Gammalite

Think Mikey means this one Chief. Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards advise that Show Me Heaven NZ and Act Now have been withdrawn from their respective engagements in Race 3 and Race 7 at the Maryborough race meeting to be conducted on Sunday 17 September 2023. Both horses have been withdrawn in accordance with the provisions of Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 196B (3). The scratchings relate to a stable inspection being conducted by HRV Investigative Stewards at the registered training establishment of Emma Stewart on Saturday 16 September 2023 and circumstances of an intravenous drip being administered or attempted to be administered to the aforementioned horses within one (1) clear day of the relevant race meeting in contravention of the provisions of AHRR 196B (1). As an investigation remains ongoing into this matter, no further comment will be made at this time.

Oh well . Williams rode Mr Brightside a treat today for yet another win . A 12 out of 10 ride was what the young Hayes trainer said afterwards. very nice of him. Willow also rode an absolute peach to win the first race today , in a straight course 1100m at Flemington . Rated to perfection. It's a Shame Moonee Valley wasn't 'straight' so trainers don't want to strangle him . 😉

well is hard to say what the charge would be in the Stipes . running and handling? I would say bollocks to the 'welfare of horse issue'. Why would Gigakick go home feeling any different to any of the other horses in the race? they all went round . Lungs all under the same pressure? . Imperatriz actually had to wind up for a long way too ? 🤔 How is his after-race recovery Any different to what it would be if he won , and/ or tracked Imperatriz . there's no Welfare Issue at all... I say get on your bike like Gammalite ( don't forget mate he was so good he was handicapped so had to go round the field often from standing starts and show True Champion staying qualities) getting that 30m Handicap in the Nz Cup those times, was complete Bollocks though 😂 BUT you get up there and have a crack at it anyway . yeah you might go 'too early' sometimes as you suggest , But why leave it too late to win ? (like the gallopers very often do 😉 )

Yeah I don't mind them 'running on late' like so many of these gallopers do every week over the 'unsuitable' shorter trip than what is best for them . Punters take a bath again lol... But Yes Giga Kick is the one having the big mission ahead of the Everest defense shortly . (and Imperatriz should lap up the Moir and the Manikato ) and because Willow had a real crack last week ( running the same 2nd sectional he did last year first up but NO-One is mentioning that) he is a BAD GUY because the horse didn't win. ?? Imperatriz beats a lot of horses doesn't she ?? ? she's pretty good . just 'sulky' spoilt connections of Gigakick. think they should win all the time now , since they won the Everest . and yes... at the trots the barrier draw is vital , and I admit' you might have a 'quieter one' if drawn not to suit one week and wait for a 'better draw the following week. so yes that does happen a fair bit I spose. (sorry I wasn't trying to be sarcastic) . I just meant I feel the horses at the trots in general , are produced fitter and can win first up anytime of the year. As Allstars do in Nz and Emma Stewart does in Australia ( she has an incredible 30 horses in the 12 Group 1's at Melton tonight) and anyone can drive them .

Here we go again. you guys are driving me nuts. Any jockey can sit on any horse . (just as I could sit behind any horse at the trots for example) But winning has nothing to do with the 'Matchmaker' lovey dovey relationship you guys are looking for . It is whether the jockey / driver is trying to win ( I think Willow was trying to win IMO ) as I think nearly all jockeys and drivers are trying to win. (Saturdays anyway 😄) It's whether the horse is fit enough , and wound up to win (which Imperatriz OBVIOUSLY was much more than Gigakick ) and not being set for 'missions' later on in their campaign like so many of these thoroughbreds seem to use as an excuse all the time . (pacers are ready to go anytime , first up after a spell or not .. good honest trotting people gotta love em... lol .😉)

