Taylor Mile/ Messenger

[Roman]

These 2 races are still only for 4yo right?

Just went and had a look on futures on the TAB (something I hardly ever do) but noticed they have Self Assured, Spankem, South Coast Arden and Mach Dan in there all as favourites. But none of these would meet criteria to even be in these 2 races.

 

Have I missed something here?

[Doomed]

I just checked the programmes and they have been opened up to all comers. How sad, The Messenger used to be one of the great races, now it is just another everyday event. In the gallops you might struggle to retain your group status if you made such a dramatic change, but group status doesn't seem to mean too much in the trots.

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, Doomed said:

The Messenger used to be one of the great races,

And once not easy to win.

[Doomed]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

And once not easy to win.

Won by most of the greats, including Locarno. Many would probably rate Messenger/Rowe Cup night the best night of the year at Alex Park. Sad to see how far it has fallen.

[Gammalite]

11 hours ago, Doomed said:

Won by most of the greats, including Locarno. Many would probably rate Messenger/Rowe Cup night the best night of the year at Alex Park.

Great to see people remember the flashy one ! after 40 + years .

Locarno winning the Messenger on my very first night out at the harness racing , at Alexandra Park 1978. Brilliant racing at Christmas every year. Was there to see more South Islanders Tempest Tiger and Melton Monarch take out the Messenger through the following years too. Great to see the Derby horses progress.  

Locarno went on to take a Miracle Mile against some of the best ever in Aus. (pure Steel, Paleface Adios, Koala King)

Here's a great memory photo !!!! excellent.

 

[Doomed]

12 hours ago, Gammalite said:

Great to see people remember the flashy one ! after 40 + years .

Locarno winning the Messenger on my very first night out at the harness racing , at Alexandra Park 1978. Brilliant racing at Christmas every year. Was there to see more South Islanders Tempest Tiger and Melton Monarch take out the Messenger through the following years too. Great to see the Derby horses progress.  

Locarno went on to take a Miracle Mile against some of the best ever in Aus. (pure Steel, Paleface Adios, Koala King)

Here's a great memory photo !!!! excellent.

 

Locarno was one of my favourites back in the day. He may have been one of the first to win the Miracle Mile from the outside barrier. Only a six horse field in those days of course.

[Rangatira]

Back in the day some really good horses won the Messenger and plenty more good horses finished in behind them.

[Gammalite]

4 hours ago, Rangatira said:

Back in the day some really good horses won the Messenger and plenty more good horses finished in behind them.

Yes in that photo of Locarno, number 9 deep down on the rail running 3rd is WATBRO (Alex Milne) from the far far south. Haughty Romeo from down that way I think , was also in the field. 

They travelled a long way to have a crack at the Messenger for many years. Please leave it for 4 yearolds . You need 'Age' classics (apart from the Jewels) to keep exciting racing going . (and just a few dominating)

[Gammalite]

8 hours ago, Doomed said:

Locarno was one of my favourites back in the day. He may have been one of the first to win the Miracle Mile from the outside barrier. Only a six horse field in those days of course.

'Young Quinn' for New Zealand did as well (win from outside 6 alley) in the 70's.

A fair effort to do that at the old Harold Park track in Sydney with fairly tight turns (it closed 2010)