Gammalite

Think you're both right. Some horses are Non Compliant to home somewhere. you'd feel awful if they dumped someone off playing up, and they got hurt. The Greyhound numbers were just too many to re-home . same fault in Aus too. Have seen first hand what they do with them, and it's not great. I did say earlier in this thread I'd seen several teenage retired racehorses last week given to girls/ladies that do the Show jumping , and they were performing for prizes at the Brisbane Show , and they were magnificent. Horses treated like Kings in their retirement from the racetrack. 👍🏆 I said to Chief we gave some old Standardbreds to a deer Hunter once in NZ. They would go into the dense forest there and carry out the deer that he hunted which were a pest. I remember giving one old Pacer who did one race actually , a good pat as he was leaving and then said to 'Captain' (the horse) " mate would of been bit easier on ya if ya got going a couple of seconds faster at Alexandra Park and you wouldn't have to go through this. 🤣 Blame Mark Purdon for being too good " 😁😂

Chief , I don't know what you're trying to achieve here. You have the Milkshaked one losing his Malts and not agreeing with anyone saying anything. I don't see Podcasts , but could read what the Lady Said about a couple of topics from what HESI kindly posted her early in this thread first page. Seems she is just waffling on about personal experiences she has had with her dogs , and horses , and that rather sad Kaikoura incident. like we all do from time to time at BOAY, as life is full of experiences. most are good with the fine horses. but you get the odd sad/bad occasion that needs ADDressing There are awkward topics that people address like Curious with his whip stuff , and this lady with re-homing horses and the Malted Milkman wanting to weed out all the cheats. (some of which I pointed out for him have been weeded out and removed from the Industry a penalty term ) so racing is trying hard to stay 'clean' ? Because we ALL love the racing industry , and What is best for the horse. Just like you want great safe track surfaces , for the Jockeys and horses to race on (but no blinkers though lol😉) and everyone have a good time. It's gone a bit like Beehive Parliament , with them/everyone taking sides on issues , and bagging across the floor 🤣 . Not our fault mate. People are looking for solutions to the problems. INCA had a look for ya. All good !! First thing Bec said on that post of Hesi's was she wasn't Anti Racing , nor trying to get racing banned . So I don't know why you've Hackled up . like I said nothing wrong with people advocating Horse welfare. They tried hard for us , so we should try hard for them. If they didn't try they're probably at Meramist 😋🙄

well they should take action Milky One . . The Kaikoura Bloke made the news with the Mal-nourished horses , and South Island Trainers Jones and Alford in the harness world for injecting ( and killing ) one horse with substances to get it to 'Go' in a race on a race day not that long ago . so they're out for long periods DQ. for separate offences. Exposed , humiliated , and lesson learnt to All observers/participants. Don't do this sort of thing. In the galloping world here in Oz , a high profile Melbourne Cup trainer with Jigger-gate . made world wide news. and TOLD the racing world these things won't be tolerated. got 4 years DQ for animal cruelty. Australia's leading harness Trainer was Ben Yole . from Tasmania . most wins from stacking low class races. Last year ABC TV investigated complaints, and now he has a 3 year DQ for Animal cruelty( along with his brother Tim.) They nearly had Tasmanian racing shut down from being 'Cruel Bastards', and it was appalling what they did. I won't put it here or you'll throw up on your shoes and just make a mess. . Anyway the RSPCA investigated too ( several times at their property ) and were happy the horses were cared for enough by the young staff and so they continue to race. Without the 'Fixed' racing element anymore as well. They race in their old mans name as trainer now. and limited to 4 runners per race. Result is the Tasmanian racing has now improved no end too. A much better quality. So exposing and removing the Cruel ones/bastards is super Important. Don't Let ENTAIN hide them mate .

