Gammalite

Mr Cook has posted some good stuff above , so will post back here a 2nd time. Gamma will have to be renamed 'Rambling Willie' lol. (you won't know who that is but he was a fine pacer in America who raced through the 70's for a world record 128 wins from 305 starts and $2,000,000 . bit better than Gammalite even lol 🤣😂😎 from Mr Cook . Space. Space>> I have tried to resist responding to Gamma's ramblings, based, unlike Ceemenow's facts, on emotion and ignorance. However, when he accuses NZ trainers of being lazy, I can't hold back. I'll start by pointing out that the two trainers he praises for lining horses up (the Green/Delany and Telfers) are both backed by obviously passionate men who appear to have bottomless pockets. Sadly, the majority of local trainers have, for decades, had to rely on selling horses overseas to stay afloat. Where does he think the majority of his hero Mr. Grimson's horses come from? As a result, many trainers and indeed, owners are reluctant to over race their horses, in case they run poorly and devalue themselves, something the Australian trainers don't have to worry about, they just race them until they drop. Comparing Australia and New Zealand in the racing industry is nonsensical. Apart from the massive difference in population and wealthy people, Mr. Steele comes from an industry where, if it wasn't for a couple of passionate individuals and supportive State governments, it would be a cottage industry, if that. Yet still some places are on their knees financially! In addition, where would harness racing across the ditch be without New Zealand bred horses. At one recent meeting at Menangle, every winner was bred in NZ. I'm not saying that, for numerous reasons, harness racing in this Country hadn't been mismanaged, what I am saying is that Mr. Steele was thrown a lifeline by the Entain deal, and has frittered much of it away on subsidising ridiculous slot races and two year old promotions. As far as the HRNZ Board is concerned, I suspect that they are being given the same misleading spin that is being fed to the public, but seem to be reluctant to question it.

this is a very good post. you make me feel bad actually for being a passionate supporter of both Aus and NZ harness and sounding critical of NZ trainers (whom I actually am very fond of ) You are indeed accurate that the major stables you indicated have the millionaires backing . We should add Dean Shannon to the Purdon/Phelan outfit as well as Stonewall and Green/Delaney. Mick Boots backs some there too like with his new Sensational horse Captain's Mistress , which is now with Grimson. after Nathan got injured there. MY local idols in Brisbane Grant Dixon (with 80 horses) and Pete McMullen (with 50) are not lazy and work every moment of every day to get where they are , and are backed by 4 Millionaire owners each . including Mike Tanev from Canada with his mass of fast horses all over the world. Of course this allowed them to progress to getting the best pacer and best trotter around in the champ Leap To Fame and GUS (trotter) , respectively. This leaves all my friends and colleagues racing for the Fish and Chips at Redcliffe twice a week (the country racing) where they send 'Frail' horses around each week to get by. yes this is a slightly different set-up to NZ racing , but they're not outrageously different . just Not Fast enough to compete with the Big Boys. Afterall , your 2 Top NZ barns of Telfers and Dunn's have very few Open Class runners (after the lofty days of Allstars dominating for a decade with their several Millionaire owners including Aussies like Mrs Feiss and the Butterworths ) In my ramblings I noted the similarities in VICTORIA to NZ harness racing , where they race in debt ( a recent government bail out helps them for 2 years) with the same horse population and participant numbers as NZ. Anyway In Summary I'm glad Mr Steele , and indeed Mr Shannon and Mr Boots have all tried to help in NZ at some stage racing horses, when they could easily do so just in Australia. (It supports the yearlings sales and trainers . I do hope you get a horse Mr Cook . Mine just bashes around at Redcliffe unable to cope with the unbelievable pace they race at these days . such is life. It's still a sport . and it's still a lot of fun. (which seems missing at BOAY these days) I did try and have fun NZ harness racing contests here over the years to cheer up the locals , but not much success in that unfortunately. kiwis seem to have a lot of the fun sucked out of them these days lol 😋🍋 BTW the slot races have resulted in fantastic contest , and the Perth one is on very soon. I believe DON HUGO going to that one. The Betcha race, the TAB trot at Cambridge, The Eureka at Menangle , the Protostar Brisbane , the Ascent and Velocity now on at Addington have resulted in Some of the Greatest Racing and horses assembled EVER seen over the past 5 years. Is a real PLUS for the Industry and big and small players alike , and yet you criticise these sensational Incentives for the Harness racing ?? waste of money ? hahahaha One good thing Mr Cook is, i'm not ignorant to that fine concept and Fabulous contest Slot racing. being embraced all around Australia and New Zealand . owners put up nearly the whole Purse !! how good is that . excellent stuff. Best of luck to you and thanks for your constructive criticism. and apologies for me being so ignorant. thought that was one thing I wasn't being by contributing , but there you go. 🙄 I'll repost your post after this one , with some respect as you covered a fair few things in it with some good insight . thanks for your input.