Run and Won already mate . Being a Oz v Nz contest which = Interdominion >>>> So here's the results based on best Interdom Grand Final performance (and where they ran it) Paleface Adios - v Young Quinn 1st at Akld points Aus 0 - Nz 1 Pure Steel 2nd and 3rd HP v Lord Module - Aus 1 - Nz 1 Maoris Idol 3rd MV v No Response 1st at Addington Aus 1 - Nz 2 Gammalite 1st Akld v Armalight - Aus 2 - Nz 2 Popular Alm 2nd Akld v Delightful Lady 3rd Akld Aus 3 - Nz 2 Scotch Notch 2 GF wins v Sir Castleton 1 GF win Aus 4 - Nz 2 Preux Chevalier 1st MV v Luxury Liner - Aus 5 - Nz 2 Village Kid 1st Brisbane v Roydon Glen - Aus 6 - Nz 2 Westburn Grant - v Chokin 2nd Addington Aus 6 - Nz 3 Lightning Blue 1st Addington v Master Mood - Aus 7 - Nz 3 Our Sir Vancelot 1st Akld v Iraklis 2nd Akld Aus 8 - Nz 3 Smoken Up 1st Akld v Terror To Love - Aus 9 - Nz 3 I'm The Mighty Quinn 3 x GF wins v Monkey King - Aus 10 - Nz 3 King of Swing - v Lazarus 1st Perth Aus 10 - Nz 4 **Blacks A Fake (4 x Grand Final Wins ) v all of Nz - Aus 14 - Nz 4 ** Gotta be worth 4 points for Blackie ? lol😃 The Nz 'Blackie' over there will be glad to see 4 points scored for his kiwi side 😁😆😉

You sell em off , and then still want to claim em back ? Phar -lap = SOLD , Village Kid SOLD, King of Swing SOLD , Lightning Blue SOLD, Preux Chevalier SOLD, Smoken Up SOLD, Sir Vancelot SOLD, I'm The MightyQuinn SOLD . Once they're gone to the greener pasture , they're gone Blackie . you can't have em back . Or......... if you write me a cheque (for the right amount) I might consider it 😁😉💰

Think the' Terror' being this century , would be too quick , so edit in harder rival >>>>> Smoken Up v Terror To Love then Preux Chevalier v Luxury Liner and Popular Alm v Delightful Lady 😊🏆

Handy list there for the Aussies, but left off 5 of the Best 10 of all time (arguably) I would of had Blacks A Fake, Village Kid , Preux Chevalier, Maori's Idol and Pure Steel in my top 6 or 7. 👍 King of Swing very good later years. what about some head to heads then ? oz against the kiwis. !!👍💰 The MightyQuinn v Monkey King King of Swing v Lazarus Blacks A Fake v (anyone nz can throw against him ? 😉) Maori's Idol v No Response Village Kid v Roydon Glen Scotch Notch v Sir Castleton Preaux Chevalier v Terror To Love Westburn Grant v Chokin Lightning Blue v Master Mood Gammalite v Armalight Popular Alm v Luxury Liner Our Sir Vancelot v Iraklis Paleface Adios v Young Quinn Pure Steel v Lord Module I'm thinking it Could be 14 -0 to the Aussies ??? 😂 😉

Absolute jackpot observation as per usual . Getting them to perform season after season used to be a Hallmark of the Standardbred. Now we are lucky to get 2 good years out of them (the Krug syndrome ? lol ) .. the Oz wonderboy Jason Grimson seems to get great immeadiate results and they fade just as fast. His Nz Cup placegetter last Nov Majestic Cruiser , hasn't even won this year. Nor has Interdominion winner I Cast No Shadow from Dec, and their Interdominion winner from the year before (Boncel Benjamin) never won again . Wonder if he'll get Betterzippit or Swayzee or Loyalist to win again after there Big race wins this year ? ya gotta wonder. (Betterzippit and I CastNo Shadow were actually both tailed off 50m behind the field in july, in their last starts in Brisbane in same race , stopped to a walk the last bit .... there's a red light flashing ? lol) Nz Allstars doing great with Self Assured though at top level year to year. now soon on the 4th Cup prep . and a real chance too. yet another true credit to them.

