Gammalite

Wow! that is a great analogy with the MALL. I can see that would take the fun out of shopping ! and it crushes the little shops. Well good luck with your lovely trotters then, and hope you get to race a good'un without having to sell.

So the best training and driving team ever in New Zealand [Mark and Nat] need to be subdued? I am just getting the picture FLAGSHIP . especially from Globe Derby who obviously has had some runners against them (ALLstars) at times and his appreciation of their efforts, is low it seems. Excuse me from a distance, I am just in total Admiration of the wonderful performances they have generated, not realising there was a problem with it. I can now see the beaten brigade/opponents have had a gutful and are crying foul. So sorry that has happened to NZ harness.

I am surmizing you mean your horse's are on the end of some Allstar thrashings so is hard to appreciate their acheivements?

Apologies mate for my brash reply to your post. I was in shock at the reaction through this thread to a brilliant drive on Cruz Bromac. Some contributors here think they can out-drive Mark Purdon. That is funny beyond words that we are all putting here. The main criticism being apparently handing up the spot outside the leader 600m out has cost him victory. I argue that is Not the Case as there are contributing factors to that decision. (to trail Ultimate Sniper) The MAIN FACTOR was Triple Eight on some moronic 4 wide move was charging up outside them through a 27.5 second third quarter. This forced the pace to FLAT OUT. a long way from home. Marks decision to trail a top horse, that he knows well, around the bend was a brilliant piece of Genius Driving and has given his horse a breather for that whole bend, and the Chance to take victory still. Fabulous ! They were charging home in 27.3 seconds for the last quarter, for a 54.8 half mile. Good in anyone's language, and considering they were 3 wide for the first half as well just a stunning performance.. The Critics on this thread say "NO, Not Good Enough" Mark should of gone even Faster to hold U Sniper and Triple Eight deeper on the track for the whole last bend. Hahahahah Don't think they have driven horses at that pace before.and don't recognise brilliance when they see it . I'm still giving it 10/10 that drive and now hoping he [Cruz Bromac] wins the final.

TROTSFAN is leaving Everyone in the dust as he breaks clear of the field on a Big Solo Run. Round 3 heats Friday night and in the Pacing section , MARK and BARRY PURDON (and Nat) have an incredible 11 Placings out of 12 poosible in the 4 x Pacing heats run so far. UNBELIEVABLE !! No Aussie can stop this (sad) but can someone catch TROTSFAN ? in the Bit of a Yarn Challenge. points Tally round 1 + round 2 = New Total POINTS UPDATE TROTSFAN 48 + 56 104 , RANGATIRA 44 + 49 93 , OLDWHITEMAN 40 + 53 93 , WOLF 39 + 51 90 NOWORNEVER 43 + 46 89 , HAPPY SUNRISE 30 + 49 79 , GAMMALITE 42 + 37 79 , RUSTY 39 + 38 77 GLOBE DERBY 29 + 41 70 , HUNTERTHEPUNTER 27 + 36 63 , FLAGSHIP UBERALLES 29 + 32 61 PLEASE NOTE : For the 2 x Grand finals to complete the Interdominions on the Final night , points will be allocated 20 for 1st, 15 for 2nd, 13 for 3rd, 11 for 4th , 9 for 5th, 8 for 6th, 7 for 7th 6 for 8th, 5 for 9th, 4 for 10th, 3 for 11th and 2pts for 12th (last) in the 2 Grand Finals. Therefore 40 Points if you can pick the 2 x grand final winners next week ! Good Luck for this week first ! GAMMALITE is going for Chase Auckland , Habibi Inta, Cruz Bromac and Winterfell.

Agreed that with Nat on The Fixer, the video shows she was trying to come out a lap out to improve position but the horse wasn't able to do so at that point. Apologies for that reference. As far as Chase Auckland is concerned , why would they NOT want one of Big Brother Barry's in the final.? ? more Purdons the merrier !!.They can all work togeather as they did beautifully in the 1991 Auckland Interdominion final to great effect. Williams knew who it was going to the lead without making it work , and his chance of winning that heat was greatly REDUCED from that point, when not keeping the lead during a slow quarter. NOT MANY RECENT GROUP 1 winners give up the lead a lap out in a short race through a 29.7 second quarter. Very slow for that grade if you know your times.? We only have 1 mile and 2100m in Brisbane and No One gives up the lead a lap out in any race, let alone when driving a NZ FFA Group 1 winner through a slow quarter. Stipes should ask a question ?? Keeping main opponent in the death surely ( or I say definitely would of given Chase Auckland a better chance to win ? or is it just the steward coming out of me ? .

wow I always thought as most Aussies do, that kiwis were such gentle appreciative folk too. ?

