Driver changes can bring better results!

[Brodie]

Following harness form and results often has me wondering why owners dont change their driver whrn they are not getting the right result!

You only have to go through the fields and you will see many examples of a change of driver to a more competent driver will indeed get afar better result!

Does anyone actually know why Paul Nairn continues to be the sole driver of Tu Tangata???

We all know that Paul Nairn is an  extremely good trainer of the trotter but to be honest most of us would not rate him as highly when he is in the cart at the races!

His drives on Tu Tangata are less than meritorious and doesnt give the horse the best chance in his races!

Why does he not put Bob Butt or someone else in the cart,  as there is no doubt in Brodies mind that it would improve the horses chances without doubt!

Is there something we dont know about the horse that only Paul knows?

[Nowornever]

I could name a few horses who would benefit with a driver change.

Sometimes these guys are quite happy to run around and just get place money. I don't blame them with the handicapping system. If I owned a maiden trotter in the North I wouldn't want to win either. Sometimes better to run a lot of placings than win one and never place again for the next however many starts in a higher grade against horses who have won ten races.

[pete cook]

When you are a small stable, it can be challenging to get the best drivers, who naturally want to drive the horse they think are the best chance of earning them money, that's their job. There is also a loyalty factor. I know one leading trainer who has a list of preferred drivers. When a driver turns him down, that driver goes to the bottom of the list.

As for Paul and Tu Tangata, he owns it so he can do what he wishes, don't forget he gets $100 for doing so.

[paleface adios]

18 hours ago, Brodie said:

Following harness form and results often has me wondering why owners dont change their driver whrn they are not getting the right result!

You only have to go through the fields and you will see many examples of a change of driver to a more competent driver will indeed get afar better result!

Does anyone actually know why Paul Nairn continues to be the sole driver of Tu Tangata???

We all know that Paul Nairn is an  extremely good trainer of the trotter but to be honest most of us would not rate him as highly when he is in the cart at the races!

His drives on Tu Tangata are less than meritorious and doesnt give the horse the best chance in his races!

Why does he not put Bob Butt or someone else in the cart,  as there is no doubt in Brodies mind that it would improve the horses chances without doubt!

Is there something we dont know about the horse that only Paul knows?

Bob to busy wrapping  cotton  wool on latest yearling sale purchase  for 👢  ?

[Brodie]

4 hours ago, Nowornever said:

I could name a few horses who would benefit with a driver change.

Sometimes these guys are quite happy to run around and just get place money. I don't blame them with the handicapping system. If I owned a maiden trotter in the North I wouldn't want to win either. Sometimes better to run a lot of placings than win one and never place again for the next however many starts in a higher grade against horses who have won ten races.

Tu Tangata is only getting appearance money though for running 5ths!

The thing is Paul does use other drivers on his horses but for some unknown reason seems to continue in the cart with Tu Tangata ?

[Nowornever]

2 hours ago, Brodie said:

Tu Tangata is only getting appearance money though for running 5ths!

The thing is Paul does use other drivers on his horses but for some unknown reason seems to continue in the cart with Tu Tangata ?

Thing is he would be racing the likes of Muscle Mountain if he won another couple so better off hunting the places in lower grades with Paul in the bike. He has had 14 seconds and 15 thirds so not a bad wee earner. 

Wouldn't be surprised if he went to Aussie as he would suit those mile races I reckon.

[Brodie]

3 hours ago, Nowornever said:

Thing is he would be racing the likes of Muscle Mountain if he won another couple so better off hunting the places in lower grades with Paul in the bike. He has had 14 seconds and 15 thirds so not a bad wee earner. 

Wouldn't be surprised if he went to Aussie as he would suit those mile races I reckon.

Tu Tangata has run 2 4ths in the last 9 starts, which is the best he has done.

Hasnt finished in a dividend bearing placing in the last 9 starts?

If you watch the replays of his races you will see that he is not being driven to the horses best abilities.

There has to be something to it as Paul normally steps aside if he is not getting results?

[Nowornever]

Ideal run tonight... Pace was on and he had plenty of room when the field spread out. Too good for them at nice money.

[Brodie]

About time!

Was the best horse in that field as has raced far better horses and perfirmed well against them

Had been driving it as if he he had no intention of being placed.

[paleface adios]

2 hours ago, Brodie said:

About time!

Was the best horse in that field as has raced far better horses and perfirmed well against them

Had been driving it as if he he had no intention of being placed.

Eating  humble  pie cobber 

[Brodie]

8 hours ago, paleface adios said:

Eating  humble  pie cobber 

Humble Pie?

