Gammalite

I'm just back from Eagle Farm (with a very happy missus after tipping her VE) and she did your Chief's trick and popped the 'Spanish ' visitor in for third !! $380 was the QLD tri divvie. so she was happy with that. Very nice Quinella result for me , but blew the 'tri 'with Tralee Rose who went well with every hope in the run. Verry Elleegant run in Cox Plate (3rd) was super good (over-shadowed by the protest) and her run in the 'Cup' last year was Special. As the missus says to me just now " About time we had locals Winning again " Wahoo !!!!! what a dream horse she is.!! Good on ya Chief for sticking with her !!!! (and no more bagging SuperMac 'Jmac' by you either, giving cheek lol.......)

Thought your boy 'Blair' was the POSTMAN already??. and everyone knows Mark is SUPERMAN no matter where he drives. Anthony is Ant's , so you need something for Mr Williams ? TIM the Toolman?

Tralee Rose (Nz bred) seems a tough mare so she is in for my Trifecta with the QLDer and the great kiwi mare. Where is your tip THOMASS ?

VE gunna get back in the field anyway whatever the draw. Enormous run last year with several lengths made up in the straight. She deserves a big 'credit' to immortality, after all the group 1's already. They thought wet track needed for Colette , but she 'burned ' them in the 'Empire Rose' last Sat. Maybe VE can get more traction on the firm and come at them late !!!! hope so. But the favourite from QLD deserves it too. one or the other would be FAB !!

Can't see any races Galah ! sadly . Australia is refusing to bet on them or broadcast them . only see the nz website results 1/2 hour after run. Just saw race 14 now !! And must say after grizzling about the Cup , this race saw TELFER stable give the ALLStars and DIAMONDS of Dunn's a real hiding with ALTA WISEGUY. so how good is that ??? a third big time player in town ?? All is not lost ?? Like any betting on your 'ABANDONED' meeting as far as Australia is concerned. Darn right SHAMEFUL !!!!!!!

The race is run and won for another year . Outstanding driver JOHN DUNN with yet another big win with Classie Brigade . A driver that gives it everything. Why are some of these blokes driving in big races? TERRY draws one and scrambles away ok. BUT driver Doesn't want to be in the running line? A promising horse with 4 wins past 5 , but stays 4 and 5 back the fence ?? when ample chance to leave the fence early in race.? Some of these drivers just don't want to have a go? never gave that horse a CHANCE in that race.?? Wouldn't see Gammalite doing that. Have a go . get involved. everytime. TERRY run on from near last turning for home for 5th. waste of time . Have a go Robbie for goodness sake. Hey ! that used to be a song when I was a kid in NZ. 'Give it a boot ' a Robbie, as Deans kicked yet another goal for Canterbury. Robbie Close a bit scared to have a go though with TERRY. bit of a shame.

hahaha yeah it's tough going Chief. beautiful one day , perfect the next. Love Vow and Declare. did have a little win with a QLD Gympie school teacher being a part owner , instead of the Cup winner having to be a Billionaire Shiehk, Williams or bloodstock agent. Only Aussie horse to win this century ??? tragic. Incentivise lengths better than him too for QLD. would be great to see him win. 10 wins on end deserves victory for trying so hard anyway for INCENTIVISE !! or 'Verry Elleegant' for Chief and Ruakaaka maiden glory would be just as good !!!!! Quinella time?

