Brodie

Yeah, no money in harness racing nowdays

It’s not as if the 3 regulars have trouble with social intercourse!

Yes pretty sure it was. Cassie works for Sky Racing in Oz, is the TAB saying that our 3 male presenters need another person?

Was wondering if it really needs 4 Trackside presenters sitting behind a desk for the Interdominions? Surely this is just overkill and must be expensive and just another big cost for the TAB and you can see why the expenses are so great! Cassie Fahey is a lovely lady but I thought she was more a gallops presenter and why the TAB found the need to bring her over is a fair question, I would’ve thought? Is it too big of a task for “The Whale”, Greg and Michael Guerin?.

Watched a few of the races at Alex Park Friday night, being the first night of the interdominions. There didn’t seem to be very many there at all and certainly didn’t appear to be anymore than a normal Friday night meeting there. I do not believe that there is the interest in the Inters up there this year and the fact that there is only two pacing heats is pretty average. I looked at the tote win and place pools at one stage a few minutes out from the start of the first pacing heat and there was only about $6k in both pools. This showcase of harness racing being the Interdominion is going to run at a serious financial loss for the Auckland Club unless things pick up majorly. The days of getting good crowds to Alexandra Park appear to be well over and Cant see how it is going to improve knowing that they are in such a dire financial situation! The Public Relations man will say what a great success story it is but that is what they are paid the big bucks to say while they have a job.

Should throw the stupid rule out!

Where has SpatchCock gone, to answer the questions. He has hit and run with no validation

Spatchcock, unwelcome to yourself and a few others maybe!!! Regression, hardly. Spatchcock, can you please explain to us all, what the current Australian whip rule is?? Such a serious issue that SAFE did not have the harness whip rule in their sights at all, so how was it such a brilliant move from Rennell? It was a personal issue with Rennell and not a harness racing participants issue! Spatchcock, are you a Vegan?.. Would appreciate you answering all questions put to you!

Why would I run anything past SAFE?? Of course there is animal cruelty that happens, but the whip rule,in harness racing is not one of them. SAFE weren’t even worried about the harness whip in racing but HRNZ panicked when Harness Racing Australia brought in the no whip rule which never happened!!! The Ozzies whack the crap out their horses NZ drivers don’t.

The thing is, that I am sure that it is extremely difficult for any driver to have to control his horse, look for a run and also have the ability to have to count up to no more than 10 or you get done. There are anomalies as well in that a tap is a hit, you can stop and then whack and there is no discretion being used by the Stipes as to the amount of force being used. It is just a flippen no. Ridiculous!!!!

Yes, well aware this has been brought up many times, but if it is brought to their attention enough times, you never know! Look I am sure that HRNZ are well aware that they have made a major mistake in bringing in the stupid 10 hits with the whip In the last 400metres rule. Nandolo won the Geraldine Cup on Saturday, and Jonny Cox has had his licenses suspended for 4 racing days for hitting 15 times. So Jonny Cox has cheated under the current dumb rule, but the owner and trainer still gets the chocolates. The backers of the second horse plus that owner are the losers as they were beaten by a horse that was driven by a cheating driver under the current dumb rule. Had Jonny Cox not used the whip like he did, Nandolo doesn’t win. How on earth is this fair?.. It is well overdue that Harness Racing NZ come clean and admit that they have made a mistake in changing the rule to what it currently is, and change it back to what it previously was! It was brought in in a ridiculously quick manner without any real discussion and agreement with the people that it affected mostly, the drivers!!!!

Must be an Auckland thing then! Thats right it was the year of the Quakes! Not enough horses prepared to travel from the South Island or Oz to race, maybe because it is right handed? Stake for heats at $30k not that impressive but interesting to see that same stakes for the trotters in the heats!

Not too sure why they wouldn’t go with 3 heats rather than the 2? Is it anything to do with less stake money being paid out? With fields being so big, more chance of horses being interfered with and bad luck if you get back on the fence! Anyway, decision made and hope it is a great series and Auckland Club can make some serious money, as they certainly need it bigtime!!

First time in history I would say only 2 pacing heats. used to be at least 4 but down to 2 is a real worry going forward.

The surprising thing was the Improvement in both Tornado Valley and Mczlovin after they went to Oz! Both were good consistent trotters in Canterbury without being exceptional and yet they go to Oz and win them in a row! Why did they thrive in Oz iris it just that the Ozzie trotters are just crap?

I think they will run 3 heats for the pacers rather than two as 13 around Alexandra Park will be too many for the heats. Divs are going to be pretty tight though!

.? You what? ?

Yeah he was trotting over the line albeit pretty rough. It was staggering the improvement he showed today, would’ve bolted in if he hadn’t have the 3 gallops. Appeared to be gone after the 2nd gallop but then showed speed again and will win a few up in the CD when he trots the whole way.

Pretty sure Wayne Ross was involved in selling cars before he went out training horses. A few interesting tales that went around then.

The current rule is a total ass and as I have said many times, needs to go back to what it was. HRNZ you need to review the rule, as it is plain stupid.

Who is he, way off the mark.

You need 15000 members to pick winners and still lose??? You need heaps of accounts to bet thru and the TAB can’t work it out? Dickhead!!!

You what? If you consistently collect, they will restrict you and continue to lower your limit until it just is not worth the effort! The AML has just made it even more frustrating. Punters just are not allowed to be winning punters, end of storey.

Ranga, what latitude have winning punters been given? Please explain?

The TAB is a gambling agency and should be encouraging punters rather than putting them off. How is it right for the TAB to stop people from punting and others can get plenty on? This is farcical and just not right and will backfire on the racing industry.