Barely Chief. The law courts are full and booked ahead for years. The roads are full of Dickheads with scrutiny and punishment dished out at incredible levels as a result. The QLD government alone picks up very close $500,000,000 in traffic fines per year. that's a LOT of shit drivers. won't see that at the NZ trots ? 🤣😂🤩 The rest of Society Infringe rules as much as they can , and it often ENDANGERS LIves. road drags and recklessness, drugged and/or drunk and all sorts of stuff go on Chief. all over the place. There is NO respect being displayed by these offenders. to you, me or anyone. or themselves. The People involved in racing , or with horses , will push limits, regulations, rules as far they can too the edge. All of them do it. They have to get the best result they possibly can , or won't get supported. I'm watching La Vuelta (Spanish cycling Grand Tour) on TV right at this moment. a sport with a long and chequered industry in doping and that. They are incredible athletes . and it's for a reason lol . (Big Bucks) The racing Juggernaut is amazing . Some folk get so BIG they can beat DQ's and that sort of thing from positives. Just like the Law courts , you can hold off penalty or reduce it sometimes , with good legal representation that will find the 'Fault In the Case'. whether right or wrong. they even tried to get the mushroom killer off , who was /is one of the most cold blooded/hearted calculating murderers of all time. Thankfully the Jury saw the light. Anyway , the Rules in Play are created by Regulators in society reform, fair play, drug limits, Safety in races (or roads) or competition like horse racing and motor racing. (even this bloody incredible grand tour cyclin lol ) A lot of folk hate rules and regulations . so go to Bali to play up a bit 🤣 You say the INDUSTRY isn't Sick? . yet week after week there are so many issues still ? They only get dealt with if people are Allowed to voice their opinion, and point out the Faults , and make changes or reforms , rules to accommodate those Highlighted Important things .The Greyhounds couldn't deal with it properly so they are in strife. Just needed some adjustments like they did in Aus. NSW greys were stopped one time by the government , but re-established when 36 reform recommendations were implemented. BTW : I don't care if fridge gas or Embalming fluid and such things are science or not. Shouldn't be Allowed anywhere near horses. Crazy stuff doing things like that. Hope they keep the Meth away from them and Walter White lol😎 wonder if these cyclists are on it ? they're going at 60 kph for hours on end. 😉

this is an interesting thread Chief. There are people around that have different views to racing than you. Even though you and Hesi hate this ladies crusade , she is saying what she thinks of different situations and you just say "Well that's anti-racing 'all the time and she's ignorant . Horse Racing is very It's an emotional Sport mate. People get excited. People have opinions. you see it every day here. she appears to be looking out for horse welfare ( a good thing ) just as Curious and others are keen for the horses to have less of a beating in the races themselves by the jockeys , by changing the whip rules. They're not being ignorant to horse welfare by doing that. Eventually they changed the Harness Whip laws and USE to a way where it's Barely a problem these days . after years of refinement. It'll happen one day for the gallopers too. (a compromise reached) Re-homing racehorses is a delicate Topic. Many re-home them somewhere, many pet food them, some gavel house them at 'dispersal' sales , (like a lot of the Mares) , and many just run them in a great big paddock . there's no easy answer. Some horses are like pets to the owners, and it's a very EMOTIONAL moment . you have those with horses all through their careers. People love their dogs , and would do anything for them . Greyhounds racing industry are struggling because people love dogs and see it has a cruel sport for some reason. I don't . I worked with dogs for 15 years after working with horses for 15 years and can see they were doing something they loved. Galloping around the track after the stuffed toy. My little Pomeranian races all round my House everyday here chasing his stuffed toys. They love It !!🥰 some people love horses in a similar manner , although they don't quite 'live in the house with you' . some are still pretty special. so the re-homing , and unwanted stock / or race dogs issue is HUGE . there's no easy answer. I went to a famous Greyhound trainer property once , and the stories you could tell ( about training and dog numbers and what they do with them ) is quite mind boggling. Horse Racing. It's the Sport of Kings. It will continue . Like the Grand National in UK. that Has a huge protest every year . the attrition rate is quite high comparative to flat racing, but it's a 'tough' sport. and thousands make a living from it , and millions gamble on it. It will Continue. (The Sport that is) . Don't worry so much about Animal welfare people discrediting it. They're just looking out for the MAIN 'participants' as best they can. small changes to whip rules and re-homing laws and treatments, and the way stock are kept (like the Kaikoura bloke) and many things occur as a result . possibly a good thing at times.

