Gammalite

Loved the way though that he gave it a flick flick flick right at the start , even though drawn on the second line 😂. Got the horse switched on nicely , and he knew it was 'race-time' . Brilliance . I think this great video shows how little time you have over a mile. They jump into formation so quickly it is almost like the horse knows where to go from the barrier it has !! 😂👍 they're beautifully tuned these days. That's where NZ is slightly behind . still running a lot of standing starts , and too long a races and too many in the field a lot of the time as well , which REALLY stops them ALl having a chance of winning the race. No doubt those long grass tracks straights and 2400m + distances they often go (taking about 3 minutes of time ) do give the driver a chance to 'buy or' bide' his time a bit better. A lot tougher on the horses though . Brodster is right, in that the mile racing is quite boring in comparison though. And it also means the New Zealand drivers are really good at rating horses over those longer distances so become excellent drivers. I've been quite surprised at how good Cam Hart and Jason Lee handled it at Addington, but they are absolute Top Notch. The bloke winning in this video winning had a drive on a trotter in your NZ trotting Derby 2 years ago. Nathan Dawson got hung out to dry by some good locals though and was 3 wide for a lap, but still a credible 4th. so he would struggle with the NZ style. The mile driving becomes almost instinct. Just ask Dexter. Every race USA. It's just a speed burn.

Posts like this aimed against other posters and contributors are EXACTilley the reason those in Authority of any kind in Racing Should and Do dodge any social media forums. And a pretty sour generalization of a broad group it is too .

Not a chance of it being easy. No race anywhere. Thanks for that Chief 👍🏆. got a tingle up the spine watching that . Next time pop the whip in the left hand even better lol That was a Group 2 race worth about 50k from Nov 2022. Nathan Dawson the winning driver. He drove in the recent World driving Championship here too. and is very good. The thing that gets me most in a race (any race) is how fast it flashes by when you are competing. The 2 minutes of the race seems like just 30 seconds when you're out there as everything is in FAST MOTION. flat out Go to Woah. you barely have time to make a decision of any kind. Just go with the flow. It's like rafting rapids 😅 *** Notice Nathan was going to go for the passing lane from 3 back on fence as they turned for home , BUT didn't even have Time to do that 😂. He came through between the 2 up front instead, which is not usually available. What a great sport horse racing is. one of the only ones where you have pairs of great athletes working together to not only run fast as you can, but beat up on others trying to do the same thing at the same time !! amazing stuff !!

I certainly admire you supporting the 'backblock' horses at the TROTS (along with The Galah and Newmarket or whoever is having a go ) But in All seriousness , one has to be pretty well off, and have a unaffected by money mind, to risk any cash on Fergalicious and all those type of horses racing at that meeting yesterday and similar ones. Arizona wildcats? please..... Better off buying my milk. I actually want to win with 'every dollar' I put on . (don't even box trifecta's if taking one lol 🤣) I make most money off football gambling dollar wise. like a lot of sports gamblers that know there's too many pitfalls in horse racing 💰. Then the gallopers (Victoria gallops nearly all the time as most consistent, then Sydney ) although had a bet on The DoctorOfLove at Ellerslie Guinea's yesterday which was very handy . Harness racing only gets a fraction of people's gambling dollar. I'm sure you know that already ?? there's Waaay too much risk with Standing starts, hemmed in in Big fields and all sorts of bad luck that can happen. And harness horses are just a hobby bet lol. There's Not many good horses around, and when they are , they are fairly short in the odds. I did ok Cup week (with $50 bets) and landed 10 out of 15 placed. Mainly on Regan Todd runners I was following. DSD got beat in the Cup on me , when nearly won. (bloody Swayzee again 🙄) cost me quite a large 4 figure sum collect on Akuta the year before I had riding with a lot of multi's in the Cup. bloody Swayzee. wish I'd NEVER heard of the bloody horse 🙄🤕

