Brodie

Gammalite. Of those trainers mentioned I suspect not one of them have become wealthy due to training horses?

Any idea who had it Nz?

To be fair Paleface, a lot of the old nags would do a pretty fair job in OZ as we know! Dont know anything about Beach Start, who had it or what it was sold for? Plenty of opportunity in Oz for racing horses and more opportunity to turn a profit.

Michael House was prepared to takeover the training of horses that had probably just about met their mark in Canterbury mainly. He would take them to Manawatu or down south where the possibility to win races was greater. He has done a very good job with average horses which is great and you have to respect that. Thing is you have to keep getting in horses to replace the ones that are finished and at some stage that will slow down. I fully respect all trainers in NZ that bet up early in all seasons to work horses for the financial returns that they are able to achieve. It is really just the love of the game rather than the financial gains nowadays! I personally do not know any harness trainer that you could say has made a killing out of training horses solely!! Does anyone???

Ranga, Michael House gives things a go, and tries to do best by his owners and takes on horses that have met their mark in Canterbury! He has clearly stated that it is far from easy to make it profitable! Would I be surprised if he comes out in the next year and says that he is giving training away? No, because why would you want to be working hard and not turning a profit???? You wouldnt, and there will be many more doing the same, without new owners prepared to cough up! Just reality really under the current climate!

Jones, couldnt confirm what the age of the current members were at Auckland or Addington at the moment is, but would say it would be getting up there. Yes Unhinged would be able to advise, I would think! Yes I believe harness has got major issues going forward with attracting new people into harness racing as owners, trainers and punters. Cost of ownership is far too high for the financial rewards, so you have to be owning for the fun of it and have a pretty good income, and understanding partner! Training profitably is also difficult as Michael House can verify! Finally, despite what they say, I dont believe that wagering on harness is improving the industry at all! If it is as they say it is, then we can look forward to racing for more than $7k then? The TAB keep bringing out different types of betting options like TOP4, however when you are only allowed to net $15 on a bet, what is the point, and they have lost the plot! TAB agencies nowadays are few and far between and I do not see many at all betting at Pub TABS nowadays! Yes I am sure it goes on mainly on accounts now, that is if they allow you to!!!!!!!

Interesting article on HRNZ news in regards to Michael House’s stable down south! He states that despite his success down south, he has not attracted a single new owner! Michael, that is because no one is attracting new owners, as it is a industry struggling! He also states that he is not making any money, in fact it is costing him personally big time, and he would not be training if ne didnt have another business propping it up! As I keep saying, there is no money to be made nowadays from racing harness horses in NZ, due to increasing costs and stakes that are same as decades ago! Some will come out and say how turnover is increasing and things have picked up since Covid19 reared its ugly head, however they obviously have rose tinted glasses on! While horses are racing for $7k and costs continue to increase, the sport will continue to haemorrhage! There are other things at play that is hurting the industry as well, but most know what these are by now!

Chelsea’s father Ray has been a very good trainer over the years! Good to see the few young trainers still around actually making the decision not to drive their horses if they think someone else can do a better job for the owner and punter! There are just so many horses that do not get given the opportunity to perform at their best, due to poor driving by the trainer!! All the best to Chelsea in her training career!

I will watch the replays but wont watch live, that way I can fast forward all the pre race Crap and after match tongueing!

Gamma, not warm enough over in NZ at the moment for melt downs, that is what happens in OZ! Gamma yes you can live in the past with harness racing in NZ, which was great! However, things continue to go down hill for a variety of reasons! Reality is that the NZ TAB doesnt care about harness racing as it is a liability to them, they are surviving on Sports betting which costs them very little, to pay their salaries!

Gamma, reality is that racing is struggling in NZ, despite several saying that turnover is increasing blah blah! If you have any financial nous you will be able to work it out! Forbury racing for $7k Thursday night! The turnover on harness is nowhere near high enough to be able to pay for the current stakes being paid, even though they are very poor in general! Yes I know it is Brodie being negative, but Brodie telling it the way it actually is!

Still gambling and still boring racing! Personally wouldnt be bothered offloading anything on the day, far rather have a day out than watch that shite! Seeing on TV the Cullen/Purdon//Rasmussen stable owners sticking their tongues down each other!!!

I am actually not a National Party member! I will always vote for a party that is Pro NZ! I will never ever vote for a Socialist or Communist Party as this will always end in tears, Despite the BS of Covid19, this absolutely incompetent bunch that we have socalled governing NZ has not achieved a single damn thing to the benefit of NZ! Effing reducing inequality from this lot is just PUKE material! If that is not Communism then I do not know what is! This lot that 50% voted to govern NZ are an extremely dangerous animal!!!!!

Stakes reduced to $100k is fair enough. The Jewels Day must be a huge drain on the coffers! Great to have something that encourages horses to race but the day itself is very overrated by many! Short distance racing at Cambridge is a real yawn and if you have a horse with average ability drawing poorly, would you want to travel up to Cambridge from the South? Punting wise, it is a write off for the serious punters!

To be fair his horses are racing against very average horses compared to South Island horses. Not a patch on what Barry used to do!

Years ago Gamma! Things have changed dramatically! Why?

Must be Chief, and Barry hasnt got as good a eye as Mark clearly!

JJ, no need for the snide remark about Chief! Personally do not know him, but from what I read he is a very knowledgeable bloke, and runs a very good site. You do not have to agree with everyone and we wont, however the fact that currently we can debate topics is good! As I said before, never heard of this TopSport, and I will do so e looking into, re NZ harness with them. Cheers

So why is Barry Purdon not as dominant in the North Island? Clearly not as professional and hasn’t got the same eye and vet as Mark?

JJ, do you know for sure that they won’t stop punters from wagering what they want? Are they different from the other betting agencies?

None as far as I am aware! Will look into this Topsport this week if I can get an account opened! Ladbrokes and Sportsbet like to stop punters as well!

Never ever heard of TopSport! I will look into opening an account over there and see if they live up to their motto! JJ when did you hear about this lot?

So you class someone being able to net $15 as the TAB taking Top4 lol

Maybe he is a better trainer than Purdon/Rasmussen? Maybe the holiday that they are taking should be extended?

No!