Gammalite

Yep , but couldn't quite win the Miracle Mile with Vinny Knight and Poppy too good. Great patient drive by Vinnie in this . Think he was thinking of driving like a NZer driver for a change 😁👍

hell yeah !! 😂

you want to win the race ? As Brodster pointed out it helps with more vigorous driving too. They were driving pretty hard in this race. They sit a whole lot stiller in NZ races and try and just time their run at the line with a big finish half the time ? A lot of Auckland races seem like that anyway 🤔. As I mentioned another time (like in the Interdominion recently ) the Aussies give it full gas the second last quarter a lot these days in feature races , in LEAP TO FAME style, and just try to keep momentum up the last bit , and it's Often NOT the fastest quarter these days in the run home. But don't worry Mr Galah. The connections of Kanena Provlima are on Your side , which is nice, and have given the Drive on the horse to DAVID MORAN this week 🤣, In the Big 100k Ballarat Cup Sat night, as must of been feeling for him getting disqualified last week with that incident . 👍🏆 when they got promoted lol. 😁 All they need is some extra boot laces now , and when he jumps in the gig on Saturday just Tie his Boot to the Footrest !!😎 (just in case 😉 ) and All will Be well once again , and he might get the Prize/win and keep it this week?

6 more great horses. 6 of the Very best that attracted huge crowds. With the AG Hunter Cup (Australia's version of the NZ Cup) on in just 2 weeks time , it is fitting to see ALL Six of these great Warriors won that great race. The Hunter Cup had a flat spot for a few years straight after these 6 horses had won and was converted to a general 2400m FFA worth 20k for non-descript winners.😪 LUCKILY in 1993 , they re-invented the race 👍 for a big prize 💰over distance from a stand. and up stepped Master Musician for Robert Dunn and Blossom Lady to win the next 3 editions. NZ with 16 wins v OZ with 16 wins since 1993 so a great race for the kiwi's is the Hunter Cup 🏆 A/ Who are these 6 greats ? B/ and which one would be good enough to take the GRAND SLAM ? of Miracle Mile ( in some of these photos) The Hunter Cup and the Interdominion Pacing Championship crown ?

Cecil a Tasmanian. went over there in his young days to win a few NZ Cups and teach the locals (including the Son in Law Kevin ) how to do the job properly ? 😋

Christian Cullen also a winner of the Biggest race in Australia that year as well . Day 2/ Here's a ripper for today , with another kiwi trained horse who also achieved that Big Double . Slicing through late between Two great Interdominion Grand Final winners to take the Victory. 🏆 a/ The winner is....... ? b/ The Placegetters are...... ? (both NZ bred champions) clue= The horse on the left Won this race a couple of times himself and was the first Standardbred to reach the $2,000,000 in Oz or NZ.

Starting here . Name any of a/ the horse ? ,b/ the race ? , or c/ the 2nd placegetter ? here to get the roll of champions under way !!! Good Luck.

With Plenty of Trans Tasman Champions and great racing over the last few decades , Have done some beautiful photos up to catch these magic moments in Time. Will post them Up here over a few weeks as the BIG races draw near like the Hunter Cup and time honoured Miracle Mile , then an Interdominion in Brisbane. might be able to send some as prizes for quizzes and that if people can pick some of the moments . I'm making an amazing album up. Printed photo's have a Magical way of capturing amazing moments in time. Have a great Mix of NZ and Aus champs and races as they are All fantastic . The greats of 2 countries.

Only have to see forums to see lack of respect for Stipes , starters, clubs , Handicappers anyone at all trying to help run the show 🤣😉. The Galah being a fair bloke (and myself) one of the few happy to see investigations happen (like Inca) to keep them all on the straight and narrow . Inca was difficult because it had massive Police involvement, as race fixing is a criminal charge and very complicated. (It's not just a racing sanction) so they got all tangled up like a bad beginner from a stand lol. 😂 You only have to look at the general lack of respect for the Police in society. (and umpires and referees in a lot of different sport) and it's seeming almost part of human nature ?. ( To argue against authority) and Penalties given against. Some people get off light ?. What about Dunn's with the the DQ of 4 horses in 2017 for Caffiene. Got off VERY light with just a fine , then did what you said and 'Appealed' and even got the fines reduced !! 🙄😳. I say that's the error and just BS 😅 . There should be penalties given for offences and the perpetrators should Suck It Up 😂🤣. I hate Prison Parole lol. Once sentenced = Do your Time 👍