IT IS fun watching Globe..... Good luck with your trotters and be grateful Mark is only half hearted with training those. For ALLSTARS The last 4 Auckland Cups and would of been the last 6 NZ Cups on the trot (except a 2015 hiccup Smolda beaten a head after galloping) that is a Dynasty and a monopoly more than corruption. And many more in a row to come as well I would think for the ALL-Stars as they rule the roost.. They will probably win those age races Friday as well with the next wave coming through. Brilliance that is too hard to beat. !!? The reason is the endless budget of their millionaire owners. They have NO NEED TO SELL. Anyone over there with a half decent horse in the lower grades invariably sells to Australian /American big owners ( Just like I did ) and even bring them over here to Aus ( just like I did) to get away from the Allstars dominance, the poor stakemoney , and the great sale prices you can get for NZ bloodstock. Sorry I have contributed to the demise of the game in New Zealand now that I think about it.???

Pay that ?, but I'm not a big cake fan . some of these horses are getting a piece of the pie though. So with Mark 'looking after Sniper' according to some, and Chase Auckland 'looking after Whitesocks' according to me, ALL 4 are through to the final for lots more fun. WELL DONE to team Purdon ! and the lovely Nat.

Gee Flagship , you are talking harsh. Ultimate Sniper is racing at a Lazarus like level at present. ( not that Cruz isn't ,having won a little race like the NZ Cup recently .?) Sniper is the likely favourite for the final. Mark's 10/10 drive came up a head short. No need to be pissed off. Just be Amazed how close he got !! Mark sure is genius.

Just wondering what you ALL think of the other heat in that case, after seemingly, there are so many unhappy with Mark's brilliant drive on Cruz Bromac that needs questioning by stipes? joke.. The Allstars runner was Chase Auckland from the pole and no way ever was Stormont's runner going to be allowed to cross. Chase Auckland having won a Group One recently, the NZ FFA , obviously loaded with ability, then meekly hands up lead to moderate performer AGWhitesocks and therefore gives away the lead in a short race , and the WIN in my opinion. Surely he wins if keeping Lead???? Is that just being conservative?, yes?, should the stewards quiz that driving tactic, ?? I think he gave away the win personally. Mark didn't.

This is VERY important what you have wrote here Mr Galah. You guys are picking on the wrong heat if anything. Sniper and Cruz were hardly driven conservatively , and as a punter I would of been thrilled to bits with the efforts of these 2 horses and their drivers , giving a great sight !!!!!! and a great result. Now just think, they could of been pulled to the back of the field and run on late to get enough points to make the final just like in the other heat. THE FIXER in the other heat sat back last, still last turning for home, pulling out 7 wide no less, then ran on for 5th very late. Personally if I was punting, I would be hacked off with that conservatism more than the Fabulous effort in the other heat with Sniper and Cruz getting the Quinella.

Why ? What is wrong with following Ultimate Sniper around the bend. ? That helped Mark's horse just as much as the winner. He still nearly won the race.

Thats a fact !!! It will be hard for their own stable other drivers even and Barry Purdon's as well with 2 more. In 1991 Auckland final they worked it out well and Barry on Reba Lord pressed the main opponent a lap out giving Mark a great last Lap on Mark Hanover. Christopher Vance through for second as well. (I'm expecting similar this year)

Punishments and Fines ????? What race were you watching NowOrNever ? Can't believe I read that. Marks horses ran 1st and 2nd clearly, from IMpossIBLE barriers, circumnavigating around QUALITY opposition. (not last and 2nd last) He needs an excuse ? You are truly kidding ???. They deserve Accolades and medals if anything, and we should be in Awe of the great drives and fantastic horse performances as well.

How about the Smart decision of the Aussie connections to put Cruz Bromac with Mark.?? da-da NZ Cup now on mantlepiece !! San Carlo could elevate to that level as well , but NO the girl from the bush gets lost lots of times in big races. San Carlo has been in 9 100k + races in Australia for one placing. Deserves better. From my Homestate of Tassie came 'Flashing Red' to win 2 NZ cups and an Auckland Cup about 15 years ago as an aged horse..... Queensland connections were SMART enough to put on a top local driver over your way. Anthony Butt doing the honours and beating Monkey King with skill and amazing driving.

