Davis

Like at Forbury one night when wrong horse was injected...? Dunn know who was responsible for that? Got away with it anyway...

I agree but I don't think that will happen so balance is better than unbalanced.

Sorry no offence mate, I was just thinking out loud. Clearly, he needs help, counselling etc. Where would be the best place for him to get this? I also must say that I though von Beynon's article was written with more balance and fairness than his latest pieces. This writer can be impartial if he wants to be, then his writing is great just the facts with no malice like this story. Perhaps von beyond has a heart after all...

I agree. While not excusing his alleged crimes here it does appear that young Kerr needs help. Gambling addiction most certainly. He is young enough and talented enough to bounce back from this if beats his addictions and commits to an honest life henceforward. If allegations are true there will be some form of suspension for Kerr, criminal charges possibly jail? The young fellow has made a huge mistake, exacerbated by gambling problems, he can atone for this if he wishes and be back successfully training in five to 10 years if there's still an industry then?

Young trainer Mitchell Kerr 'oversold shares in harness horses' Martin Van Beynen A promising harness racing trainer is in deep financial trouble as he fights allegations of over-syndicating horses and charging for non-existent insurance policies. The Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) is investigating the actions of Mitchell Kerr who until recently owned and operated stables in Rangiora, north of Christchurch. The RIU has declined to comment but Stuff understands it has uncovered several areas of concern that could end up in a police hands. Police are aware of the allegations but are waiting for the RIU to finish its investigation before deciding whether to launch their own inquiry. The concerns relate to Kerr over-selling shares in horses he bought to train and race. The process of a trainer putting together a syndicate to own a horse and pay its expenses is not unusual. But Kerr, according to allegations made to the RIU, sometimes sold shares in horses equal to almost twice their value. This is called over-syndicating. Syndicate owners have therefore found that instead of owning 20 per cent of a horse they actually own only 10 per cent. Stuff understands some owners have absorbed the loss and left their horses with Kerr so he can pay his debts by training. The RIU is also investigating owners being charged insurance premiums for non-existent insurance policies over horses, and a situation where Kerr allegedly sold a non-existent horse to an Australian buyer and charged for its training expenses. When the owner started to get suspicious, Kerr desperately sought to buy a horse similar to the one he sold. The RIU is also looking at a large debt Kerr owes to an Australian betting agency. Kerr has previously had problems with a gambling addiction. Kerr – who already has 87 wins to his credit and has won nearly $900,000 in stake money in his three-year training career – handed in his training licence to Harness Racing New Zealand earlier this month. His father Paul, a veteran licensed trainer based in Ohoka, North Canterbury, is now employing Mitchell. He has previously said the allegations against his son were only rumours and hung up when called on Monday. Trainer Paul Kerr celebrates with his son, Mitchell, after Pay Me Christian wins the NRM Sire's Stakes Series final at Addington in 2005. Neither father nor son responded to text messages from Stuff. Kerr has worked for his father, and for trainers Robert Dunn, at Woodend Beach, and Gareth Dixon in Auckland. He went out on his own in 2017 after securing 10 boxes and a barn at Rangiora Raceway and developed the outside yards and paddocks. RIU general manager Mike Godber confirmed the investigation was continuing but had no further comment.

And remember that Adore Me had a reasonable nag called Christen Me to contend with. He narrowly beat her in a few G1 races so her stake money could be have been far higher.

I have seen all those mares racing and the best of them is Adore Me in my opinion of course. I'm not sure how much stake money Adore Me won, perhaps $2m? Shartin has won over $3m so she would be the highest stake earner and of course a world record holder. Wouldn't it be an interesting mares race if you had a field of Adore Me, Shartin, Blossom Lady, Delightful Lady, Armalight and Bonnie's Chance! Who would win that?

Yes, she would and probably be in the top three mares? The world's best promoter of harness racing, Heather Vitale, did a great story on Shartin... she visited Grant Crabbe and had a good interview with him. She is also related to Jim King the trainer of Shartin... Unfortunately, I cannot find a link for the interview. I'll keep on looking and post if I find.

