Davis

ZABADAK 5 b g Nevele Bigshot - Layava One of my most vivid harness memories concerns a winner on Cup Day 1975! Of course there is a back story. We raced a 3-year-old Nevele Bigshot filly in 1975. I think she was having her third or fourth start in a fillies race at Wyndham. I travelled down to see her race; she ran fourth or fifth from memory, running on but bit flat. OK. Later in the day, there was an exhibition/trial comprising four or five Southland horses that were heading to Addington for Cup Day in two weeks time. Alan Devery had a hot team back then. He had Zabadak and his half-brother Stampede in the trial, I think cup class horse Trilobal was another, and memory gone for other runners. Anyway, the trial is under way and they are cracking along on the fast Wyndham track. One runner, Zabadak, caught my eye. The horse looked stunning with fitness oozing form him. The driver, H. Skinner I think, was leaning so far back in the sulky to keep the horse from overdoing it, he was lying vertical with is head nearly touching the ground. Zabadak was full of running. There’s a fit horse I thought, a certainty to win on Cup Day. I told a few people about the trial, but few listened instead rubbishiing the sire, or trainer or driver, others said Enterprise couldn’t be beaten. Some laughed. Cup Day 1975, Race 9, Zabadak lines up in a 14-horse field. He’s 9/9 in the betting and driven by Gavin Hampton. Zabadak bolts in by two and a half lengths, paying $21.70 & $6.75. Enterprise is 2nd, Lincmac 3rd & Royal Decision 4th. I remember I had a huge bet for me back then as I was a low paid apprentice, $20ew. I also had $5ew for my racing syndicate (luckily my bet that week!). I think just about all of the group I went to the Cup Day backed Zabadak so we were loaded. That’s a racing day I will never forget. ================== But there’s more to this story because Zabadak was a well-bred horse from the A. Sellars breed. I know Galah and Hunter will be interested in this old Southland breeding line with long forgotten sires. If you are not into breeding don’t read on. Zabadak was out of Layava, a Garrison Hanover mare. Layava was a broodmare gem. Her progeny included Sassenach, Ryal, Profiteer, Zabadak and Stampede - all these horses were well performed. Layava’s dam was Pollyapolis by Indianapolis. Pollyapolis left three foals and all won: Va Vite (Young Bob,),10 wins; Trigside (Flying Song), 5 wins; Leyava (Garrison Hanover), 2 wins. There’s a history lesson for you….

No it is still the same. They need to ban the galloping on the course. It should be kept for trots only like Methven. This would improve the track.

I agree with reservations. I do not know why Motukarara is so popular because the track is poor with crossing dangerous. Methven far ahead of rest.

Methven is a top class track, the best grass track. I don't mind betting there but not so keen on other tracks. Rangiora grass a shocker, Motukarara punters' graveyard roughest track surface in Canterbury, crossing dangerous. Geraldine is OK always seems to be clearing racing here. I think the club attracts good horses so the pace is even and the best class horses dominate. Further, afield avoid all coast tracks and Waterlea grass, won't bet at any of them.

We have all got our own systems and methods for making a buck. Most of us are not as successful as you but as long as we enjoy and make a profit all is good. You have made me a better punter mate by making me look for value. Thanks.

The draw is also important in big races. For example, Laver, if he draws inside Gerard O'Reilly is expert at getting the horse well placed without using any extra fuel, leaving plenty in the tank for an effort in the straight, usually the passing lane. His daughter Sarah O'Reilly is also good at this. I think Addington, or tracks like Methven are the best places to make money on Premier days. Follow the form, keep you eyes open and you'll get there mate. Good luck.

It is not easy but is not that hard either. Brodie's style of betting inspired me. Lately, like Brodie, I have been looking for value and making money at Premier meetings something Brodie said could n't be done. I don't put as much on as Brodie would but I usually get three or four times my investment back. I think that is pretty good. Money can be made at Premier meetings. Generous dividends I have had at Premier meetings, include... Laver in the Jewels. Amazing Dream twice in Aussie, Captain Crusader in the Brisbane 3yo series, Gerard O'Reilly's filly third placed at Jewels... Sod's Law last night, the list goes on. This competition has shown that making money on Premier nights is possible. There are good place dividends on offer if you look, study the form and the past record of the horse. When you look through the fields with this frame of mind sometimes the horse jumps right out at you... Sod's Law did that.