Haha you're taking it all too personally now. I've already said I had the cheap Tuesdays arguement with others. not yourself as such. And this site has many that have lampooned Auckland. I've replied to that many idiots worrying about 6 horse fields instead of the Great HORSEMEN contained in them that it's very frustrating to me . That so many can't enjoy seeing their champions of the sport go round. If you were NOT one of them , Good for you Mr Galah !! 👍🏆 you should back me up and fight the good fight for the great ATC then? there's a few here who think they're just the elite and getting too much money ? not you then ? 😉😁😎 I like em' anyway. I do know a lot of them personally and they are Fantastic people . (sadly no-one from the South Island so am completely biased lol ) CeeMeNow is an absolute joke who just counts starters in a view to belittle the sport. and has no interest in the participants well- being whatsoever, in any shape or form. He would be having kittens with the many 7 horse fields tonight at Cranbourne , as thinks that the end of the world lol 🤣 the fact they contain 6-7 of the best horses in Australasia tonight wouldn't even cross his mind. and I think that field size is just the bee's knees as they ALL get a chance to win , and it's great clean racing . the best horse Will win without relying on luck. excellent stuff. Have to go now as got to cook dinner🍇. and the amazing horses at Cranbourne are about to go !! will be great. might try the fab NZ mare Captains Mistress NZ- Leap To Fame QLD- Forty Love treble at 15-1 odds for a $50 . Demon Blue is in tonight too. Got nothing much at all for Purdons there in NZ , and Dixon here QLD last year. Now the horse is winning for Grimson lol 🤣 that guy so good? surely it's not winning a Group 3 though ? lol.

yes , it's one of those things. You put races on they cost money. It's very hard to do Brodster. The Australian Turf Club in Sydney have been declared Bankrupt in December and will be lucky to survive having an administrator appointed. VICTORIA harness has about the same horse and personnel (participant ) numbers as New Zealand. they were over 66 million in the red , because of operating costs , and the cost of running harness racing meetings when not many bet on them anymore . But What do you do Mate ? A lot of people are employed in different areas of Victoria. Do you just go eeny meeny minee mo ? and close some of them ? Which ones ? In NZ you say close the North Island . At least you're making your mind up I spose 🤣😂. ( I quite like the North and wouldn't do it myself but everyone's different 😉 ) Anyway the state Government have bailed the HRV out of the hole ( for a land acquisition) for 100 million , and paying the stakes for this year and next . with the Low prizemoney they race for now. YES, just like NZ they will run out of money again , but the money is allocated for all the racing for the 20-30 clubs for the next 2 seasons. If ENTAIN refuse to support you after the 2 years (as you claim) then the stakes money will drop as you say unless they get great sponsors (like you and OZ have Garrards at the moment for example) who will prop it up a bit. Ladbrokes (an Entain sub-branch) still prop up QLD harness so can't see why Entain won't prop you with someone. It was a long contract they signed with NZ TAB. All will be good . they're invested mate . all good. They won't RUN DRY mate. Don't Panic too much. People are trying hard to put races on still . Slots help the participants contribute so that is a SURE FIRE way to keep BIG prize races going. there are other ways . I've had discussions with David Brick who did such a spectacular job keeping QLD harness racing going through COVID and very trying times financially ,And he has now been poached by the galloping code accordingly, and is now Racing Queensland General Manager . A very high position. He is full of great ideas that keep the sport going. We'll send him over to help The Galah get an answer out of Brad Steele? . 💪 the Brick rules the world.

