Gammalite

The TAB Eureka is run and Won. The leading stables in the country to the fore, with Luke McCarthy training and driving the winner as I predicted. He had jumped onto DON HUGO . an impressive winner. and picks up a cool $million dollars in less than 2 minutes ! great stuff. helps Harness racing Live on ! Stable-mate EYE KEEP SMILING (driven well by Sugars) running a solid 5th. The Emma Stewart trained runners finishing 2nd and 3rd and 6th . A mighty return. a fabulous training efforts . (Adding on to training the winner last year Encipher that beat LEAP TO FAME at 25-1 odds) a great training effort when not in home state. and finally a quick shout out to Queenslands best as well , Pete McMullen a close up 4th at the end of the Eureka with Wisper A Secret. picks up 100k and gave it a great shake for a minute. Congrats to the Champions of Eureka 2024 Don Hugo and Luke McCarthy .

you are pretty accurate with this i'm thinking. the boots are a protective aid in case there is an incident where the horse is caused to gallop or any sort of race incident occurs they've got some leg protection . esp for their tendons which are quite exposed at the back there. only a very few tap a knee boot these days. I think 2 of NZ's best pacers are out with tendon injury actually in AKUTA and MILLWOOD NIKE. possibly a loose shoe doing the damage with them. The poles are an interesting Apparatus. Most horses run straight without a pole . I remember it being used more as a ''concentration thing' at one stage. Gammalite in my avatar picture there has one on and Lightning Blue always wore won as well. The 2 horses winning 3 Interdominion Finals and a NZ CUP between them. They had a Burr strip wrapped around the Lugging pole midshaft , Lightning Blue also had a bit burr on the side of his head as well. Grant here put one on his stallion Colt Thirty One as well . who won about 50 races at Albion and contested the 2019 Interdominion at Alexandra Park . going the wrong way round with his pole there lol. made him struggle a bit to adapt. How they worked was , when the going got tough in a race and you were reining them up , or running the burr through mouth or anything like that , in the closing stages the burrs would sort of aggravate the horse slightly (like the whip does) by rubbing against them to keep these stallions 'mind on the task at hand' and almost sort of annoyed , if you like . Just like a person they go 'Harder' at it, when angry (aggravated/agitated) . just like with what whip use does with them. therefore are more likely to be closer to the Win than not .

That open trot was quite a funny watch tonight. The ORDEAL Cup race 5. They sure love a lugging pole on their open class trottersin NZ . 8 of the runners had a near side lugging pole on ! quite extraordinary . I've never seen so many in one race. You could see them all clearly with the great camera work as they zoom in on each runner going down the back straight the last time. The cameraman does wonderful work with those images on all the South Island tracks. including the large grass ones. first class vision. Amazingly the only horse in the top 8 with out a lugging pole as they thundered down the back straight was the favourite Mighty Logan. The horse that really needed one too 😁, as it ran off on the first corner and put 2 rivals out of the race lol. just so much Irony !!!

yes that was a very 'unusual circumstance. An 'officiating Steward was warned off for life 😂, for being in the know of what horses to swab (and which ones Not to, at country NSW meets ) Cameron a very good driver at the time from quite a famous family. they had a rare grey horse called LOMBO POCKET WATCH that won millions about 15 years ago. think it set near the Australian record for consecutive wins . Wonder if they were swabbing it ? 😋 (tongue in cheek). Blake Fitzpatrick still been going at Menangle many years now and a 'trotter' specialist mainly, They're a bit like the Williamson Family over there with their exploits and success. Greg Bennett was like Blair Orange , the states leading reinsman. He must of done more devious things to not be relicensed after serving his time I spose. I thought it was 7 years he got around 2013, so must be having trouble getting back in as you say. Hey ! as a Bird lover Mr Galah, you would love the beautiful Kookies that come round here each morning . They perch up on an aerial (here's my neighbours just now at 6am) and let rip with some great song. There was 2 pairs of Kookaburras for a long time, but one got hit by a car during a low swoop near the near-by bushland in June. I took his body off the road (wasn't me that hit it , I was just going past and saw him ) and then I burst out crying for some reason. was just such a sad moment 😭. Cars do so much damage too wild life around Australia (and no doubt NZ as well) it's just sickening. Anyway 2 months on from that, the one who lost his mate is still hanging around with the other couple for company. the song is down one beat , but the 3 sure make a Big Noise still. fantastic.