yes, he won a Rowe Cup at Auckland off 10m 1981 . was there that night to see the great horse go . we had one in it and it ran last lol. It was retirement race for No Response, and he went out with a Bang for your buck😁💰 . The Rowe Cup being NZ's feature trot. No Response won just about every Big trot going and incredibly didn't race till he was a 6 year old. winning 12 of his 16 starts including the Interdominion Grand Final, in just his second year of racing , as a spritely 7 year old. You're thinking of the Interdominion Grand Final at Addington 1979, where he roared home from the back of the field to beat the 2 Australian trotters, and claim a fabulous win for New Zealand. weaving his way through field, as you said. a fabulous trotter. Richard Brosnan moved to Aus 2018 , so to train with his son Emmett in Victoria, and they won the trot Interdominon Trot Final once again, training the winner Maori Law just 3 years ago ,along with Emmett . 42 years after his first one with No Response. Maori Law driven to victory by the Late great Greg Sugars at Menangle .

He's a quality horse though. and has won twice 2nd up so might rev up ok for you next start, all going well. I think anyone chasing Via Sistina bound to get a gut -buster ( at least the last 200m these days lol 😉.) But does One race Run at 1400m first up and just powering up the last 400m or so home straight flatten them ? Ceolwulf should be ok ? . he's up to 19 race starts now , so gotta a little bit of experience now . (a few preps) Does get out to 2000m and race competitively , so is a fairly tough bugger anyway. very nice horse. Excellent stuff with a Grey Way win BTW . good on you👍🏆. The very first horse I ever heard of as a kid in NZ. My dad being one of the 'small Transistor radio' Sat brigade and taking a TAB treble every Saturday , and tuning in . so he would get a leg with Grey Way every now and then and always say was the Best horse going. La Mer and Uncle Remus were the 2 other ones that seemed to be tops at the time , that I remember. The North had Delightful Lady at the trots . Holding out all the Southern Raiders every 2nd week or so it seemed. Think she won about 40 or so at Alexandra Park.

Tick . yes. It's why we have Handicaps to slow the best down a tickle compared to their opponents lol. don't know if it's 'fair' or not lol. it's up to the Handicapper. as far as track conditions go, I realize you are an expert on it, but still YOU CAN't CONTROL the WEATHER. it's an outdoor sport . so is affected by weather time to time. Melbourne Cup has had many 'soggy' editions. well yes Waller has absolutely MILLIONS of dollars of stock . Doesn't Mean he should call the shots as when they should race the meetings ? . He accepts for races SLATED for certain dates . He has to have them ready for them dates or scratch if he's 'Unhappy' with the conditions on the day. MANY many have scratched in the past with downgrades. Owners or trainers concerned their horse wouldn't perform or whatever. it was a sunny day there at Randwick Saturday. him being 'Scared' , was just of Losing those races with his gazillion dollar horses. Of course he is trying to swing things in his favour. Is only natural for a person in that position with all that 'responsibility' you mention. Mr Zhang really needs the money Chief. 😅. worth 1/2 a Billion at last look. so Mr Waller probably wants to look out well, for his purchases. He paid $ AUS 5.9 million for Via Sistina even. We used to just try and a few 2nds at the Trots and get $1000 each time (for 2nd place) for the owners to cover their next month of training fee 🤣😉 . for the baker, or the muffler man , otr the cabinet maker owners. their pride and joy horse they would get Photos with on Sundays at home, the horse worth about between $1000 and $5000 lol 🤣. unlikely to hurt themselves anyway. If Sydney raced today Monday ( a POOR thing for betting agencies and Punters ) just to suit Waller groaning about a wet track , that would totally ridiculous. he's not that special to make a call like that ? . The TRACK would race the Same today as it did Saturday anyway . wouldn't of dried up heaps this time of year as is still WINTER. air temp fairly cool . (Bris is nice though 👍😉 24 today and beautiful 27 tomorrow. great stuff 🌞)