Yes. granted that does throw a whole 'shadow' over the operation. years ago when his mate Weightman got 5 years for Blue Magic , Tonkin escaped with one from memory. They were tinkering with thoroughbreds and that , and probably where they picked it up. Tonkin Still 'lingers' in the background behind Emma and hasn't pursued getting his name on the licence. About 5 years ago they said Poster Boy was going to be their best yet. But Colt Thirty One for Grant and QLD knocked him off in the Blue Riband Victoria Derby .Happy Days !! and the following year Nat Spanked him (Poster Boy) at Menangle in the Biggest plum of the Miracle Mile with Spankem. Stewart/ Tonkin Barn Still hasn't won the Interdominion Final nor the Miracle Mile so are not as dominant as what you think really. do they need tips from Grimson ? hahaha😂 Great start with inaugural $2,000,000 Eureka this year though ?? ... 💰

Well they run a lot of races in Victoria. every day someone can win something. They've even had whole 'trotting only' programs at times. and with 6 x Group 1 trots being run next Saturday night alone there's plenty of scope for breeders and industry participants to make a quid. I think what they're doing is great. And Emma trains for a WHOLE range of people , quite a few South Australians got the thrill of their life with the EUREKA winner. that can only stimulate more people to achieve the same. Personally I think things are more 'dire' in Nz with Allstars only training for the same old multi Millionaire owners year after year. that pay for them at the sales etc . that Victorian lady and that . Such a shame 😪 to just service the 'Elite' ... And Queensland too. Grant Dixon might very well have the best horse in Australia ,LEAP TO FAME, but he basically trains for the same 3 multi millionaire owner/ breeders all the time. 80 horses in work and nearly the lot a with 3 owners. That does nothing for progress and getting new people involved in ownership. So that leads to more dire times than Victoria IMO. Seymour props it all up already for years , for his personal needs/gain or loss. In contrast >>>>Emma Stewart has the wide range of owners including all those Bain syndicates , etc. even some kiwis with Amore Vita !! (give her strength this week) May the Many Winners keep flowing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🏆🍾🍻

Yes the connections don't seem happy in the lead you put on this thread at all. Fancy saying they'd strangle some-one though?. Bunch of ungratefuls. I'd tell em where to go . Never saw that happen at the trots ever in my day. We made mistakes (well a non-winning strategy anyway) nearly every race-night , but owners Never said shit like that after. You have 8 horses all trying to win that MV race last week? . does that mean 7 strangulations ?? the winner was a good horse and deserved it's win ?? Mickey Dee did ok. I thought it had NO chance coming from last against the flying Queenslanders up front . But certainly wouldn't of roasted him if he got beat . you Can't all win . They're Good fast horses. Guess even Jmac even gets this poor treatment once in a while. he rides a LOT of horses.

Absolutely spot on Brodie. Remarkable progress this century . Half the fields are lady drivers in Brisbane now. All Inspired by our own Natalie , who Won everything here QLD with Blacks A Fake in the high pressure Group races , and then you got to see the incredible results at Allstars. Harness racing has really put the girls on the map as EQUAL players . and last I looked it was a sport still? .indeed very very competitive in fact. no room for the feint hearted. The holy pasta Rav probably doesn't watch harness racing (to his detriment it seems)

I think what all you guys forget , while you're getting stuck into each other, is 90% of the time the Jockeys whether in the country, Nz or the Everest , whether it's Willow, OP Bos, or an apprentice, are doing their best to ride to the Trainers instructions. willow has plenty of experience and winners. And all the while these brave jockeys are doing that is in a 'Very Hostile environment' ( a bit like Nz racing forums lol 😂 ) with many of your peers NOT wanting you to have your own Way in a race, and the real KICKER too , >>> trying to control a 500kg wild beast at the same time . (It's No Easy Feat) any of those 3 major things in play in a jockeys day. you guys are HARSH .