probably with noting that 3 races earlier , DENIFOSTOVA also drew the outside barrier on a Telfer runner in the Junior drivers race. Driving Medina Magic. Again had to drop back to the rear and DID try and mount a run from the rear out wide on the final bend. Sort of lost some ground as they straightened and was still last at that point . Balanced up and came home well for 4th in the 9 horse field. was quite a margin from winning (4 lengths+) so she would of been taking that all into consideration by the time the last race (the race in question . no one is criticising that effort. finishing about same distance from winner. Perhaps she thought she would try something different the 2nd time round to try and get closer ?Can't blame her really . and the outside Barrier is always a' Pig of thing' to Get anytime. and Denifostova had to do it twice in one night , the poor thing.

It's the richest race in the world for harness racing. so I do realize without NZ involvement the interest would be weak . but ever hopeful, tried to stir a tiny interest for harness racing fans. a bit like ignoring the Cox plate if you're a racing fans lol. The Nz slot race is Better ! the race by Grins getting great runners from our 2 countries and not restricted to 3 and 4 year olds like the Eureka. Just Believe winning the Slot trot and Rowe Cup double. and the last 2 Interdominions. seems strange to Not have top notch NZ trotters after decades of dominance. 'Sundee's Son' and 'Muscle Mountain' Not going to Australia to race did a bit of damage. the 'Aura' is gone. and now the Aussie Pacers are taking over. Grimson with the last NZ Cup win, Sugars won the Auckland Cup , Dixon will win this years Cup with the Interdominion Champion. Not many Nz horses even good enough to tackle the Interdominion these days. the end of it's great history could be near. Slot races are easier money. Could be Years before Nz win aNZ Cup or Interdominion again? especially with the top of the tree Mark and Nat (Allstars) sort of scaled right back. NZ harness racing Feature races could be in real dire straits ?.

sure it was a non winning effort to get held up in a small field. A shame, when she had a great amount of horse to work with at the quarter and could of just followed the circling runner . the horse was my selection for the race too. But it is a driver with just 35 starts lifetime. (always a risk against seasoned pro's) That's like so easy to make errors with that experience level. The bloody horse drew the outside gate too, so she would of had to be sharp and made some sort of race plan. Held up 3 back along the fence at the Finish Post probably not one of the Plans lol.😂🤣

thanks Blackie 👍 . the Odds sure are a little surprising 🤔 . I rate by several reasons and generally do fairly well. so lets crack this Eureka Open lol. with a First4. Numbers 8 , 12 and 13 are the emergencies unlikely to get a start. number 1 scratched already. 2/ BAY of BISCAY = the only 3 year old . probably too inexperienced to take on seasoned rivals?. 3/ MAJOR DELIGHT = well drawn with Junior driver. but she has won on this horse twice recently at Menangle driving her well so quite a strong chance. has Won 6 of her 8 starts at Menangle. 4/ EYE KEEP SMILING = well drawn for champion Menangle trainer Luke McCarthy . Luke knows every inch of Menangle and won this race last year. Horse beat Major Delight to win the NSW Sires Stakes here so might have the edge on her. Also won the Big Group 1 mares races in Brisbane defeating the highly rated NZer Aardie's Express in fast time in July. sure to go close. 5/ SURE THING CAPTAIN 6/ WISPER A SECRET and 7/ FREE THINKER the 3 Queenslanders with good form in home state. A LOT harder here and the drivers Sanderson, Pete McMullen and Dixon don't drive their best races here either. risking them in this. They might be a couple of seconds slower than some rivals too. (which turns into about 20m distance behind) 9/ HIGH ABOVE a very good Emma Stewart runner. good tough win last week and Kerryn has 4 out of 4 wins driving him. probably too inexperienced with just 9 race starts? 10/ DON HUGO Luke's other runner. strong staying effort last start plus some very quick Menangle wins under 1.50 to his credit. must be a chance. 11/ CAPTAINS KNOCK has been unplaced all 6 runs this year when racing further than 1700m. that would suggest is NO Chance in this race. 14/ NEVER ENDING quite a tough bugger racing over distance in the west quite often . so is more of a stayer than a speed horse like a lot of the good kiwi's. Hall Jnr not the worst driver to have and has won big races everywhere. Barrier draw gets him back a bit ? and working hard ? the Gammalite F4 then is Eye Keep Smiling at 10-1 a special , from Major Delight 7-1 in 2nd from the nice barriers. and with the star driver. and Big race trainers too. with Don Hugo and Never Ending fighting out 3rd and 4th. Eureka to that 🍻😎

