And so it begins

[Michael]

The push to

Good Afternoon  Harness Racing New Zealand is getting ready to develop a National Venue Plan that will guide how races and resources are distributed across New Zealand’s racing venues.   We are writing to invite your feedback on the draft venue assessment criteria that will be used to help us determine the best mix of racing venues and training facilities for the sustained success of our sport.   We would greatly value your input on whether our draft criteria are right. For example, is there anything missing or do we have too many criteria, and what weighting should be given to each of them.   All harness racing/trotting clubs, kindred bodies, licence holders, owners and breeders are invited to have their say on the draft venue assessment criteria by 5.00 pm, Friday 25 August 2023.   Full details including a list of the criteria and ways to have your say can be found in the consultation document. This consultation is being facilitated by an independent company who will compile a report on your feedback and assist us to finalise the criteria. Also, please see the FAQ document.   Attend an Information Session If you have any questions or would like to learn more about this consultation, please attend one of our free information sessions on Zoom.   We are hosting sessions for different parts of the country, so please register (by clicking the link below) for the area you are based in or are most involved in harness racing, by choosing one of the options below. • Southland – Monday 14 August, 2.30pm – 3.15pm • Otago – Monday 14 August, 4.00pm – 4.45pm • Canterbury – Tuesday 15 August, 3.30pm – 4.15pm • West Coast, Marlborough and Nelson – Monday 21 August, 2.30pm – 3.15pm • Lower North Island – Monday 21 August, 4.00pm – 4.45pm • Upper North Island – Tuesday 22 August, 3.30pm – 4.15pm   Have your say by completing our short survey www.hrnz.co.nz/survey or, alternatively, you can email your feedback to yoursay@hrnz.co.nz.   Kind Regards Gary Woodham Chief Executive

close Venues and race more and more at Addington

[Doomed]

2 hours ago, Michael said:

The push to

Good Afternoon  Harness Racing New Zealand is getting ready to develop a National Venue Plan that will guide how races and resources are distributed across New Zealand’s racing venues.   We are writing to invite your feedback on the draft venue assessment criteria that will be used to help us determine the best mix of racing venues and training facilities for the sustained success of our sport.   We would greatly value your input on whether our draft criteria are right. For example, is there anything missing or do we have too many criteria, and what weighting should be given to each of them.   All harness racing/trotting clubs, kindred bodies, licence holders, owners and breeders are invited to have their say on the draft venue assessment criteria by 5.00 pm, Friday 25 August 2023.   Full details including a list of the criteria and ways to have your say can be found in the consultation document. This consultation is being facilitated by an independent company who will compile a report on your feedback and assist us to finalise the criteria. Also, please see the FAQ document.   Attend an Information Session If you have any questions or would like to learn more about this consultation, please attend one of our free information sessions on Zoom.   We are hosting sessions for different parts of the country, so please register (by clicking the link below) for the area you are based in or are most involved in harness racing, by choosing one of the options below. • Southland – Monday 14 August, 2.30pm – 3.15pm • Otago – Monday 14 August, 4.00pm – 4.45pm • Canterbury – Tuesday 15 August, 3.30pm – 4.15pm • West Coast, Marlborough and Nelson – Monday 21 August, 2.30pm – 3.15pm • Lower North Island – Monday 21 August, 4.00pm – 4.45pm • Upper North Island – Tuesday 22 August, 3.30pm – 4.15pm   Have your say by completing our short survey www.hrnz.co.nz/survey or, alternatively, you can email your feedback to yoursay@hrnz.co.nz.   Kind Regards Gary Woodham Chief Executive

close Venues and race more and more at Addington

It's an appallingly written document. Obviously totally aimed at one predetermined outcome. 

Their priority seems to be to save a few travelling costs. Rather than having 4-5,000 people turning up at Orari on a Sunday they would rather have 40 or 50 people turn up at Addington. Saves some trainers a few dollars in petrol. Obviously the same trainers, drivers and owners are happier racing in front of 50 people at Addington rather than a full house at a country meeting. Atmosphere not really considered important.

