Gammalite

Such a shame to read this thread and see one of the iconic things of thoroughbred racing in the beautiful Jumping horses of New Zealand be in danger of closing down. Here's a Magnificent jumper by Zed that Kevin Myers sent over for his owners a few years ago , and ended up going around in our Biggest jump, The Grand Annual, on 4 occasions. ZED EM seen here winning brilliantly 2019 (and placed the other 3 times) over the gruelling 5500m event and retiring with over a $1million in earnings. We'll miss seeing great achievements like this . From great horses like this. the great Zed Em 🏆.

Com'on Chief . why don't ya put it up as a comp and take some entries ? You still have a Bag of coffee prize don't ya ? or a nice Racing Book from your library would be great ? I feel like a good read . bit limited on NZ racing. Shane Dye was good ? 🤣 lovin' Mickey Dee too.

Have always loved it. teams Aus and NZ had some great clashes in the 90's and a few teams and individual medals. Australia with team gold at Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney. Alas an Aussie horse broke down in the cross country yesterday so we are out of it at Paris. They did get silver last time in Tokyo. so hoping NZ have a great show-jumping day today and can medal today. The Rugby 7's I like too. the kiwi and Aussie men's teams both dumped out of the medals by South Africa 🙄, which was a bit unfortunate. Could be a Quinella in the women's though. I'm picking the Aussie girls to knock off the defending champions Black Ferns lol 😁 ? 🥇 the girls are super primed. yeah a few NZ Cups sitting here in Australia lately with Self Assured and Copy Thats and Swayzee's all crossing over the ditch with the Aussie owners. Grant Dixon is terrific bloke though and Seymour the owner of Leap To Fame has poured a lot of money into harness racing over decades to keep it all going here, so can't begrudge him , a top horse after racing must be a thousand previously. NZ Cup looks a certainty.

That is something else. That horse on another level to any predecessors. Leap To Fame a hoof-in for the NZ Cup if Swayzee can beat Akuta there (like he did last year) Kevin Myers awesome mate. The kiwi jumpers always a great sight. I went to Ellerslie a few years for the 'Great Northern' . Nearly passed out as holding breathe for a few minutes as the magnificent animals charged the fences. Kenny Browne to the fore. 😁 and of course with the Olympics on Sir Mark Todd , a legend of New Zealand always springs to mind. CHECK Out this Jump ??😳🫣. OMG !! looks like Man from Snowy River type stuff. (they're all quite mad, it's a bit safer sitting on 2 wheels I suggest 😆) even Kevin Myers might struggle to get some over the obstacles that Mark took on around the world with Charisma (and his other great horses) and wishing the kiwi and Aussie equestrians a great olympics this time round too.

3 Quinellas , a 1st/3rd, and a 1st /4th for K Myers as well.🏆 10 jumpers in the money 💰 in the 5 Jumps races. What a Performance by that stable !! A stunning achievement , and well done to the jockeys too.

Here he is 😂 . driver Google Gav. sitting behind Stampede for a race. Seen here with his 1/2 brother and another fine Southland horseman in the sulky'. Any ideas who that team are Ranga ? even tried to take Gamma 💰 and Armalight 🏆 on at times , which was a bit of a challenge for them lol.😁

Yeah Leap To Fame is better than Swayzee as he proved this year . and has had a standing start too , where he stepped well and won easy . At the moment showing $1.50 here for the NZ Cup. (Don't Stop Dreaming $5.00 2nd Fav, Swayzee at $10 which is generous I guess after last years big win) If you have a market for the Nz Derby , Major Hot well worth an investment after impressive wins lately and QLD Derby victory last night. He will be very hard to beat for sure Addington Dec.

Grant wins the 2 year old slot race in 1.50 mile with Fate Awaits. low flying . then takes the BlacksAFake Queensland Pacing championship in must be near world record with Leap To Fame by lengths. high flying lol.😅 spose Grimson had good crack at it with 5 horses . Swayzee (the Nz Cup winner 2023) proving he is solid with 2nd place again. a clear second and there was about 6 lengths back to 3rd. no wonder NO Kiwi's bothered turning up.