Nearly the richest race going at $2,000,000 with a cool $mill for the winner this week at the Menangle slots. The Trainers : we have 3 from the Top stable of Emma Stewart , 2 runners from the 2nd Best Aus trainer in Luke McCarthy , 3 Queenlanders from the 3 very best QLD trains in Grant Dixon, Pete McMullen and Shannon Price, a local NSW Brad Hewitt and a wild Westy (from WA) the fav NEVER ENDING is running for Prentice. The Drivers : Emma Stewart using Cam Hart and Ashleigh Delosa (a junior 😳) and Kerryn Manning on her 3 runners. Emma always a great supporter of a lot of Lady driver's over the years as well as regular Mark Pitt in Victoria. Gary Hall Jnr (the I'm TheMightyQuinn man) drives the WA raider Never Ending. The Owners : Horse Owners are having to go in partnership with the 'Slot' owners. you would hope they are 50-50 but you wouldn't be surprised in what sort of deals are being made. The Aaron Bain/ Summit Bloodstock slot are already bending the concept by going 'Halvies' with the Danny ZAV slot and therefore trying to get their fingers in 2 pies , like they do all year round with $1000 dollar horses around the country with penny-share $10 owners. Had a blaze of glory by having last year's Winner ENCIPHER in their slot though , defeating champ Leap To Fame with a great Luke McCarthy drive that day. The Start : some controversy here with the race shortened to 2300m because the 2400m start point did not give any advantage to the inside runners (the 3 year year olds ) . The race being for 3 and 4 year olds Only. what a lot of bollocks . they already get the inside draws. just some whining owner looking for an edge. The Timing : some are grizzling because the rich Victoria Sires Stakes (I put some Heat results on another thread) are being run over these early Spring weeks as well, disadvantaging the VIc 3 and 4 year olds preparations . (the poor jolly things 😄) Encipher from last year had a nice EUREKA $1,000,000 collect so that was better than running against champion NZ filly AMORE VITA in the 4 year old Vic Sires Stakes anyway , Amore Vita had defeated her in the 2 and the 3 year-old Finals the 2 years previously. The TAB Market : do you guys have a market there? or Entain not up to the challenge? if you have one stick it on here would be good. The Chances : will have a look at some here during the week. and barrier draw and comment. all comments welcome of course (like where's Grimson ?😂) alas the Jess Tubbs/ Greg Sugars runner is out with colic . They won the NZ slot trot with Better Believe earlier this year is some consolation I guess.

you have to laugh as talk about unappreciative. Aaron Bain and Summit Bloodstock who WON the $2,000,000 Eureka last year by getting an EMMA Stewart runner (Encipher beating the upcoming NZ Cup winner LEAP TO FAME ) have sacked former star youngster , the Emma Stewart trained The Lost Storm from their slot for not being good enough 🤣. now are fishing for a late replacement tomorrow night at Menangle. hope the greedy buggers get last. The Lost Storm was 4th tonight at Melton in his Vic-bred 4 year old Sires heat. Emma winning with 2 of her 8 runners across the 6 heats run tonight. with 3 seconds and a third. 1 missed. A real highlight was some great driving from the 2nd row to quinella race 6 tonight for the Emma Stewart barn with High Above and the New Zealander 'Hes A Punk Rocker'. Kerryn Manning and Mark Pitt looking like Natalie Rasmussen and Mark Purdon with some brilliant driving in that one to run down the Mick Stanley favourite leading the race, and pay a juicy $10 quinella . great stuff. 3 amazing nights of EMMA Stewart Stable brilliance 🏆. The semi's will be interesting.