Thanks Karrots a great competition. It was good to see everyone collected some did really well, including me! I backed Sod's Law for myself but nothing like $1000 put on All the best mate....

Speed duels are OK, especially on a track like Cambridge and in a nothing race.... I think they add excitement to an otherwise dull race...?

Good effort mate. I got $4500 from Sods Law, other two pace to hot. There was some willing racing tonight, the two maidens and Buckskin race quite a few black bookers. Looks an even lot of maidens...

Thanks Karrots My selections all at Addington Race 2, Invisible Girl (1) Top 3 $4.00 Race 4, Sod's Law (8) Top 3 $4.50 Race 5, Buckskin UR1 (3) Top 3 $3.50 Good luck punting everyone...

Sad news about the death of harness legend Dennis Nyhan. My condolences to the Nyhan family. What a great horseman he was; he had too many good horses to hame here. The thing I remember about his horses is how well turned out they were. On race day his horses always had glossy, shine coats and clean, sparkling harness. RIP Dennis https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/denis-nyhan-obituary/

Yes, light work only could be a problem for some horses but for others it could work the oracle. Some trainers overwork their horses, while other horses seem to race twice a week every week, so this period will be like a spell to those horses. I think horses should race better because of this. It is an opportunity to get some good odds if you can sort out these horses. Maybe pay more attention to F90 etc data?

Not much to get excited about. If I have a bet, which is unlikely, I will look for value perhaps Warloch or DiCaprioca? I don't want to be cynical but the race is open for some team driving from the Dunn stable who have three in it. Which of their horses would benefit from a guaranteed Cup start the most?

Thanks Gamma. I have been watching Captain Crusader's recent results but not backed him as too short as you say. He's a very good horse. I think he could be a future grand circuit horse if he stays sound. He drew badly in the Albion Park series but still performed well showing toughness, speed and stamina. He is a consistent horse and would be a great money earner to own.

Another remarkable fact I forgot to mention about Double Delight is that she is out of a Betteors Delight mare! How weird is that Gamma??

Yes, it is strange but topclass pacing sires like Bettors Delight occasionally leave an above average trotter. Another surprising breeding anomaly is the Jewels winning Captain Treacherous 2yo filly, Double Delight. The trotting filly is trained by Tony Herlihy and is unbeaten in three races. Captain Treacherous would be one of the last sires you would expect to leave trotter Gamma, but you never know. That is one of the joys of harness racing, the unexpected siring success.