Tu Tangata won because Paul actually drove it better and the race panned out for it!

That was exactly my point, that it should have been winning or placing previously rather than just running 5th!!

It was long overdue Paleface!

[Gammalite]

4 hours ago, Brodie said:

Humble Pie?

Tu Tangata won because Paul actually drove it better and the race panned out for it!

That was exactly my point, that it should have been winning or placing previously rather than just running 5th!!

Well it's just Not that good a horse either.

Only one win , with 4 x 2nd placings in the whole of last year/season . 34 starts.  A pretty average return

Essentially you are correct Brodster and I always think the driver has the huge hand in deciding if a horse wins or not. Paul is a bit like Chris Alford,  Morrie Mac , Ricky May and others (yes even Mark Purdon showing signs of wear and tear (so he used a catch driver last year here at Brisbane Who won the Derby for him too with Rubira )  that age has wearied them . whether they like it or not. Age wearies all of us and your reflex's and agility are not going to be the same as the amazing Cam Hart  , Carter, Herbertson and others from the exciting younger generation. 

BUT , Tu Tangata FINALLY got a win last night trotting home in a bold 61.5 . ( small sarcasm sorry about that) 

so Happy day ! 🙂 and well done Paul and 'Tui' the flying wonder trotter. (No wonder not many bet NZ trots much these days lol 😋 )  

[Brodie]

50 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Well it's just Not that good a horse either.

Only one win , with 4 x 2nd placings in the whole of last year/season . 34 starts.  A pretty average return

Essentially you are correct Brodster and I always think the driver has the huge hand in deciding if a horse wins or not. Paul is a bit like Chris Alford,  Morrie Mac , Ricky May and others (yes even Mark Purdon showing signs of wear and tear (so he used a catch driver last year here at Brisbane Who won the Derby for him too with Rubira )  that age has wearied them . whether they like it or not. Age wearies all of us and your reflex's and agility are not going to be the same as the amazing Cam Hart  , Carter, Herbertson and others from the exciting younger generation. 

BUT , Tu Tangata FINALLY got a win last night trotting home in a bold 61.5 . ( small sarcasm sorry about that) 

so Happy day ! 🙂 and well done Paul and 'Tui' the flying wonder trotter. (No wonder not many bet NZ trots much these days lol 😋 )  

Tu Tangata is no champion but no disrespect, but Paul is a far better trainer than driver, and his horses do a helluva lot better when he puts someone else on!

Punters want to offload on harness, but the Bookies of the NZ TAB don’t want many of us to!

Let the punters on TAB bookies, you are killing the wagering with your unethical restrictions!!

 

[Gammalite]

14 minutes ago, Brodie said:

Tu Tangata is no champion but no disrespect, but Paul is a far better trainer than driver, and his horses do a helluva lot better when he puts someone else on!

Punters want to offload on harness, but the Bookies of the NZ TAB don’t want many of us to!

Let the punters on TAB bookies, you are killing the wagering with your unethical restrictions!!

 

I love the drivers better than the horses sometimes . ( and especially for punting lol  😁) 

Today and tomorrow night Brodster ALL the 10 races of 10 horses at both meetings at Albion,  have new drivers . I love this sort of shit , and to see the best going around competing is dreamy stuff . thank you to Entain /Ladbrokes for putting on yet another wonderful incentive . 👍🏆

Zachary Butcher is the Great NZ rep and will give a bold sight i'm sure.

Alas , The horses racing today are mostly worse than Tu Tangata , so will be struggling a long way from home lol 🤣 mostly Redcliffe Class country slow horses today . Zachary will be winning Race 9 though on the ONLY real decent horse racing today in race 9. A Lovely NZ horse who won her maiden here in 1.53 earlier in month. A certainty today.   (They All have some much better horses to drive tomorrow night thankfully.)

Anyway GOOD LUCK to Zachary 🇳🇿 to go close to being the Ladbrokes ULTIMATE DRIVER of the world.   

(Pete, Angus and Trista for Queensland likely to get Whalloped by amazing drivers Cam , Herbie, LukeM and GazHall the likely winner,  this time round) 

Edited 7 hours ago by Gammalite

[the galah]

40 minutes ago, Brodie said:

Tu Tangata is no champion but no disrespect, but Paul is a far better trainer than driver, and his horses do a helluva lot better when he puts someone else on!

Punters want to offload on harness, but the Bookies of the NZ TAB don’t want many of us to!

Let the punters on TAB bookies, you are killing the wagering with your unethical restrictions!!

