Davis

To be fair mate, Natalie did say during the Youtube interview that they will be helping out to prepare the horses for the Premier meetings, Easter Cup, Derby etc. That was part of the agreement they had. I think Natalie and Mark are heading away on a trip soon so perhaps Mr Cullen will train fewer winners then?

The story is more balanced that his previous articles. I feel sorry for Don, he has put a lot into the game and to be treated like that by some in the industry is shameful. Mr Kerr has let down many people in the industry and must be banned for life.

American Pride is an impressive trotter. He will win a few more...

Out driven by Gerard O'Reilly...

I agree with Galah. I think Wilangus Lad is a reasonable trotter but he is not an Addington horse. He disappointed during the Cup Carnival and had no chance tonight in my opinion. N. Williamson's horses seem to race well everywhere but it's a big test for them tonight.

Luke John Shan Noble American Dealer The Falcon

The NZ Derby is more interesting due to the main threats all drawing badly. Favourite Krug has drawn the outside. Solid performers Regazzo Mach, American Dealer and Pace N Pride draw the second row. Those to benefit from the draw look to be Luke John and BD Joe who both scorched home last start. DIAMOND CREEK FARM NEW ZEALAND PACING DERBY (MOB PACE) (Gr1) $200,000, 3YO MOBILE, 2600m Race History For 3-year-old pacers. RacebookGearFront Line Limit Participants for Race 9: DIAMOND CREEK FARM NEW ZEALAND PACING DERBY (MOB PACE) Book Form Name Age Sex Rating Draw Hcp Driver Trainer Notifiable Gear Changes: Ragazzo Mach: BL-Off Legend Horse Movements: B D Joe to Ross Houghton at Swannanoa 1 X61491 The Falcon 3 g R58 1 Ft Gerard O'Reilly Geoff & James Dunn 2 353252 Luke John 3 c R61 2 Ft Hayden Cullen 3 231269 Got You Covered 3 g R61 3 Ft Ricky May Robert Dunn 4 514823 B D Joe 3 g R63 4 Ft Benjamin Butcher Steve & Amanda Telfer 5 X12074 It's All About Faith 3 c R76 5 Ft Mark Purdon Hayden Cullen 6 410532 Dashing Major 3 g R57 6 Ft John Dunn Robert Dunn 7 353421 Perfect Cut (E1) 3 g R54 7 Ft Bruce Negus 8 222211 Shan Noble 3 g R68 8 Ft Natalie Rasmussen Hayden Cullen 9 422111 Krug 3 c R95 9 Ft Blair Orange Cran & Chrissie Dalgety ------------------ Second Line ------------------ 10 343520 Bettor Call Me (E2) 3 c R52 10 Ft Gavin Smith 11 123180 Corravally Star 3 c R63 11 Ft Jessica Young-Grant Bruce Negus 12 538X48 Arden's Ace 3 g R56 12 Ft John Morrison(J) Regan Todd 13 113332 American Dealer 3 c R82 13 Ft Zachary Butcher Ray Green 14 692114 Pace N Pride 3 c R67 14 Ft Hayden Cullen 15 111220 Ragazzo Mach 3 c R73 15 Ft Nathan Williamson Nathan Williamson 16 612X72 Yorokobi 3 g R57 16 Ft Robbie Close Regan Todd TOP

This horse gallops often but as usual only received a warning re standing starts.

Yes, I was there.

Others have done it. Alister Black won two races with Vintage Cheddar during NZ Cup carnival. Tank/Barclay also won a few.

Five Star General is a good horse but he is wayward and seems a slow learner. You can't back him with confidence yet but when he gets it together he will be another top-liner for the Bagrie stable and they have had a few real good ones.

Benjamin Butcher/Gerard O'Reilly

As commented on by our good friend Karrots, Telfer is opening a Canterbury-based training establishment. It will be run by his sister Amanda and operate from Jack Smolenski's old property. Many winners and classy performers from that stable over the decades mate. Will be interested to see if the Telfer's can be successful in the South Island.

Very well-bred horse too...

It was driven the same way in its previous start and it won...

I get your point but what needs to change is the trail satisfactorily bit. The present rule is a joke. The trainer can take the horse to the trials/workouts where there is no pressure, perhaps only two or three starters, usually slow maidens sometimes unqualified, and jog round the track and get a clearance. Come race day often the horse again breaks. Horses should have to trial satisfactorily three or four times or be like Australia and get one chance only. If you break unruly you go.

How does he keep getting a license? Hopefully, the promised code of conduct, if it ever appears, will include accountability and criticism of starters and stipes?

Lamb is untouchable it seems. He has stuffed starts galore over a long period and little done. Addington sacked him but he continues to stuff up at other tracks. Sack him for good NZHR.

Is there something in the water out at Woodend? There seems to be a few trainers out there that are not too bright. Mr Jones must have known that his horse would be under extra scrutiny due to the bad publicity. Perhaps he didn't know it was unsound; it could have happened on the float or during warm-up... the track is rough enough for that to happen? Some of those idiots out there need to pull their heads in and clean up their acts. Bloody idiots!

OK, but what if the vet is right?

Well, well, well... who would have thought this would happen. Senior Crime Reporter, Sam Sherwood, for the taxpayer-funded Stuff has another harness hit piece. This time about the scratching of Johnny Nevits, previously trained by arch-villain J. Alford. Mr Sherwood has also bought up that stablemate Motor Mouth, formerly trained by Alford, is racing at Forbury tonight. What this has to do with yesterdays scratching I don't know. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/124608977/horse-at-centre-of-previous-doping-allegations-scratched-from-harness-race-after-failing-vet-test

From the Stewards' Report: JOHNNY NEVITS - acting on the advice of the on-course Veterinarian Stewards spoke with trainer C Jones regarding their intention to scratch the gelding due to soreness in the off front leg after examination. Mr Jones subsequently filed a Request for a Ruling disputing the Stewards decision, and after consideration of the evidence from the Stewards, Mr Jones and the on-course Veterinarian Ms Williamson, the JCA declared JOHNNY NEVITS to be a late scratching at 12.45 pm. A veterinary clearance is required prior to the gelding resuming. Trainer C Jones defended a charge under Rule 863 that he attempted to start an unsound horse to start in a race with the matter being adjourned to a later date. This is not a good look if the horse is in fact unsound. Why would a trainer start an unsound horse?

Is the horse any good? Southland bred by sire with not many to the races as yet. Has anyone seen it go at the trials/workouts?

Pace N Pride looks a good horse, has really stood up since resuming. He won well last night and will be a threat in the Derby.

No, but good to watch with an eye on future racing... Easter Cup etc.