Well it's all over and Angus Garrard , at just 21 years old is the Ultimate World Driving Champion. Angus adding the championship to his tally of near 900 wins already , at a very young age. His expert knowledge of the track , and horses, and a great selection of drives by his SLOT holders have meant he has won 2 races on each of the 2 nights and won comfortably from Pete Mcmullen. Angus actually was drawn with 2 of Pete's stable horses running 1st and 2nd with them lol . (Pete being the best trainer at Albion along with Dixon) Gamma Early Prediction not too far off with Pete winning 3 races Saturday night to close in on Angus, with his expert knowledge of the track and horses as well , helped him to gain 2nd place in the championship . ( His slot holders picked a poor book of drives the first night for some reason). Kate Gath from Victoria didn't get a winner as her slot holders were fairly ignorant, and didn't pick a single horse for her in 20 races that was a solid chance Goop won his 2 races ok last night, and Gary Hall Jnr and Dexter won a race each. Carter Dalgety also grabbed another win , with a great drive in a close finish in Race 7 to deny Hall Jnr his 2nd. So All in All , was high quality racing and driving through the series, but ultimately was a bit like America , with exactly the same drivers going around every race, so made it seem like you were watching replays on occasion. Great to see Carter and Dexter in action though and a lot of Fun had by All. with $250,000 paid out and penalty free wins as well.

Must be a terrible field then. That horse hasn't won since June 2023. How would anyone with any sense put money on it , when there's an amazing amount of good gallopers in today with great form and paying $5 plus. I suggest the Aussie in the Avondale Guinea's to be a chance at getting a quid 😉😎🏇💰👍 double figure odds too.

It's not always about the money. A Top horse is hard to come by ,and so you might as well have a crack at the Big races if you get one. Mad if you don't . Horse doesn't know any better. (apart from they might go a wee bit slower if just racing mid-class compared to Cup Class lol )

Very poor Blair drive. He does that a fair bit lately. Wouldn't let the 3 wide horse of Tomlinson's cross to the death to give him some cover, then gassed his horse rushing needlessly at the leader down the back. Nothing left turning for home. think a senior driver would do better than that.

Well pretty poor for the Allstars tonight. Ray Green/Delaney winning both the races , where Mark had the $1.40 favourite in each . Mark gave WITHOUT YOU in race 1 and DEMON BLUE in race 6 beautiful trails , but didn't Win either race.😳 Can't see 'Demon Blue' winning any Derbies this year on that run ? . Might need an Aussie trainer to sharpen him up a bit ? 😋 Ray Green and Nathan Delaney trainers having a good night so far with 3 winners 💰👍 and should be Winning Race 8 as well, would need a power outage to stop them winning that one ? 😁

Any of you blokes going to watch the Ultimate Championship. Bloody Pete has scratched Carters odd's-on drive in Race 4 . so he can win it on my mates horse Smarter Than You. Think Pete too smart for Carter lol. 🤣😋 Hey I have one for you blokes !! 💰 . (as well as BADLANDER in race 3) In race 2 TEST OF FIRE is a good miler and trained by a kiwi bloke Chris Watson. Chris actually has the silver fern on his regular colours to support his homeland. don't take any notice of last start for Test Of Fire as, the 2100 was too far for it . They're not that brave some of these horses around here lol. 😁 So a 'multi TREBLE' of TEST Of FIRE into BADLANDER into SMARTER THAN YOU = $120-1 . money for Jam or even honey 🍯 races 2 , 3 and 4 at Albion shortly. 😉🍻💰😎 wish them well for us.

The SLot HOLDERS have picked the horses they want for their drivers. A 'Snake' Draft was conducted today for the 20 races. (10 Friday and 10 Saturday night at Albion) Friday night see Very average Redcliffe class horses competing for the Penalty free wins . So you would think the drivers that good Barrier draws will be getting the most Points. Best bets Friday/ CARTER DALGETY for NZ has drawn a nice NZ Winner in Race 4 'Waikaka Magic' , and should win with that. Pete sure to do well in that with one of my Fav horses (won last time I went to Albion) in 'Smarter Than You' . Pete actually trains Waikaka Magic so will be seeing it win I think lol 😄. Dexter to complete the TRI in that one. 'Smarter Than You''s stable-mate BADLANDER should be winning the 3rd race for 'Iceman' GOOP . Dexter has the old NZer 'Daggy Lamb' in that 🤣. pretty fitting the kiwi drew that one ? lol 🐑. SATURDAY night see's the better MEtro Class city horses ( faster better ones so are much easier to pick 😎💰 ) Early prediction is Pete will be winning 3, Hall 2, Goop 2 and Dexter 2 races on Saturday night. i'll do a preview and some tips for Sat while they are competing in the Friday night round tomorrow night.