Great question Flagship !!!! Bruce and Vinnie would not let anyone, anytime, in front of them if they could help it. When GAMMALITE and POPULAR ALM drew 1 and 2 Auckland 1983 it was curtains for their NZ rivals. Did you see them come out of the gate ??? They are using horsepower for their drives. Not as much skill and judgement as Mark, Dexter , Anthony (Butt) your amazing drivers. Now in that same race last night, that was expertly driven by Mark, why aren't you guys criticising the Pitiful, weak effort of the girl on San Carlo out of the gate ??? bring back Vinnie and Bruce anyday.????

No the top Aussie drivers aren't as good as Mark. A very smart decision to follow your main rival around the last bend in my opinion. It nearly carted him to victory. Granted to what you say, if it was a weaker runner that comes back in your face turning for home, not so good to give up position at 600.

I have to say you guys are Wrong in criticising Mark's Drive. It was near PERFECT, coming from last and an absolute Crap barrier , circling the field, 27.4 backstraight quarter (forced by Triple Eight going for it too early) you should criticise that drive. And smart enough to take a sit on Nat for a breather around the last bend. Rallied strongly in the home straight to just miss victory. Fantastic Effort and Fantastic drive . 10/10 from me. (as a former race driver)

Best of Luck GLOBE !!!!!! you should be in final now already on points. Good luck with the barrier in final and enjoy the once in a lifetime thrill. ? or in GAMMALITE"S case twice in a lifetime.

Well the Purdons are dominating as expected, Barry joining in the Allstars party. The Aussies nowhere to be found. In the Challenge, for Bit Of a Yarn Glory , the first round leader TROTSFAN has taken round 2 honours as well !!! A true Trotsfan !!!! And he has cracked the ton with his 8 selections to date. Well done !! points Tally round 1 + round 2 = New Total TROTSFAN 48 + 56 104 , RANGATIRA 44 + 49 93 , OLDWHITEMAN 40 + 53 93 , WOLF 39 + 51 90 NOWORNEVER 43 + 46 89 , HAPPY SUNRISE 30 + 49 79 , GAMMALITE 42 + 37 79 , RUSTY 39 + 38 77 GLOBE DERBY 29 + 41 70 , HUNTERTHEPUNTER 27 + 36 63 , and bringing up the rearguard FLAGSHIP UBERALLES 29 + 32 61 Flagship, you were subbed Winterfell in the trot [8 points] as he was Fav (over here QLD anyway) and McLovin was scratched that you selected.

Gidday to you Bloke from Qld . What a great horse Young Quinn was!!. Just before my time, but would have to be in the Top 5 kiwi reps ever.! Not just that Miracle Mile and Interdominion , but all those American wins as well. And so nice just like Cardigan Bay , he came home to NZ to retire. [probably as 2nd best ever to Cardy at that stage] Another kiwi did exactly as Young Quinn in the 1980 Miracle Mile . LOCARNO with Robin Butt did the IMpossiBLE from barrier 6, having to go back to last then running down PALEFACE ADIOS, PURE STEEL, KOALA KING, FROSTY IMP and LORD MODULE. What a line-up !!!!!

No worries Rusty, because we want everyone to be a chance of being 'Bit Of A Yarn' Interdominion Champion we dished out the first round points (for a couple of regulars who missed away in Round 1) on their round 2 selections . With yourself, that tallied to 39 points. to put you back in the race. Good Luck tonight. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

Yes , have seen and driven a fair few over the years. Lazarus is in his own postcode with ability and racing style with times to boot. 1.48 and a bit in the states . 1.52.4 as a 2 year old with a 25.1 quarter. Those easy NZ cup wins !! unbelievable.!!Best I've seen. With the trotters thought Habibi Inta trotting 4mins 2sec for the Dominion H'Cap the other day was not bad. Scotch Notch and Sir Castleton would have to be right on their game to keep up. lol. Gammalite won 2 Interdominions in Auckland 83. (Scotch Notch won the trot. And GlobeDerby park (named after you!!!) in 1984 when your little mate Sir Castleton flew the kiwi flag with a brilliant win in the trot at Adelaide beating Scotch Notch. Well done to all.

The great Lord Module, yes in my teen years I was ripping home from highschool on my bicycle and hit a car trying to get home on a Tuesday to watch this race of his, the NZ CUP while I was in Auckland. Lord Module Reared up and lost 50m but with help from Sunseeker the stablemate was able to recover and win.