hahaha . I've been around a while mate. My tipping is doing ok . One bet last weekend Jimmy Recard. and 3 bets this weekend were all on Mark Purdon with lots of Multis at AKLD Friday night. He won all 3 races he contested. so you could be right. and should stick to harness. I took a few Akuta multi's into Via Sistina Saturday and others as ONLY ever bet on the very BEST mate. (horse or trainer or driver in what ever race I might be looking at) so have exceptional success rate . But thanks for the respect. Yeah plenty of people 'Bag rides' every race like you have here. There can Be only ONE WINNER. (barring DH) You can grizzle , as well as the jockey and everyone else, Didn't worry me . was probably 4th best horse in race and ran 4th. So seemed normal lol. Via Sistina is the AUSTRALIAN RACEhorse of the SEASON. so very 'hard to beat' in other words. hahaha😋 A gazillion races at Randwick see horses sit back to the home straight corner and use the arc geometry of the corner like Ceolwulf did to switch outside the other runners , and come on down the outside of field. Happens all the bloody time . Must of seen it a thousand times. Mo'unga even did that at Addington the other night 🤣 . A common tactic. You call it a foul/poor ride so good for you . Won't be the last horse ever, to switch wide turning for home and run 4th. Next race please ? hahaha

Well the Golden Slipper usually run with a bit of rain about in the Autumn each year. Is a good thing . The heavy tracks used to mean upsets were possible . The best horses can't use their absolute speed to win and it slows them up a bit . Gives others a chance. People used to enjoy the odd Bog as could back a few 'Mudders' . Not any more by the sound of it 😂 If you had your way Chief , the Tracks would be manicured to the nth degree , and racing would only be Won by the best horse Every race everywhere. No doubt Mr Waller probably agrees with you. Mr Waller has a superior outfit though , and is excellent trainer, so coped ok, so wins anyway with Via Sistina and Autumn Glow. and other stable reps went good as well in their races. Even not on their favoured track surfaces or distance. and they still ran good sectionals you blokes are saying , as are the best in the land. So I still say he should be appreciating it (Royal Randwick and winning Races) instead of groaning , and trying to 'doctor' things in his favour. and saying he felt for the safety of his horses and rubbish like that , to try and get his way. Just getting too Precious in his old age. Hope you not as well Chief lol 😎😂🍾 But really ? Royal Randwick just kept for certain times of year? , just so there's a few less clods potentially ?? com'on mate. it's one of the great tracks of the world. Professional people prepare it for a Lot of Money. It's like saying Don't use Ellerslie in case a horse leaves on hoofmark on it or something 😉

the 3rd horse is the Sydney Cup winner too. Arapaho has 2 first up wins too over this shorter distance and is an Excellent Wet track horse as well. Wallers 2 quinella Mares in that are 'Next Level' good. almost Best in Australia. or actually are. So Ceolwulf was Only the 4th best horse in that race. and ran 4th. And also Never won first up in 4 Attempts previously. so would of been a Poor bet in that class WINX G1. field. But you could of had a shot at the first 4( in order almost) of $728 excellent FIRST FOUR divvie though. 🏇💰

Yes . across the board you see Less and less horses being bred. and not even the broodmares that appear to have nice bloodlines , are not wanted anymore at times. A friend here has a very nice Broodmare who left the Redcliffe Oaks winner amongst others, but only breeds her now because of the $10,000 first race Win Bonus being offered , otherwise wouldn't even bother he said. and she h is quite good producing winners. This is because Thoroughbred and Standardbred owners are having to be the Richer and richer ones in society , because the cost of keeping and training a race-horse, have just got too high , to enjoy the contest of racing one these days. The breeding is expensive too, and there's not enough Cheap Stallions to breed too anymore. And if you did , you are going to get mugged in the races by the Bettor's Delights or the Capt T's who are $20,000 + stallions. bought by Stonewall , or Shannon, or other millionaires. I think thoroughbreds are a lot more expensive than that to breed and race as well? Cost of breaking in ? and potentially not even getting to race ? and so comes the Age long 'worry of moving on the slow/old /retired or uncompetitive' ones. It is a HUGE worry. So there's no hiding that a few will find the Pet food man. As I mentioned earlier , A few QLD ones of millionaires Seymour and Grant Dixon , who are riding the crest of A Wave , with the Best Harness horse in the world earning Millions ,BUT still have several geldings that get 'shipped off to Tas' , sold to those cheap bloodstock companies who make a buck from Penny shareholders. to race out of Yoles dirt cheap. and finish their careers there sight un-seen. real Head in the sand stuff knowing you sealed their fate . Except a few like the lady in question here , speak up and some Improvements are made to their living conditions while still racing. A concerned neighbour got the RSPCA to check Yoles horses constantly .Was All clear to race as fed, watered and rugged ok by the young staff , and they would even have a farrier (I hope) . Notice even 'Smooth Deal ' made his way there somehow from NZ eventually. A group 1 winner in NZ for Mark Purdon . (4 wins from 8 x 2 year old starts around 2019) . his career sees him end in the wilderness and about to be on the list earmarked for Greyhound tucker one of these days. The Kaikoura harness bloke was probably embarrassed/sad that time, with the 17 odd mal-nourished horses. Paddocks have to be many hectares at times if sustaining a herd . he must of miscalculated and they ran out of feed over a few weeks/months. All through Australia there are owners that run large groups of their stock in huge paddocks . One bloke I trained for ran 20, on a whole mountain. Took us a long time to find them one time. They get ticks and things , and need a good wash lol. but seem to enjoy a bush 'natural ' run for a few weeks a year. was mainly the young and/or the old or the rehabilitating running wild though. There's so many funny stories with them type of things. a little better outcome than a can of tucker for 'Fido' at times though. (unless injured or suffering in some way)