At the rodeo sort of proves it Chief. they get frightened easily with anything touching them around the flank area. They use the flank rope to get those Bronco's Bucking , yet you can tighten a girth strap and horse doesn't care. You've worked with horses plenty and know the flank is a very sensitive area? you're being quite 'Insensitive' if you can't recognise that obvious fact lol 😆 🤣 ..there a bit of thinner tissue between the hind quarter and Abdomen. Ears are another quite sensitive spot. some of the sensitive buggers hate having the earplugs jammed in. there's a bit of technique to it.

Couple of Fun results today at Albion Park . Jonah Hutchinson pulling off the 'Ultimate' training Feat with his 2 runners Dead-Heating Race 5. well done Jonah !! *1 MY ULTIMATE MARIO NZ Fr7 7 Jonah Hutchinson Paige Bevan $ 5.00 GS WFS OL 2 SWAB BAY GELDING 3 by ART MAJOR USA out of ALTA FLAMENCO (NZ) (A ROCKNROLL DANCE USA) Owner(s): A C Whitecross, M A Whitecross, J J Hutchinson, P M Bevan Breeder(s): Alabar (NZ) Ltd *1 OUR ULTIMATE LUKA Sr5 12 Jonah Hutchinson Jonah Hutchinson $ 3.70 fav 3WM WF L 1 BAY MARE 4 by DOWNBYTHESEASIDE USA out of JUST STOPANDSTARE NZ (ART MAJOR USA) Owner(s): J J Hutchinson Breeder(s): M J (Mathew) Day And in Race 7 an hour later, the newly married Couple (married 4 months ago) Narissa McMullen and Matty Elkins nearly Dead-heated for another Stable DH. Butt Matt being the Very obliging husband has let Narissa take the Glory by a half head to keep the 'peace' in the household tonight. Finding the 'right' result for a Happy marriage already !😎 good thinking Matty lol 😆 1 OUR BENSON NZ Fr2 2 Narissa Elkins Narissa Elkins $ 2.60 fav PRB GS L 1 SWAB BAY GELDING 5 by SWEET LOU USA out of HELENA JET (NZ) (JEREMES JET USA) Owner(s): N J (Narissa) Elkins Breeder(s): P G (Pat) Laboyrie 2 MOOPS Sr2 9 Matt Elkins Matt Elkins HFHD $ 7.50 4

No one with the answer. It comes down to the fine margins between horses at the winning post that short course racing provides. None of this carry on with horses way off the bit a long way out, and strung out like browns cows that Swayzee did to them NZ Cup , or Leap To Fame did to them here in the Group 1 win last July over 2680m distance (world record) But by Leaning back with their driving style Pete And Dexter have a margin advantage as that every horse trailing them in the running is BACK FROM THEM about 1/2 metre (or a long head or so) on what they would be if trailing a normal style drivers in the sulky'. ***(Exciting new drivers Cam Hart and Carter Dalgety are slowly trying to creep this style in as well but by bit) they know the advantage !! , and are getting rewards with it too . Cam had to hook boot on wheel stay The Galah noticed too to keep the balance on occasion) with the home straight at Albion being 197m long , if Pete (who wins BUCketloads of races at Albion with this advantage) is in front the Trailing horse directly behind, not only has to make up the 3m behind it is normally , but another 1/2 metre as well. Doesn't sound much . But is critical in the hundreds of Photo finish wins we have at Albion with the short course racing , and horse trying to 'Dive-bomb up the passing Lane late. from other positions they can only Hope the leaders stop late to win in the photo. 1 and 8 barriers= ENORMOUS ADVANTAGE here. Dexter only has 8 horses USA fields to deal with, and big tracks there, so not an issue at all. On Aussie smaller tracks = It's a HUGE issue, and Pete McMullen will win By a half Head or nose, because he's already A-HEAD of them as he turns for home lol 😄. He's a GREAT TACTICIAN too. and fab driver.