Night 2 . This will blow your socks off😁. well the opponents got their blown off anyway 😅 Kilmore Tonight : 8 x 3 year old Vic Sires Stakes races. 4 heats for colts and 4 for Fillies. Emma Stewart trained runners in all 8 Races = 8 winners. congrats for an amazing result ! winning drivers = Greg Sugars, James herbertson, Mark Pitt x 2, Jackie Barker, Kerryn Manning, Kate Gath and Cam Hart. Fantastic use of some of the best drivers around winning barriers = 9, 12, 4, 4, 9, 6, 6 and 2. with quite a few placings from wide barriers too. winning divvies = 6.90, 11.50, 1.20, 1.50, 1.60, 1.30 , 42.00, and 1.40 for KISS (the former kiwi ) in the last race. ( 5 shorties and 3 at better) total runners = 20 with 1 single winner, 2 x Trifecta's, 5 Quinellas , 2 x 1st/3rds, 3 unplaced and a happy punter or 2 about the place.💰🍻 An excellent effort by the Stable and all their workers !! On to Melton tomorrow night for the Vic bred 4 year olds heats. think they'll leave some of them to the opponents. Emma Stewart Barn sure to win some more though. Not sure where Petracca (last season Vic Derby winner) is?, and they're only in 5 of the 6 heats lol. can't win em' all lol.🤣

Well the results are in . not quite the 7 wins I predicted. Emma Stewart Barn only winning 5 of the 8 x 2 year old races. 3 Quinellas. Ran 2nd in the other 2 heats that Emma contested beaten 1/2 hd and 1/2 neck. (so very nearly 7 lol) Mick Stanley Winning 2 of the Vic bred heats .(The 'Rock N Roll Doo' trainer from NZ Cup and FFA 2 years ago) and a very handy trainer too obviously. moderate times of around 1.57-1.58 mainly run on the night.. but the 'Real good one' THE HIGHLIGHT REEL was the standout. Trapped 3 wide for first lap , then parked out the rest of it in 1.54. gunna be a u-beaut Big winner this bloke. Off to Kilmore now Tomorrow night (Thursday ) for the 8 x 3 year old heats. Emma has 20 runners so should near sweep the entire card ?? Even has Cam Hart and Greg Sugars engaged on some , so now using the 2 best drivers in Australia .. they'll be winning heaps. world class stuff.🏆💰

Bendigo has the 2 year old Colts and Fillies VIC-bred heats tonight. How do you beat the amazing Emma Stewart Barn of horses.?? (they won't) has Tremendous record in these sort of races year to year. Nearly every horse a 'star in the making'. 15 runners. most are unbeaten as yet. 9 are last start winners ,there's 3 first starters, and the other 3 horses ran 2nd at their last race starts. One of them THE HIGHLIGHT REEL was beaten a nose in our BIg $1/2 million 💰 2 yearold Slot race at Albion last month and picked up $100,000 for his trouble (nose behind Grant Dixon /Seymour flying horse) and ran a 1.50.6 mile .!!!😳 1.50 for a 2 yearold ?? they've gone stone mad 🤪. How can you possibly beat that ? might as well give up. 2 yearold running 1.50. Insanity . Clayton Tonkin (Emma's partner) owns THE HIGHLIGHT REEL himself too. the next Superstar of OZ. Emma will go close win 7 of the 8 heats tonight . (is Not in one of them lol 🤣) the first starters will probably even Win. What a SENSATIONAL training Outfit they are. so many 2 yearolds performing at the VERY TOP Level. Better than Allstars at peak I would guess ?

15-1 for the Thousand Guinea's in mid November for Photograph. but just boost it with a multi . (I've taken easy NZ Cup winner LEAP TO FAME, and next weeks $2,000,000 Eureka winner NEVER ENDING at Menangle and now it's 60-1 ) $1 is on and nice 'carton' in Nov coming up compliments of Chief 👍🍺🍻😂 thanks mate.

yes , I sent him an e-mail to congratulate when Monika won her first race. Not sure exactly why he in Brissy and her over there, but should meet up with him one day and find out. Probably the lovely weather lol 😎?. nice 29 degrees today . beautiful horses training weather. Don't know how they do it at those freezing looking places like Woodend beach in Nigels video's . they (the workers) look completely miserable with 10 layers of coats on. 😂. don't think we even bothered getting a jumper out in winter in Brisvegas . made clothes washing loads very easy anyway 😁. Albion Park was terrific to train on as well. not as much sand in your face like at Woodend Lol. The SI kiwis are very tough. No wonder the nice NZ bred horses are so tough. 💪 A couple of horses from Southland arriving once , had over 2 Inch long coats of hair !!😳 never seen anything like it . more like a yak . The local breds here barely grow any length at all , so never had to clip them . sometimes would clip the manes off if tangling in gear I spose. here's an old snap I found warming one up around Albion Park, before a solid hit-out. could be winter as that is all year round attire lol.