Surely you are all over this one Chief ? named after a place in Northland and all ? with supermacca JMac getting the ride ? Jmac riding Kukeracha to a brilliant Queensland Derby win this year, so has that 'Derby feeling' going lol.... Kiwi Trainer? , Last start Classic winner too.? suitable distance. Here we Gooooooo

Yes it seems looking at the fields at Auckland and Manawatu , the North Island is 'cactus' in the not so distant future. They already has NO trot Interdominion 2013 to 2017 , so guess the pacers are going, going , gooonnnne too. for Interdom glory. It's Special place for me , My earliest memories of life. went to NZ with dad as a kid 1968 with his Tassie mates and a horse called HALWES. for the 1968 Auckland Interdominion. Dad stayed on in Nz after for a while. They got paid more (2 x the winning purse) to Not start than to win the 1968 Interdominion by the Sydney bookies . Of course they took the money , he had a mortgage on the race if he started after smashing records in the heats. Won Miracle Mile in Sydney 2 weeks later. 'how bizarre' as they say in Nz. 15 years later Gammalite did start in the Grand Final at Auckland and win well from Popular Alm and Vinnie. great memories.

The Melbourne Cup day, Derby day and Oaks day are already famous for a few flopping around on the ground after a few Champers showing more than a bare midriff in some cases.

Just a quick chip-in here, as was invested on the race (2nd place) and want to give credit where credit due , and give inquiry opinion. With ANAMOE , the connections must of been delighted with the run Williams gave it (even more so John Allen with the Winner) and both jockeys (and horses fighting out that close finish for $3 mill first prize. IMO ,Williams as they turned for home had bucket loads of room towards the inside , but let ANAMOE race out slightly towards John Allen , so they could do the struggle home close togeather . I'm sure you would all agree these animals are going to go that fraction harder when in the 'close vicinity' of others. A natural distraction to whip and jockey for them. This had the added benefit of causing John Allen's horse to lay in towards ANOMOE the way that it did half way up home straight. Brilliant riding by Willow, he either wins first to line or causes a distraction to the one horse ahead of him, and gets the EXACT SCENARIO that played out. ! To John Allens credit , bum up, head down , kept 'driving hard' to the line. Fantastic. I lost on ANAMOE but my jockey rating is 10/10 John Allen and 10/10 Craig Williams . and 3/10 to stewards for taking so bloody long to make the protest decision.

The great mare set for Glory today . 10 group 1's will be looking good near her name. No Zaaki means great chance now ........ Damian Lane steered Lys Gracieux to victory 2 years ago , so he knows the course well. I think a chance of the kiwi Tri as well !! with VE-Probabeel-CallsignMav a fair chance. Big Mo' a solid chance toget amongst it. The BOAY pin-up girl Verry Elleegant to do Nz proud once again.

Very tough on the three persons. wonder if they will have mental health issues now? You'd be 'second guessing' forever now, whatever you are doing with a horse. The racing industry is full of moments when an animal is placed in a position it doesn't really want to be in. Is part of the parcel to 'encourage' the horse to co-operate with his handlers in the desired manner. Things like breaking in, tube -drenching, getting shod for the first few times (has a few real danger issues) ,even swimming. even getting on the trailer or truck . All part of education more than animal cruelty. Thankfully with the hundred+ horses I have swum in Qld , were at private facilties (so no-one around to make a complaint) and in big dams mainly , from cables, long-leads or rowboat on occasion. And there was room for people to lock arms and shove the 'Newbie' horse in to the water, for the first time or two . (Like a horse into the starting barrier sometimes gets from the barrier attendants) After a day or 2 the horse generally likes the idea and just walks straight in uncoerced and enjoys it's swim around. If horse is lashing out during any of these procedures ,of education. you have to be careful obviously as don't want yourself injured or horse injuring itself, So would most likely use an implement (soft polythene pipe could be useful) in some way . to keep a safe distance from flying hooves, when getting the horse into a starting gate, horse float or swimming Pool. NOTHING to do with cruelty IMO.

Just like a Claiming race mate ! Put in a cheque for $1000 to Chief and he will say the Thread is ALL YOURS !!!!! BTW great work naming 'Our Maestro' in the Interdom-NZ Cup thread lol.... Next SUNDAY at Maryborough trots in country Victoria, the 'Whole Racecard ' is for trotters Only. 10 races of trotters! They have 3 Heats of the blue riband 'Victoria Trotters Derby' too. Former kiwi Brent Lilley does very well with the trotters all year, and has one in race 5 named MAESTRO by co-incidence. A great big Chunker Hunker of a three year old trotter. well worth a look at 15-1 in his Derby Heat. Maestro has Won 2 of it's last 3 starts and is trotting well.