Sadly Michael, I doubt you will get more than 3 or 4 people commenting on this thread. Harness people never really get the big picture, they would rather debate whether the Whale has picked a $1.60 winner.

[Nowornever]

It is probably already decided so no point raising any points of view really. 

Same old farts running the place that think a 1.50 favourite at Addington in a seven horse field trumps a $20.00 winner at Methven in a 15 horse field. They just don't get it!

I do not know how they can argue with the facts when grass track racing attracts bigger crowds, bigger nominations and more turnover, and keeps the hobbie trainers interested that train close to these grass track venues.

I am not alone when I say with winter racing I pretty much just shut down my betting and wait for the grass tracks to return. If they toss out any more grass track meetings then shut the fucking door on the way out as far as I am concerned.

[the galah]

23 hours ago, Doomed said:

It's an appallingly written document. Obviously totally aimed at one predetermined outcome. 

Their priority seems to be to save a few travelling costs. Rather than having 4-5,000 people turning up at Orari on a Sunday they would rather have 40 or 50 people turn up at Addington. Saves some trainers a few dollars in petrol. Obviously the same trainers, drivers and owners are happier racing in front of 50 people at Addington rather than a full house at a country meeting. Atmosphere not really considered important.

Sadly Michael, I doubt you will get more than 3 or 4 people commenting on this thread. Harness people never really get the big picture, they would rather debate whether the Whale has picked a $1.60 winner.

I don't agree with your assessment there doomed.

I think its written in a way thats easy to understand.Have you read the whole survey?

Having the opportunity to express an opinion to the decision makers has got to be a good thing.

I think your a bit out of touch if you think the trainers and drivers and owners are happy just racing at addington.Don't think they are the ones driving the centralization strategy.

When you say the topics raised in the survey is unlikely to get much comment on here. I would say where have you been? 

I would suggest you fill the survey in.

3 hours ago, Nowornever said:

It is probably already decided so no point raising any points of view really. 

Same old farts running the place that think a 1.50 favourite at Addington in a seven horse field trumps a $20.00 winner at Methven in a 15 horse field. They just don't get it!

I do not know how they can argue with the facts when grass track racing attracts bigger crowds, bigger nominations and more turnover, and keeps the hobbie trainers interested that train close to these grass track venues.

I am not alone when I say with winter racing I pretty much just shut down my betting and wait for the grass tracks to return. If they toss out any more grass track meetings then shut the fucking door on the way out as far as I am concerned.

You should fill the survey in as well nowornever.You have opinions worth hearing.

It would be a strange strategy for hrnz to conduct a survey,get results which indicate people have opinions the same as yours nowornever,then have hrnz implement changes that the survey results indicate aren't supported by its participants. Now that may happen,but that doesn't seem to make much sense. So i think you should fill the survey in ,in good faith so to speak,and see what the overall results of it are.

The problem with racing in canterbury over winter is the weather is so bad that who wants to train horses in the rain all the time. It started raining about 6 months ago and has hardly stopped since.Bring on el nino.  

Edited August 3, 2023 by the galah

[Unhinged]

Being a race day steward at Addington and a committee member of Methven I'd say I have a foot in both camps along with racing horses and now breeding them.As we all know you simply couldn't rely on racing on the grass in winter so we don't. The simple facts are for Addington to be economic it needs to be used 60 / 70 times a year . It would be the best winter track with the best undercover Stables with the biggest population of horse's nearby . If you look at the GBR's over the Sunday Raceday's and the turnovers with the limited number of horse's racing at this time of year you would find it very hard to justify going anywhere else. Yes I love being part of Methven but if you can't see that we need Addington you haven't got the whole industry at heart.