Shartin retired, now set for broodmare paddock 21 December 2020 , News By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 2019 United States Horse of the Year Shartin has been retired and will be bred to Captaintreacherousnext year and then two-time New Zealand Cup winner Lazarus in 2022. The fastest pacing mare in history won five times from 12 starts this year ($NZ622,142) with the owners deciding the seven-year-old was now ready to become a broodmare. “In my wildest dreams I never thought I would have a mare like Shartin,” said owner Richard Poillucci, “It does not happen very often in our industry and in a lifetime for an owner.” Shartin has been sold for an undisclosed sum to Ola Yoder, owner of Kountry Lane Standardbreds in Indiana. "The barn will not be the same without her for sure," said trainer Jim King, Jr."Hard to imagine this barn without her and looking forward to her next race. “It's been the driving force for me these past three years.We knew this day would come so ...it's tough." In total she won 46 of her 68 starts with earnings of $2,667,563 ($NZ3,745,946). “I can’t hardly tell you what’s it been like to have owned and raced a world champion like Shartin,” said co-owner JoAnn Looney King, “she’s the dream horse I longed for since I was a young girl in the horse business. She’s the dream horse everyone longs for.” Shartin was bred by Grant Crabbe at Prebbleton just outside Christchurch (Tintin in America – Bagdarin) and won her qualifying trial at Ashburton on November 15 2016. She was then sold to Australia where she had 7 wins for trainer Dean Braun before being bought by New Zealand bloodstock agent John Curtin on behalf of Poillucci. She would become a phenomenon in North America. In 2018 she won 19 of her 24 starts and earned over a million dollars. She was named Dan Patch Pacer of the Year and was second for Harness Horse of the Year. The next year 2019 would be even better as Shartin became the fastest standardbred horse ever bred in New Zealand, winning the Lady Liberty at the Meadowlands in a world record 1:46.4. In all she won 15 from 19 on her way to being named 2019 Dan Patch Harness Horse of the Year. She was the first horse bred outside North America to do so. “When I walk by her stall and speak to her I have some sadness but I know it’s best for her and for the team,” says JoAnn Looney King, “but damn it’s going to be hard to watch her walk out of that barn for the last time.”

I'm not sure mate. Probably? Forbury I don't think I'll bet today. I have been following Buckskin, made a whack of him, and had him pencilled in for Cup. Scratched so I have lost interest in it. If you have a bet hope you collect a bit...l

Yes, I tend to agree. There is a vast difference between Machs Little Soky and Amazing Dream. I think the latter is good enough to win the NZ Cup, unlikely MLS will reach those heights.

Thanks for the memories Certainly many good horses and trainers around back then... O'Reilly jun, Smolenski, Carmichael, Skinner and Devery (Southland), Nyhan, Derek Jones, Ian Cameron, P O'Reilly sen, C Middleton, Lowe, Bill McDonald, Brosnan, de Filippi, R. Cameron, R Purdon... endless list

Bugger not the result I wanted in the last... deadhead for third. Div cut now lose $20 instead of breaking even. Never mind at least didn't lose it all.. Tough run from Miss Impression... Gerard can keep them fighting to the line....

I've had a couple of nibbles, confident I've found something... R6 - Rocket Boy R10 - Miss Impression

Worms wouldn't touch the sour prick...

I know where you are coming from mate but I don't think 4bury is all bad. I am sure he is a passionate harness supporter, maybe too supportive? He seems to have a bad loosing mentality with tantrums if his horse does not win. I have noticed sometimes he is on the angry pills, or JW, and he rants a lot. he goes too far yes, but he supports harness racing passionately.

He broke under pressure twice during the running... the horse should be retired from racing.

Yes, Lamb has had a shocker of a day so far. Sack him!

Wow!! We are getting some stunning drives this weekend. What a drive from Tm Williams with Henry Hubert in Green Mile, Methven. Tim Williams must be the best strike rate driver, he's picked some group races this season... consistent.

I get your point mate and I agree this does not look good. But I don't think there was any race fixing by Purdon. I think he made a couple of bad blunders which happened because he is not really familiar with either horses. Beyond Words is driven by others not Mark and Amazing Dream usually handled by Natalie. I think Purdon underestimated Beyond Words and payed the price for his complacency. Natalie Rasmussen... they keep going for her in the straight, she is not often beaten in a close finish. Mark does not have this gift.

Wow!! What a drive from Gerard O'Reilly on Laver in Race 6 at Addington last night. It was a masterclass in front-running driving. Watch the video and marvel. O'Reilly is one of the most gifted horseman his skilful, soft hands he keeps horses balanced and yet still retains control of the horse and he does this with no extravagant arm gesture and rein whacking, but with soft delicate rein control, kind words. https://harness.hrnz.co.nz/gws/ws/r/infohorsews/wsd06x?Arg=hrnzg-Ptype&Arg=RaceVideo&Arg=hrnzg-RacehdrID&Arg=281413&Arg=hrnzg-rSite&Arg=TRUE

Let's face it Darling Me's future is in the breeding paddock. She's is royallly-bred and anyone would love to own her as a breeding mare. She'll win her share but I don't think she will race much past three before she is bred from. The other filly is better than her, certainly tougher. Darling Me may be better over 1600m? Jewels will suit her.

You picked it mate. He jogged it....

I agree it didn't look good. But if it was Addington I believe Amazing Dream would have won up the passing lane. Alexandra Park it's hard to make ground in the straight no matter how good you are. The final turn is a shocker and horses can not accelerate around the bend like they can at Addington. That means it takes them some time to get balanced in the straight before they are at top speed. Enchantee was similar she was too far back but flew home. Generally, at alexandria Park the horse leading turning for home either wins or is second.

Is there a reason why Majestic Man refused to take the passing lane? Is he hard to steer, better on left-hand track, stubborn?