Just doing form for the Chariots of Fire Menangle, and that coming up soon. kiwi's went fair the other night , and probably not fully wound up yet. Fields are not out yet for Albion on Friday and Saturday for the drivers Championship. Odds have disappeared off Sportsbet (as fields are being finalized soon) but I think Pete McMullen and Dexter are a long head A-HEAD of their opponents and have been backing them both at 6-1 in early markets past month. I will put the answer to why they are a head on the Drivers Slot races thread in a minute.

wow, they were tough as totara lol 😉. what a great head to head battle. saw an old kiwi trainer John Newberry 's horse led for a few strides out of the barrier. Diamond Eclipse driven by his son Matthew. It stopped to a walk a lap out though in that company. John started off in fine style on all those Brydon horses years ago out of Clevedon . his dad and uncle Bryan and Gordon were pretty wealthy and raced a few for fun. think Gordon actually Won the G1 Dominion Handicap with 'Cal Brydon' once ?, even though he wasn't driving much and might be his only Group 1 success. John Newberry did well with that trotter in Oz too. they first raced in Victoria , then he was in QLD for a good while. I raced against him and 'Brydon Duke' a heap of times. Brydon Duke would of started out at Auckland, but won about 30-40 races in QLD, because was a big powerful unit. He would of enjoyed a 'Swayzee' challenge lol. 😎 but would been really ' hurting' at the end though lol.

Can't believe I missed that race. will have to dig up the replay after your exciting description here. you definitely could be a great commentator when not on stipes duty for sure. what an excellent description ! 🏆 Actually the heading for this thread could suit Captain Hammerhead , as much as I meant it for Don't Stop Dreaming breaking his personal drought, because the Captain' too has has a bit of 'bad luck' in recent times, with the DQ at Shepperton and some niggles that kept him away from the track as well. Some people in country towns sure got to see a couple of forces in the game though , last night , which must of been a real thrill with the NZ Cup Quinella horses racing in town .( Swayzee at Albury and Don't Stop Dreaming at Terang)

One of the countries fastest and toughest horses finally breaks the year drought. Valentines Day see's him win his first race since last March (AKLD win) and Feb 2024 (when won 2 at Menangle) with a great win in the Terang Cup tonight . well out in the Bush in country Victoria the star NZ horse , driven beautifully by the stunning Kate Gath , has put paid to them easily . Even after drawing the outside of 2nd row. He will be in great stead to take it up to LEAP TO FAME in the Miracle Mile in March and might take him down this time. Sooner The Better will launch his campaign in Aus tomorrow night to try and pressure LEAP TO FAME next month as well, after his great 2nd in the Magic Miracle Mile last year. Well done Kate !! getting the champ over the line and back in the winners circle , where all champions belong. congrats to the Dunfords.

You don't need to move there. Emma Stewart has actually been sending horses to Tasmania quite regularly lately. (for a few months) To get the $9,000 winners prize in low class racing. Sent 3 there last weekend and Mark Yole was driving . They all won very easily , one won, by 7 lengths one went 1.55 😳 . scaring the pants off the locals who cannot compete with that. they paid $1.05, $1.30 and $1.30 lol. Can't see the sense in the Purdon Move to Pukekohe ? . the Clevedon farm of Roy and Barry's has always been a great facility and Mark would of stayed there with many champs like Adore Me and Lazarus and that over many years. Why not just stay there still ? unless Dean Shannon has completely filled it with his horses which is a Possibility 😁. Perhaps Nathan is the next generation Purdon, that will move in there when Barry and Mark , back right off. In the not to distant future, Mark wanting to 'hang around' the Waikato already. Don't think Barry has any kids to take over the Clevedon farm.

I guess the words 'New Zealand Harness Horse' awards are what I was driving at. If it was 'Harness Racing Awards' like for Awards for Best Performance (s) like the the 'Oscars' have for best picture. It would be easier to understand and make more sense. then 'Just Believe' certainly in the mix. But since they say New Zealand Harness Horse of the Year , maybe they should give it to a New Zealand horse? . Meant To Be , the 2 year old , won the Group 1's of Sires Stakes and Harness Millions , as well as the Golden Gait and 'ACE of Clubs' races to have a record breaking $1/4 million in stakemoney for a 2 year old trotter. An outstanding bit of training by Barry and Scott, and any horse setting a new record deserves some credit . Might be the next Just Believe? 😉.