 

i think the thing that frustrates the punters about tu tangata,is they don't know whether nairn is trying and just isn't much of a driver,or whether hes not trying and is trying to drop in the grades.My guess would be the later,although who can be really sure either way. Either way there is a down side to how that horse often gets driven which would frustrate anyone that bets on it.

I always think he should put one of those claiming drivers on and just take the half penalties every time it wins and try everytime.

the handicapping system is so biased in the favour of junior drivers over the likes of drivers like nairn. But at the end of the day,its his horse.

[Spatchcock]

On 17/02/2026 at 3:27 PM, Brodie said:

Following harness form and results often has me wondering why owners dont change their driver whrn they are not getting the right result!

You only have to go through the fields and you will see many examples of a change of driver to a more competent driver will indeed get afar better result!

Does anyone actually know why Paul Nairn continues to be the sole driver of Tu Tangata???

We all know that Paul Nairn is an  extremely good trainer of the trotter but to be honest most of us would not rate him as highly when he is in the cart at the races!

His drives on Tu Tangata are less than meritorious and doesnt give the horse the best chance in his races!

Why does he not put Bob Butt or someone else in the cart,  as there is no doubt in Brodies mind that it would improve the horses chances without doubt!

Is there something we dont know about the horse that only Paul knows?

Some of your best work, Broadster

[Brodie]

1 hour ago, Spatchcock said:

Some of your best work, Broadster

 Spatchcock, to be fair Brodie is always on the money whether people agree or not!

We need more people ready to speak their mind, which unfortunately we have learnt over recent years that they are prepared to just accept things, even when it is BS!

The thing is Brodie and The Galah both tell it the way it is, even if it appears negative, due to our deep concerns for the future of harness racing in NZ!

I believe there are still people involved in harness racing that just dont see what is going to happen once the Entain cash splash finishes!

 

 

[Nowornever]

3 hours ago, Gammalite said:

Well it's just Not that good a horse either

Went a good race for 5th in the Rowe Cup last year beating home Oscar Bonavena, Mighty Logan, Not As Promised and Midnight Dash.

It has also trotted a half in 55 at Addington so based on that it was a shoe in last night.

[Brodie]

2 hours ago, Nowornever said:

Went a good race for 5th in the Rowe Cup last year beating home Oscar Bonavena, Mighty Logan, Not As Promised and Midnight Dash.

It has also trotted a half in 55 at Addington so based on that it was a shoe in last night.

There have been many races where on ability shouldve won but the drives were not the best,  giving the horse the best chance!

[Gammalite]

2 hours ago, Nowornever said:

Went a good race for 5th in the Rowe Cup last year beating home Oscar Bonavena, Mighty Logan, Not As Promised and Midnight Dash.

It has also trotted a half in 55 at Addington so based on that it was a shoe in last night.

that is pretty good form then. the trotters are always a wonderful sight in their natural gait. 

Queensland only recently getting them going nicely. Not As Promised winning last Saturday night in 1.55 MR .  this is too quick for old kiwi's coming across nowadays.

MASTERLY , who exactly one year ago was winning at Addington twice in February in 2.00 MR's  ,  for drivers Tomlinson and Harrison looked quite good there , but trotting in QLD has 1 win from 16 starts since last May , and was a poor last on Saturday behind 'Not As Promised'.

we're getting quite good here with Trotters which is very exciting for the locals. The Cup week at Chch  double Group 1 winner GUS resumed recently,  in a marathon at Albion and won by lengths, after starting off 40m 

 North Islander TAYLAD TO USE ,you might not remember as was running 4ths and 5ths in Auckland for years, but was leased to some QLD owners and won our Queensland trotting championship group 2 in November,  so got $30,000 for that for the leading Dixon stable . but since then 12 weeks ago in 8 starts Taylad To Use has been unplaced in 8 starts.   Can't work out what's gone wrong with him for the moment. needs a spell I think. 

Another North Islander SOUTHERN DIAMOND from Purdons had good NZ form but only running about 4th all the time here, and I was very disappointed he didn't win last time in the Jim McNeil memorial. Jim being the wonderful man who imported 20 trotters from NZ in the 90's to get trotting races starting in Queensland. a fantastic achievement.

maybe 'Southern Diamond' can win today in race 10 in the drivers Challenge races tonight ??? Zachary Butcher has drawn him and won on him in NZ and was 5th in the Sires stakes Final.

Zachary the only driver on a familiar horse so should near win it ? seems  a good chance at 5-1 🤔