The decisions are made by the Harness racing Board. you know this. Not one man who is the figure head. But just as the Prime Minister gets blamed (quite wrongly too ) for any perceived 'Poor Decision' and gets the blame in Government , it is really his party that approves policy. And usually it has to be approved by the Opposition anyway to be bought into legislation. Are you saying the whole NZ harness racing board is Incompetant ?? 🤣 Brodie doesn't like the way they run their business . the HRNZ put races on . Participants show up . That's the business Brodie. Simple as Pie mate. Even those you criticise so much are quite capable of doing that. has happened for over 100 years. and YES , when they put on Mile races , they are much better for the horse . they recover better . 👍🤣😂😎 Why this ? Because Mr Galah there has been Infinite calls for North Island harness, ATC and whatnot, to cease from you guys . That sure is the very definition of Anti Harness Racing to me ?? . I even had lengthy arguments here about the Plus's of the Cambridge Slot races ,and You guys didn't even want Cheap Tuesday racing at Cambridge ?? I had a few bouts of Brodie and others bagging that even , they were spending ONLY $50,000 to run a whole meeting to support your smaller players. We do it All the time around Australia . It's A GOOD thing . I support it 100%. Keeps the small GRASS ROOTS people in the sport , which I agree 😂with you is very important . As is the ATC , full of nice long term Harness racing folk over generations. Talked about on this forum like they're ferals or something 🤣 And yes the BIG guys are important too. Seymour (and NZ persons like him e.g the Stonewall guy) are more important than anyone . Big cash buying yearlings and so on, so forth. you know how important they are but just shoot em' down for some reason . So NO NEED for me to infer anything Mr Galah . You guys quite capable of SHOW just how anti -harness or anti harness people like HRNZ, Mr Steele, anyone North Island, Stipes, Junior drivers , and Especially the Programmers and Handicapper too, nearly every post . Anyway good on Brad Steele trying to keep it all going . very sad to read the bagging here. couldn't not say something , as someone should appreciate his efforts. even though it puts me in the 'Bad Books ' too. Such is Life lol 😋 Even in trying times in Queensland , we have managed to resurrect the INTERDOMINION. which was a traditional time honoured Harness racing 'exclusive' event, for NZ and Aus to compete in Thanks to people like Steele, and David Brick and pro-active people who want to see harness racing continue , even when it is a poor betting product (for most) these days we can still get great races and racing put on. Now lets shoot em' because they might run out of money in 2 years time lol 😂😁

You nice fellows are Constantly Worried about the Funding and how it's allocated. Over many threads. I've just defended the ideas that have been put forward about races that the money has been used for. People are ATTEMPTING to put on Great racing still in hard times. Well worth my praise. The cheap shot referred to Brad Steele who left his homeland to help you out, and all he gets is the poor character work you guys are trying to put on him. What did you expect ? Going to say the industry is diabolical like you guys all say it is ? well that IS Not the ANSWER I would expect . Aussies try and get on with it. and ADAPT like Chief said to Brodie he should try and do with his betting problems. He doesn't seem able to adapt unfortunately . You seem to agree that Seasonal Funding is allocated SEASONALLY and is used in that season . Brodie has a little trouble accepting that has to be the case. (he might be a Hoarder ? who knows ? 😁😋 ) but anyway there has been Many concepts and new races added to the Calender past 3 years with great HRNZ incentives. ALL of which I have enjoyed (for the sake of the participants mainly ) and none that the forum blokes seem to have enjoyed at all , and begrudge Auckland getting any at all . Because they are privileged ? it seems lol 🤣 Nigel won a golden Gait you know.? you should be happy for these type of amazing concepts. Anyway yes I do agree that the stake money will drop . Many states of Aus run at a loss but benefactors like Seymour and Garrard step up and donate funding (Seymour keeps the struggling SA trots going at this very minute ) not to mention what he does for QLD. Garrard Already Sponsors the Miracle Mile and a whole Heap of NZ races already in an attempt to keep the sport he loved at a viable level. All good , the racing itself is going Gang busters. As I said on another thread . Space your NZ main Problem is the Leading Trainers are just Not Producing ENOUGH Horses at the races . THEY've got very LAZY there mate. Exception being Ray Green (and co-trainer Delaney) produced the most runners last night so Rightly WON the most races. good on em' . showing the way . (Telfers trying hard too to keep numbers up , so good on em' too 👍🏆) Enjoy your racing while you still have it . ( it's better than this shitty tennis stuff clogging my screen currently 😂)

Congrats to Brad Steele. Put on that many good races past 3 years with HRNZ running at peak performance, that many Aussie raiders have turned up to enjoy the Great prize-money and fantastic Slot races at Cambridge and Addington and of course the NZ Cup. has been some amazing years since Covid in NZ harness racing . A 10/10 performance by Brad and his hard working colleagues. Of course the Cheap shots are being made on this thread against him 🤣 as he joins the pile of hated people that this forum has , and to what he might do in future years. very unappreciative lot assissination . on Yet another person Trying to keep the NZ harness racing industry going. unlike the critics who discredit everybody , including Brad in advance with some more unappreciative BS. the guy is doing wonders with a struggling twilight industry , and you just can't see it . Blinded by trolling critics all the time . open your eyes and enjoy the Great racing !!! better than this boring Tennis that's on at the moment. some spoilt millionaire brats whacking a ball over a net. and the masses clap like it's something important lol. 😂😎 No one in NZ can do anything right by you guys ? HRNZ, Entain, Stipes, Programmers, Starters, North Island Harness racing participants ( which are some of the BEST on the Planet of ALL time ) yet are criticised here as nauseum for having Races put on for them to run in ?? 🙄 you guys are totally confusing as to what you actually want in the sport? . and are naturally leading to it's demise in NZ with your LACK of SUPPORT and APPRECIATION of those putting it on. Go watch TENNIS then 🤣😂