Absolutely. There is so much things that go on . Horse meat is more accepted in some countries than in others. for human consumption. Pet food has been around for ages. There are 2 horses abbotoirs in Aus , and the process is quite traumatic for most. Horses and People . as they have to accept that animals meet their demise here . Horses being a magnificent companion /working/ recreation animal to us all in these forums (at some stage) so are really effected by the goings on . Like the Galah has expressed and the lady expressing concerns that this thread was based on for horse welfare. Curious even showing empathy/sympathy for race horses under race conditions many times , in the great Whip debate. I towed a galloper to that horse abbotoir near brisbane once. Meramist . Actually a slaughterhouse more than an abbotoir with the difference being protocols that involve procedure and stock whether being processed for human consumption or pet food. I am plagued by the memory going there, as a favour to the horses elderly owner. the horse with a irreparable knee injury , that was making horse uncomfortable , and no chance of any riding future. Was a traumatic experience, as a Semi arrived on site while I was there, with must of been 100 Brumbies onboard. Horses in holding pens with a legs swinging in the air bone snapped off and all sorts of trauma inflicted animals. I could never go to that place again ever , as some sights are better unseen. Once you've worked hard to keep horses in Tip Top condition for years it's Impossible on your brain to see them like that. as the Galah described with Bobby calves above some things have an effect.. Tasmania harness has a harsh reality that the stock of the Yole stables (horses too slow to race on the mainland) were being sent to Tassie to complete their racing days . very cheap training . very harsh conditions weather and stabling wise . Ben Yole (one time leading Aus trainer by number of race wins , ) from having 60 of the 90 runners competing at some meetings and stupid things like that. From must of been near 100 horses on the property . the logistics make it impossible to treat them the way most stables would. They all fed and rugged and that , and raced until they just couldn't earn another cent. so were chopped up for a Greyhound trainer mate down the road. This system seems very un-ethical ? , but bloodstock agents were still putting horses with him . as they have $10 per week shareholders to 'look after' . Aaron Bain Bloodstock and Summit Bloodstock still place horses with him to THIS day 😧. They even race 3 year old Midnight Miki (in 'penny' shares with others ) at Mark Purdon's famous NZ Stable . Midnight Miki is One of the favs for the NZ Derby soon . So have a whole range of horses everywhere. that ultimately meet their demise at the Yoles or something similar. I see a lot of old QLD runners there and that , once they are not earning here. that these Bloodstock agents pick up for $10 owner shares ( they go a few seconds slower in Tas racing generally) is it ethical ? someone pays training Fees I spose, but with so many horses and owners , these bloodstock agents have ways of clearing unwanted stock .some will end up at the slaughterhouse . ( Gallopers trainers can clear the syndicated race-Mares in Broodmare sales for example. as happened with Melody Belle and that.) so there are other ways of clearing stock out of training. footnote: Ben Yole and brother Tim currently disqualified 18months for horse cruelty in Tas. (some nasty things they were doing that are quite horrid) so horse's all race in their elderly fathers name Wayne, as trainer currently . so there are ways around things things. Tas Racing limited the stable starters number (from any stable) to 4 runners per race to stop the 'Flood of Runners' strategy they used for a few years to load and win races, but involved match fixing.