Fair enough. we get that. But that's the same for every Steward and court case going. Someone is 'always trying to compare' to previous similar incidents to try and get a similar outcome. on appeal . What Chief and I are saying is Stewards an Offence was committed, a penalty applied by the stewards on duty . Professionals at this job with years of experience. alas the penalty was pretty harsh . Yes .and as mentioned I have known drivers to be fined for dropping a leg . usually late on in a race to get better whip contact as the Brodster observed. This Moran case Does Not Appear to be ''Hocking' to me. He wasn't trying to hit the horses leg with his boot . The Horses leg was thundering into him instead. I would of just fined him as the horse won convincingly and a DQ is harsh. but rule's need to be enforced or 'Anarchy ' reigns supreme 🤣😂 But like a 'head high shot' at the footy , there's always debate about 'deliberateness' v accidentalness and penalties vary from one week to 3 weeks. It's just an interpretation by the officials . same as Stewards. or even in the Law courts. Penalized person just has to suck it Up and get on with it. 😉 Moran deciding to bypass Ballarat Cup now though, when could of got the Ultimate 'make up for it's for the punters and horse connections. His Loss of opportunity for redemption.

Don't know why they have to overturn it ? just because you don't agree with it. Other incidents are separate affairs. Chief put the video on the first page of this thread . (thank you Chief) and it shows his leg come down at the 200 , and it didn't look like a slip to me. And he didn't rush to put the leg back up or anything. (until he was sure he had the race Won) So the Stewards applied the rule as best they could from observations. That's What they Do all the time. Rules are broken , they take action. nothing wrong with that. Personally I think the penalty given was harsh though ( but it will deter ALL in future) A bit like McGrath getting the excessive milkshake DQ there. No one else game enough to milkshake now and get 7-8 years 😎 You can't take any notice of 'honesty' from drivers. I always just blamed the horse , no matter what happened lol 🤣. Moran has 'packed the shits' and Not put Captain Hammerhead in the 100k Ballarat Cup this week Sat now 😋, so Kanena Provlima might get a fair and square Win 🏆👍. Great young driver James Herbertson has a choice of 2 of the favourites drives though , so will be interesting.

Sounds an excellent day out. The Everest is a roaring success , and yes if a horse is to be scratched for some reason it does complicate things. But everyone wants to start , and what a great bit of publicity for racing. Also connections are made between slot holders and the horse people involved. There could be the odd one that goes sour , but they'll just have to man up and move on. Past 3 years NZ harness has introduced 4 slot races ( using the new Addington November one's (the Velocity and Ascent) as a lead up to the Derby (s) (for trotters and pacers divisions) so you end up with 4 great races full of the best talent (attracted by the money somewhat) but what's wrong with that ? The Gallopers ( and racing folk ) can have a great day out seeing the best (most of the best that aren't sooking) and earn a great Prize and a lot of it paid for by the participants . A good thing too. Put their money where their mouth is lol. and it makes for bigger prizes like the Everest in Sydney. Career and magic moments achieved by some horses and slot holders. The jockeys have plenty of moments so don't care so much about their fortune 🤣. should of done it for NZ based jockeys only though.

