Big Bang

Surprised to see this thread still going. Almost as much as I'm surprised it's largely remained on topic. Huge result for the way things usually work around here. Ross buggered up. He knows it, the stipes know it and everyone on here would seem to know it too, in one way or another. He will spend some time on the sideline and we can all move on to the next subject.

Couldn't agree more. One of the real shining lights of the industry at the moment the grass tracks. To not have anything in the North Island of any great substance is doing a great disservice to the game. Some of the turnovers last season from grass racing were the better than most premier meetings around the country - especially at places like The Mot, Westport and Methven.

I'm baying for blood? You are joking me. Mistakes are made every week on the track and drivers pay the consequences for it through fines and suspensions. 3 months might seem like a long time. But it's all based on the amount of drives not a length of time. Don't be a toss. In no way am I baying for blood. Ross is a good bloke, I've said that. It's an unfortunate situation, sure. But he'll have to cop whatever punishment is handed down and move on from it. I somehow don't think when the report is filed that you'll be able to move on from it though.

Not much point in replying to be fair. You've got your opinion and I've got mine. A lot of your logic seems flawed when the only issue you need to worry about here is whether Ross gave his horse every reasonable and permissible measure to achieve the highest possible placing. With an opportunity to move out into clear air available, he didn't take it and instead went to the line under a hard hold pushing the winner over the line. That fact alone makes it a bit of a waste of an argument. I'll be staggered if he doesn't get suspended for it, given the importance being placed on integrity in these times. We will find out tonight when the report is released.

Noticed it straight away - as I'd mentioned at the end of the back straight that it would be hard to beat with the run it had enjoyed. I had a message before they've even crossed the line saying Ross was in trouble and three others before they'd got back to the stables. You go Jason for bringing up one of the most salient points of all. Integrity. It looked bad. A clear error in judgement. How long he gets or doesn't get is irrelevant. When he says they are there to look after the punter, in many senses, he's 100% correct. Punters who backed that horse on Friday night, didn't get a fair run for their money. And that goes back to the reasonable and permissible ruling. I want to be clear too. Ross is a top bloke who does a good job with his horses, but likely before him and many who will come in the future. He made a mistake. And he will suffer the consequences for it IMO.

It's quite simple. The rule Ross is being charged with is failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to finish in the highest possible position. Whether it was an error in judgement or an issue with the horse. It looked bad, especially with so much room to come out at the top of the straight. Jason is right. The punishment will look significant considering that Ross drives very little. He's done an excellent job with that horse. He was a rogue, but the recent performances have been excellent. Will be interested to see how he goes tomorrow.

Sending best wishes to Dean, who I understand is currently in hospital after a mishap in the past week. Not sure why it's so important to keep highlighting a stable that's having a lean patch though.

Don't know how far it ended up going, but there was investigations and discussions held- which could very well still be going - into a straight greyhound track at Ashburton. I'm presuming the Forbury decision jas probably defaulted that idea, but word was that it came about through Christchurch Greyhound Racing Club having had enough of Addington Raceway.

Nigel and Emily are great. Offer a different perspective than what we are used too, long may it last. Thought HRNZ blog yesterday was very poor from the governing body. Looked as though content was written by someone sitting at home and not actually there. Subsequent stories by the journos that went live today were excellent though.

Some of the most competitive racing I've seen for a long time. Really aggressive driving which makes for a nice change from our usual timid stuff. Cambridge is the perfect track for it, really. That track coupled with the draws of many meant that nothing was straightforward. Every horse had to work to get their win.

I'll offer a different opinion then. In a ticketed area for the day. And can only say good things about the entire experience. Constantly supply of food and drink, minimal wait times, good, friendly tote staff and an excellent viewing space for each race - even shelter for when the heavens opened up. Also struck not being able to head into the Sports Bar but was kindly guided to the Clubhouse where it was excellent to meet, mix and enjoy a drink with many of the big names of the day. Overall, having attended every Harness Jewels meeting that has been held, I rated yesterday as the most enjoyable and excitable day of them all taking into account everything. My only complaint was having to wait until Race 9 to have a decent collect for the day.

Anyone know why? Or who was behind this decision? Word about the tracks on the weekend is that the new President made the decision to shy away from mile racing at Ashburton because that's what the horseman want. A move to see the home of one mile racing, changed to 1700m, perhaps. Shame really. Not a good viewing track to be at, but mile racing there was entertaining.

Interesting topic this one. Did a little research to see where things were at. Is it that Dean's team isn't going as good, or more a case of other trainers taking away the available number of wins available. Back in 2003 when he trained his best mark of 46. The highest # of wins by a Canterbury trainer for the season was 51 - David and Catherine Butt. The market isn't as open as what it once was. Half a dozen Canterbury trainers win probably half the races available therefore reducing the available # of wins available to other trainers quite considerably. Yes, he lines up a lot of horses - but take the likes of Lilac Change, Lydia and even Go Davey out of the mix and there's almost a third of his starters for the season without a win. There's some nice horses coming through. Two 2YO's that line up today at the trials go nice. Barnstormer finished a good second to Franco Indie who was a big winner on Sunday recently. Tiger Taylor looks an OK horse too. I don't know if I'd call it a sad state of affairs but more an indication of just how good you have to be to win a race these days. Give me 100 Dean Taylor's winning a dozen races a season and doing it honestly and with integrity than some of the rubbish we've got going on at the moment.

I'll probably have a bet, I reckon. Few good early speed horses drawn well that should be suited by the distance. Not against something different. Interested to see how it goes.

Righto, Brodie. I'll bite. I actually really enjoyed the meeting. Good spread of winners. Some great prices on offer. Punting was a bit of a different challenge due to the distance of racing. Horses coming from everywhere to win. It was a good day. And the big crowd on course enjoying the sunshine would suggest that too. I don't have access to the breakdown. My comment was gained from a conversation with a committee member.

Total turnover of around $1.1 million was the word yesterday

Over $1 million invested on the short course meeting yesterday. Something different. Seemed to work quite well. Thought the racing was pretty exciting and some good performances.

Certainly not heading to paddock post Derby. Dalgety wants Jewels too. Imagine him around Cambridge on the markers. Quoted this week as saying he'll have to contest a few ffa's to stay fit for Jewels.

Hello Mr Vince. Vespa wins at Gloucester Park last week. KD Hawk runs second at Addington. St Michel runs a place at Auckland and Happy Place wins the last.

Gavin Smith's fiancé the vet over there on the weekend...

Boring Methven or boring harness in general? Majority of our winners now come from on the speed irrelevant of where races are being held. You'll always get exceptions to the rule. Aveross Majesty being one yesterday. But largely in a huge percentage of races around the country are won by horses in the first four turning for home. Why? Because the tempos of races has changed significantly in the last 10 years and you now need to be that much better to come from anywhere further back than four or five lengths off the speed.

$100k + on course. Must be horrific.

You're a loser. I give you cold hard honest truth and you throw back that. Tosser. I've watched this site for months. And the amount of absolute bullshit you post that is so from the truth while trying to pretend like you know what's happening is laughable. Go have another smoke with Neil. Then ring Martin and let him know what's happening.

Ken Barron drove the truck. I watched them come in the gate.

Horse flew out today.