mikeynz

Interesting all the talk of events in Auckland this weekend, The Warriers, The Blues, Champions Day, Auckland FC, Alexandra Park gets no mention, kind of sums up Harness racing in the city, but Auckland need to sort out when's the time to run its main race, The Cup, as it's Dec 31 cup day is history now which might best describe Alexandra Park but thats a seperate issue and , on another separate issue, what gives the Auckland Racing Club the right to call the Derby the NZ Derby, shouldn't it be The Great Northern Derby especially how they've downgraded it by racing the 3yo slot race on the same day

Another strange quirk in the programming in Southland, Wyndham and Winton Cups rating 55 to rating 90, why not all in, going to be off at least 40m so why a restriction, these are cup races, imagine having a rating93 trained in Southland, seems a bit odd to me.

Westport noms generally much better than xmas, but sometimes that dont always transform into field sizes but 15 for the main race for pacers, no other meet in Canterbury for the week,maybe come xmas might make sense if powers that be take note when scheduling same as the Banks Peninsula programme, Westport incidentally have same numbers nominated as 2 meetings up North,

Helps when mummy and daddy gives one the plum drives, as in many things in life some are more priveledged than others.

We all agree there are some aspects of the present system has some failings but what would one change or implement.

Well if you buy a slot that's too bad, you pay ya money, you take ya chances but question is will anyone or enough next time be so keen ?

Seems they ain't queuing for slots, but maybe it will be a no go, if not this year, again.

They extended the cut off time until Feb 20 for the trotters slot race, any news?

Eric Percy used to commentate the Rugby from Blenhiem I think. Ian Chambers good caller.

I think gammas got it wrong with regards to some sporting organisations running on debt, many football clubs overseas are owned by tycoons and having a football club is just a plaything for them, most sporting organisation's have to profit or their gone, Rugby and league clubs in UK often fold and remember NZ is only a small place, Australia got rid of the Melbourne Rebels, Otago Rugby faced insolvency once, hard to believe, got bailed out but I honestly can't see how Auckland Harness can keep going, it's only a matter of time, Cambridge, don't know anything about them but if their was or is to be a bailout where is it coming from?...no good running to Winston, the galloping guys conned him with their AWT money, he gave money in good faith but all we seem to get is negativity, 30 mill, lot of money, Sure Auckland were unfortunate that their great scheme came undone, happens just like many of the rogues in the property business, but shit happens.

Would make more sense for Auckland to move it's Cup to a couple of weeks before or after slots race to try and attract Aussie runners, maybe a bonus if one can win both, maybe simply best performer bonus, Auckland Cup on new years eve is dead now, only Republican Party went from the south,,rest went to Oamakau, Auckland shot themselves in the foot on this one.

Gee Winton on Thursday, then Northern Southland 3 days later, too much perhaps, main races on Sunday are a rating 55+ and a 2yo fillies race, numbers nominated will be?

No doubt, some sitting at the top of the pyramid in harness will be doing extremely well at present, never probably been so good, great stakes with tiny fields, get it while it's there,

6 races seems to be about as good as it's going to get, House has only 6 racing this week, still a good number of locals to keep them going, just as well, you do wonder if it's financially viable sending a trackside crew out to these places for 6 races, I think the dogs are on same day but they finish soon......Cambridge don't need 6 race cards, just one meet up north will mostly suffice, Gamma always says you need these small meetings for the small time trainers but you can easily schedule races to cater for them as well, even if only one day a week, 13 or so races ain't that awkward, it cuts down travel cost as well, when considering the one day a week scenario makes sense to have one track only, and I suggest Cambridge , going the right way around is at least a step in right direction.

Have to admit I really enjoy out the gate.....due to the fact I don't watch it😁