Stewards have chased up drivers for decades regarding whip use , and even in the 80's and 90's a lot of drivers were fined and / or suspended for whip infringements. it's nothing new like a lot of people think . (because of the silly counting that jockeys have to do) The trotting drivers are quite 'calm' these days as have to keep the reins in 2 hands instead of the one hand that was prevalent for a very long time. That enabled them to drive hard with the whip. it's very tame now. Here's the latest Whip Rule 's . Been amended 6 times in the last 15 years. Here's the latest Sept 2020 amendment enforced in all the states and territories. The Australian Harness Racing industry continues to be at the forefront of equine health and welfare, including the way in which drivers can apply the whip. As society’s expectations of welfare continue to evolve at a rapid rate, particularly with regards to racing animals, what was once considered acceptable practice has been transformed by both science and culture. Our industry, conscious of these expectations, continues to rise to the challenge of finding a balance between community and industry expectations for ourselves - rather than having it thrust upon us from the outside. Questions of sustainability, ethics, integrity and transparency need honest and ongoing assessment, while the provision of information is critical to educate and provide confidence for all sectors. In fact, rules of racing regarding the whip have been progressively moderated with 6 amendments since 1 January 2010. While many drivers found each change difficult initially, over time, the industry has adapted, without impacting on horse or driver performance - indeed race times have continued to become faster in the period since the whip changes were introduced. Whilst we can all agree that significant progress has been made, the number of penalties still being incurred, and the instances of unacceptable whip action still being observed are an indication that the rules in their current state require adjustment. This new rule has been discussed and debated at length, particularly among integrity teams, in an effort to formulate this latest iteration to be easy to understand, simple to comply and straightforward to police. The wrist only flicking action is designed to limit the force with which a whip can be applied whilst still allowing its principal use as a means of communication between the driver and horse. The limitation of force, both perceived and actual, is the crux of the whip rule amendments. All within the industry are urged to watch the training video (click here to view) and make themselves familiar with the required action. Practice and film your own whip action and compare it to ensure you are within the set limits. The social licence for harness racing to operate is hard fought among the changing expectations of the wider community - and needs to be protected. Taking a proactive approach to self-moderation as an industry is critical to our future. Every Drive. Every Race. Every Horse. Rule 156, applicable from 1 September 2020 in all States 156. (1) (a) A driver shall only use and be in possession of a whip approved by the Controlling Body. (b) A whip, once approved:- (i) shall not be modified in any manner; (ii) shall be maintained in a satisfactory condition; (c) A whip that does not comply with sub-paragraph (b) may be confiscated by the Stewards. (2) (a) A driver shall only apply the whip in a wrist only flicking motion whilst holding a rein in each hand with the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which does not engage the shoulder. (b) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (a), “wrist only flicking motion” means:- (i) Ensuring no force is generated by the use of the elbow or shoulder when applying the whip. (ii) The forearm is not raised beyond forty-five degrees relative to the racing surface. (iii) Not applying the whip with overt force. (3) A driver shall not use a whip in an unapproved manner. (4) For the purposes of sub-rule (3) a driver shall be deemed to have used the whip in an unapproved manner in the following circumstances which are not exclusive:- (a) If the whip is applied excessively, continuously and/or without allowing the horse time to respond. (b) If the whip is applied when the horse: (i) is not visibly responding; (ii) is not in contention; (ii) cannot maintain or improve its position; (iv) is clearly winning; (v) has passed the winning post at the finish of a race. (c) If the reins are lengthened so as to result in loose reining regardless of whether the whip is being used at the same time. (d) If the whip is used in a prodding or jabbing fashion. (5) A driver shall not use the whip in a manner which causes injury to a horse. (6) A whip shall not be used so as to obstruct, strike or endanger another driver or horse. (7) A driver shall not allow a whip to project outside the sulky. (8) A person who fails to comply with any provision of this Rule is guilty of an offence For more information contact HRA CEO Andrew Kelly on 03 9227 3000 or akelly@hra.com.au

Don't know how you blokes are struggling with this race so much 😎. these gallopers all seem 'very finicky' about what distance they race over . There were 4 nice horses racing over 1400m. At 1400m Orchestral 2 starts for just one x 2nd placing, Shamus with 8 starts for 4 wins, Acquarello 4 starts for a win and a 2nd, Pour the Wine 2 starts for one x 2nd placing at 1400. Shamus all day looks the winner then . get ya money on. looks a special 💰. 🏇😉