Hope you guys got on ok?. The 'Major' pummelling them tonight in the Queensland Derby in the colours of David and Stacey White . What a Win !! paid $12 on TAB here so hope someone is still alive in New Zealand to enjoy it. Not a lot of posters left here at BOAY anymore? must be too ''cold' in Nz . Harness racing getting the cold shoulder all over the place lol. 😅 Congratulations To MAJOR HOT. (and Nz owners) whatta beauty he is.

Com'on Chief. You don't like anyone at present it seems lol. Not even TABman who is full of excellent knowledge. The Galah is a terrific bloke on the harness . and Nomates on the racing too. It would be great to have JJ and The Galah and Nomates and even Thomass back with their incredible knowledge and debate , as they really add something and say what they think , and aren't too brutal. Forb's may have lost the plot a bit and was under the whip, so possibly best he is spelling? lol .

Well he got 2nd, 3rd and 4th But no-where near beating Leap To Fame . Larry jogs it in the Sunshine Sprint. great stuff Grant. 🏆🇦🇺💰🌟🏆 And Grimsons arch NSW rival beat him in the other Group 1 too. Former good NZ mare Aardies Express mowed down by Luke McCarthy with his mare to win the Golden Girl. Grimson had 3 or 4 in that as well. So just a pair of seconds for the 'Grim Reaper'. New Zealand mare Manhattan closing in late for 3rd which was nice. She just can't quite crack a Big Win. another Group one placing. Great news too. !!! Canterbury Trainers David and Stacey White winning the 3 year-old pace easily with the Kennard/Gibbs/Woodham owned /Allstars horse Major Hot for New Zealand . They had bad luck not being able to race Bet N Win last week with soreness. But could win the Queensland Derby next week , with fellow NZ trainer Nathan Purdon leaving the 'Major' in their care. He is going great guns !!! I think he can do it .

Well weight of numbers can get you wins at times. even Grimson lol. NZ harness has had good success with it at times. putting a few in a race. Tas harness took it to the extreme for a while 😂. (now permanent limited to 4 from one stable there with new rule) Tonight the group 1 Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park has 10 runners. 1 x LEAP TO FAME (Larry) v 5 x Grimson Allies v 4 x Ex=pat KIWI's . Simply Sam , CantfindabettorMan, 'Turn It Up' and Taipo ( Taipo a last start 1.50 Mile winner but still 35-1 in the market 😆, how fast do you have to go these days ? lol ) They are the old kiwi runners. some are place chances for sure. Larry should 'carve this lot up' using his Miracle Mile winning form anyway.

They've been doing it at Albion for our Big carnival too . will be in action again tonight. I think it is to show whether your horse is scoring up well possibly? , and is right on the gate or in Position at the start. They usually are , as drivers get fined if trying to 'Hang Back' , so can get cover early. It does show the runners getting through from the second row quite well as the start is made at dispatch point . But as you say you can tell that from the usual side view anyway quite well really. I quite like the camera work they do in NZ where the camera zooms in on the individual runner's, as the commentator calls their name as they go down the back straight the last time at a lot of your tracks in South Island. great work by camera man , and you can get some idea how your selections are going (travelling keen or not or whatever) , and some are about to improve around field , etc.

Frivilous Freddie ? Arfur Fawkessake ? Weir the Whakawe ? Canter BelieveIt ? Whinny Wally ? Chief of the Rabble ?

Exactly right. We do that here in QLD (and most areas of Australia) all year round and is very hard to bet on . so most (including me ) don't bet on them hardly at all. (many punters betting just the Gallops with lots of carnivals and variety of horses, distances etc and better odds.). The NZ trots is still good for variety , even having Junior driver races like you mentioned for this thread, Which is totally EXCELLENT. gives the youngsters a go. Also grass tracks, wrong way round, 2 miles , big fields, lots of stuff. and yes the racing is boring in Aus generally (except feature race nights ) and short distance too, (so the horses can back up the next week ok and not be too flattened) . NZ will be running more short distance racing soon for the same reason actually. Just a footnote why the regular dates, and restricted field sizes means More wins for each horse across the year of harness racing. There are race results and probability models that show your horses chances of returning a profit, and winning a race within it's capabilities. The Handicapper uses the ratings system to enhance these prospects for the Owners. in every state. something NZ doesn't have as yet .