 

[Nowornever]

11 hours ago, Unhinged said:

Being a race day steward at Addington and a committee member of Methven I'd say I have a foot in both camps along with racing horses and now breeding them.As we all know you simply couldn't rely on racing on the grass in winter so we don't. The simple facts are for Addington to be economic it needs to be used 60 / 70 times a year . It would be the best winter track with the best undercover Stables with the biggest population of horse's nearby . If you look at the GBR's over the Sunday Raceday's and the turnovers with the limited number of horse's racing at this time of year you would find it very hard to justify going anywhere else. Yes I love being part of Methven but if you can't see that we need Addington you haven't got the whole industry at heart.

 

I understand you can't race on grass in winter and Addington is the best option but harness racing can not afford to lose another grass track meeting.

IMO I blame the top heavy corporates for most of the damage caused to the NZ racing industry. The TAB betting systems should have been world class with the cash cow they had available to them but we have an antiquated system and the fat cats at the top have filled their own pockets instead of investing in infrastructure, and I believe HRNZ is going the the same way.  What have these guys at the top changed that has made a positive difference to deserve the big salaries they are on?

[the galah]

13 hours ago, Unhinged said:

Being a race day steward at Addington and a committee member of Methven I'd say I have a foot in both camps along with racing horses and now breeding them.As we all know you simply couldn't rely on racing on the grass in winter so we don't. The simple facts are for Addington to be economic it needs to be used 60 / 70 times a year . It would be the best winter track with the best undercover Stables with the biggest population of horse's nearby . If you look at the GBR's over the Sunday Raceday's and the turnovers with the limited number of horse's racing at this time of year you would find it very hard to justify going anywhere else. Yes I love being part of Methven but if you can't see that we need Addington you haven't got the whole industry at heart.

 

I went to addington last week ,the first time for a couple of years. I left after 2 races because it just wasn't doing anything for me.The only part of the stand that was open was the bar at the bottom next to the birdcage. It appeared to be relatively busy but i guess that was because it wasn't a big area and was the only place anyone could go.I had hoped to go and sit out of the cold behind the glassed area above the bar,but that was all closed up. I don't understand why they locked that up.  I looked around in the area where the seats are in front of that glassed area and everyone looked pretty much the same,like they were cold even though the sun was out.As far as having a bet. The totes were open in the bar area once i found them. They only had 3 operators working,but i placed my bets just 1 minute before race start and both times was the only one placing a bet. I spoke to just 1 person,who i did not know,and we reminisced about what things used to be like after i asked him where to place a bet. He told me he still comes to addington but not as much. He said he used to go to the nz cup religiously,but doesn't anymore as last time it had cost him $70 to enter and and all he did was have to stand up the straight all day. I can see why hardly anyone turns up. I wouldn't go again.

As you point out,it is winter and has been very cold and wet everywhere,but addington in winter is not an inviting place. They need to at least let the public use the facilities they have,i.e. a glassed in area and they need to reward people that go to these type of meetings with some sort of system that can get them a discount on the days when they are charged for like nz cup day. For example they could have a scan in system and say each time someone goes to addington on a lower key meeting they scan in and as a result receive a $5 reduction on the entry fee on the bigger days.Or at least some type of reward at some stage during the year. That way you would also identify who actually attends these meetings and could maybe target them with promotions. We live in a world where regular customers are rewarded with something. Why ,because it works. E.g. Like using a discount card at the supermarket.

Edited August 3, 2023 by the galah

[Unhinged]

4 hours ago, Nowornever said:

I understand you can't race on grass in winter and Addington is the best option but harness racing can not afford to lose another grass track meeting.

IMO I blame the top heavy corporates for most of the damage caused to the NZ racing industry. The TAB betting systems should have been world class with the cash cow they had available to them but we have an antiquated system and the fat cats at the top have filled their own pockets instead of investing in infrastructure, and I believe HRNZ is going the the same way.  What have these guys at the top changed that has made a positive difference to deserve the big salaries they are on?

