Davis

I think Bettor Twist will go straight to the lead. Last week she drew eight and left the gate like a rocket. Friday she has drawn six, T. Williams will blast her from the gate and to the lead, race over.

I subscribed to Spark Sport during the Rugby World Cup and I had no problems with the service. I think from memory, I lost the feed once and I closed and reopened the browser and the broadcast resumed. I think the main problem is that many people have a thing about Spark (ex Telecom). I don't know why because I find them easy to deal with and their help desk is the best I have used. Secondly, many people have slow, under-powered computers with little memory that are not up to the task. But I guess it is easier to blame Spark.

Smolda was also Australian bred. M. Purdon has raced a few Australian breds successfully including Border Control. I think Vincent was another Aussie?

She was...

http://www.harnesslink.com/News/Update-on-national-ratings-based-handicapping-system Google has the answer...

I think the Gills do have a lot of money as the family has a number of businesses in Marlborough. But if rich or poor it still doesn't make sense to race slow horses in my mind. Instead of having a stable of slow horses that occasionally pay a dividend, Gill could go to the sales and buy a well-bred yearling. Buy a rising 2yo from ready to run sales, something that shows ability, or lease or buy a qualified horse that will win a few. All of these options would be cheaper than what he does now. Slow horses eat as much as a good horse, vet bills, farrier, transport are the same. Four or five slow or unruly horses in a stable will cost thousands per year each to train and they unlikely to pay all the bills with stakes return. Personally, I think it would be better to have one or two horses that race consistently and get stake money regularly. Just my thoughts!

I agree about the Gill trained Conquistador but yesterday it went OK. It is the first time I have seen the horse run on with it battling home for fourth. Doesn't say much about the quality of the field if this slow, weak horse could come form the back to run a placing. This is another one of those horses that I wonder why they keep racing it? It's a head scratcher Brodie. Why owners persevere with horses like this? It's throwing money down the drain... senseless.

As predicted The Press writer and harness hater Martin von Beynon has a feature about Mitchell Kerr. There's not much detail in the story but I am sure there will be follow ups. It's another kick in the guts for our struggling industry. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/123515144/rising-harness-racing-trainer-quits-as-concerns-sent-to-police

I have heard rumours too. I don't know the whole story so will not jump the gun and say things that might not be right. But I can tell you when this is made public it will affect harness racing. Our friend at the Press will make sure of that with a number of hard hitting anti-harness articles.

Because Von Beynon at the Press has it in for harness racing. He will already be writing up this story. He will follow up with the Mitchell Kerr debacle. TV will also cover it with their usual negative harness slant. I don't think you can blame Inca for this Noodlum, although I get your point. There is no excuse for this.... a man should never raise a hand to a woman.

Yes all correct, but that was last century and Mr Court was a young man.

You make some worthy comments mate. You are right about decreased crowd numbers. I think the club did well with a significant amount of on-course betting, enough to make ends meet for the season.

He's more bad publicity for harness. The industry we love does not need people like this. It is a disgusting, cowardly act on a defenceless woman. i think he has got off lightly. Harness fans read and it weep. Think what this does to harness racing, more irreparable damage. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/123487030/harness-racing-stars-fall-from-grace-after-despicable-assault-on-woman

Van Beynen of the press will be sharping his pencil for another hit job on Harness Racing. The sport he loathes and is determined to bring down. All Stars gone, now this... harness has a bleak future.

To get back on topic. This case is disturbing. If true it is another step closer to the graveyard for harness racing. Sad but true. I think it would be fairly easy to con someone into buying and paying training fees for a non-existent horse if the owner was naive about racing or living overseas. Why does a young fella like this do something like this? Has he had it too good? Perhaps, he frequents dodgy circles. It's madness how the hell did he think he was going to get away with it forever? These are just my random thoughts and I am not accusing anyone of any criminal intent. If allegations true, or worse, it will damage harness racing irreparably.

I saw him race great horse. I think V. Deverey was also an owner? Yes, J. W. Smolenski had a great team in those days.

Yes, exactly right about Carabella, she was a top mare but these days that stable doesn't produce the winners like it once did?

There will be lots of slow, tired horses running around and picking a winner will be hard. Brodie will love fields like that but he is a master punter.

No reason but I think the owners will probably spread their horses around more. Some owners are already do this -- Trevor Casey, Butterworths, Kennards and Jean Feiss have horses trained by others. I just think it is a good opportunity for a young trainer to market himself and get a few well-bred horses into his/her stable. The likes of Regan Todd, Kirsten Barclay, Alister Black, Mitchell Kerr or even one of the Purdon sons should try and attract these owners to their stables I believe.

I wonder who owners like the Whitecocks will get to train their horses now? They have bred many top horses and have good mares that were not over-raced. It will be interesting to see what happens now. It is a good opportunity for a young trainer to step up. Who do you think will be the top trainer now mate?

You'll be able to start punting at Addington Premier Days again now mate with no All Stars to dominate the betting.

Good on them for taking a break. I am sure they deserve it and need it.Overseeing a large operation like the All Stars stable would be a mammoth task. I don't know how many hours a day Mark Purdon worked but I bet it was well above the norm, Natalie too. The stable has been ultra successful and won most major races on both sides of the Tasman. I don't think the owners should be too unhappy after all most did well, winning races, trophies and prize money galore. This is a great opportunity for another trainer to step up and dominates like the All Stars did? Who will it be?

What about Natalie Rasmussen? She's an elite driver surely?🤓

What is the slowest standardbred horse in NZ?

Wasn't Lamb the starter at Ashburton? I feel sorry for you mate but with Lamb you take the risk! Hopefully, after today at Addington other clubs will switch from Lamb to Donnelly. Lamb has had his day and we should not see a repeat of the situation you describe in future?