Did anyone watch the TAB Sumthingaboutmaori Trotters Free For All (Group 3) at Bendigo Saturday night? Pre-race the event was billed as a match race between some of Australia’s upcoming mares that would soon challenge Pink Galah for supremacy… I’m Ready Jet and Alderbaran Tess. The race was an anticlimax I thought. Alderbaran Tess, driven by the lovely Sofia Arvidsson blew the start, and favourite I’m Ready Jet was a long way back most of the race. Alderbaran Crescent made the pace but it was Sleepee driven by the incomparable Chris Alford that won the race. There’s no doubt that both I’m Ready Jet and Alderbaran Tess are future top liners but they are not there yet. https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BN280821 Bendigo (Night) - Saturday, 28 August 2021 Play 6 8:05pm TAB SUMTHINGABOUTMAORI TROTTERS FREE FOR ALL (GROUP 3) 2150M $24,000 Trotting Mares. NR 70 to 120. PBD/NR. Mobile Final Results Pl Horse Prize- money Row & Br TAB # Trainer Driver (C = Concession) Mgn (m) Starting odds Stewards' Comments 1 SLEEPEE $ 13,680 Sr1 8 Alison Alford Chris Alford $ 11.10 10 3WLT SWAB BAY/BROWN MARE 5 by DEJARMBRO (US) out of SAFELY SALLY (SAFELY KEPT USA) Owner(s): V A Woodhouse, A M Alford Breeder(s): C W (Colin) Murphy 2 IMSETTOGO $ 3,600 Fr2 2 Anton Golino Josh Duggan 3.00 $ 48.80 8 3WL LW 3 ALDEBARAN CRESCENT $ 2,400 Fr7 7 David Aiken Josh Aiken 10.90 $ 27.80 PRS GS L SLE 3 OIR 4 QUEEN OF CRIME $ 960 Fr1 1 Matthew Craven Glen Craven 12.70 $ 25.10 PRS 6 4 IM READY JET $ 960 Sr2 9 Anton Golino Jack Laugher 12.70 $ 2.60 fav PRS 3WM 2 LW 6 EMERALD STRIDE $ 480 Sr5 12 David Miles Rodney Petroff 13.30 $ 148.00 11 7 RED HOT TOOTH $ 480 Sr4 11 Kari Males Zac Phillips 16.00 $ 16.00 3WE L 1 SHO D/F$ 8 NORQUAY $ 480 Fr3 3 Chris Svanosio Chris Svanosio 16.00 $ 181.00 GS L SLE 5 9 KEAYANG LIVANA $ 480 Sr3 10 Margaret Lee Jason Lee 16.50 $ 7.60 4 10 PANTZUP $ 480 Fr6 6 Maree Caldow John Caldow 19.10 $ 92.30 RES C 9 11 MARGARET RUTH $ 480 Fr5 5 Anne-Maree Conroy Anne-Maree Conroy 20.20 $ 95.50 RAS 7 12 ALDEBARAN TESS NZ $ 480 Fr4 4 Matthew Craven Sofia Arvidsson 162.80 $ 2.60 fav BB ODM TF 17 Scratchings All started Track Rating: GOOD Gross Time: 2:36:2 Mile Rate: 1:57:0 Lead Time: 37.3 First Quarter: 30.7 Second Quarter: 29.6 Third Quarter: 29.2 Fourth Quarter: 29.4 Margins: 3.0m x 7.9m

Agree with some of your points mate. But to be fair the Gamesonian stable has not produced the winners for the past few years. Once upon a time, the stable was good with impressive two year olds but those days are long gone. Majorca's Australian trainer Grant Dixon is on another level or two up from Gameson; he is also a good driver. So there are a number of factors: horses seem to improve in Brisbane, maybe better climate; better handicapping system; better trained; more racing opportunities, smaller fields and shorter distances. Just my thoughts...

No, OED and Brodie are right, hopples or hobbles same meaning.

As is often the case, you are right mate! From the OED: hobble | ˈhɒb(ə)l | verb 1 [no object, with adverbial of direction] walk in an awkward way, typically because of pain from an injury: he was hobbling around on crutches. 2 [with object] tie or strap together (the legs of a horse or other animal) to prevent it from straying. • cause (a person or animal) to limp: Johnson was still hobbled slightly by an ankle injury. • restrict the activity or development of: the economy was hobbled by rising oil prices. noun 1 [in singular] an awkward way of walking, typically due to pain from an injury: he finished the match almost reduced to a hobble. 2 a rope or strap used for hobbling a horse or other animal. DERIVATIVES hobbler noun ORIGIN Middle English: probably of Dutch or Low German origin and related to Dutch hobbelen ‘rock from side to side’. hopple | ˈhɒp(ə)l | Riding verb [with object] another term for hobble (sense 2 of the verb). noun another term for hobble (sense 2 of the noun).

Me neither. I have had three bonus bet offers, two I cleaned up and the other almost broke even although I had a senior moment and backed the wrong horse. If you are too successful you get few bonus bet offers mate.

I get them on Fridays?

What an amazing record Chris Alford has. He's been at the top for decades and still driving well. His record is unlikely to be matched.

The new season will benefit two and three year olds the most. Trainers will be able to take more time with the youngsters preparations and that should mean fewer injuries to the young horses. Horses can have a few starts then put aside, brought back into work given a few more starts, have a winter spell and then be ready for the latter part of the season in November-December. It will also benefit the slower maturing horses that will come into their own at the end of the season.