Fair comment. The Battlers (trainers with only a handful of horses and/or the ''occasional bush driver) aren't gunna get too involved in a Group race or those slot races. But doesn't NZ Cater for the Battlers already? with some great racing every Sunday through the year ? They seem to do a good job of it really. they can dream of a slot lol. And in the North, just give them a Regular Raceday and Night every week at Cambridge . And 2 Junior driver races every meeting to keep them young drivers interested. (the bloody amateurs can just have a non TAB race in -between the TAB races , have 2 of them even . they'll love going around twice. race for a $1000 will do them on the really slow horses lol ) You need Regular racing so the horses have a chance to pay their way and people can enjoy some wins. Problems all solved in seconds lol 😆😂 eeesy peeesy.

Well that has always happened mate. you're well on the money there. like breeders selling at sales, and trainers selling off their racing stock overseas, etc etc. The Major participants pay their way and are getting the results they deserve finally. ENTAIN boss Shannon, Chris Garrard, and Kevin Seymour = all multi millionaires who pour millions into the game (sport) to keep it going over the years . 3 of the high flyers who support breeding industry and Chris does the Horse and Hound business , and sponsors $1,000,000 + every year from his profits. (In both our countries) meanwhile, The HRNZ allocates their funding for the season , as Harness clubs do everywhere . You're not happy with How They Allocate It ?? They've got experts that do this sort of thing. They're Not flying blind. We just had a feature trot last Saturday for 3 and 4 year old trotters worth $150,000. Alas the kiwi scratched with injury but How neat a Feature was Put on . The Race by GRINS is a FEATURE Race of the International Racing Calender and if they only have to put in a piddley amount , then how good is that. The participants can pay instead. Dean Shannon currently racing Merlin , and Kevin Seymour racing Leap To Fame .am sure they are Quite happy to pay for a SLot in Slot races too. I believe Chris Garrard finally has his best horse ever too !. I'll keep you posted on progress there. Very excited to think these 3 wonderful contributors to the sport over decades, could have the 3 best horses racing. NZ Cup beckons for a couple of them soon ? bring it on 🏆😁.

What was the final score Chief ? 99-0 like TaBman said.? sounds like a All blacks v Queensland rugby score 😆😂 I guess you keep the beans as you'll need a few coffees with No races to watch at Pukekohe.☕ Sandown will more than likely still kick off though. Have one for you too. Race 6 . Number 4 Alhumbra Palace. Will out-stay that slow lot getting out in distance this time, and Shinn riding very well lately too.

Well they are going to do slot races at the gallops now as well in NZ. so the general opinion must be they are the way to go with the ENormous success of the Everest in recent years . The New harness Eureka and Nullibor in Oz and Grins and TAB slot trot at Cambridge harness racing has been a success so far with Big prizes and International competition, and NEW people from companies involved in the slots taking an interest in the sport. just the boost it needs. Can't work out Why any of that is silly. Even the public have a great day out on those occasions. owner 'Boots' has already been spending Big in NZ and bought several horses and placed with many different trainers since his success with ''Betterzippit he bought from New Zealand 2 years ago and winning the Nullibor slot race. . this benefits NZ breeders greatly !!! BUT you are losing your numbers of race winning capable horses? . but it is a boost for the Breeding industry I guess. recent NZ Messenger winner Mach Shard just completed several months overseas . and Woodham (when the CEO of NZHR ) campaigned Cash N Flow for years overseas and even the Mangos horse SouthCoast Arden for a while as well. so the NZ CEO was supporting Aus harness as we do better programming in Australia than NZ rather than his own industry ? crazy stuff . So NZ needs more of these big races, like slots, to keep the ''stars racing AT Home. The young horses seem to get a 'reasonable' go of it with features through the year at least . like harness millions and that sort of thing. If you don't program some good FFA's and Slots to see the likes ''Sundee trot, and Akuta and Copy That and Cup horses like them Pace and win then your fields will get weak ? and the Aussies will turn Up and mug you at home. Waaaaaiit Up!!! Swayzee? Just Believe ? Better Eclipse ? Oh No , It's already happening....🙄 and LEAP TO Fame hasn't even arrived yet. Might be too late for Nz harness .

