values harness racing after displaying total contempt for it for so long or him thanking his shrinking membership for staying aboard the Titanic. Hilarious

Has already earned a reputation as being determined to lead ala Jamie. That don't argue style of driving will see most other drivers hand up to him when he comes calling. Hard not to be impressed by what I've seen with him.

100%. Must be remembered that some kiwis are also extremely disrespectful to our country and other kiwis. The one thing these dickheads all have in common is being feral. Big ups to the lady who confronted these lowlife at Takapuna beach. Have to wonder what the local men were doing while it unfolded. We live at Rothesay Bay on the Shore very near a lovely beach. Last year I noticed five 18-20 year old blokes walking up our road looking out of place. I saw one of them kick over a recycle bin so I stopped and watched to see if anything else went down. The came by an honesty box full of grapefruit a dear old girl had outside her well kept property. I'm picking she's in her late 80's early 90's. These lowlife started throwing her grapefruit around the road having a great time. I'd seen enough so pulled up next to them and got out of my car. I'm a fairly big guy and have my share of body art from my colourful youth. I'm no tough guy but don't stand for nonsense and the fear gene passed me by. I knew the only way these lowlife would respect me was if I dominated them so I said ok shitheads, go and pick up all these grapefruit and then go and apologize to the old girl who owns the property. One of the brave souls said, says who? I said me shithead, and if you don't do it, the next ride you take will be in the boot of my car. They decided to do the right thing. Self preservation is a good motivator. They cleaned up the mess everywhere and then apologized to the home owner who was very thankful but asked me to dismantle her honesty box as this wasn't the first time it had happened. Sent the dickheads on their way. Found out the next day the same ferals had left two rubbish bags full of garbage and about 20 beer cans all over the family picnic area at Rothesay Bay beach. As a result, what the Irish gypsies did hit a nerve. I'm pleased kiwis have expressed their disgust. Perhaps it's time new rules were put in place so any tourist with compelling evidence of anti social behaviour against them is immediately deported after paying a significant financial penalty. If kiwis get fined $250 at the border for bring in some fruit etc, these lowlife should get a considerably bigger fine for willful damage, vandalism, blatant disrespect etc etc.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/109940444/rude-travelling-family-cause-police-call-out-to-hamilton-burger-king

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/irish-gypsies-slammed-for-refusing-to-pick-up-their-rubbish-at-a-beach-demanded-larger-seats-begged-for-more-booze-and-left-a-dirty-nappy-in-the-overhead-bin-on-their-flight-to-new-zealand/ar-BBSenCE?li=BBqdg4K

Not surprised you're not taking her to Blenheim Nigel if that was ever the intention. Something clearly not right on Sunday. It was known she'd had issues but the assumption was that starting at Nelson pointed to her being 100% again. Will likely make the same assumption when she next lines up. I'm confident you will all have a lot of fun with her. Good luck. Cheers.

Cheers Hesi, Motivation to win a particular race is huge. It dictates how the horse is conditioned in the lead up, what money is wagered and how the horse is driven / ridden. Win the wrong race at the wrong time and you've just shot yourself in the foot. That win may actually prevent you from winning the race you really wanted so the win ends up costing you money. Managing things to get the best long term outcome is prudent. Knowing the motivation going into a race is gold for a punter. Gifts you a huge advantage. The horses involved are not pulled etc in their previous runs. They are managed. Anyone who does not believe this to be routine, should not be punting. Some of the older heads will tell you it's only a rort if you're not in on it