yeah would be the same for a glass of beer here. and the 4 July Saturday nights have a small entry fee at Albion Park for all the Group 1 racing . free entry rest of year . actually is so quiet at Redcliffe that one day last year I called in to a meeting to check out a mates horse, wandered into the lovely lounge area after race 1. no-one there 😳. so took a seat by the Big glass windows at the front right in line with the finish post . the plum position lol. Next thing a bloke plops down next to me to say g'day. I don't know him . Turns out to be Bernie Ring , the President of the club , delighted to have some-one come into the lounge. 🤣. was quite funny chatting with him about old 90's Redcliffe days then another couple wander in. And turns out to be a couple who attended my wedding 32 years ago, and hadn't seen for 30 years. They were racing a horse called CAT KING COLE that Kylie Rasmussen was training/driving for them and had bought for $28k at the yearlings sales and won a Couple of Pacing gold Finals . so they shouted me nice meal and a few Vic bitters . lucky day !! alas CAT KING COLE broke down on them later on but she had won a group 1 as well, and 8 of her 14 lifetime starts for nearly $200k . hopefully leave a nice foal for them next. just a 'bit of yarn', bit of a yarn stuff lol 😄 yes. that is a scheme they had here for a long time. A higher winning prize if Q-bred. There are so many buyers trying to buy the nice NZ horses that the local product suffers. Higher winning stake's in certain races throughout NZ (for yearling sale graduates) is definitely a Great idea !

just need incentives mate. How's this for a Q-bred one this year ?(below) . The Very forward thinking Q-bred mob have tried this one this year. excellent stuff. I just about bid on a yearling myself. 😁 The yearlings sales are great too , as it promotes local breeding /studs and gets more foals on the ground. personally, I hate the Aussies buying all the kiwi racehorses all the time. 🙄 Boots and Bond and Jenkins plus others are leaving a huge HOLE in your racing horse numbers. Here's the cash back incentive given this year , which did lead to good bids on good horses and a successful sale of QLD bred yearlings . 😃. yearling sales ARE Important for the Industry. This is why QLD harness doing well and NZ imploding . Buyers will have more incentive in 2024 following the introduction of a new QBRED cashback offer. The offer will see $2,000 (plus GST) paid to the purchaser of any QBRED horse purchased at an eligible standardbred yearling sale in 2024 for $7,500 or more. Eligible sales include: APG Gold Coast Yearling Sale – January 28, 2024; Sunshine Stars Yearling Sale – February 12, 2024; and Redcliffe Yearling Sale – March 24, 2024. Senior Racing Manager – Harness David Brick said that support for the breeding industry in Queensland – primarily via the QBRED scheme – has been a priority in recent years with over $4 million paid out in stakes and bonuses over the last 12 months.

I enjoy the 'home movies' too on facebook, but they aren't the answer to save NZ harness racing. The Slot races and running Feature races are incentives for everyday people to get on -course. Alas in Brisbane we had good crowds at Redcliffe and Albion during the July FEATURE races carnival , and for the rest of the year (over 10 months) you can count the crowd number on your fingers.🙄. you already get way better crowds NZ for your features spread through the year . Be like Cambridge Tuesdays , that some don't like here. (no crowd or betting) BUT it is what HRNZ are doing , and it is the right thing. They put up $45,000 in total tomorrow for 7 owners to get a winner !! and with a winner it's winner winner CHicken DInner. gives the good participants some food on the table mate. every horse racing a chance too. (no Purdon;s, Telfers and Dunn's about) I suggest On-course Jackpots should come back in.??? People seem to love the idea of a BIG win . The Brodster being top of the charts there . that is something a betting agency could put up at the track ? don't think they want too though. alas as you say . harness is 'on the nose' in NZ

still breaks my heart that the young Wolfendens and the young Herlihy's spent huge chunks of their careers overseas. some still there. a real loss for NZ like Dexter. We will miss Luke in Australia if he stays with his brothers state-side. Todd and Andy doing a big job. I'm sure John Dunn could rival Dexter too. Maybe young Carter then Brodster ?? He's gone there for a look just now recent weeks. He'll be tempted with the BIG dollars there . hope he does make the shift for his sake? , and yeah Not ours. as is great to see him in action in NZ.