What are you talking about ?? It's great for racing what Emma is doing . You are talking about 2 different 'training' things and 2 different field 'numbers' things. Tas = Ben Yole purposely loads LOW Class races in Tasmania with the entire field of runners , to try and dominate via weight of numbers. Hasn't even won a feature or even a metro class race . Although last weekend there was 3 x Tasmanian feature races on the program and his 2 year old filly actually ran 2nd in one of them !I shock - horror 😲. Is he improving ? lol..... In Victoria , people are queuing at Emma's door to take their horses (even the Nz owned Amore Vita made it in when Nathan went home to join with Mark back there... She qualifies horses through heats and Semi's ...9 Semi Winners last week !!! impressive by even her exhalted standards. wow-wee.. So this Saturday the 12 x Group 1 Vic bred Finals worth 100k to 150k each are on with 12 runners in each. Emma qualified about 30 horses .... so there are still 114 horses running for other trainers. I know who I would like my horse running with though 😂. So thats hardly a complete domination??? (except for Amore Vita's race with 8 4 year old mares) 144 horses racing !!!!!!🏆 12 Group 1's !!!!🏆 1/2 trotters and 1/2 pacers ! 1/2 colts and half fillies ! And not one of the 144 horses valued at under $50,000 probably? . The are best racing for the Big bucks. This is GREEEAAAT for Harness Racing . Bring em on !!! (consolations are Friday night at Bendigo) . Emma has about 6 in who didn't qualify.

Fantastic you got to see those famous tracks at Yonkers and Meadowlands on your trip !👍 . Yeah Irvin Behrns was down Cambridge way , along with Charlie Hunter (who sent Young Quinn to USA) and had staff and horses to send to America in the 70's which would of been cool for all those young lads. Cardy had returned from USA , and was living out his days in NZ , and only very plain to look at, even in his racing days. 😅. Here in photo , Cardy is at around 22 years old (He lived to over 30 years I believe) being "Spruced Up' by the Purdon Boys with Barry on the 'backbrush' there, think that's Owen and Mark on the hooves, and Jeff King hanging on to Cardigan Bay's head , ready for a Champions night out somewhere. The 'good winning vibes' rubbing off back onto the Purdon lads 😂 . they're STill winning races 45 years later !! after touching the Best in the World for a day . 🏆😆🍻

Alas in the Final next Saturday 'The Real Sherlock' has drawn out at barrier 6 for Nathan Purdon. so only a runners chance with the speedy Captain Treacherous colt 'Petracca' drawn one. Emma Stewart has 8 mares in the 4 year old division . The New Zealand owned 'AMORE VITA' drawn 3 , ( same draw where she won it from last year in the 3 year old fillies Final defeating the EUREKA winner Encipher then who was $1.20 fav on that occasion) 'Encipher' having won $1,000,000 recently at Menangle, has no need to go round in this and can leave it for one of her 8 Stable-mates lol 😂😂. Good news for Nathan though with 'We Can Have It ALL ' drawn the pole , one alley , in the 2 year old trotting Fillies Vic bred Final > Huge chance now ... best of luck Nathan and owners !!!!!

That is amazing Walt 🏆 . The american racebook. Did you see races in America by being there yourself at any stage.? Cardy's bracketed Mate there 1A , looks to of run 3rd to Lordship at Manawatu in the form . Must of been a handy horse in Nz ? Cardinal King ? And How about the number 7 in you racebook?? still repping for Australia. what a win he is showing there !!!!! The Interdominion Grand Final at Auckland 24th Feb 1968. Very very very lucky to win it of course . The brilliant Halwes from Tasmania scratched (paid out by NSW bookies). You can see First Lee running 2nd to Halwes in the Miracle Mile in the form guide there in March at Harold Park not long after the February Interdominion win (not paid off on that occasion obviously lol 😅) . First Lee was beaten many lengths in the Inter heat win showing there too on 17th Feb. My dad was travelling with Halwes from Tassie as farrier with 3 other men including Aub Wesley (the owner trainer of Halwes and a bit of an eccentric bloke) I got to go to Nz as a little lad because of this .

got beaten on the horse in March race by Artorius. it's always a mistake when you get beaten.

Nathan Purdon in action last night at Melton with the good Nz winner The Real Sherlock (aka Sherlock) 12 Semi Finals of the Victoria Sires Stakes were run . The Real Sherlock a nice 3rd after working to lead but run down by 2 Emma Stewart runners. Still on a Stable high after Encipher won $1,000,000 first prize in the Eureka slot race the other week . Emma won 8 of the semi's !!!! one of Emma Stewart's winners was New Zealand owned Amore Vita won ok (an ex- Nathan Purdon trained horse ) The Stewart barn qualified 28 of the 33 horses they lined up across the 6 different age and sex divisions (2,3 and 4 yearold , mares and colts) the 5 that missed out , well 3 of them were 100-1 shots . 28 horses qualified is a SUPreme Training Effort and must go close to Winning all 6 Grand Finals 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🍾 ?? Let's hope Sherlock can get some of it for Nathan though 💰

