Gammalite

Couldn't agree more Whippy! a third 'Big Time Player' stable is excellent for the NZ harness racing. Dunn stable and Allstars stable win a swag of the big plum races, so another Stable needs to step up and keep the pressure on ............. Telfers Already snagged some big slices of the cake too !! and doing quite well , B D JOE winning the jewels Group 1 defeating Krug, an excellent effort! (BD JOE was 2nd to Krug in NZ Derby this year as well) 'ENJOY ME' knocked off champion Bettor Twist in a Group 1 sires fillies final on new years eve. 'DANCE TIME' been winning too ,and beat Pembrook Playboy in an Auckland feature in winter. so they are 'bringing the challenge' already as you say, and hope they keep it going for competitive racing !!

After last years scintillating wins in fast times>>>> SELF ASSURED for the Cup , and SUNDEES SON for the Dominion seem 'Past the Post ' propositions to me. both won very easily then. I commented previously about the need to keep those races as Handicaps , to give the opposition some hope, but being Free-For-All Stands ??. well Self Assured and Sundees Son will both have 10m on the fields?? Also 'Team driving ' will help them too. SUNDEES SON getting a dream passage in the Dominion last year, with a 'suicide drive' by Tim Williams on 'PRES THE BELLE' the Dunn stablemate. (she was never the same again after) Tim driving Ashley Locaz to help Mark with an 'easy lead' in the Cup too, for the Allstars camp. Very astute team driver is Mr Williams !!!!!!!! The Consummate Professional !!!!

I'm still 'getting over' the Dominion Handicap for the trotters going at 4min and 1/2 second speed last year .... How good are they ? most pacers can't do that..... quite incredible. SUNDEES SON trotted that last year. wonder If he will go quicker this year ? and break the 4 min barrier ? The Aussie raider, TOUGH MONARCH probably won't get there with covid about this year sadly. He Placed in the Dominion Handicap 2019 with Ant's driving, and last year with Mark Purdon driving. He's near the Oz best. Tough Monarch Won the Group 2 Cup, last Saturday night at Menangle off the backmark 30m handicap over 3000m . It was really funny as he has that much on them , he trotted away by 6-8 lengths in front at the 1/4 , then Rickie let him ease down up to the line and he was at jogging speed at the post by 1 length. Nearly muffed it lol........

Any sign of MUSCLE MOUNTAIN returning soon? or has he gone abroad? Won that Group 1 at Addington, beating Sundees Son at Easter (also 2nd in jewels to Bolt for Brilliance too so is pretty smart)

The number 8 horse unplaced tonight, JACK"S LEGEND a brilliant 2nd to Lazarus in a NZ Cup 2017 !!! terrific horse , but only 9 wins from 40 starts in NZ ,(20 of those races won by Allstars and 5 by Star Gallaria) having to chase Turn It Up and Allstars (and also Star Gallaria ) around all the time must be TOUGH going ???

Here's a Great ad for NZ and Australian harness racing stock. The 'Fast' Class event of the night in NEW YORK , USA featured an entire field of Australian and New Zealand bred horses. !!! The 'Open ' Pace featured horses capable of running 1.50 miles ! on the 1/2 mile track. crazy good !!!!!. Most of the card at Yonkers in New York, was races with horses running between 1.52 and 1.54 .times. NANDOLO (NZ) was the Winner ! a very nice horse 'sold-off' after last years NZ Cup and FFA runs. Here was the field he beat tonite !!! An amazing effort by the Kiwis and Aussies !! I luv this stuff !!

Here's a photo of HUMPHREY powering to the line to beat Cardinal Garrison. The late great 'Ted' Lowe even posing/ smiling for the in-field photographer !! Humphrey started favourite after winning the Kaikoura Cup in NZ record time off 36 yards week before NZ Cup. As always , the best seem to get 'Sold off' and both Humphrey and Cardinal Garrison were then sold to USA.

I do admire the arguements above of you, Chief Stipe, Aquaman standing up for your health and rights. All round the world vaccines are the Only way governments could see a 'Way Out' of pandemic/ lockdowns , (and the bankruptcies, suicides and things you mentioned (alas for the world) .... The side effects are certainly an issue. Penicillin (and Chlorine in pools) are also poison, that kill harmful bacteria to stop getting sick or mend ill / sick people. (I had a tooth abscess but refused the Penicillin prescribed in the end, as effects immune system ) They are toxic and kill bacteria and could damage your body cells as well , and many have allergic reactions......., and just like a virus /flu vaccine , it just comes down to choice as you say ......... be sick or well .......,be in lockdown or no-lockdown... very much a shame if people locked down from NZ Cup !! a traditional NZ occasion and fun for all. They still had the NRL final here in Brisbane last week-end by some miracle. (Threats of lockdown) I'm over it ..... and still yet to be vaccinated (and you are putting me off ! lol.........)

