Gammalite

Optimism at a new high Mr Galah !! The breeders have seen that Copy That can be beaten with a fair handicap afterall. They'll be feeling like breeding the next Alta Wiseguy to beat him ??. However, You have often mentioned a critical point that is imperitive in keeping the 'game' going. And that is supplying training facilities for the budding young Trainers to use and race out of. Surely , surely surely surely those at Auckland that are trying to Sell Off the Franklin Training Centre realise that will be a Fatal Blow to new trainers coming in . They need to Strongly Look at the Menangle model of Club supplied barns that house some of the best trainers in Aus like Grimson (winner of last 2 Interdominions) and young kiwi Jack Trainor etc. FFS Auckland Trotting club , DON't SELL IT OFF for real estate. Build It up (the Franklin centre at Pukekohe) for Young Trainers like Grimson and Trainor . It is the ONLY hope you have of survival .....

Prize money is allocated for races. It's Not the Clubs fault that the race had just 4 starters. You still need to run the race. (unless a loan is taken out to supply the prizemoney - which I doubt would ever happen) Whatever happened to the Franklin Trotting Club anyway ? they and Thames TC used to race often at Alex Park when I was there. Did all their members just sign up with Auckland Trotting Club instead? (ATC ran last nights meeting) The ATC club put the race on, so that makes your comment about them 'Caring' for a handful of participants very FALSE in my opinion. If they 'didn't' run the race , that would be the case of only caring for grass roots participants. You Really need to cater for Everyone Still involved. or they'll go to Oz. Leading trainers Dunn's even race their own horse out of NSW and he only came back once for The RACE at Cambridge past 3 years. That says a lot to me .

Yes he made a bit of a meal of the result at the finish. Calling Copy That the winner. Pretty game effort off 30m then ended up 50m off the pace after half a lap though. Not often they call the wrong horse these days in the Photo finish Thanks Brodster. for your kind words. Yeah i did my grass roots training in Nz , like many of the great Nz horse's that still cross the Tasman each year. So it hurts to see the declining industry in a place i am very fond of. The truth hurts. and always try to see an option to save the 'wreck' ... a/ Perhaps the museum (in danger of being demolished) could set up alongside the Racing museum next door at the showgrounds ? there were buildings there for lease , I saw the ad here. That would help save the museum and give the racing club somewhere as well right alongside. b/ Kevin Seymour is a Multi millionaire Property developer / and standardbred fanatic here in Brisbane. The ATC should pay him a million and he would be full of ideas to save Alex park and sort out the developement rubbish that happened. c/ Keep the feature races going for as high a prize money possible. Don't lose any more horses to Australia. Mach Shard, Star Gallaria, The Honey Queen and co (many many others) racing here is rediculous when still owned by kiwis. they need the same prize money and type of races there so the Owners can see them race each week. d/ support guys like Michael House that will load a meeting with horses, for lots of different owners, and at small clubs level too. The guy is a gem. e/ Get the Hughie Green trust involved , mega rich benefactors like John Green can solve a lot of the problems you talk about. you need a few millionaires to run the show. Chris Garrard helps bucketloads for example. f/ Don't forget that only 15% of horses return a profit . People do it for fun (own, train and drive ) most of the time. so stop worrying about returning a profit . It's money spent on their Leisure and Fun activity. They're not busting a gut to win money. Most just love their horses and try and get a win where/when if the chance arises. g/ Support your Feature races. They're important. Sorry i didn't agree with the thread lead . just one of those things i think is important. No prestige = No interest. and would be boring like Brisbane harness racing lol..... h/ Michael is wrong to accuse me of not being worried for the future of harness racing. You guys are pointing out some of the failings . I'm happy to offer a few solutions .I guess you get shot down for that. i/ Happy New year mate(s) 4 hours to go here , one hour there .have a good one

Nat Rass last 10 years, MP the 10 before that, Ant's the 10 before that, Herlihy the 10 before that, Wolfie the 10 before that. Nz never without some of the worlds best drivers. Note , all 5 of those drivers, top notch right through really....

hahahahaha cancel the race you all say . well Thats a good future??? Then there's NOTHING . No Cup winner going around tonight . No wonder you're going under in Nz with your harness racing. you need sponsers for racing. And the Aussies like Chris Garrard (from here in Brissy) are keeping the industry afloat in Nz as it is. Gives millions of the Horse and Hound money to keep the game going (yes i know it's a business decision) but it is an Aussie helping you guys out . start picking on Aussies is a poor cop-out mate. I don't need you to tell me what to worry about thank you very much. I've put forward plenty of ideas on this forum and others that would save the museum, save the Franklin training establishment and much more. Of Course they All will come to nothing as just no-one there Pro-Active enough to do ANything About It. just keep grizzling.