The Entain boss is chipping in and Currently racing 17 horses in the North to prop it up a bit. Com'on Brodster. don't die wondering mate. Buy a horse and get it racing in the North to support the industry. These small fields you grizzle about make it much much easier to win too. fantastic. Here are 4 of the BEST NZ Sportsmen OF ALL TIME. NORTH ISlanders and 3 of them are still Going !! support the World champions. They are near the Best on the planet, and you want to shut them down ? don't Do it ya mugs. who is ahead of them in NZ world sport ? John Walker ? Sir Edmund Hilary (if mountain climbing is a sport) 'Pumper ' Cassidy, Sir Richard Hadlee ? that's about all I can think of lol. they're my TOP 4 of all time kiwi Sportspeople. (in photo below) Mikey and Ranga might know more. Keep the North Island going and these Champions of NZ (and the world) in business . It's just a sport . People can still participate for fun (like Golf) doesn't have to run as a profit. Participants can pay their way? in the Slot races? . And they are . someone is showing some initiative at least. the trot slot was great. The Race by Grins was excellent. Bring it On !!!! The Aussies only got the chocolates in one of them with Just Believe. (sorry about the Nz and Auckland Cups) but you can't have all the luck 😅

well one out of 3 for Grimson. AARDIE's Express did win the Mares races holding out the kiwi's of Manhattan with Bob Butt by a neck. Aardie B Miki a Full sister to the winner with our best local trainer Pete Mcmullen won the Oaks Preview earlier . the Canadian owner Tenev has a couple of good ones . Pete Mcmullen also winning the Group 1 $350,000 race the Rising Sun with Whispa A Secret. Pete is a fantastic trainer and driver not far off Greg Sugars AAA class level at all. Grimson's horse Frankie Ferocious down the track in that one. Swayzee tried to use old New Zealander Hot And Treacherous as the cover on the outside to hold everyone out while he led from the pole . for Grimson in the FFA. Sadly for him when LEAP TO FAME , came calling , the shit hit the fan , and away he went in a fast 1.51 after sitting parked to stroll away to win by 3 lengths for an eeeeeeeeeasy win.🏆 the Nz Cup winner a solid 2nd. Swayzee sticking on well really. But got the Larry 'windburn' for his trouble. Poor old sacrificial lamb Hot and Treacherous ran last after that. the Mug NZ owners should just take him home before Grimson burns it out altogether. probably too late already.

Do you remember HANDS DOWN at Forbury Park . used to go there now and then and run last all the time. I bet Derek wasn't keen on the place lol. Think 'Hands Down' had his first race start there and all of New Zealand got the tip and sent him out red hot favourite , and he crashed to the track in the maiden mobile . was quite funny in a way as the commentator burst out with "Hands Down ! He's down alright". 😅😁. Derek and Peter got him going a bit after that and he was winning the NZ Cup just a year later. quite a transformation. The ''rogue of Forbury' became a NZ Cup winner lol.

Yep .you are on the money . Ranga ''short changed' this time 😁. Viewfield Duke winning the Waimate Cup sound 1993ish, is the quiz horse photo's earlier in this thread. well done Blackie.

crappy luck. what terrible luck for David and Stacey White with their horse scratching from the Big trot now with lameness. At least they got a win last week I spose with Bet N Win. he's out of the Great Square 😪 some good news is Nathan Purdon has left the horse of Allstars owners the Kennards, Gibbs and Woodhams in the shape of MAJOR HOT with them to run in the Derbies. Nathan must of had to return home to the Canterbury team, as dad Mark gone back to the North Island now?. Major Hot a strong major chance in race 3 Saturday night to clean up the locals in the SE Derby. is $3.80 favourite at this stage. and must be a force to beat, in the richer QLD Derby coming up in a week or 2, at this Brissy .carnival. alas one of our 'Weaker' drivers is on it 🙄. Why not Bob Butt ?? would of been way better. Bob will probably still be here as driving Manhattan in the Mares race 7 , against the flying New Zealand mare Aardies Express . that'll keep him awake lol 😅🤣😂. 9 30s12 MAJOR HOT NZ D J White, S A White Adam Sanderson $3.80

Spot on Mikey . you and Brodster doing well with that tough one. Stewart Campbell training this horse to win 7 races ,( all in one season ) getting the great Ricky May driving for him. might have Ranga stumped on naming Stu's horse ? victory could be mine at last 🏆 😎 with Ranga running at 100% to date naming them old stagers. bout time he was a 99 %er 😂