Yes it all seems a bit weird. I'm not a fan of seeing Trainers charged , horses reputations tarnished and owners losing the races too, so really hope you are right and there is a technical error somewhere in the testing procedure . There might of been a faulty batch of a product in the manufacturing bottles ? I don't know. I give up. Trainers don't deliberately use any steroid when quizzed lol. One unlucky bloke here in QLD got a horse from Tassie once and won with it about 10 days after being in stable. Tested positive to a steroid admin ed by the Tassie trainer. So trainer here did the 6 months DQ lol. think he did a milk-run for the 'time' and quite enjoyed a break away from the horses actually 😅.

Why ? thanks for your support Chief . I was just commenting on how a dose of steroid works , and some of the things it works on , in an article. Yes they've been around a long time. Can NOT comment on what the common Link is , as Don't know (regarding the Vic Trainers with swabs early this year ) . Probably the same Vet supplying the stables would be my 'humble guess' .. Guess that could indeed be bollocks I spose .😄😂 Those Horses probably continued to race after as All the Checks are/were being made retested , etc........ the standardbred mentioned in this thread, Regazzo Mach raced twice more in WA after his positive so was disqualified from All 3 races at beginning of this year. and the Trainer given the usual 6 months DQ .That finished yesterday for Mike Reed actually . Hopefully back licensed soon.... Not sure if the horse got 12 months DQ like the gallopers get or Not. I'll have to try and find out that answer...

Of course they can help in a one -off administration . the horse gets mental stimulation from the drug and performs differently towhat it might without it. sometimes mares squeal like stallions when another horse is close by, etc. In the race horse it's as much 'Mental' training as 'physical'. you can pour the same work-load into a Barnful of horses and have them all fit enough to race , BUT and it's a HUGE BUT (lol 😆) only a very few are 'tuned ' to win . Horse's just like people and dogs, >> think. you mentally tune them to 'dive-bomb' opponents, cope with sitting parked out, even get on the truck in the first place lol. Steroids make them think differently to what they otherwise might ... and thus it really helps racing performance .. almost always.... I wouldn't worry about muscle mass theory. Here's a little more in an article >>>>>>>>>> First used medically in the 1940's, steroids are very potent anti-inflammatory medications that have many uses in human and equine veterinary medicine. They are based on and modeled after the body's own corticosteroid hormone cortisol, which has many vital effects in the body, including a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Steroids work by blocking the body's main inflammatory cascade (arachidonic acid cascade) at a high level, reducing the production of many inflammatory mediators and reducing the action of inflammatory cells. This reduces the body's response to an insult, and reduces body-wide inflammation, as well as local effects of swelling, redness, itchiness and irritation and pain. Many different synthetic steroid types have been derived from the basic molecular model of cortisone. The most common injectable steroids used in equine veterinary practice are dexamethasone, methylprednisolone acetate (Depomedrol), triamcinolone acetate (Vetalog, Kenalog), and betamethasone. Each of these has different effects, potency and duration of action. In equine veterinary medicine steroids are commonly used for a multitude of conditions including allergic skin conditions, airway disease, anaphylaxis, brain and spinal cord injury, autoimmune diseases and shock. Oral medications are often given when long-term treatment is needed.

And they ran the New Brighton Cup from a stand too. was gunna be total chaos (with horses misbehaving) but the drivers are so good they still got them away mostly. That Aviator horse was always going to gallop , he was as tense as a mouse in the cattery. Ben Hope would be delighted with Mossdale Ben ? a great last half mile closing in well for 2nd. And BD Joe after running second to the stablemate last year , goes one better went nice. so a good call by you there . Joe home pretty easy in the end Think Mark Purdon drove ANYTHING GOES an absolute peach of a drive , and 'No Way' could it win the Cup . or any of the lead ups either at Oamaru, Ashburton or Kaikoura the way it went . was quite disappointing for a Purdon trained horse getting such a good trip.