Totally agree , we need more grass track racing if that generates the best income and at the moment it certainly does

[Unhinged]

2 hours ago, the galah said:

I went to addington last week ,the first time for a couple of years. I left after 2 races because it just wasn't doing anything for me.The only part of the stand that was open was the bar at the bottom next to the birdcage. It appeared to be relatively busy but i guess that was because it wasn't a big area and was the only place anyone could go.I had hoped to go and sit out of the cold behind the glassed area above the bar,but that was all closed up. I don't understand why they locked that up.  I looked around in the area where the seats are in front of that glassed area and everyone looked pretty much the same,like they were cold even though the sun was out.As far as having a bet. The totes were open in the bar area once i found them. They only had 3 operators working,but i placed my bets just 1 minute before race start and both times was the only one placing a bet. I spoke to just 1 person,who i did not know,and we reminisced about what things used to be like after i asked him where to place a bet. He told me he still comes to addington but not as much. He said he used to go to the nz cup religiously,but doesn't anymore as last time it had cost him $70 to enter and and all he did was have to stand up the straight all day. I can see why hardly anyone turns up. I wouldn't go again.

As you point out,it is winter and has been very cold and wet everywhere,but addington in winter is not an inviting place. They need to at least let the public use the facilities they have,i.e. a glassed in area and they need to reward people that go to these type of meetings with some sort of system that can get them a discount on the days when they are charged for like nz cup day. For example they could have a scan in system and say each time someone goes to addington on a lower key meeting they scan in and as a result receive a $5 reduction on the entry fee on the bigger days.Or at least some type of reward at some stage during the year. That way you would also identify who actually attends these meetings and could maybe target them with promotions. We live in a world where regular customers are rewarded with something. Why ,because it works. E.g. Like using a discount card at the supermarket.

Totally agree with the rewards program for regular attendees.  Problem with opening up glass fronted stand is cost. It's open Fridays for members and not very well patronized.  I have already suggested opening it up to the public on Sundays for members and public,  definitely something that needs to be revisited. 

[Walt]

I grew up on Grass Track harness. As a boy, there was always a two mile country cup as the first leg of the double on a Saturday afternoon that I looked forward to all week. Big fields, heaps of locals loving the game and connecting with other like minded people. Then someone else decided they knew better.

At times it feels like harness racing has lost it's soul. Not sure there is much in the game for younger people to get excited about. 

[Unhinged]

5 minutes ago, Walt said:

I grew up on Grass Track harness. As a boy, there was always a two mile country cup as the first leg of the double on a Saturday afternoon that I looked forward to all week. Big fields, heaps of locals loving the game and connecting with other like minded people. Then someone else decided they knew better.

At times it feels like harness racing has lost it's soul. Not sure there is much in the game for younger people to get excited about. 

Our industry survives on passionate volunteers,  we are a business but if the people we employ don't have the same passion we are in a world of hurt. Next time your at a racetrack take a look around and see how many of the employee's are then when their not on the clock.

[the galah]

2 minutes ago, Walt said:

I grew up on Grass Track harness. As a boy, there was always a two mile country cup as the first leg of the double on a Saturday afternoon that I looked forward to all week. Big fields, heaps of locals loving the game and connecting with other like minded people. Then someone else decided they knew better.

At times it feels like harness racing has lost it's soul. Not sure there is much in the game for younger people to get excited about. 

I have always thought the way to attract young people into the sport is exposure through the family connection. 

Firstly you have to look at the age demographics of those that bet on horse racing and the age of the owners and attendees on racetracks.

They are pretty much all similar for all three groups. It is those that are over about 45,more men than women. The highest participation seems to be the 50-70 age group.

why is that. Well the most obvious and important answer is they have enough money to do so. Of course theres other reason as well,but without being financially able to bet or own or afford to take their family to the races,they would not be there.

Now not many people seem to think like me,(which i never understand),but it is this age group who the industry should always be targeting to attract more of their like,because its pretty obvious that any investment of time or money is going to achieve better results if you focus on the area where you will get the greatest return.