The Un-vaccinated are going to be banned from a lot of places soon Brodster (including passenger air-craft) You will be Isolated alright , But you do realise you can still post BOAY un-vaccinated don't you ? no need to isolate there lol.... The harness world still churning over, and you'll be delighted to see Mark back Training , ready for yet Another Nz Cup win. I wish the crowd could go , to have some fun and for harness racing support. They opened Royal Randwick for 10,000 people last week and the big Everest race , after 16 weeks of lock-down Sydney. MUST of been a bun -fight to get a ticket to the track.

You are Spot On Mr Horseman !!! I was trying a 'tricky one' with the Aussie rep SMOKEN UP ! "Trigger" did win the Interdominion grand Final and then disqualified later for a positive swab. "Trigger" did get 2 Nz Cup seconds and a third (Just like Tiger Tara). 2 great stayers to just miss out on a Cup. !! Rangatira putting in a VINNIE KNIGHT like move on Our Maestro as well. Have to pay that !!. Kiwi bred Our Maestro winning the Interdominion in Sydney and second in the NZ Cup to Luxury Liner . So four points to the Horseman and 2 points to Ranga (double points for a Vinnie Knight horse as the great man would of liked the idea of that) Vinnie with 10 drives in a row in the Interdominion Grand Final without winning it. !! good to see a NZ Cup 2nd for him at least . (and Interdom 2nd with "Poppy"to Gammalite at Auckland) Thanks for that Rangatira !!!!! POINTS total : Blossom Lady 10pts, theHorseMan 7, Rangatira -Chief Stipe 4, Trotsfan-Brodie-Gamma 2, Hunter 1

Blossom Lady has put in a typical Powerhouse performance here. and scored 6 out of 5 !!!! stunning the crowd and the judge. well clear on 10 points now for Blossom (Actually was at the Albion Park track too, to see YULESTAR win his Interdominion. didn't know he had won the Nz Cup as well . congrats to the connections joining the greats like Cardy, Laz and Blue) INTERDOMINION - NZ CUP double part 2 Another chance for some points then. as a few Interdom winners have come up just short of taking the Nz Cup. 'Robin Dundee' a Cup runner-up 3 times (to Lordship and Cardy) and famously taking an Interdominion GF Dead heat victory. BONUS QUESTION : This century 4 x Interdominion winners have come up just short of winning the NZ Cup !! Can you name any of these 4 horses in the 2000's that could finish only Cup 'Runner-Up' yet Win the Interdom ?

Didn't Saturdays Caulfield Cup run prove how good this bloke is. Wide the trip and a clear 2nd. He's near the best stayer in Oz now. That winner of CC was supreme though! did you see the 10's of 1000's of dollars go on it (Incentivise) late too. Plenty of happy Punters spending their Nature Strip winnings !!!!!!! What a bonanza weekend all round Australia (and hope NZ too)

Another day at the courthouse is tough going . Far easier and more enjoyable to be a Stipe i would suggest lol...... Much more enjoyable to remember some greats of the Harness World in Aus and NZ. !!! so here we go...... Quiz day 6 is to ask for the Absolute SUPERSTARS who were able to Win both a NZ Cup and the INTERDOMINION Grand Final. Question 1 . Can think of 4 horses to complete the 'Biggest Double' there is possible to win. Who are the four horses ? (1 point for each , that anyone can think of.) Question 2. Here is one of them in the photo parading away. Who is the driver there ? (1 point) An Interdominion and a NZ Cup for this bloke in photo, something Superstars Gammalite and Young Quinn couldn't quite achieve. (Interdom but no Nz Cup) Trots fan on the board now with 2 points in the last quiz , Blossom Lady and Chief 4 points, the HorseMan 3 pts, Brodie-Trotsfan-Gamma-Ranga ALL 2 pts, Hunter 1 point.