We just cut the nuts out , when breaking in the yearlings in half the time 😋. that way their nuts won't drive you nuts when they start playing up when they get older and colty. the One bloody stallion on the place out of 20 horses , who all behaved impeccably (except for a few tantrums at feed time sometimes waiting for their tucker) and the stallion would be the nutter trying to bite ya all the time. He might not of been nuts , but certainly drove me nuts 😁 . and plenty of bruises dished out too . 'Sammy Shark' I called him. would love to of ripped his nuts off 🤣

wasn't that you at the Salvo's last week ? A few Lazy boys make there way there going cheap, when the old boys pass away that have lived in em' for a few years. You just have to check they're still not in it before taking it home. Funerals not as cheap as they used to be.

After the first up wins ( of many this Season ) for Autumn Glow and Via Sistina. All Chris Waller could do was Moan and groan about the track at Randwick. saying shite like "Shouldn't be used during Winter for 'Inferior' horse" s . should be kept well for Only his good ones coming back in the Spring lol. Walked the track yesterday and was' Scared' for his horses chances today he said on the Heavy 10. wanted them to go on Monday instead. Well Mr Waller, August set records for the wettest Winter Sydney ever. So the track was gunna be Wet. you just have to get on with it or scratch mate. Or go back to NZ and get used to it again 😅😋 BUT we can't keep it just for you Mr Waller. there are OTHER trainers , even though he Rarely recognizes them with any credits at all. Maybe he wants to be a Ben Yole and have the entire Field in races? . The bloke is under so much pressure that he barely smiled after Autumn Glow and Via Sistina's wins today . Just expects to win All the time now. And the track should just have to race when he says? to suit his 100's of horses . Probably the worst interviews i've seen ever Post race after big races.

Very well said Mr Galah . There's nothing wrong with people advocating for horse welfare. It keeps the Cheats you mentioned in 'chec'k , and gives hope that some race horses can go on to be a loved pet afterwards ( after their racing careers) I just went to the Brisbane Show last week , and there were several classes of showjumpers , with all the young ladies with beautifully turned out (aged) thoroughbreds . where the Announcer introduced each one as the riders put their mounts over a minute of jumps , saying how many races they had , how many they won and money won too. example : this next competitor had 50 starts and won 8 races for Peter Moody and $200,000 retiring in 2018 . so on and so forth. They all jumped beautifully too and was many clear rounds . We used to give out our treasured old 'Pacing geldings' to girls at Pony Clubs upon retiring from the track . Old trotters not good enough for the EKKA lol 🤣😁 but are beautiful quiet old things and ideal for the young ladies doing a barrel race over a few seconds or whatever at a Gymkana . And it really puts a smile on your face seeing them do it.

BOAY Legend Mo'Unga Strikes !! . roaring home from last. to get the chocolates in the Group 3 Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington tonight . That Field had No NZ Cup quality horses except himself though , so was intitled to Win really. If gets a sit in behind leader in the NZ Cup , could be a place chance for sure.🤔 Wouldn't want to have it again though . Sitting last to the quarter was Robbie Close ,going 5 wide turning in, but got up on the line . Must of gone a bit better than 55 seconds home. But they walked before that. Good on ya Robbie , and Regan Todd too. Has a beautiful horses there in Big Mo' to work alongside his Marketplace Derby star. Could have a Big year ? . Hope Borriso'kane comes back too. He's another good one.