To me its just plain common sense.What business that ever hopes to survive uses their resources to target people who they will get the least returns from.The answer to that is a business that is destined to shrink and fail.

Its from that platform and thinking  that you then develop a strategy that encourages the over 45 years to bring their younger families to the races,thus gaining that exposure and sowing the seeds of future participation in the sport when the younger generations reach the point of financial stability as they grow older.

That is why its so important that harness racing put promotional funds into the venues that are family friendly and create an experience on course of enjoyment,relaxation and fun.And of course harness racing has those venues. They are the grass track meetings and grass track meetings are run during the time of year when the weather,which is so important for attendance,is at its best. Grass track meetings should be marketed as family days.Its already where people and families go so once again your target should be to attract more of the same type customer.Obviously that type of promotion is only realistic over the warmer months.

These sunday winter meetings at addington are essential for so many reasons,but they will never attract many as the atmosphere and setting isn't attractive. Its not the racing thats much different,its the weather and surroundings that are. Therefore those running those meetings should focus on what they can do for their core customer.i.e. The 40 and over age group. A start would be having somewhere warm where they could sit and watch. Seems pretty basic that,but addington on a sunday doesn't have it.

[Walt]

2 hours ago, the galah said:

I have always thought the way to attract young people into the sport is exposure through the family connection. 

Firstly you have to look at the age demographics of those that bet on horse racing and the age of the owners and attendees on racetracks.

They are pretty much all similar for all three groups. It is those that are over about 45,more men than women. The highest participation seems to be the 50-70 age group.

why is that. Well the most obvious and important answer is they have enough money to do so. Of course theres other reason as well,but without being financially able to bet or own or afford to take their family to the races,they would not be there.

Now not many people seem to think like me,(which i never understand),but it is this age group who the industry should always be targeting to attract more of their like,because its pretty obvious that any investment of time or money is going to achieve better results if you focus on the area where you will get the greatest return.

To me its just plain common sense.What business that ever hopes to survive uses their resources to target people who they will get the least returns from.The answer to that is a business that is destined to shrink and fail.

Its from that platform and thinking  that you then develop a strategy that encourages the over 45 years to bring their younger families to the races,thus gaining that exposure and sowing the seeds of future participation in the sport when the younger generations reach the point of financial stability as they grow older.

That is why its so important that harness racing put promotional funds into the venues that are family friendly and create an experience on course of enjoyment,relaxation and fun.And of course harness racing has those venues. They are the grass track meetings and grass track meetings are run during the time of year when the weather,which is so important for attendance,is at its best. Grass track meetings should be marketed as family days.Its already where people and families go so once again your target should be to attract more of the same type customer.Obviously that type of promotion is only realistic over the warmer months.

These sunday winter meetings at addington are essential for so many reasons,but they will never attract many as the atmosphere and setting isn't attractive. Its not the racing thats much different,its the weather and surroundings that are. Therefore those running those meetings should focus on what they can do for their core customer.i.e. The 40 and over age group. A start would be having somewhere warm where they could sit and watch. Seems pretty basic that,but addington on a sunday doesn't have it.

Nailed it Galah,

I grew up in Nelson where they raced twice a year on the grass. Summer meeting in January and Winter meeting in July. Always big fields and always well attended even if it was knee deep in mud.

Now we have an all weather track. Good attendance for both days of the January meeting.....but no Winter meeting so 12 months between races. The sport is dying. If there is no present, how can there be any future?

[Chief Stipe]

12 minutes ago, Walt said:

I grew up in Nelson where they raced twice a year on the grass. Summer meeting in January

I remember it well as a kid on our summer holidays from the West Coast.  Big track, uphill home straight and huge fields.  The colourful but very descriptive commentary of one Jack O'Donnell.

One highlight was the members buffett on course in the Richmond Lounge.

Took my daughter to one of the summer meetings to reminisce.