Stipes decisions are quite often difficult to make . some of the jockey ones in close finishes cause people to be agree with the decision or refute it greatly. No jockey ever says he deliberately bumped the other horse etc . The stewards just have to decide on whether the horse 'would of Won or not , if it wasn't for the incident that occured. when A horse changing racing line etc. This decision with the dropped foot seems huge . as a disqualification is quite brutal (for connections and Punters) I don't think the decision was based on whether the horse was going to win or Not, but the act that was applied between driver and horse . The heavy Penalty has One Serious Advantage . It will STOP/deter others making that error in the future. Here are the DisQualification rules for Australian harness racing . I would say the Stewards applied the Last 2 Clauses . You could say they have an argument For these clauses. but it does seem Harsh, as the horse Won Super Well . Disqualification 64. If a horse fails to start in a race from its correct handicap mark or its correct barrier position it may be disqualified or declared a non-starter in that race. 65. If the Stewards find that a horse or a trainer or driver was ineligible to compete in a race they may disqualify the horse from the race or declare such horse a non-starter and make any consequent changes to the placings. 66. A horse may be disqualified from a race or placed in a lower finishing position in a race if the horse - (a) crosses a horse without being clear of it; (b) jostles or interferes with a horse unless solely in response to the action taken by another horse or driver; (c) forces a passage where there is insufficient room; (d) forces a horse out of its ground; (e) races on the inside of a marker post or if its sulky or part thereof goes on the inside of a marker post; (f) interferes with another runner so as to cause that runner, or cause its sulky or any part thereof, to go inside a marker post; (g) being in the home straight and having a clear uninterrupted run to the post, changes course and thereby prejudices or advantages the chances of another runner. (h) gains an unfair advantage. (i) is driven in a manner prejudicial or detrimental to the reputational interests of harness racing.

Well the bloke is a top driver ( even used by Emma Stewart on her array of star runners a few times in age group features at times) and also trained 100 winners from 400 starters across past 5 seasons. an excellent strike rate. So David Moran sure knows what he's doing . Of course he could say his foot slipped as you wouldn't admit to doing it purposely. (and very well could of slipped too, as in the heat of that moment in a vigorous contest with Kanena Provlima , he was 'working' very hard to try and head it off. But leaving the leg dangling ,meant the horses hoof struck it a number of times. a normal drive might see you move the leg after one strike ? Paleface Adios says 'Hocking' . I don't think so . He didn't push/swing his foot forward to do that. Stewards say 'Foul Play' to advantage, (because they disqualified him ) I think a bit harsh. He could of been off balance, he could of been in the instinctive moment you mentioned , with adrenaline surging and Will to Win being applied. (I think those not trying as hard are more of an issue for stewards lol 🤣) So yes the disqualification very harsh for a group 3 Cup race, that don't come along too often. (I believe drivers get fined for dropping a leg in Brisbane , but is a rare event) footnote: in case anyone wondering why this Aussie race being discussed, a NZ horse being set for the Hunter Cup was in it , and was of interest to the punters and NZ connections. TACT McLeod. he went fairly average sadly , and looks No Hunter Cup chance on his 2 Victorian races to date, for Anthony Butt and Mark Jones.

Seems a good idea then. If the very TOP rated 2 and 3 year olds aren't there (whoever the ones are you a talking about ) then the next level can step up and enjoy some of the spoils too. so a pretty good thing really 😊. But isn't the Guinea's winner gunna be there? Thought SAVAGLEE was earmarking the 1.5 million Karaka million? So the best in Nation should be there all going well.

What a relaxed chap. 6 years in America already he said. John should join him while still young enough lol. Dexter Said he had been Albion Park a few times in this interview , but can't remember him lol. 😂. he musn't of won anything.locals might have been a bit too slippery for him ? 😋 *The BIG Question Blackie ? would he beat Marky Boy in a Big race or is he just an 'American' pretender now ?😎 (Mark getting mowed down by CarterD at Cambridge the other night no help with that lol 😂)

Will be here in Brisbane shortly for the World drivers Slot race. 21st February. Odds I can see are $6-1 Dexter. also $6-1 Pete McMullen (QLD) , $6-1 Nathan Dawson (QLD) , Gary Hall Jnr (WA) 7-1, Y Gingras (USA) 7-1, Kate Gath (Vic) 8-1, Angus Garrard (QLD) 8-1, Brad Hewitt (NSW) 8-1 Bjorn Goop (somewhere) 10-1, Carter Dalgety (NZ) 11-1. I've taken All sorts of Multi's with Pete McMullen . 'Leader' Pete is an outstanding driver and knows every inch Albion Park and will win this easily. He already drives a heap of the horses that will be in it, so a HUGE advantage. a couple of 'savers ' on Dexter just in case lol 😅