Very slim. BD Joe won a Very High class Jewels race , so Far too good here. I have no trouble with competitive stablemates in one race. Dunn will have in Methven Cup . Bernie Hackett team in the 4 trots at Auckland. Telfer been doing it a while , and Allstars too. AS LONG AS THE TEAM DRIVING IS TO THE ADVANTAGE OF ALL RUNNERS. The advantage here is the Trainer Knows the closing speed of Every runner, and can get his drivers to position accordingly. why wouldn't you ? If I was trainer I would predict 1st - 7th fairly accurately I would think. Not many drivers /jockeys listen to owners advice Chief !! lol. the trainers instructions are what matters. hehehe

If not we should ask Why not ?? Don't race drivers 'Talk' to the trainer any more these days ?? lol.......

Spot on Hunter. and horse wasn't up to it so caved in . but Fitz had a go. A few blokes and ladies having some fun. Shame it has to be a 'Tote' betting race.? all this fuss on thread. Better if just a "non-tote" affair. Amateur races are AMATEUR races. can't expect mind blowing standards like Dexter and Ant's are setting. Mrs Negus driving an 'interesting' race !! lol... but what possible good is suspending drivers having a crack.? People don't bet much on 'amateur' golf , tennis and the like , more likely to bet on the Pro's in those sports. Can't see why harness racing any different.

You have completely missed the point here which is the stipes can be fed any old story and they swallow it hook line and sinker. If that is your point , I believe this comment of yours to be totally true. You don't go in the stewards room bleating about your peers or your own ability ! you spin some story that blames the 'horse' everytime ..... Like a court of law , with the most learned folk around , you have a few 'spinning stories' most trials . Stewards are a 'mini-court' looking to impose some penalty . What a STUPID THING IMO that stewards would be asking a Top Professional driver ...... " Why didn't you pull out and go forward at the 1100m mark ??? WTF ! are they driving the race?? need some remote controls lol....... never got asked that in my life thank god. Dexter told them he was looking after his horse as he saw fit in the run . good enough for me. Not that different. Just a driver making a decision in the running that 'Some' don't agree with !!! stewards just have to suck that up as well . Ross Cameron getting the same treatment lately (unfairly IMO ) that Ferguson one at Auckland, was pretty bad IMO,(and yours) and would of liked to of been a steward on that case !!!.............lol.......

Totally ! pretty 'one-paced' horse that unfortunately couldn't muster enough pace early in the race to take the lead for Mrs Negus. I would say nearly ALL races in NZ and Oz see the participants doing their best (and as Mr Fitzgerald has said in this thread ), you definitely try and take advantage of a good barrier draw when you get it ! His horse performed quite poorly , had enough at the 1/4 unfortunately, but that's racing for ya ! The Dexter Dunn video here above is a JOKE surely? from 4 years ago at Ashburton ?. the near 'Best Driver in the world' , called out for getting beaten by the number 1 runner ,who had every luxury up front sprint laning from behind leader?? hahahahaha , and DDunn drew the 12 alley. This Happens all the time ???? A second row horse getting home well late on and just missing? . Not Dexters fault Master Moonlite was paying $1.20 some mug lost their money and is bitter, I spose. DDunn did what he could and nearly won from difficult barrier draw. excellent effort. sat one-one with same horse Wyndham soon after and only 2nd again. Can't win them all.

No longer a thing. It's Bit of a tragedy !!!!, as gives the opposition a chance. ....???? Let's have a look at some dual winners then. Il Vicolo wins off front 1995, then wins off 10m handicap 1996. Just an Excuse off front 2003, then wins off 10m 2004 Cup. Flashing Red off front in 2006, then wins off 15m 2007. Monkey King off front 2009 then won off front again 2010? bit of a gift then? . Set bad trend for future years..... Terror To Love off front wins 2011, then front again ? 2012 win, then front mark again for 2013 win? .... Where's the handicap to stop him???? Lazarus in race record 3.53.1 Nz Cup win in 2016. so NO HANDICAP was just a Gift Win for Lazarus in 2017 then ???? cruising to a 5 length win .... 10m in 2017 would of given opponents 'some' hope??? Self Assured off the front wins 2020 Nz Cup by 3 and 1/2 lengths , and gets No handicap for this years race ?? this means 2021 Nz Cup Will Be 'Absolute Gift' for him !!! write the cheque then. Il Vicolo, Just an Excuse and Flashing Red all did it the 'Proper' way like past grand Cup winners Lordship, False Step ,Cardy and co, etc, and came off a handicap for each win lol...... what good tough horses . woose horses these days lol .....scared of 10m?

