Gammalite

Yes the bills are huge now, so you need something that wins. I actually nearly bought myself one for christmas. They still have a Claiming race now and then, and was within a cats cock-hair of putting in a Claim for SAM IS PERFECTION for $7000 on Dec 22nd. someone else did instead. Since then he has had 5 starts this year, and has won in 1.53.2. ..... holy moley!!!!!!... in tomorrow too. 7 k for a 1.53 horse !!!!! ready to go ! what a bargain. A cups prospect not that long ago running that fast.

Fair call Galah, .....and yes ugly accusations , and the gentleman was very upset about an incident or 2 but seems without charges being laid/ made for such atrocious activity , he is being a little harsh on someone he obviously doesn't like. Maybe he could mention his Involvement to clarify his knowledge of said incidents ? what evidence ? said they were Sprung by curator yet nothing happened after????? Police would of been involved if that was the case. I could accuse many trainers of all sorts of things but don't, without evidence, without charges made by officials doing their job, it just doesn't seem right to do so. bit of humour to get over it lol.........

Tell ya what Karrots , back in 1994 we were at University (UQ) with a horse and all of a sudden total Chaos , as a Flying Fox carried virus (named HENDRA virus from the Brisbane Suburb it started at) was killing horses left , right and centre... And even worse, People died as well..Everyone was terrified as never been or seen anything like it. Vic Rail a horse trainer Died !! and to date 4 of the 7 people (vet staff treating the sick horses) that caught it off treating horses have died !! (the last in 2009.) imagine if it went out of control like Covid ? wow ! it was a close call and VERY scary. I HATE those BATS flying over each night even now.

Sounds like you don't want a conviction then.lol. What about charges?? does he have to face any ?? Now you've done it . Big Andre has found out I 'May' of called him a killer and a Liar .............

Well until a conviction is recorded , no good just saying someone is a killer and a liar. 'Andre The Giant' in the photo might be a killer and a liar too ??

No , different Andre. You are probably looking for this fella

Yes , I'm just watching Wodonga gallops on tele right now, and not many of these horses are Never Ever going to return a profit for the owners. The owners are sure to get a thrill 'having a go' though. Hope you get to have another crack with a horse ownership someday ( if you missed the first time ), you must be BIG chance of lucky second time round !! law of averages. Training and shoeing and feed etc, all 3 times the cost of what I paid in the 80's and 90's racing them , so haven't been tempted to make a comeback ownership as yet, lol.........win bet on Probabeel does me for thrill these days lol.

Some people enjoy racing horses Brodie. They do get a thrill just seeing them go around.!!! That's the trainers objective !! and you'd be surprised just how many horses don't even get to the races. When owners buy or breed a racehorse, they commit with friends often, and rely on the Trainer for progress. Can't just 'throw the toys' on poor form, IF the trainer gives it hope. (see next sentence) NZ horsemen are notorious for giving horses 'TIME' to develop or improve. You are used to BIG bets to give you thrills that win. Most folk just happy with little bets , and horses that race , that DON"T WIN that often as are having FUN with it !!! (p.s I grant you SpitfireA is bit short of thrills ...lol.......)

Is the big problem really for NZ, not enough races to have a lot of Open Class races. When they do come up , even on the provincial circuits /courses they are from a STAND. so horses can be handicapped. Standing starts are to be honest , a POOR betting medium. NZ cup even getting risky. The handicapping system in Oz regions caters for all the local horses to be able to get a Race start Every Week. This is Excellent for the horse owners, (so horses pay their way), but the fields End Up Being ordinary and uninspiring anyway (no stand -outs so hard to pick as all graded to be similar) . and then become a Poor betting medium unfortunately. The short course racing also really caters for 'Good Barrier Draw s' too, so it is almost silly backing number 5 and wider on the mobile barrier arm, as chances Way slimmer , right from the get-go. The bigger fields in NZ harness racing, do mean bigger divi's on the tote, but it's harder to pick the winner too. (weight of numbers against you) and another Good Thing is like that WInton 'mile and a half ' racing yesterday, it gives them a chance from the back of field too.! That was quite good racing as All runners are a Chance.....

Good points , that '20 something' demographic does unfortunately have more underlining issues though. As well as the 'PERILS of Gambling' drummed into the young folk these days, (my 2 don't bet) they have a HUGE chunk of the 'Animal Activists Issues' thrown in their face as well. So they still turn up (to drink and socialise certain racedays, or as you say they might put a band on or something as some sort of promotion, to get them in) but ask the younger ones who Melody Belle is ?? and you get a blank look on a lot of the faces. Better off with BoysGetPaid who have a bet, know the horses, and hopefully even Love Horses and racing, like the keen racing folk like myself on BOAY (except the 'Doubting Thomas' who doesn't seem keen)

Why would you NOT market towards a group That SUPPORTS your sport. ??? good on them..... The BARMY ARMY has a pretty poor name as well (more mad name than sexist?) but will be welcomed to support the English cricketers where they go (chants and all) You don't like the name of the group? get over it....... It's called having Fun mate, and supporting your sport and passion. The photo is brilliant at the start of your thread here.!!! some blokes getting togeather, having fun , SUPPORTING the industry with a bet , And Actually turning up at the track on raceday. !! (sales of refreshments and lunches good) I Can't find a problem. The girls that know them, would wish them well !! like sending guys on a footy trip ! RACING Benefits from their participation !!!! (not kids like mine in their 20's who go along certain racedays for drinks and to dress-up' show-off, don't bet, don't even look at the horses at all) now there is something the clubs and NZTR should be worried about.

when you mention Addington stands I think of this Amazing Photo. !! The one and only CARDIGAN BAY leading up the NZ FFA field with the stand burning down.!!! Never see that again with Health and Safety ...lol... http://www.harnessbred.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Cardigan-Bay-leading-field-lap-from-home-1961-NZFFA.jpg

Our Princess Tiffany is with Dean Braun as trainer, (Bloke who trained Cruz Bromac before it joined Allstars) Not Ants with her unfortunately. Anthony did get 4th In the Hunter Cup with WOLF STRIDE as well last night, so picked up 25k for that ! very nice ! just half a length behind King Of Swing , so the Wolf might be a force to be reckoned with this year.