You don't get around at all mate, and never attended Auckland meetings. so don't know the real story. I just showed my kiwi neighbour the fields . so all is well at Auckland mate 👍😁

Fair enough I spose. You are very close neighbours and all , and just Love the International Competition. and JUST BELIEVE did prove to be an International great. But it just sounded like it had/ should be a NZ horse. Just had a quick Squizz at the Australian Harness horse of the Year. And both Lazarus and Smolda won the title in the past decade. So the Allstars pair from NZ have replied ok and are great Aussies !! 👍😁 NOTE: There's been many multiple winners here in Oz , as when your'e good , you're always good lol. for Australian Harness Horse of the Year. First winner's in the 70's when they first ran the Horse of Year title were Paleface Adios and Maori's Idol . Maori's Idol still the 'Only Trotter' to take the title , nearly 50 years later. 3 time winners King of Swing, Im ThemightyQuinn, Blacks A Fake, Westburn Grant and Our Sir Vancelot. 2 time winners were Village Kid, Gammalite, Beautide , Sokyola, and I would think 'LEAP TO FAME' if he wins the Interdominion and NZ Cup this year could add a 2nd 'Horse of Year' to the title he Won last year . Swayzee with the Jump on him so far ? beating him in the Hunter Cup the other day.

They've given the award to an Aussie Trotter. Doesn't make sense ? 🤔 really as is Not a NZ horse, or NZ trained horses, or owned in NZ either. Marketplace was excellent , and looks to have an amazing future, maybe getting beat by the 'Choc's' of Dunn's in the Welcome Stakes stopped him getting the award. Duchess Megxit with 3 or 4 group 1's could of got the title ? the narrow loss to Treacherous Baby in the NeveleR 3 yearold Fillies Final probably counted against her. Merlin beat the Aussies up in Grins Race rich Million slot and the NZ FFA. Probably needed the NZ Cup (4th) or AKLD Cup (2nd) to take the award though ? Meant To Be was outstanding in both Islands winning feature Group 1's . not a great idea giving it to the Aussie Raider though?? . Tiz Not a New Zealand horse. How will that promote harness racing in New Zealand? still it's own country and not a state of Oz (yet 😉)

yes it wasn't that long ago that double NZ Cup winner COPY THAT had to start off those long handicaps at AKLD like 50m and that against loose class horses. He would still win as is a Cup horse and they (opponents like Hey Bartender, etc) weren't even open class really .(off the front) and imagine Merlin has the same impact these days. Sooner The Better = 2nd to Leap To Fame in the last Miracle Mile so is an outstanding horse. but only won 3 races last year/season as a 4 yearold , and 3 races as a 3 year old prior. You would think he could win more than 6 races in 2 years ??? , but there's just not enough races for him to start in ? The Falcon , was getting zero in NZ last year , But since November has 4 wins from 5 starts in FFA's at Menangle ,including a huge win last night. and picked up over $50,000 already in a tickle over 2 months. you need races for these horses . Cash N Flow a great example you mentioned that NZ owners sent over and he had a stack of wins for them. Don't Stop Dreaming is a beauty and capatilised on All the great races a young horse ( 2 and/or 3 yearold ) can race in in New Zealand. But at open class last year as a 4 yearold won just One race in NZ for the whole year/season ?? his great 2nd place where almost won the NZ Cup in Nov, picked up $150k to push him past the $1Million Mark which was nice. But just to see the Best in the country Win Just One race in what should be his Peak year, seems a bit weird. ??? shows how tough that company is . maybe more trainers should set up overseas? (like Te Akau are doing racing) , to have more races to choose from. Nathan Purdon did successfully for a bit winning Group 1's with Amazing Dream and Amore Vita for her NZ owners won a stack. Nathan had to go back to train ALLstars though , with Mark and Natalie retiring or semi retiring and HaydenC doing his own now.

Dexter Dunn and Pete McMullen are 2 of the favourites . From their style you can tell why this is the case , as they have a pronounced advantage over regular style drivers. It will be interesting to see what Yannick Gringras does as well. Pete has been fined numerous times in Brisbane for having part of his body outside the confines of the sulky' . This gives him an advantage over regular driving style, and makes him the favourite for this event and the best Albion driver by a street in race results. here he is in action . Can you pick the advantage Pete and Dexter have ? Here's Dexter Dunn for NZ as well