Gammalite

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

Here's the drivers .

The world driving championship is being done in a slot race format of a kind later this month with the sponsors 'Buying a driver for the night to drive for them . The race card is at Albion Park Brisbane very soon. TEN of the world’s top harness drivers will battle it out across 20 races, spread over two exhilarating feature nights at The Creek, Albion Park February 21 – 22, 2025. The twist? Slot holders, not just drivers, play a crucial role! The unique series will see slot holders pick both the drivers and horses to compete in the slots across the 20 races. They select both the drivers and horses to compete in their respective slots, with over $250,000 in prize money on offer.

Sounds great. your assessment is harsh but fair . Moran obviously did something wrong so is good you punish him instead of the horse Captain hammerhead. Cam Hart I would of disqualified both New Zealand Cups on Swayzee , (because of nice collects on 2nd Placegetter's Akuta and Don't Stop Dreaming that went MIA that I would of got ) .I feel he was wearing the wrong boots. The Vic Stewards you would take out to lunch ?. well you do have to eat in-between races/meetings I spose so you are a generous man. 👍 Pete and Dexter might be an issue. I'll do another thread to see some pictures.

for opinion sake. And the sake of Fair racing . What was the penalty you would like then ? if you were in charge ? A/ For David Moran on Captain Hammerhead ? B/ for Cam Hart on his seating position.? (mainly his foot 😉) C/ For Pete McMullen and Dexter Dunn who are both in the World Drivers Championship Slot race shortly at Albion Park. A huge event. And as the 2 favourites in betting , but drive with their Bodies outside the confines of the cart ? (This is more likely to defeat opponents than anything Cam Hart does with his foot lol) And helps them win races. D / The stewards for not enforcing the rules that you are seeing broken in your opinion. ?

No whip ? therefore must be Brodster 🤣 where's Ranga? out the back already in the score-up ? Gamma seen here in action , ( can't find the track lol , but pull the whip anyway 😁)

Nearly the greatest of them All did exactly that for you Doomed. I think of her as the Best NZer ever , with the 2 Cox Plate Wins , a Hong Kong Mile and much more. SUNLINE was a 4 time NZ horse of the year , but only Won a total of 10 races in New Zealand tracks. very surprising small number of NZ starts . (won all 10 as well ) In fact today is her Anniversary of her Group 1 NZ Win . The Waikato Sprint Feb 9th 2002. 23 years ago today. What a Ripper she was 🏇 , and like you say , was Fantastic her 9 trips to Australia netting another 21 wins and $14,000,000 in prizemoney. Was still a great of NZ racing (like Imperatriz) conquering the Aussies for fun. (Perhaps Verry Elleegant a close 2nd as best kiwi ? with an MC 🏆 and that)

That's right. Every case is different. But yet you seek your ' consistency' and expect all penalties to be the same . No matter what the circumstance , or where the jurisdiction. In fact the Tasmanian horse wasn't DQed , but in fact was relegated to 14th in the Tasmanian Cup 3 years ago. There you go . a different penalty. twas A different case. yet you expected Moran to produce evidence , by supplying NZ video of drivers with dropped feet to get himself off on appeal from the Shepperton Cup Case? Couldn't possibly happen. He did a Major offence against the rules , and the stewards applied a rather harsh Penalty. as they saw fit on the night. Stops others doing it. (Nigel McGrath Penalty (very harsh) sure stopped the 'Milkshakes' in NZ,) Be good if the Law courts were efficient at dishing up some more harsh penalties like the racing does. To help put a stop to the Increasing crime. Oz recently introduced Legislation to trial some youths as adults , as crime was that bad by youth, they were virtually killing people (on the road and that) and getting off as a minor. after stealing a car and killing people. was almost becoming a monthly event. Has tapered off now as the New Penalties will deter it a little. BTW did you see we finally got Ben Yole (and brother ) outed in Tasmania for a string of offences? . (some quite horrific) Only got 3 years though , back-dated to last July. footnote: Chief and other harness forums do a great job on discussing current racing topics. good or bad. The Tabloid bloke is more of a Woke activist on a Crusade to destroy the sport. Couldn't possibly support that in any shape or form. He's ripped into Robert Dunn (Nz's Leading trainer) that horrificly at times , it's a wonder they're not in court. 😪.

You often try to support Profit but then suggest it's tabloid. darn right. the guy is looking for Anything to discredit anyone in the sport. The amount of good people he continues to discredit is sickening. Don't buy into his crap mate. Chief knows. he's a budding journalist and has discouraged you many times from that BS from the guy that had to leave your country to try and continue his crusade against racing. sad as sad can be. Anyway lots of drivers , feet leave the footrests , as stated for balance at the start of a race , people see this all the time , To Engage the Deafeners ( you know what I mean . to pull them out they do with foot) we used to do by hand. yes the bit about the whip driving. Brodster noticed. It's true a driver could be very vigorous and drop a foot. But has to put it back up. The critical factor is = Moran (and the Tassie guy Nicholson) MADE CONTACT with the horse legs that was proven, so that meant those horses were disqualified from the race. Cam Harts Foot sitting on a wheel stay ? no where near the horses legs. Who cares ?? The wheel stay is right beside the Footrest. who's to say some part of his boot is not touching the footrest in that photo ? . The wheel stay might be part of the footrests on these carts? . What could you possibly Charge him with ? having a bad sulky' design ?? lol . ( BTW in IMO I think their design sucks lol 😁 ) here's one

It's almost like the stock market now Doomed. Many horses have many owners as the Bloodstock companies like OTI and many others sell micro shares. hundreds are sometimes involved in just a few horses. It's just like having shares in a company on the stock market. (but the company has too much dud stock lol , as well as the good ones. One dud can cost 100's of 1000's dollars sometimes lol) the problem is this .> Only 15% of horses that get to the races ultimately return a profit, after all the fees and lifetime expenses. and a darn lot of them don't even run fast enough to get to the races either. lol. My guess is this Ladbrokes Australia racing Club had Too Many Duds. Only approx one in 10 horses are earning enough to pay their way about the place . 9 out of 10 is a LOT of LOSERS)

this one finished first 100 times ?