for the good of the nation mate. Not many families are financially secure like you and I and BOAY folk. The more restrictions on the Gambling dollar the better off a lot more people will be. ONE in FIVE NZ families are effected by 'problem gambling' and hard times . Look after Them Mate ! help them out of that hole. The horses may have to race for less prizemoney eventually . but so be it !!! . Melton race tonight with some $4000 races. Our Albion races today are for $6,300 . It's just the way it is . AMAZINGLY for NZ , the ENTAIN mob came along and put up some dollars that has made NZ racing still very rich and Some of the best Racing on the Planet. First Class Effort by them and HRNZ to do this . Applause for that 😂 UNFORTUNATELY , for Nz trainers owners and drivers, Leap To Fame, Swayzee, Keayang Zahara, Arcee Phoenix, Gus, Kingman , Better Eclipse, Just Believe (and some other Placegetters too ) have completely MUGGED YOU of Hundreds f Thousands of those dollars the past 3 years . So a Bit like you blokes heading for the Soup Kitchen from BOAY in depression😋 , the Nz Trainers are packing it in as can't compete with this landslide victory. 🏆 Of course the cost of living effects turnover Brodie . Many, like my -self even, PAY their bills first and punt later. And not as much as previously as the trainers are failing to SUPPLY runners to Bet On , that are any good😂🤣💰 The Bright Side ? you still have the Top gun CARTER DALGETY ( and Kentuckiana) having a GO !! and bringing the double Auckland Cup Champion 'Republican Party' to Australia to try and Mug some Back !! give him strength.💪

the NZ Government probably only has 9 months to go?😉 . with election called NOV by Luxon. so that is more the problem for them . The Australian opposition Coalition party just imploded the past 2 weeks with Nationals and Liberals ripping themselves apart and not getting on at all. with each other or internally . they have been swept aside since nearly taking the country to ruin in Covid and being absolute landslide polled against the past 2 elections 2022 and last May. . NZ might do better too? , and be looking for a 'Non - Coalition' government to get back on track ?. Might even help harness racing get back on track if getting so dire there that no one is competing much anymore ? . Labor government just bailed Victoria out of the 'hole' it was in . (in the short term anyway) maybe they can help patch up NZ harness a bit. Help with the ATC debt and that ? ENTAIN are a hugely successful business Brodie. HRNZ have been hugely successful for near/over a century too, and produced a world class product. That the Aussies are currently plundering the past 3 years as your Top Combatants (like Mark Purdon and Barry Purdon) near retirement and their numbers dwindle.

TABman one of the only Positive Posters on here. Because he went to the trots and the gallops frequently and enjoyed himself there , meeting with your great racing people. so am glad you miss him. you're Wrong about Auckland though. Maybe you're a grumpy South islander that not enjoying the sport anymore , like so many New Zealanders these days. thankfully the Aussies here just get on with it , even though the sport runs in Debt here in most States as well . Just get a Horse and race It . easy fix for those that really care. As far as Auckland goes, I thought it was fantastic living there for a few years. And it's still Ranked Very High in the world Mikey . Better that over 99% of the planet . give it a go old mate lol 😎 here's some Google stats > Auckland is consistently ranked as one of the world's most liveable cities, placing 7th globally in the 2025 Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report, highlighting its high standards in culture and environment. Known for its exceptional work-life balance and natural beauty, it previously held the top spot in 2021. Key Rankings for Auckland: Liveability (2025): 7th in the world (joint with Osaka, Japan). Liveability (2024): 9th in the world. Work-Life Balance (2023): 5th in the world. Best Cities (2025): 47th overall (ranking 3rd for air quality and 18th for nature and parks).

