Davis

Stormy Morn was originally trained by Trevor Thomas, but later P. Moore and later trained in the north by A. Perutich (not sure of spelling as long ago). I don't think Maree Price ever drove the horse?

Things are bad that is for sure. Tonight, Alexandra Park has 10 races and there are only two junior drivers with drives. Leah Hibell and Crystal Hackett two drives each. Ranks definitely thin and trainers not supporting juniors mean that harness racing in the North is in trouble.

No one coming through? Sarah O'Reilly, 11th on the Drivers' Premiership, Kerryn Tomlinson, Mark Hurrell, Ben Hope... are all coming through mate. I think the South is OK with a number of promising juniors. Sheree Tomlinson and John Morrison will continue to get plenty of drives when they leave junior ranks. The North is a different story.

I think Miss Perriton is based in Auckland now mate. I'm not sure why she took any of her horses with her, they go just as poorly up there as they did down here. The age of the horse doesn't matter that much. Take After Me, a 10-year-old Holmes Hanover gelding almost won the second junior drivers' heat. 😆😃

Winner (Morrison) and runner-up (O'Reilly) both perfectly driven.😃😃

Vesnina paced roughly too, looks a difficult horse to drive to me. Played up at both starts and put in some rough steps in straight. The horse looks speedy but has a lot to learn.

I haven't seen the stipes report yet but it looked like the Hope horse was the cause of interference to me. American Outlaw could not be restrained by Hope, when it galloped and went back through the field I expected the worst. How all the horses stayed on their feet is amazing. At least Olivia put the horse into the race, if she has sat back would have only run fourth at best anyway?

Yes, it is hard to find things on the TAB website.

https://www.tab.co.nz/sports/competition/13731/racing/premierships/premiership/outrights?outrightseventid=1004735&fbclid=IwAR0M_o2hQf0cBhKTwbHdl4UO7Si7Sdga8h66FQ_xeuLXw9T-Xow6259CJ3c# There's a book for the winner mate. Sheree Tomlinson current favourite $3.40.

Alicia Harrison with 18 wins and Luke Whittaker 16 wins are the top NI juniors. Harrison seems to be a good driver given the few opportunities she gets. But both Harrison and Whittaker are a long way behind the top South Island juniors John Morrison, 57 wins and Sarah O'Reilly 51 wins. Worrying times up North mate!

Yes, I agree mate. It doesn't make sense that trainers are not supporting the junior races that are penalty free. It is not surprising though and nothing new. I don't understand the mindset of many trainers. Horses nominated for the junior races are in many cases going to have a better driver than they usually do. Let's see... we could have a great young driver on our horse, Sarah O'Reilly, Tomlinson sisters, J. Morrison, B Hope.... no, let's stick with our usual driver that has won three races in the past five seasons. Crazy! No wonder harness racing is going down the gurgler.

I backed her for a place. The price $3.20 too good to turn down for a mare of her quality. I didn't think she would win though

Chris Alford would be one of the best, if not the best?

Yes, never start counting the money until the race is over. I also learnt that the hard way. Earlier in the season I backed Ohoka Agent, I think it was at Winton. I got on at great odds, the horse had a dream run in the trail and charged to the lead up the the passing lane. He put two lengths on them, I thought I was in and started counting the hundreds I was about to collect. Suddenly, with about 75m to go, the horse goes into a mad gallop. Rich won second, broke the next! Never count the money until the race is over 😆😆

Perhaps. The horse ran to his usual form in first start for Negus last Sunday. The horse drawn #1 this Sunday so could sneak a place. Wait and see. 😆

I guess he is here for a short stay mate. I see he is registered as an "Overseas Open Driver"?

I see Unchanged Memory is now owned and trained by Bruce Negus. I wonder how much he paid for a horse that has had 32 starts for one placing? And why would anyone buy a horse like that? Mindboggling.

Great story Gamma. I remember Hands Down racing at Addington in maiden ranks, he broke and raced unkindly in his first five or six races. Then Derek got him sorted... the rest is history.

Yes, Skinner was a top driver in his hey day. He won the 1979 Auckland Cup with Sapling. There were a lot of good horses down south then. Gil Shirley must have won a lot of races at Forbury, he had a good team in the late 60s, early 70s.

Thanks for the memories Galah. I have been to Forbury two or three times, had a horse race there but ran fourth or fifth both nights. It was driven by Henry Skinner, so that tells you how long ago it was. I don't remember much about the course except it was cold. There are some reasonable fields for the final meeting. The final race, Race 10 Tuapeka Harness Racing Pacers' Cup has attracted a good field. There are a few chances - the Chris Gerken trained pair are racing well, Dreaminsover and the Hoffman and N. Williamson runners also going well. Who's your pick to win the final ever race at Forbury Park?

Thanks Gamma It should be a great race. Krug the one to beat from that draw... he'll be too short for Brodie to have a go!! I think Copy That will struggle to run a place from that draw, same as the Jewels. Perhaps have to save him for the last run again? M. Purdon driving Amazing Dream and Spellbound in another race on the night. Young Nathan Purdon could have a good night!

More information here: https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-national/forbury-site-could-fit-hundreds-homes

Thank you. I don't know what they were masking. I do know that stables that used the arsenic "tonic" stopped winning races regularly when the tonic was banned. Perhaps the horses were not eating properly? 😆😆😆

Do you know when the masking agent arsenic "tonic" was given to horse back in the day? Did those using it give to the horses earlier than 48 hours before a race, or was it given on race day?