Well tonight ALTA ORLANDO did NZ proud for your National Day!!! with 2nd in the $ 1/2 Million Hunter Cup. He Finally beats stablemate KING OF SWING (3rd) home , But couldn't catch the flying Lochinvar Art sadly. congrats to owners John and Robert Dunn and the 2 other owners on the great result though !!!!

Fantastic Dunedin !! after 3rd and 5th in the Group 1 last week Anthony has Stepped up with the 4 yearolds tonight and WON the GROUP 1 100k Bonanza as Trainer with partner Sonya Smith !! wahoo! great for NZ national Day . Ants drove the 4th placegetter in that , and drove the GROUP 3 winner early in night. HUNTER CUP worth 1/2 million about to go. ...... 4 former kiwis are in ....

Fight or Flight response is common . Humans or animals. Racehorses are a combo of both (we hope anyway)

Just a small correction Galah , with Majestic Man actually grabbing second late, in the heat in a 1.53.1 mile rate. That's is motoring. ! Great drive by Kate Gath in the BIG final to rest her horse TORNADO VALLEY behind the pace in the trail after that 'Gutbuster' early in night, when holding out MMan in that fast Heat. That Gave Tornado Valley enough reserves of energy, to Sprint-lane , and win well. The win took his amazing record to 30 wins from 44 starts in Oz. My Aussie hope, the little filly PINK GALAHS not quite up to the 'big boys' yet , but still 2 x good 4ths. She'll be winning again soon and hopefully be a Galah favourite in the future.

Well this looks a special in the Group 3 Mares Race 7 at Caulfield for Waitangi Day. Two kiwi bred horses are in, with Two kiwi Trainers and one Kiwi jockey. (Damian Lane on one but he goes ok !!!) With PROBABEEL (Jamie .Richards training) and SIERRA SUE (Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young training) and Michael Walker Up on top. Looks a great Waitangi Day NZ Special Quinella. !!!! Happy national Day New Zealand !!

Rangatira = Maori Chief David Butcher = harness racing 'Chief' great connection !!!! iceman, wizardman , magicman, superman, Does that commentator give Blair a name, surely not 'Orangeman'? llol..

Whether you have a whip or not a jockey /harness driver is virtually trying to 'Scare ' the horse into going faster. There is a LOT of noise (vocally) on the ' home bend' at any racetrack in I would say every race!, as the ' human component' tries to coerce his charge to give it all they've got . The whip can make a lot of noise and is useful in this task as well. (You can only yell and scream so much) unless you are Damien Oliver who has endless resource of vocal energy at a great decibel too !!! lol.... The whip can be handy to wave up outside the winkers to 'Threaten' the horse and scare it to give more effort as well. Jockeys do a GREAT job with this technique. NO JOCKEY or DRIVER wants to physically hurt a horse with the whip. They are just trying to win the race. I would be happy to go without a Whip if so requested by Rule Changes and try it out. BUT I can say in the 500 odd races I competed in , a whip helped 'coerce' the horse in some way in 100% of those races. Definitely would of been far fewer Placed results without it. It's very hard keeping them going after a pressure event like a horse race at those speeds.!!

Well gotta say after being around a few decades, been to plenty of Race Meetings (a british term) but never once heard of a 'Trials' meeting. They're just called Barrier Trials.

Great article, tells what happened (tests and suspensions) Driver gives apology which is important (we all make mistakes) Harness officials took action which is important ( for the image of the sport projected) councilling offered to make sure no underlining/ ongoing issues, ( bad party timing really) Mentioned the other racing code fellow CJ, which is important ( so racing and Harness racing are projected in the same light) and hopefully ALL industry participants are fully aware of expectations from both codes. so all good moving forward. wonder if they test greyhound handling folk ??? hahaha......

Well it's not as bad as all that . Afterall NZ rates higher than nearly every country in just about everything. Here's the world rankings and NINE of them are just too Cold !!!! so give me Number 4 anyday !! lol........ Denmark (192.53) Switzerland (190.92) Finland (186.40) Australia (185.03) Netherlands (184.18) Austria (181.68) Iceland (180.74) New Zealand (178.22) Germany (177.25) Estonia (175.99) The table below has each country’s index score for safety, health care, pollution, climate, and the overall quality of life index score.

That would of been a thrill of a lifetime , to drive a 16 time Group 1 winner like him. What a dream that would be!! Bruce Clarke did a great job and drove him to 65 of his 94 wins. (including 2 Interdominion finals and an Auckland Cup. One of Gammalites BIGGEST efforts in NZ (Google 1981 Allan Matson FFA youtube ) and enjoy a treat. !!!! circled to the deathseat attacking Armalight for the last lap. Then potential champion, LORD MODULE ,who was having bad barrier manners in those times, came Roaring Home from near last turning for home, to WIN running away, with the crowd going berserk. amazing moment in harness history. One of the most memorable wins ever seen at Addington !!! Gammalite held 2nd well anyway lol........