can't see the sense in it. weeks wages in one bet ? If you've got $1000 to spend/lose , just have 10 x $100 bets. 👍💰💰 is 10 x the fun. is 10 x the challenge. support for 10 races and fabulous horsepeople. Bound to get at least one Winner then?? . (law of averages in 10 horses fields ) They don't even take $1000 on one thing/game at the casino . and they've got millions and millions 💰. It's just a simple restriction that helps people stop LOSING money so fast they 'dig a Hole' for themselves. Most people would lose VERY QUICKLY without the great limits that are imposed at TAB and/or Casino. Better to have a lot of ' little bets' at casino or TAB, and they are a chance of calculating their losses as they go, before the 'Hole they Dig' Buries them altogether in unretrievable debt. 9 out of 10 people LOSE is what Brodie forgets.

that is because the House team support Manawatu. he has heaps of starters there ,to 1/ be able to Win races 2/ Get horses to win races for owners that otherwise would not get a win. can't wish them enough winners. I think that Manawatu should have a meeting every week. Doody and Chilcott and Dickson and Abernathy's could all get winners every week then . Just too hard to win at Auckland. those top 10 barns are world class. They're ALL my favourites mate. I am in awe of some of their results over extended periods of time (esp Mark and Barry ) winning the very best like Derbies, Interdominions and Miracle Miles against everyone. But they have tapered off a bit with age , as we were discussing . Natalie is gone too. and Mark relocated and semi retired . The Champ still can come to Queensland and clean us up though . Bought RUBIRA over in the winter and won the QLD Derby here . won 3 out of 4 actually, even with him putting an average driver on. and OscarB ran 3rd in the Interdominion trot final for him. Even while he's near retired he can still show em' how to do it. and the Aussies are VERY hard to beat these days too. Super competitive. amazing results from Stewart and Grimson and McMullen barns too. I've never seen such Grand horses winning. it's almost euphoric .

well the moment is season to season. You can only put on a product for those that turn up. HRNZ put on the races. Participants in the sport should turn up . SIMPLE. NowOrNever has hit the nail on the head (twice) These 2 Statements. They are the critical ones. Alas NZ trainers in the North have got very LAZY is what i'm putting it down too. mainly due to old age and being millionaires now there's no need for great effort anymore. Look at the lack of support for Fridays meeting . Tony Herlihy = one runner, Telfers = one runner, Dunns = one runner, White = one runner, Purdon M, N and B with only one runner each. Donnelly 1 runner Hackett 3 runners , House 2 runners , and hardly any Butcher in sight? Just 14 horses from 10 of the Top North Island Stables in what should be Peak season ?? lazy , laaazy. and Ray Green (with the young Delaney co-trainer )has 5 runners . so they are actually doing something and training and racing some. Only ONE of the top 10 stables working hard and get one some runners ? well done Ray and staff.🏆 we have about 10 trainers in Brisbane with horses capable of winning Metro Saturday nights (fast enough like Alexandra Park) and they turn out 1/2 dozen horses each , week in , week out all through the year. Why can't NZ trainers do that anymore ? lazy ? HRNZ put races on and no one turns up anymore . no wonder there's nothing to punt on and you're all crying . Lazy trainers. Not working enough horses anymore?. there's the reason old mates 🤣😎 Dr Chin is 80 years old and is still towing his 2 horses in to race Friday night ( he's not lazy that's for sure lol .bless him 🤣🏆😋)

Leap To Fame really good as per usual. was quite a powerful win. Kingman hanging in worse than anything i've ever seen in that race ? he really has some bad ways. When Kingman was in NZ ha was hanging as you say , And that was just after his October Victoria Cup win over Leap To Fame at Melton. In that race he raced very awkwardly as well , and hung bad and then even broke stride for a few strides . was given a warning then on his racing manners. I can't believe he still won the race actually . Perhaps the horse just 'Won't Run' with a lugging pole on ? . You do get the odd horse that resents them and just refuse to stretch out at all as they lean on them and get cranky lol. I would think Luke would of tried one on Kingman in training? (possibly). as the horse is doing this a fair bit now (hanging very badly as you observed ) was even doing it at Menangle on the Big track.

and put simply , and to finally wins the arguement with logic you can Not possibly argue with 😎👍 here it is. Of course horses are stupid and run into things. If it wasn't for the driver Several Horses per race would pile straight into the BARRIER Arm of the mobile . right in front of their face. Yes mate, there's plenty of stupid ones. I've seen hundreds hit the mobile (several on me) over the years and it would be thousands of the horse was without a driver . there's plenty of stupid ones 🤣🏆😋 Tony Herlihy would of been hoping and praying the horse could see the light pole coming up in front of him . Harrison John I think the horse was. so no light poles were harmed old mate, but PLENTY of Mobile Barrier arms have been . horses running head first straight into them . Case closed !!!!! . thanks ball boys thanks ball girls