Going, Going, Almost gone

[Wingman]

My betting turnover is shrinking and I am sure that for the larger punters, as in $ spent, that is the same for thousands of others. The 50 to 70 something year olds have been brought up on a pattern of reliability. We know racing is unpredictable, we know the jockey who cannot lose, does lose, we know the horse that cannot lose does lose but we are also used to expect races to have a degree of rhythm. Sometimes there would be a tearaway leader but generally the pace would be set by a jockey trying to get away with a pace a second or so slower than the norm. Few got away with it, the leader would be pressured and the best horse or the horse who got the best trip would mostly win. Not always and that in itself was the beauty of thoroughbred racing.

I have mentioned this previously, sprint, crawl, walk, sprint is becoming endemic in NZ racing and it is being ignored by the incompetent stipes. I thought the open handicap at Matamata over 2000m today was a decent betting race however I noticed there was no natural leader. I could foresee any number of scenarios so whilst I had a pick, not the favourite, I chose to watch. That is what is happening, more and more of us seasoned punters are choosing to watch, which is killing turnover. Why bet into a decent betting race when you do not get a fair and decent race.

EXPLANATION; Kennedy, riding poorly at present sends Terra Mitica forward  then on making the front eases his mount beyond significantly. High class rider, probably past his best ,Colgan,  decides to send his mount Outovstock from near last to the front and then backs off the pace and whilst this is all going on the over rated (IMO) favourite Loch In Nora is pulling her head off.

The stipes wrap up; Loch In Nora 'Over raced on a moderate tempo'. Sassy Lass 'Unsuited to a moderate tempo' 'Glacial' is the term that should have been the description.

Conclusion; The commentator called it :AN UGLY RACE, A HARD WATCH'. The race, an open handicap was won in a time of 2.07.85. The  lower grade raced earlier was won in a time of 2.04.23, In thoroughbred racing those time differences are enormous. Yet no mention from the so called professional stipes in their report.

I am looking forward to the next 2 months of racing, beyond that? I do get the feeling the industry has employed too many navel gazers. 

[Chief Stipe]

9 minutes ago, Wingman said:

The race, an open handicap was won in a time of 2.07.85. The  lower grade raced earlier was won in a time of 2.04.23, In thoroughbred racing those time differences are enormous. Yet no mention from the so called professional stipes in their report.

20 length difference.

Then they go build a new track that suits back em up and sprint.

[Newmarket]

Happens in Harness as well, although far easier once horses are buried on inner. 
 

Dangerous jockeys putting on brakes when finding front, happens all the time, I too bet less on NZ racing & harness, Aus racing for me, but more betting on sports too

[Doomed]

6 minutes ago, Newmarket said:

Happens in Harness as well, although far easier once horses are buried on inner. 
 

Dangerous jockeys putting on brakes when finding front, happens all the time, I too bet less on NZ racing & harness, Aus racing for me, but more betting on sports too

You would have had a stressful weekend betting on some of the rugby games.

[Newmarket]

2 hours ago, Doomed said:

You would have had a stressful weekend betting on some of the rugby games.

I only usually punt  on teams points start, mainly league. I never bet on warriors games, luckily as Melbourne capitulated first half, warriors swooped then no points 2nd half. 
 

 

[Murray Fish]

On 15/02/2025 at 9:55 PM, Wingman said:

mentioned this previously, sprint, crawl, walk, sprint is becoming endemic in NZ racing and it is being ignored by the incompetent stipes.

Mrs had to put up with me Jumping up and saying this is why you couldn't bet into this sort of race because of the fascial way they are so often run!!! sigh!

On 15/02/2025 at 9:55 PM, Wingman said:

I am looking forward to the next 2 months of racing, beyond that?

lol, i have been on what seems a very slow train, slowly heading down that line.... 

In saying that! I'm keen to see the upcoming big days in AK!  and, as ever, there are the group races coming up in Vic and NSW

[Wingman]

19 minutes ago, Murray Fish said:

Mrs had to put up with me Jumping up and saying this is why you couldn't bet into this sort of race because of the fascial way they are so often run!!!

 That is the problem. One looks at a decent field but then we have to second guess if it will be run truly. A slow paced race is not unique to today but they didn't used to be ubiquitous. The 2000m open Handicap at Matamata was worse than slow;  horse racing BUT not as we know it.  

 

21 minutes ago, Murray Fish said:

I'm keen to see the upcoming big days in AK! 

Me too and Oaks day on 22nd March at Trentham should be a cracker 

[Huey]

Some promising fields for Saturday at both venues , particularly numbers wise. 

has the Otaki G1 move worked? Early days yet , but not sure they would have got that many?