Perhaps the Cup is being run for too much money ? There's not enough Local Open class talent to hold out the Aussie rivals and a huge chunk of the money is just going overseas. Victoria cut their Stakes from $500,000 to $350,000 for the Hunter Cup this year . with the drop in revenue biting. The BIG trot of The Great Southern Star and the soon upcoming Time honoured Victoria Cup have both reduced from $300,000 to $250,000 this season. Perhaps NZ should of done the same ?? to stop as many Horses arriving from overseas for the big prizes .? Swayzee and Just Believe cutting a swathe out of the NZ pockets the past 2 years already. There's some great racing Coming Up in NOVEMber soon though . Check this Out ! from the HRV web. Next Thursday (August 28) is the cut-off to nominate for the $NZ1mil Group 1 IRT NZ Trotting Cup at $NZ400,000 Group 1 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot – both run at Addington on November 11. Aussies won both races last year with Swayzee successfully defending his NZ Cup crown and Just Believe posting his last Group 1 win in the Dominion. With the likes of Leap To Fame, Swayzee, Arcee Phoenix and probably Keayang Chucky slated to make the trip this year, the Aussie presence will be stronger than ever. Those two features are the backbone of a massive 11 days of racing and three feature Addington meetings, where more than $NZ4 million in prize money is up for grabs, including $NZ1.26mil for open-class pacers, $NZ500,000 for open-class trotters and $NZ925,000 for 3YO pacing fillies. The feature race schedule is: OPEN PACERS 11 November Junior FFA $60,000 – Group 2 11 November IRT New Zealand Cup $1,000,000 – Group 1 14 November New Zealand FFA $200,000 – Group 1 OPEN TROTTERS 11 November Renwick Farms Dominion $400,000 – Group 1 14 November New Zealand Trotting FFA $100,000 – Group 1 3YO PACERS 14 November The Velocity $500,000 21 November New Zealand Pacing Derby $300,000 – Group 1 3YO PACING FILLIES 11 November Nevele R Fillies Final $200,000 21 November New Zealand Pacing Oaks $225,000 – Group 1 3YO TROTTERS 14 November The Ascent $500,000 21 November New Zealand Trotting Derby $200,000 – Group 1 3YO TROTTING FILLIES 21 November New Zealand Trotting Oaks $140,000 – Group 1 4YO PACERS 21 November The Christian Cullen $125,000 – Group 1 TROTTING MARES 21 November Continental Event Hire ‘Trotting Mares’ $60,000 – Group 2

You people panic over nothing. It's Winter. The Star horses aren't racing yet. It's nearly Spring so some better horses and fields will turn up soon. Last month would of been dark and cold and rainy in New Zealand. Why race your horse then lol. But shine the light mate . Turn on your torch. Get out of the warm bed. You won't know yourself in another 4 weeks. Just be Patient , instead of bagging the Winter harness product . The racing tonight was excellent at Waikato but you blokes have gone past the point of even appreciating your horses anymore. very sad. I picked 6 out of 7 winners without even trying.

Yeah , but they'll still give something. They have a Monopoly on the NZ betting by banning Off shore betting , so Entain /TAB have a good thing going and will contribute past this 'Dreaded Five years thing ' that yourself and Brodie go on with all the time . You yourself said the Share price for the Company was doing Very Well this year ? doubled in fact. Chief said they have set aside $100,000,000 in some form , in case the AUSTRAC Federal case , costs them something in fines . And thinks its just small change in the Billion (s) they clear annually globally. They won't let Racing die in NZ . Gallop or trots. Some fellow will will keep it going. A Shame Dean Shannon left , a great racing supporter . But Entain are replacing 10 or so Executives worldwide. so will be Business as Usual. hopefully with less of the Money Laundering, but man, that this is Hard to Stop . Although as you say the Race Stakemoney might be reduced , from reduced punting revenue on racing these days.

yeah . for sure . Don't know where he is now?. his last race start was > Anthony Butt took him to a Great 3rd in the Miracle Mile in early March ( $100,000 prize for that) Was 3rd to Don Hugo 1st , Leap To Fame2nd and Swayzee was 4th. in very fast time. So Tact Mcleod right there in the Biggest race going mixing it with the 3 Best Australian horses ( of all time nearly ) I'd be Preparing him Very Carefully somewhere. Should Win a few BIG ones ?