Just looked her up HonJohn , and she is a trail-blazer too !! the Late Lorraine Grant was the first lady driver in the Cup !!! 20 years Before Kerryn Manning won the NZ Cup ,Lorraine Grant drove Rainbow Patch in the great race in 1995..... first ever lady to drive in that time-honoured race. unplaced behind Mark and Il Vicolo that year as an outsider in the Cup, but Rainbow Patch gathered 10 wins in 50 starts. career. And checking the Dominion Karrots >>>>>>>> for a lady winner . Well SHEREE T is your girl !!! 2017 winner only lady driver win. Interestingly, a VERY tough race to win , with 2 of the greatest drivers I've ever seen, Peter Wolfenden is not on winners list , and Mark Purdon with just the 1 x victory in the Dominion Handicap. that is quite astonishing lol......... looks like John Dunn will go past that with defending champion SUNDEES SON this year , to get his 2nd win in the race after victory last year. Surely he gets a 10m handicap this time though ???

Kerryn Manning (had her 'mind boggling' 4000th winning drive earlier this year) was the first Lady driver to take the great race! winning the NZ CUP in 2015. Just a week after Michelle Payne won the Melbourne Cup in 2015, the first lady jockey to do so in the 150 odd years of that race . Since that moment, both the lady drivers and jockeys going ahead in leaps and bounds with Natalie R and Jamie Kah winning a lot of big races and Premierships, etc..... Lady drivers rarely competed in these races, last century . Natalie Rasmussen is actually the 'Current INTERDOMINION champion' having won the last one with Ultimate Sniper , (and won the 4 Grand-finals early 2000's as well with Blacks A Fake) A Fun Fact for you guys, is Natalie was nearly NOT the First Lady driver to win the INTERDOMINION !!! Here's a page from Brisbane where I took a horse to race at 1986 Interdominion . A great kiwi bred horse, 'Village Kid' was 20-1 on ($1.05) to win and did easily.! But the 2nd placing was a 24 year old ANNE JAMES driving Vanderport . So close to Immortality for Anne!!!!!! , but $2 million winner Village Kid had the complete luxury of a short 2100m Grand Final at his complete mercy. SEE a NZ CUP winner Master Mood for Kevin Williams made the final too. !!! (finished 7th). and Vinny only 9th with Bag Limit....

A good 2nd for the 'Dealer,' just now to qualify for final ok. Winner was a good one too . Couple of Sweet Lou's mare's 2nd and 3rd in the mares race at Menangle Race 3 Karrots! (run down by a Bettor's Delight of course !!!) THE STUNNING NUN also blistered home from well back to win Race 2 . she's a gun !!! Meanwhile a fellow kiwi is also looking like a 'Cup horse' in Brisbane. The former Matty Williamson horse DEUS EX won by 4 lengths un-touched in 1.51.4 making it three from three now At Albion Park, as $1.50 favourite everytime. Quite a horse.!!! Think he will be beating Colt Thirty One and Turn It Up the way he is going. Wonder why wasn't winning in NZ much? ?? Too hard over there?

And again tonight at Moonee Valley to see in October !! The Rhino at $5.50 and $1.70 on Sportsbet too. Not to be out-done by stablemate ELEPHANT the Rhino getting another win too. Hope some of you were on ok !!!!

Well that sucks. My pin -up girl wins at $4.80 and didn't have a cent on it. Have ripped Farrah Fawcett and Rachel Welsh posters down off the wall to make room for her too . Just like covid lock-ups some things don't make sense ?Did Mark let her win ?? lol........ Nat is too good lol.....

SCA a chance on that run but SELF ASSURED wins Cup by 4 and 1/2 lengths . loves the 2 miles.

Self assured would of won if not for Kango stuffing him up . But Natalie is the gun tonight. !!! good pro-active drive on Pembrook Playboy to 'Try' and beat them . but you're on a hiding to nothing with Mark and Nat in the race !!! lol.

Hey thats a funny one. now you mention it Ranga's colours are near like a set I have here went round in a few times.

How good Sundee's Son then off 30m ? that was awesome a big sprint to get near the 'game' leader stablemate, Chief of Staff, and then outstayed him. Dunns have dunnit again ! Better handicap him in the 'Dominion' next month as well or it's all over rover.

Yes , took that one from your tip previously , Thank-you very muchly, and into multi with Allegra and Cranbourne too, so going along nicely . What did you think of Self Assured and Deny Everything ? shame about the covid , they have actually REFUNDED 25% of the folks with tickets to the NRL final here in Brisbane on Sunday evening !!!! astonishing ! no wonder they are getting riots in the streets . (Melbourne mainly) wonder what difference having 32,000 compared to 50,000 people in one place makes ???? lol...... fools they be .....

And what a brilliant and Well Deserved Win to SOD"S LAW in the first race just now. !!!!!!!!!! This horse tipped by a few on BOAY at times, and No 'Walk in the Park' either ?? The driver drove an Anthony Butt type of race to win it from the one alley and in traffic in that big field !!! Tremendous exhibition of driving and trotting in that race. great stuff.!!!! crikey the FIRST4 paid $10,000 neat on sportsbet too. (Sheree driving a very good race too on the outsider)