The Centaur

Good post. Viewing horses prior to the race I see numerous horses presented each time in a state of unreadiness. Contrast this with the Baker/Forseman horse who are nearly always ready to go. For f*** sakes if these trainers don't know how to get a horse ready perhaps they should get out to Cambridge track and get some incite. Better still try to get some info from within the Baker stable as obviously they are using the latest techniques or aides. One thing I notice is whenever a Baker horse disappoints then next time they are trying something different. That doesn't seem to happen with those on a 70+ losing run.

I notice the "all weather track" where Te Rapa trials were held last week has grown into a grass track. That's real versatility !!! Wonder how much the exercise cost Waikato Racing Club.

A lot of the ex racing journo's failed to adjust to the internet era. They always expected some outfit like Fairfax or the Racing Board to be paying their weekly wages. O'Hearn did at least get his own web site going though. However take someone like Brenda Collins who started up a brilliant breeding magazine. Going out getting advertising revenue plus talking nicely to the bank manager much harder than churning out mundane material for the Racing Board or Fairfax for a weekly pay check. So what recognition did Brenda get. Very little as far as I can see. No wonder she left the industry in disgust.

You should really wean yourself off those Trump tweets. Its an in depth article who cares about the technicalities.

Thanks Hesi. Seems the author has quite a good grasp of the subject matter. The sort of indepth writing racing is missing. Unfortunately not in my line of interest. But how anyone in racing could object to that sort of contribution is baffling. Plus the sole person doing the anti Peters pro anyone National hysterical raving on the other site is puerile.

I have seen the June 28 article online but not the July 5. Is the July 5 the one being complained of. Anyone with a link? Or any summary of whats in it?

Bad news. Looks like its Canine degenerative myelopathy. Almost can't walk at all. Not good. Don't suppose there is some miracle cure?

Barry, No need to go off the rails. The big thing when putting forth horses is giving reasons so that people can make up their own minds. When you were giving ontrack observations that was great. It was missing information. Its something one can factor in. Similarly with outsiders there is always some piece of hidden information not readily visible by just a cursory glance at the form. When you give a horse it could well be with a double up of information someone already has. Few people will accept a tip just for the sake of a tip.

Well the horse Outsider would seem the ideal omen tip. What I will say is that 23 May when he started this prep I had him down as very fat. That would mean at least 6 weeks to get the beef of. At the moment 61:1. Strong type worth checking out in the next month.

Yes good chance however legally Winston Peters can appoint a new racing Board chairman which would give the new chairman opportunity to work with Messara before the final release of the report. After all the current chairperson is a National Party hack.

Well its gone 5.00pm .. any announcement? Mind you the previous CEO would only just be coming alive maybe a midnight announcement.

Previous on this thread I examined Westside when it ran at Hawera. The run was first time in blinkers and really didn't do much. The horse was pushed all the way and never ran on. However this time steps to 1600 and I would expect they will allow it to settle then try to swoop out wide. The 2kg claim won't hurt and more holding track might help. The crazy part about the odds is that its one of only two horses to have won a trial. The favourite is Frances Kate but Westside finished all over the top of it at the trials. Frances Kate is $4 fixed odds and Westside $61 and $10 for a place.

I doubt they would admit they are broke but technically that is probably correct. What I can't understand how anybody in racing could condone the big spend on the so called FOB platform. There just was no logic, business acumen or anything remotely positive in the decision to join (in some obscure way) with Paddy Power, Open bet or the other dubious game developers. If anybody wanted to drive racing to the ground then thats what they would do. Interestingly on racecafe there were racing stalwarts such as poundforpound who actually thought doing the FOB platform better than doing nothing. I had to point out the makeup of the Racing Board and the maneuverings to hijack it by sports members which Brian de Lore has written in his latest article. There are many who may have been successful in their own business or profession assume that it gives them a god given right to drive the racing industry. In general they haven't got a single original thought and rather than be shown up locally gravitate to overseas outfits like Paddy Power for advice.

