Newmarket

Good one, he was a tough old bugger that loved the roomy Addington track. Then there was the terrible crash in the 1984 derby, the sound of the crowd gasping was very loud indeed.

First started going to Addington in the early 80s, while I always looked forward to cup time, Easter Saturday was a close 2nd. Hands Down winning several cups, and who can forget Basil Dean vrs Sir Castleton battles, especially that record that Basil Dean set which was quicker than the Open Class pacers at the time, quite hard to believe. Nowadays, I hardly think of Addington on Easter Sat, I will probably be more interested in Motukarara monday. Who else has good memories of Easter harness?

Very sad indeed. Was always a pleasant guy to talk with, shame his health deteriorated quickly. I remember his first harness race call many years ago, a good horse in Field Commander won his first race at Ashburton, in the first race on the 10th March 1989. I think Reon was in Australia for the Inter Doms. He sounded quite a bit like Reon at this time

Ha Ha, bit unfair to compare with Freda. Not being rude to her, but Mark Purdon in a class of his own without even starting a runner.

Ride poorly and you get suspended, I have no issue with it, as you know I have been stating the skill of riders especially in the Sth Island is getting worse. Maybe now that trainers are being affected with shortage of jockeys, they might band together and help improve the chimps out there riding, good idea?

You are probably gearing up and washing ya nags..what about us punters listening to him? His calls are way out

Who is calling at Riccarton today, he is terrible. Sounds like he has been cloned from Ian Chambers & Lauchie Marshall, wow

Thanks Brodie, honest truth at last

Not sure it’s a good training effort when the others go crazy out it front, the 2nd runner went huge. Good luck to them, yes they dominate in the weak classes up Nth, be good if he stays up there.

Robin had the lovely mare Agrinion in the 80s, came across as a lovely guy.

Everyone has their own opinion on drivers & trainers, but for mine I do not bet as much once certain trainers have runners in fields. Look at Warloch tonight, pays $44 yet couldn’t keep up recently. Yes, speed duel helped it winning, but I will keep away from House runners

Yep, we are all waiting for an update. It’s crazy to see meetings cancelled after they have run a couple, trainers and owners must be at their wits end

Mickey Mouse never been a fav of mine, but good on him for seeing an opportunity to race horses mainly at Manawatu. I find his horses hard to follow, those field up north are usually shit, then they come to Canterbury and either run well down the track, or somehow win. I thought he was getting out of harness, said he was losing money?? I suppose he will be remembered for getting youngsters up and running, people paying big bucks for them at an early stage with mixed results, oh and of course the early crow on Castletons Missions🤭

Pretty average bringing this up when he has just died. Only one side of a story here

I had a couple of mates that ran around it sober, they stated it’s a bog and lost footing several times. On what has happened recently, will be abandoned after first few races. Not before meeting started, just once a few slip. Welcome to NZ racing

For those thinking of going, I would think twice. Word on the street is it’s more slippery than a banana skin jandel.

Maybe he could have raced handier on that track, although I’m not really knocking the guy. Just stating that in three races he was well supported, yet came in a very long last. TAB would be laffing. I see they are running it today on some apprentice jockey, that’s desperate

I went to Motukarara yesterday with a group of about 20 people, most follow and are are involved in gallops. They all commented how well the day was organised, unlimited byo grog yet crowd well behaved, in fact they are returning on the 8th instead of looking around for a gallops meeting. They are pretty pissed off with the Riccarton Cup Day debacle, and 3 that are members are not renewing membership this year. Just goes to show, they had a record crowd yesterday, all there to watch probably the most average bunch of horses I have seen race at a Xmas meeting.

Feel sorry for any owner that has a hot jock on them over the holiday period. Luckily, I never bet in these as the odds are usually so poor, it’s hardly worth it, and to be honest, they hardly ever win. Craig today got a fav home, and should have won a later race with a better ride. But most races he settled well back in running, never improved. Strange old day for him

why, will only get cancelled at some stage

Wow, Last 3 races this guys rides have come in last, all by a huge margin? They were all well supported too, has the TAB nobbled his nags🫢

Pretty sure I saw some glamour boy loading horses with jandals?? FFS, tell me I’m wrong

Why not load your bank account details with TAB? Withdrawals are easy, always their next day, in fact I have withdrawn in the afternoon and money has shown cleared in account couple of hours later.

I see this evening a horse truck has overturned carrying 7 horses down south. Anyone got any updates, very sad for all concerned

The stats don’t lie, 80% of jockeys that have died in race falls in the last 10 years, have been female.