He's a harness fan doing 'home movies' with horses running up the beach , etc , and a chat with trainers and that after a horse runs about how well they went , or where are you going next. Haven't seen anything in there advertising for people to bet (which you CONSTANTLY say is the vital component of the industry) , or horses for sale, or anything like that Brodster. His movies haven't got you buying a horse have they mate ? surely not.Can't even see how they make people attend meetings really. Was All very nice to see how Butt is preparing the North island horse OLD TOWN ROAD for the NZ Cup though. unlikely to draw people into the sport though lol 😅 Why should HRNZ direct people to Nigel rather than any other syndicator ? he as you said is not employed by them. Would be like them saying what stud to buy the yearlings from. You can't play favourites. they have a Big picture to look after. like the good fields at Cambridge this week 🤣. Better for HRNZ to concentrate on breeding incentives, and racing incentives, put on some big races (which they're still doing well, with Sires Stakes, harness millions , etc. )

Major Moth back at Menangle tonight , and seemed to win comfortably enough. 2nd place tonight went to the $2million Eureka Slot races favourite in NEVER ENDING. over from west Aus with GaryHall jnr and came from last for a very good closing 2nd to the Moth. Eureka in 2 weeks time. Swayzee withdrawn from the NZ Cup as has NSW races on the agenda avoiding LEAP TO FAME on his mission to Win the NZ Cup this year. No runners for Luke McCarthy tonight, who I believe is being wooed to the USA by his brothers , who have become millionaires over there. Andy and Todd in the top echelon along with your NZ boy Dexter. Luke fairly quiet since winning the miracle Mile 3 times with 'KING of SWING'. wife Belinda concentrating on the breeding and stallions at Cobbity farm rather than the racing. Luke's dad John currently disqualified with a positive , so unable to take on the runners. Wonder what happened to the Farrier ? kiwi-man Craig Cross? he had the training licence for a while. even had Group 1 wins lol. 😆. Luke could make a fortune in the states 💰. seems better than paddling around Brisbane like he did all Winter. Was the countries best here at one stage. the 3 McCarthy boys would really set up to be near best in the world Togeather , and getting imports from NZ and Aus would promote our breeding industries too. John Dunn would go well state-side as well?. wonder his brother DD hasn't talked him in to it?. while he's not on the training ticket in NZ. would get bucketloads of money and much less Sand and that cold beach wind in his face lol.

get on next time if they place the horse at a track with a longer straight , than this shitty MV one. looks quite a nice horse that one. nearly got in the photo finish too lol.

Made an error and was spose to stay handy. Stewards asked what happened. Just one of those things in an 8 horse field. Jamie did well with LAUDING at her next ride , and very 'Inconveniently' Beat one of my 3 Punts today. Thought the kiwi LINCOLN ROCKS was a goodie today. very disappointed with Photo . Jamie burned off with SEA WHAT I SEE. ran last just now. Ran last. that's racing. just a fast horses up in front and Harry Grace gets a nice win for a change with old ROLLS.

Drive home 4 at the same time could the Brodster on his day ! seen here in action when on the money . Could he arrive at the post on time though ?

Incorrect. I live for these sort of races because it so hard to pick for the average punter. Bigger dividends attract my dollar a lot more than a 1.50 favourite in an 8 horse field. That is one of the reasons that grass is so popular for punters. Fair enough Now or Never. Most of the blokes here have said they enjoy the punt on the Southern races. That's good.👍🍺 I should of said I feel that the Cambridge results are slightly easier to pick . so seemed to me a better race to punt on ( I have high expectations with my punting and expect every dollar invested to win , and take no chances lol. strike remains 50% so I'm happy with that. ) I think the quality of product at Addington tonight is very good . the horses and drivers are of excellent quality. The First 2 races have gone to outsiders , I would of been No Hope In Hell of picking them , and even less chance of investing 💰 on them.😆 Best of Luck to all those having a crack at it though , there's fun to be had !!!!