What ? is it a poor attitude ? to enjoy feature races ? Must be guilty then. My 2 kids turned up ok thanks, for Christmas and I did turkey , rumballs and Backyard cricket as usual. Is that a problem ?? should I have cancelled it because only 10 starters? was a pretty good day (and I ran at a loss too) Sorry my attitude worried you. Hope you had a great Christmas day too. (and can 'somehow' enjoy Franklin Cup in the fine traditions of a grand sport. 🏆🏇

What's the Point is your question? Well it's a feature race mate. You Have to have feature races. It's part of the prestige, and tradition of the sport. something you aspire too as an owner. (maybe you've never been an owner) Of Course we could have ho-hum drab affairs with low prize money and poor form horses. everyday blah racing like Brissy has lol.... BUT Much better to see your Best Horses go round ? Copy That a dual NZ Cup Winner . well worth seeing. Naturally far too good for all-comers and he has scared them off. Too bad for them . If the 3 opponents tonight work well togeather , they are a sporting chance to win, with the 3 second start on the champ . (but still highly unlikely to hold him out) . I'll be watching for Sure !!!! get some enthuasiam going old mate. And of course they should race for $50k ! what did you want? cheapskate it at 10k or something? there are sponsers you know.The Miracle mile races for $1,000,000. Doubt they will cancel it because the betting is only a small fraction of that. Run your Feature Races and Enjoy !!!!!!!!!!!! happy New Year.

Hey ! he's Not on the money yet 😁 unless the Brodster Spills the Beans, on his little pick here. I'm up for 40-1 today easy money, for the easy Juniors drivers race with Ben Hope cruising in with BLUE ROCK DANCER being far too good for that lot , into the double with BlairO staring down a 'Mot Chrissy Cup' win today with AZOR AHAI . what ya got for us on track there Brodie /Davis ?? and where's The Galah when I need him for a tip?

Biggest Winning margin in the Dominion Handicap ? (9 lengths) ...or is it something Durban Chief did in America.

Gammalite would mate. All the way from Oz. Auckland Cup Win defeating Bonnies Chance . Auckland Interdominion Grand Final win defeating Popular Alm and Delightful Lady. I'm TheMightyQuinn for Gary hall all the way from WA . Winning 2 Auckland Cups and The Interdominon Grand Final at Auckland as well . There's 2 for you old Mate !! . 'Paleface' being not good enough against Young Quinn has got ya down a bit ???😉 😁🤣🏆

Hahah probably if you are molly cuddling . Copy That couldn't even 'back-up to start in the NZ FFA past 2 years. They used to have a Final night Cup meeting FFA (Allan Matson FFA) that the Cup runners ran in. so three starts in 10 days for a lot of Cup winners over the years in the best company. Gammalite would line up week in week out. couple of cracks at Nz big race too lol. and failed off handicaps lol. What's to grasp ? can't get a flight to Auckland for Franklin Cup these days ? from back at 17th December Invercargill Cup lol ... bunch of wooses really ...hahaha real reason is They want to be at Home for Christmas (the staff) . and who can blame them .

If you run an Open Class race, your club deserves to have the best horses in the country they can muster to compete in it,,,,, for there Feature Race meetings. I even watched the Impressive Invercargill Cup this year . People wouldn't of bothered with it, if not for good competitive horses being in it ??, it would of been just another ho-hum affair. Yes!! the Franklin Cup would be great to attract south island interest (and as you say , higher stake money might of done that ) the race used to be a great 2 mile Stand Handicap won by greats like Delightful lady, Smolda , etc. The BIG worry to me, is that the 'Open Class' in North Island now is consisting of horse like 'HEY BARTENDER' with just 5 lifetime wins ???? starting 2nd fav to Copy That the other day (and running 2nd too) Since when is a 5 win horse Open Class? and worthy of my time viewing / and/or punting On ??? that's just bollocks IMO lol.

Congrats to you Nomates ! What a fine horse the Wild Night is. would Just like to add, that as old mate Nomates enjoys the Winnings, that another of the co-owners is a very kind-hearted chap named Robert , who also races harness horses and a handful of gallopers (and post on forums) whom put many many hours in to showing off the now en-dangered Nz harness racing museum, and is promoting the sport to all that came along for a looksee. So Wild Night has been getting cheered on for quite some time already , by galloping followers, harness followers, racing forum followers and 2 nations already !! Long May He Continue To Win !!!!🏆🏇🏇🏇 great stuff.

