eljay

One driver returned to the stables after a race and said 'shit, it's bloody hot out there - and I was only sitting in the sulky"

and the stipes at Rotorua asked one trainer why his horse improved!!

Hey, they were doing 2-02 to 2-03 mile rates on the grass, that's not too bad. Sure they not Auckland class horses but they need to race somewhere. And at least the punters get a divvy not a $1.01 ht shot.

At least they can run and finish a race first attempt - not need two goes and still not do the job ☝️

Sure was ?

? No - doesn't sound fishy. Smells fishy!?

I think in the North they mainly concerned with naughty trackwork riders on drugs - I have seen the testers at harness a couple of times but with very little "success". The south drivers seem to toe the line pretty well too. Afterall with a 2 day meeting in the country not much to do on the middle day in between is there. Takes me back to similar days on the northern circuits - just as well these measures were never considered then in respect of alcohol consumption ?

who would get orl dressed up, if they had nowhere to go anyway?

Tell that to a commercial breeder ?

They just like politicians - tell you what you want to hear but only do what they want to do. Which usually of course not what they have promised.

No Sunshine - but it was my only win on that track. Only regret was that the driver emigrated - I wont say he was in Dexter's class but not too far behind and certainly made his mark in the States

OK - you guys obviously don't listen to trackside radio on a Saturday morning which presented every week by Peter Early and Alby. Alby still has shares in a few Harness horses. Ronaldo - I see Murray most harness meetings at Cambridge.

A small problem with Cambridge track too is that the passing lane because it starts a little down the straight gives an advantage to the swoopers out wide coming down the banking before those waiting for the inside run can pop down into the lane and get back to full speed if horse in front of them is gasping.

Contacted - or run inside them?

Sadly, there are more TB and Dish licker people in trackside than are interested in harness. Especially noticable with studio presenters. These folk find it very hard to ad lib in a code they know zilch about.

This was it 1st 29 Nov 1988 Waikato Driver: R T Wolfenden Trainer: P T Wolfenden MBE Distance: 2500m Start: 30mStd (T) Starters: 13 Stake: $4,000.00 Won: $2,415.00 Time: 3-22.0 (2-10.0) 1st Crystal Dee 2nd Alabama Pride 3rd Stockholm(1982) 4th Over Talent

My lasting memory of Claudelands - apart from winning race 1 there and leaving the "presidents room" after the last and driving back to Auckland - was that it always seemed to rain on race night.

For me - bloody near !!

Best reporting of all https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/racing/horsewoman-praised-assisting-may

Really, a forgettable race. Lead, stay there. No real challenges during the race. Very average time for these days. Seems drivers/trainers accept the inevitable and save their horse for the best of whatever crumbs are available. A fairly good size crowd there for these days but I never saw any sizable queues at the windows, and no doubt same off course. For a day/twilight meeting I thought the club missed out by selling $30 hot meals where I am sure a cold meat and salad bar would have been very popular alternative for mid summer. Sure hot meals could still be on offer for those who preferred.

Perhaps Zac pushed Marcoola too early

I wish I knew Greg, and if I did I would tell you and my other friends who probably want to know moreso than you. Oh yes, I am not insinuating anything - whatever it is could be illegal or legal, so what.

Have you seen the race? Race 7 it was, Horse broke very soon after start, lost 10 - 12 lengths, Caught the field and sat at rear. Started run 3 wide from around the 1400. Stayed 3 wide for rest of the race. Winning time was 2-39.3 (M/R 1-56.5 which not too shabby if you had done it from the front and on rails. Last half was 55.5! You have to say that was a super-equine effort which very few if any other could have done. And don't forget this horse did not even qualify for the final.

Shock. Horror.

Sorry - but even the All Stars couldn't get a horse from zero to hero in a week and perform like that without outside help.