Got a labrador type breed that is exhibiting many symptoms needing chiropractor. Been to the vet no real improvement. Has anybody information on whether a dog chiropractor is value. Any good stories healing wise? Based Auckland area if any recommendations out there

Look I don't want to do personal derogation but I just couldn't figure the claims Philip Quay was making re internet. OK doing advertising but trying to portray himself as some multi national on par with say Micosoft, Amazon etc. bit over the top. OK maybe thats exaggerating but he listed as CEO of his "organization" a chap who after closer inspection was the business mentor for the local polytechnic. Strange.

The Ice Knight is quite a small horse. When he bolted in at Avondale he couldn't have been looking any better so I doubt there would be any improvement. I go by the belief small horses don't have much upside.

If Kyrie Eleison has improved this time in then step up to 2100 is ominous for its opponents although Major Tom is very promising. I am intrigued by the jockey bookings for Mckee runners in the last. Looks like they have given up on Shadows from the draw because Sam Spratt is listed for the other McKee horse. A look at Shadows only run at middle distance is revealing (4 wide out of straight & offstride and eased near fin) as well as Mckee's admitting Shadows is a much stronger horse now I would have thought Spratt would have stuck with it. 26:1 at the moment. Barry's oncourse report would be helpful.

Yes a familiar occurrence in racing. Kerry Parker might not be the most high profile trainer but I've always found his web site informative and friendly. Without knowing the details there is the situation whereby changing stable doesn't cost anything whereas there may be an agreement where 10% goes to the trainer when there is a sale. Owners that stick with their trainer through thick and thin makes racing. On the subject of changing trainers I noted Ilone Kelly transfer New York Minute to Baker/Forsman yet she owns the horse and is an active trainer herself. Maybe her shift to Levin something to do with it nevertheless interesting.

Yes agree will add that Howie Mathews can turn form around quickly. He actually rode a horse for me at Te Aroha in 1975 flew home for 4th in a strong field. My short stint as owner trainer thats why I remember it.

Barry, I've been scratching my head over race three. Miss Lizzie does appear a nice horse, fit, well placed and should be right in it. Interestingly Ram Sam Sam has run 2nd in this race two years running. Up 1.5kg on last year but big margin to 3rd last year. Durham must have ability by featuring in those strong Hawkes Bay spring races. Noel Eales for example specialized in winning at Waverley fresh up with horses like Durham. Big watch on that one. But the horse that really interests me is Just Small Ransom. Won a trial at Waverley running past a Lisa Allpress runner. She was so impressed she made sure to grab the ride which she won and raved on about the horse. The better winter track should suit JSR and the outside draw. Has to come flying down the outside so don't know if it can beat those drawn well and also the jockey will need to make sure it doesn't lay in which has done in a few races. For me the big factor is home advantage so this would seem an ideal race. Thats why I have backed Just Small Ransom.

I struggle to figure what you are referring to.

Barry, I'll watch how Malfarious goes today at Rotorua. If it was looking OK at Te Awamutu then thats a good pointer for today?

Was that the Rangitikei meeting Beatnik ran first or second in the Rangitikei Cup? Important aspect of Otaki was its use as a staging post for horses racing at Trentham or travelling to the South Island. Horses from up north or Taranaki. The racecourse accommodation house was probably the biggest around. I remember one time staying and a highweight rider arrive 3.00am totally blotto. A few hours later a trainer had to drag him off the bed to wake him up. 11.0am that morning won the highweight i.e race one at Trentham.

One of the most useful tools a trainer has is blood counts meaning a poor reading can mean virus i.e. white cells versus red cells. Therefore blood tests are something definitive not speculation and could be reported. It would mean the club subsidizing the costs of authentic blood tests so trainers would be more willing to cooperate.

Reporting from the course i believe is the best way to snag outsiders. After all the markets mostly reflect the form and not the appearance. You won't get 50:1 with a horse won last four starts in record time yet you could with horse ticking all the boxes oncourse. If the 50:1 longshot misses its usually wise to follow it for a few starts. You have got 50 starts before you are behind the eight ball contrasting with a evens favourite where you are behind after two misses.