Hey Nigel, The internet is full of warriors that wouldn't have the nuts to repeat 1% of what they spout off with no consequence online. They are my pet hate in life. I would never say a word via text, email, phone, online forum etc that I wouldn't happily repeat offline. I've been in the game for 40 years. We've raced numerous horses and I had a three year stint as a professional punter on both sides of the ditch. I consider myself to be a very keen student of form. You will obviously be aware of Richmond Park racecourse in Nelson. Nearby is McShane Road. Our family lived there for 20 years and never missed a meeting at Nelson. I see that far quit from the oxidation pond fart to much is critical of anyone who has the audacity to question the authenticity of any race, especially one that involves a protected species. There are thousands of race results around NZ every year that are not 100% authentic. Rorts come in all shapes and sizes. I've seen many up close and personal and have benefited considerably from the outcome. Horses being set up for a punt is routine. Horses starting in events that the trainer knows without doubt they have no hope of being in the finish for whatever reason. Trainers being very selective in the races they target to win. Racehorse management is prudent but my punting dollar is worth the same amount in a race the trainer is not after as it is in a race he's sincere about winning. If a horse is capable of winning in the grade it's in but will struggle in the grade up, it's not rare for that horse to be driven routinely in a way where it often picks up place money only. We've all seen it. I know first hand of an incident where the trainer lost the plot with his rider after winning a race on the first day of a two day meeting. The jockey was told the owner was not ontrack that day but would be for the second day so was given instructions that would see the horse running on but far too late to figure. Horse went better than the trainer wanted and won very easily. Trainer was incensed and the one time very prominent South Island rider with the initials G.D was was abused not 20 feet from me for a solid five minutes. He was told he would never ride for him again or anyone he had influence with. Trainer calmed down a bit later but you can't unscramble a scrambled egg. I along with numerous others knew first hand about dozens of small scale rorts over the years at the Nelson meeting ironically. The circuit would see Canterbury horses run both days at Nelson and then follow the circuit for the Blenheim meeting at Waterlea. What could be tricky was with horses owned in Blenheim where winning races at their local meeting was very desirable for the connections. We knew to look and learn at Nelson and leave the folding in the back pocket. Driven in a manner both days at Nelson so they were ready for Blenheim but not signposted. No meaningful money came at Nelson. Off to Blenheim and a different ballgame. Tidal wave of money arrives. Horse driven completely differently virtually night and day. Instead of looking for a place to hide, you could see he was there to win and invariably did. I have thousands of similar yarns. It's incredibly easy to mask a less that authentic attempt to win a race. Position and timing of your run are the two biggies. Watch a horse and more especially the driver where a flood of money has come for it. They don't allow themselves to be buried hopelessly on the fence. Driver pays close attention when the train goes forward and don't allow themselves to be "all dressed up with nowhere to go". Timing is huge. Set off from the back a later than you should have and you're now no realistic hope of winning but a good chance of picking up some crumbs. Don't get me started about little and not so favours for each other in races by people who are connected, especially by blood. Without giving too much away or speaking on behalf without a persons blessing, I will give you an example I'm sure Don will be fine with me sharing. I was nearby. Dillon Dean 1988 Great Northern Derby. BP wished Don well before the race. Duel Fuel was BP's sacrificial lamb. Attacked Dillon Dean relentlessly and was stuffed prior to the home turn. Ran a distant last in what was the worst run of it's career. Stablemate Godfrey on the other hand was the beneficiary and nailed an exhausted Dillon Dean close to home. Turned my blood cold. Dillon Dean beat Godfrey in the 150k NZ Derby at Addington. Feel The Money as you know is a very speedy mare with enough ability to race successfully in the higher grades. The suggestion that Huey Lewis is the superior of the two is not one I agree with at all. I understand Feel The Money has not been 100% so you don't need a gut busting run flattening her. Having said that, she is plenty good enough to control a race from the front end or outside the leader and still dominate at the end. On Friday, normally aggressive driver John Dunn followed Apocalypse while stablemate Huey Lewis was being gifted easy sectionals up front. The questions I ask are, would John Dunn have allowed Huey Lewis to be gifted a race winning lead if it wasn't the stablemate and would he have started his run sooner if the leader was a non stablemate? Not unreasonable questions to my eye. It's not about pulling a horse up or anything extreme like that. It's a matter of timing only. I'm satisfied without doubt that Feel The Money's effort in the home straight was 100% authentic in fact, it was so authentic in a quick last quarter that it appears to have flattened Feel The Money. Her run on Sunday was very disappointing for a quality mare. I'm sure she will bounce back. Good luck with her.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12189846 Grounds for an immediate trip to the airport? Anyone who disrespects our country and it's people should have no right to holiday here. Pure feral.

Two very solid picks Globe. Hope the account balance is looking healthy.

Merit badges awarded to ones self are invariably of dubious value You stated several things that have in my opinion not been proven correct at all. Huey Lewis ran a solid race for a placing from a great draw in race 8 today. What exactly does that prove? That the horse is in good form and Blair Orange was able to give him another comfortable run during the race so there was still gas left in the tank at the end? It most certainly does not prove the horse is superior to Feel The Money. Stating that Feel The Money was only fav because of it's large group of owners is foolish and does the horses ability a disservice. For the record, in my not so humble opinion, Kotare Cullen is also a superior horse to Huey Lewis yet ran 15 lengths behind Huey today so is Huey Lewis now a better horse than Kotare Cullen also? Feel The Money was disappointing today. Will be interesting to see how she goes at Blenheim if in fact she starts there. The horse has not been right and I wonder if her outstanding final quarter on Friday flattened her. Time will tell but class is permanent. Lets revisit who is the superior horse at a later point. I standby questioning the drive on Friday. John Dunn is normally an aggressive driver and that proved successful with the horse at Kaikoura where she went round to the front and dominated for a very easy victory. Not unreasonable to expect similar of Friday but John Dunn didn't move until victory for the front running stablemate was virtually assured. It's not unreasonable to ask the question if Feel The Money would have been driven differently on Friday if the horse being gifted soft sectionals in front had not been the stablemate. You see it differently and that's fine and dandy..... but not necessarily correct.

Huey Lewis is a better horse than Feel The Money and should have started favourite? I disagree on both counts. I respect your understanding as a long owner. Having said that, I've been in the game for 40+ years and didn't come down in the last shower. Not a big fan of conspiracy theories but I do know as a fact the way we usually get to the truth is by asking questions. I'm also fully aware that in almost all gambling where large sums of money are involved, there will often be aspects hidden from view. The reality is, some of those aspects can at times be of a dubious nature. I remember as a younger fella seeing a certain Northern gallops trainer start three or four horses in the same race. His son was leading jockey umpteen times. I would lose count at the number of times the roughest of the stable runners would win. As a very keen student of form and one time professional punter I would look into all aspects of those results and see if there was anything untoward. I always came up empty. The reason I ask the question about Feel The Money is almost entirely related to the way it was driven. At no point did John Dunn take the raging hot favourite around to put pressure on the leader despite that being John's usual style of driving and how Feel The Money won it's previous race at Kaikoura very easily. I did put up a link to that race in my previous input on the subject. Could the horse not being put into the race be related to the fact it was the stablemate who was leading the race at the time and being gifted comfortable sectionals? No conspiracy in asking that prudent question in fact it would be comparable to an ostrich finding some sand to bury it's head in to ignore the possibility. It also needs to be asked why did John Dunn not move in the race until victory for the stablemate was virtually guaranteed? Surely, it would be reasonable to expect a decent horse who started very short and had enjoyed a soft run to be driven in a manner that at least gave him a chance of winning said race and feeling the money? I'm prepared to accept the possibility everything was transparent and the result was authentic but if we are all going to dismiss the possibility of anything else and not ask questions, we may as well give up the game and take up that offer from Nigeria to buy the Brooklyn Bridge.