Yes Hunter Cup (our equal of the Nz Trotting Cup in Australia) is run late January . and after the horses prepare for the Miracle Mile or the rich lead up races to it . This year Republican Party 3rd, Tact McLeod 4th and Don't Stop Dreaming 7th for Nz in Hunter Cup . (behind Swayzee and Larry ) Swayzee actually beating his half brother on that occasion. Might be a good idea to use the Auckland Cup as the Hunter Cup lead up 2 weeks before that race is run You say ?? Not a bad idea as Tact Mcleod for Nz was using the Bendigo Cup and the Shepperton Cup last January, as his lead up's. maybe it comes down to transport planes, NZ commitments for trainers, and that sort of thing ?. NZ has a Great record in our Summer Hunter Cup . Winning an incredible 15 of the last 30 editions or so. fantastic. Last one to Win was the great horse LAZARUS for Marky Boy 2018 though. you NZ blokes running weak since ? 😉

Well it does have a change for sure. My years in NZ harness went to 6 Auckland Cups in the row . All FEBRUARY . and the lead up to the Interdominion every year run soon after . Used to be a GREAT Event. so I saw Sapling, Delightful Lady x 2 (beating Lord Module twice) Gammalite , Armalight, Enterprise and Roydon Glen all win the Cup Live. and Marvel at every one of them still. even saw Young Quinn live in one of them for his retirement race. fin 4th to the Lady. The Auckland Pacing Cup then changed to the Christmas Carnival Date from 1987 till 2005. Then it was off to a MARCH date from 2006 to 2015 and finishing with the 'Christen Me' win. Back to December for 2015 to 2020 . Allstars winning the lot . 'Have Faith In Me', 'Dream About Me, Vincent, Turn it Up , Self Assured and Amazing Dream in the ALLstars Retirement Race ( Natalie retired as Trainer running 2nd on Spankem ) One of the greatest races ever run at Alexandra Park. Back to May then as a BIG FINALE of the season for 3 years 2022 to 2024 with Self Assured , Akuta and Better Eclipse for Australia !! defeating Self Assured to end the ALLstars DECADE LONG winners list . amazing stable. Horses are tired by then and NZ is cold and dark in May. They now finish with the Roy Purdon Memerial early May so the good horses get their Winters rest . Or go to the Interdominion here , where it's still 20 degrees lol in July lol. So Republican Party is back at the December New Years Eve date 2024 , with Thousands of People on HOLIDAYS in the nice NZ weather that time of year. And can go to the TROTS and have a GREAT NIGHT out !!!!!!!!!!! makes perfect sense !!! well done HRNZ on a Fabulous year of harness racing (yet again)

If you're talking for the sake of the Trainers and drivers having a day off to celebrate New Year , then that is well and good Not to race New Years Eve. But if you work with horses for a Living , there is NO days off Mikey. Horsepeople work every day with their horses. And most don't care if it's New Year or Not. They race to the Season. The date for the AUCKLAND CUP is Perfect. Dalgety's latest good horse PROVES it. Republican Party WON the Invercargill Cup as a nice lead into the Auckland Cup 10 days later that he also won . This was after being freshened after the NZ Cup week, where he was a brilliant 3rd. dipped out in NZ FFA. During January February NZ's best should tackle Australia as done so competently by great NZers in the past for Hunter Cup, Miracle Mile, support races like Ballarat Cup etc, etc. Republican Party 3rd in both Aus starts. Then home to NZfor April for the Waikato Betcha slot million, then Taylor Mile, Messenger, and the big finale of the Roy Purdon Memorial Group 1's. Republican Party Won 2 of those 4 races and picked up another $160,000 for a perfect autumn season of racing. The Interdominion in July next 3 years gives them a WINTER option. Jonny Cox the ONly kiwi with any Balls to take on Leap To Fame this year with PINSEEKER. got 2nd in a heat to him , but exploded after that unfortunately. Other South Islanders have tried to train to suit the North Island harness season too, We Walk By Faith (Taylor Mile Winner), Mo'Unga, Rakero Rocket ,Don't Stop Dreaming all competing well at Auckland . Merlin and Sooner the Better probably the best of the Northerners locals trying to hold them out . But WATCH OUT mate. AKUTA is back in town . So there's a summary of the Season for Open Class Pacers of NZ for you So When would You Run the AUCKLAND Cup then ???. (please don't say 'never' because you don't like Auckland, Cardigan Bay and many famous horses have won the Auckland Cup and is a fine tradition to have)