Well I guess after viewing video at a TAB site just now, like The Galah suggested , David Moran had his leg down from the 200m to the 100m pole marks, before putting his leg back up the last bit. It must of been intentional as his leg moves 9 times with 9 strikes from Captain Hammerhead, without him wriggling his leg aside or anything. Must of therefore trying to scare the hammerhead that little bit more to get the victory and get past Kanena Provlima. so by the letter of the law . he was gaining an unfair advantage in making contact with the horse in that manner. Whip flicking not gunna cut the mustard here? lol.🤣 so perhaps relegate to 2nd ? they were well clear of 3rd. Bit of a tough one. Stewards job never easy.

Such a poor poor decision . By the stewards it defies belief? . AHR website is so Embarassed they refuse to put the race back up again. Luckily it was there for an hour last night so I got to see what All the fuss was about. Is almost RIOTessly Funny they won't put up a video where No horse or driver was injured. (The reason they sometimes delete video replays) but a Bloke dropping his leg out of the Footrest ??? 🤣😂. the dastardly rascal. Stupid , stupid is . A Group 3 race video not put up because of the Poor decision by Stewards. One of the weirdest decisions ( and reactions too , to try and keep people in the dark ) completely baffling.

well that was awful in the last at Trentham. A very rare event of the racing today from NZ, on live on the Australian National Racing channel from NZ today . The last 4 races. they went straight to the ad break. And Shirley Temple had her leg snap while racing in the clear with 200 to go. How unlucky is that?. that was just so 'out of the Blue' , just when she was near the leaders too. Hoping the young jockey M Hashizume is ok. that was pretty horrific incident for him. 😪

yeah , I'm for stands being banned altogether . the mobile gets them all away lovely. It's just too costly for the owner to not even be in the race from a stand. And Punters have Already' left the sport ' in droves and wouldn't touch them with any serious money. not worth the risk. Regan Todd doing well there with Sky Rocket too in race 8 . A very nice winner at $11.00 here. won well it's last start too. a Tenner ew keeps the wolves away for the weekend too lol. I hope he gives that Aldebaran Crystal trotter from r7 away to someone else though lol. 🤣 He should keep ALL his home Stalls/barns just with race winning prospects, as is a jolly good Trainer. Wonder if Robbie Close works with him at home ?

Only horse in field that had won at Nelson previously , plus had the good draw and leading driver. 2nd Fav drew the extreme outside. Wonder why Regan Todd would pick up ALDEBARAN Crystal in the next from Bernie Hackett ? it has one win from 28 starts. and seems a real 'plodder.' have still had a couple of quid on it because Regan Todd could be the leading trainer in Nz this year as has a great squad of horses like Marketplace, Borris, Mo'Unga etc, and about another 10 good winning horses. and could win with anything the way he is going. He should place those 12 horses well all year, and get another 10 promising ones like them and sweep the countryside with a 20 horse squad. Aldebaran Crystal just seems a project horse for someone , but ya never know I spose. Regan should look at Group horse racing like Telfer's do and really Go Big Time. sort of Go on with it now that he gave Allstars and Diamonds a jolly good thrashing with MARKETPLACE. (2024 Sires Stakes winner) This is his DERBY and the ASCENT year . It will be a Big one for Regan (wasting time with ''Crystal' at Nelson seems silly in a way as lot of time and effort on a holiday circuit)

I'll buy a share lol. Oscar B is terrific. Lyell Creek won all his starts in Oz I think but was only going about 1.58 in the early 2000's. so pretty slow . lol. Scotch Tar raced 'out of control' half the time and led up the Pacers NZ FFA in 1.55 I think once lol. (finished unplaced though) but could go like a scorched cat for speed. Sir Castleton could sit and sprint. I Can doosit could sprint 1.55.5 . only 4th in the Cambridge mile to STIG though in 1.55 . what about Stent? or Speeding Spur ? would they would be on a par with Oscar B for outright Speed?