Great win again tonight. Sarah driving patiently , then confidently in the last lap from the outside barrier. Carter Dalgety doing very well tonight as Brodster predicted 🏆. 10/10 with Krug again, a great drive , also showed initiative with 'Pink Panther Bounce' to be just pipped . Martha Stuart only rolled late with a real good drive from the back half of field as well in race 2 with that trotter, to lead for home and only just run down late. Nearly got there. 2 Points for the 3 good drives ??? Points update>>> Sarah onto 3 points (Invitation Only) Carter 1 point (back on board and doing well tonight)

Just looking at Juniors drivers race at Ashburton yesterday. Mark Hurrell rattling home from last in a fast time with 'Yorokobi.' seems a decent driver and certainly has racked up wins ok. (80 across last 2 seasons from 800 drives) Carter drops a point with Not getting 'Rakanotta' into the race. couldn't even track the winner up final bend. Sarah giving the outsider nice trip one-one (Midfrew L) but wasn't good enough so no point for her. Points score now then SARAH 2, CARTER -1, MARK H 1 😁

Hey that's Manaroa spelt backwards lol. Grimson almost certainly could of won the Interdomion with Manaroa. (as all mobile starts these days from when he used to miss the start all the time lol)

Here's a good one by Boyden Hanover. Knocked me off a couple of times ( along with the champs Preux Chevalier in very similar colours in this photo and Royden Glen ) Grimson could of really done something with this horse ?? another Interdominion ?

Bloody oath mate. We can smack em around in the cricket lol, and swim horses all year round here in sunny Queensland. Mind you I thought it was cold in Auckland at times 🤣🤣 ,But that would be like the tropics compared to South Island. Used to get horses up from the deep South bred by my racing partner , and they'd arrive in Auckland from Winton with like 4 inch hair on them . like shaggy yaks . was quite incredible . Must be absolutely freezing there.

Have to give some credit (after giving him a serve last year) to young Luke Whittaker from Nz. He Was doing ok there, but is now based in Brisbane. The 22 yearold has improved heaps, as gains experience. The Leading trainer here , (old mate Grant Dixon) gave him a couple of drives last night at Albion on a couple of ex-pat kiwis in Lady Avana and HitTheRoadJack. Luke drove well and won on both of them ! good work indeed. Luke also has had quite a unique Feat accomplishment. One Group 1 x drive for One Win !! Won the Group 1 Queensland Trotters Cup with ex-pat kiwi Wee Man Trouble this year.. great effort.

Best Trainer ever ??? winning last 2 Interdominions with moderate performed runners. Now pulled this South Island horse out of the hat, who only had 2 wins from 17 in Nz 2020 , ( and only 2 wins in Vic with Kelly this year ) Now 2 wins from 2 starts for Grimson lately , including last nights Very heavily supported Group 1 Cranbourne Cup win by 3 lengths from Vic Cup winner Rock N Roll Doo. 😯 What the hell is Grimson doing to get these remarkable performances 🙄🍟 ?

No doubt about it . He's doing very well indeed. Because you pointed it out I thought it would be interesting to see how he does battle with Sarah in the same race. After her Dominate performance last night. We'll keep an eye on their great clashes/ mash-ups lol !! you're 2-0 down already but am sure you'll fight back 🏆😁 Just young Crystal. driving dad's trotters mainly. Bernie Hackett seems to be loading those Auckland trotting races with plenty of runners. Just last week drove a winner in Victoria repping for the North. ( Sarah O'Reilly won with a trotter in Victoria too , repping for the South Island ). the 2 of them put in some good drives.

You have to prove it young fella Brodster. Head to head battles the best way to do it. Last night the Juniors drivers trot at Addington saw them drive very proactive races , leaving the gate well and running Sarah 1st (10/10 rating drive) and Carter 2nd. (9/10 rating drive) Race 7 Addington saw Sarah O'Reilly win with Invitation only (Carter only 2nd with that horse last week lol 😉) Both Sarah and Carter drove very well from the second row awkward draws. Sarah coming from last and applying the right amount of pressure to the leader to Win. again 10/10 drive. Carter ran on well for 3rd (8/10) with Casino Action. So score so far >>>>>>>>> SARAH O'REILLY 2, CARTER DALGETY 0

Sarah driving against Junior drivers??. Don't worry about what horse it is mate. just collect the divvies !! 💰 $12 the Win is Christmas shopping at it's best ! She outdrove clean as a whistle.!!!! Missed out on 'Invitation Only' for the SarahO double rather sadly though , as had stepped out and missed it. Hoping you and some Punters got something from Sonoma or the Invited Dalgety runner ok.

Well he certainly brought the industry into disrepute alright. as did the broadcast ABC homing the racehorse article. As far as re-applying for training goes. Moody and O'Brien came back from time out to win big races after serving their 'time' recent years. I don't know if you will get the "gone right off for good" that you desire. Sounds like a good idea going by the history of the chap. Maybe a longer sentence would deter others further.? Whatever they (those that give the Penalties) decide is fine by me , whether it be 4 years or 10 years though. It's their job to 'Police' the Licensee's so hope they know what they're doing. High profile trainer Nigel McGrath got a very long 'administer Milkshake' sentence not that long ago of 8 years in Canterbury. That is more than double the Oz penalty for same thing. A bold bid to stamp out the cheats. Do what it takes to keep the racing honest. and NO MORE Disrepute would be great !!!