[Nowornever]

1 hour ago, Walt said:

Nailed it Galah,

I grew up in Nelson where they raced twice a year on the grass. Summer meeting in January and Winter meeting in July. Always big fields and always well attended even if it was knee deep in mud.

Now we have an all weather track. Good attendance for both days of the January meeting.....but no Winter meeting so 12 months between races. The sport is dying. If there is no present, how can there be any future?

I used to look forward to the Nelson winter meeting every year. Knew quite a few trainers who used to set their horses specially for it from Ashburton and Canterbury

[Walt]

On 8/4/2023 at 6:10 PM, Chief Stipe said:

I remember it well as a kid on our summer holidays from the West Coast.  Big track, uphill home straight and huge fields.  The colourful but very descriptive commentary of one Jack O'Donnell.

One highlight was the members buffett on course in the Richmond Lounge.

Took my daughter to one of the summer meetings to reminisce.

Great photo Chief.....and wonderful memories.

I remember going to every meeting from 1970 to . There was always a division race with both divisions having full fields. Jack O'Donnell with his "This time" to start every race. Win machine and place machine

Trainers came from near and far for the meetings and many never missed a meeting. I could rattle off a long list of names that became very familiar sights at the Nelson meetings. We were blessed and probably didn't realize just how fortunate we were. If only we could go back. 

We only moved back to Nelson late last year after 40 years in Auckland which was plenty long enough. Went to the January summer meeting and loved every minute despite the Members stand looking tired and the public stand looking worse for wear. Andre Neill interviewed John Dunn after a race and he said he just loved coming to the Nelson meeting. It was clear he meant it.  When we left after the last race on the second day I felt genuinely disappointed I'd have to wait until July for the winter meeting.......only to find even that had been shitcanned so it's now just one meeting a year. Wasted opportunity. Seems we can only look back now as looking forward has effectively been ruled out. 

 

[Walt]

On 8/4/2023 at 6:58 PM, Nowornever said:

I used to look forward to the Nelson winter meeting every year. Knew quite a few trainers who used to set their horses specially for it from Ashburton and Canterbury

Tommy Behrns, Ted Lowe, Pat O'Reilly, Kevin and Doody Townley, Max Miller, Colin and Mike De Filippi, DG Jones, Jack Smolenski, Trevor Thomas, Wes Butt, Stewie Sutherland, Ali Malcomson, John Noble, Ces Divine, Murray Rennie, Murry Edmonds, George Shand and a long list of others.  Local trainers Joe and Brian Hill along with Noel Berkett and of course trainers from Blenheim and the West Coast who you'd always know were there. Happy to put my hand up and say I miss those days and most of the names I've mentioned. Some real characters in amongst them. All were welcomed regulars at Nelson.  

[Gammalite]

6 hours ago, Walt said:

Tommy Behrns, Ted Lowe, Pat O'Reilly, Kevin and Doody Townley, Max Miller, Colin and Mike De Filippi, DG Jones, Jack Smolenski, Trevor Thomas, Wes Butt, Stewie Sutherland, Ali Malcomson, John Noble, Ces Divine, Murray Rennie, Murry Edmonds, George Shand and a long list of others. 

Used to be impressed as a teen junior driver when these blokes (South Island Trainers )  came up each month to plunder the feature race each month of year as they came along. 

Especially remembering the Blue Riband  Great Northern Derby, The Auckland Cup and the Rowe Cup for trotters. I Attended every meeting at Alexandra park for nearly for 7 years, (before flying out with some to Oz),  and the Southerners nearly Won the Lot during that time !! 🏆 amazing !!!  only Delightful Lady saved the Northerners with 2 Auckland Cups . Gammalite also plucked one for Australia , (holding out Richard Brosnan 's good mare Bonnie's Chance) .