Sensational drive just then on Jimmy Arma. Race10. 10/10 is Johns rating didn't bussle his horse when 2 other's went away in the lead early. nor mid-race either. ended up 5 back fence at one stage, but timing run to perfection in the last 1/2 from the back . Top of the Class !!!

Well some things don't make sense , COLETTE took a bit more winding up than normal , so then jockey punished for winning.? Should be given 'Extra' congratulations if anything, and thousands more slings from the punters.

No Chief , Luxury liner was Not the driver of Master Mood haha. lol. .....so incorrect at question 1 you are. (Hunter in with Master Mood first anyway, so you get the Skipper Dale in the red gear and Monkey King Points.) So the Driver not named by Hunter or Chief (both now restricted) so one point still up for grabs >>>>>>>>>AND SO for a tricky Bonus point as well................ This Trainer /driver winning this NZ Cup, at his first drive in the NZ cup some years earlier, got a One week suspension. He completely took out 2 North island rivals inside him , forcing them to gallop out the back, during the running of the Nz Cup to aid a relative caught 3 wide get in to the running line. (who went on to win the race) Can you name Master Moods driver ?, and the Horse? that he got the 'Suspension' on in the Nz Cup year's earlier. points to date : Blossom Lady 4, Chief Stipe 4, the HorseMan 3, Brodie 2, Gamma 2, Rangatira 2, HunterthePunter 1

Tell you one funny thing that made me laugh. At the post race interviews on our free to air channel 7 broadcast, jockey Prebble was just beaming with delight and just the emotion pouring out was so heart warming, (pressure of riding favourite to win release i think) normal jock interviews sort of 'matter-of-fact, and so cliche. Then Mood's comes along with this Big Cup and is cuddling and harrassing Prebble while he is still talking and beaming away, and virtually photo-bombing him hahahaha so good !! AND the win by the horse !!! my goodness , near most impressive win I've seen. What a Win that was.

Just thought a few might be on-line doing the Oamaru races , so here's the next Cup quiz to remember some greats while you back a winner. The list of NZ Cup and NSW Miracle Mile winners are chock full of the best names ever raced. This Bloke in the photo in front of another huge Addington crowd ,demolishing the field in this NZ Cup Win !!!! and He brilliantly pulled off the very hard double of Nz cup 2 mile stand / Pure speed Miracle mile. Not many can do it. Question 1 . Who is this fine 'Speedy Stayer' and Driver? 2 points Question 2. Who is the 'Bridesmaid ' in all the red harness gear running yet another big race placing? 1 point Question 3. THIS Century (2000's) another horse has pulled off the great Nz Cup - Miracle Mile double . anyone think you that great kiwi horse is ? 1 point.

'Vance Hanover' and 'Smooth Fella' having some huge crops of foals in the 80's . Here's one of my favourites you reminded me of by mentioning them. AND because we had this years Victoria Derby run last week. they did quinella it one year. A few years Before (Our)SIR VANCELOT won $2mill and 3 Interdominions for Brian Hancock, there was a little black horse with the similar name who left NZ for Victoria after Winning the Rotorua NZ Futurity Stakes G3, for Tony Herlihy , named SIR VANCE. Enjoyed working (photo) and touring with him , at one stage racked up 10 wins in a row , and ran 2nd to Vinnie Knight in the SA Derby 'South Islander' named Gatcombe I think it was, Vinnie won with. The ' irrepressible' Vinnie Knight not to be denied in the Victoria Derby either!!! .... unfortunately lol..... He had a very nice 'Smooth Fella' colt named SMOOTH FALCON , who defeated our little guy SIR VANCE into 2nd in the Vic Derby.