Rowe Cup winners I got to see were Even Speed (Wes Butt), Tussle, No Response , Stormy Morn , Special Pride, Sir Castleton and the lone Northerner Jenner (for Charlie Hunter)

The Auckland Cup Winners in that period were Sapling , Royden Glen , Armalight and Enterprise and the sole lonely Northerner Delightful lady (x2 Cups)  holding out Lord Module ok. 

The Great Northern Derby I saw were Matai Dreamer and Armbro Wings (from Alex Milne in the deep south) , Nardinski and Mels Boy ( both with Jack Smolenski) Melton Monarch, Mighty Me and the great Royden Glen too.  Not a bloody Northerner in sight lol. 😄??

So I always thought as a kid all those South Island Trainers were some sort of Supermen🦸🦸‍♂️ , who 'always won' up at Auckland , and lived in some sort of 'Harness Racing UTOPIA'  in the South Island that I have never seen ....and were unbeatable !!!!! 😂😂  (except for the ultra exceptional ones Delightful Lady and Gammalite)  

 

 

 

[Blackie]

Finally saw the light hey Gamma, right on every count re the South Island Utopia 😎. Ah nostalgia. Best days of my life.

ps Was there for Enterprise’s Cup, and can tell you it was a NI gem of a drive that got him home 👌, peach to watch.

[Walt]

9 hours ago, Gammalite said:

Used to be impressed as a teen junior driver when these blokes (South Island Trainers )  came up each month to plunder the feature race each month of year as they came along. 

Especially remembering the Blue Riband  Great Northern Derby, The Auckland Cup and the Rowe Cup for trotters. I Attended every meeting at Alexandra park for nearly for 7 years, (before flying out with some to Oz),  and the Southerners nearly Won the Lot during that time !! 🏆 amazing !!!  only Delightful Lady saved the Northerners with 2 Auckland Cups . Gammalite also plucked one for Australia , (holding out Richard Brosnan 's good mare Bonnie's Chance) .

Rowe Cup winners I got to see were Even Speed (Wes Butt), Tussle, No Response , Stormy Morn , Special Pride, Sir Castleton and the lone Northerner Jenner (for Charlie Hunter)

The Auckland Cup Winners in that period were Sapling , Royden Glen , Armalight and Enterprise and the sole lonely Northerner Delightful lady (x2 Cups)  holding out Lord Module ok. 

The Great Northern Derby I saw were Matai Dreamer and Armbro Wings (from Alex Milne in the deep south) , Nardinski and Mels Boy ( both with Jack Smolenski) Melton Monarch, Mighty Me and the great Royden Glen too.  Not a bloody Northerner in sight lol. 😄??

So I always thought as a kid all those South Island Trainers were some sort of Supermen🦸🦸‍♂️ , who 'always won' up at Auckland , and lived in some sort of 'Harness Racing UTOPIA'  in the South Island that I have never seen ....and were unbeatable !!!!! 😂😂  (except for the ultra exceptional ones Delightful Lady and Gammalite)  

 

 

 

Some big names there Gammalite evoking fond memories. Jack Smolenski was not the most riveting guy I ever chatted with but knew how to condition and drive that's for sure. Whenever he'd bring a horse North you knew it was a license to print money. Arapaho, Nardin's Byrd, the two you mentioned, Gina Marie (his wife was Marie) and her daughter the magnificent Gina Rosa who routinely beat up the boys just a few that come to mind. I always considered him one of the best drivers at getting a horse away from the stand. 

Those Rowe Cup winners are a who's who. Stormy Morn was a superb grinder that couldn't sprint to save himself but what he had, he used superbly. Won over 30 races and 200k. Not too shabby for a trotter, especially a hack picked up for $150. Loved Sir Castleton. His battles with Basil Dean and others are great memories. Sir Castleton could sprint home like a very good pacer. Tussle with her head down telling her rivals to catch her if they can for Peter Jones and Cliff Irvine, and usually not being able to get near her. Jenner was so reliable and if not winning was never far away at the finish.

[Gammalite]

4 hours ago, Blackie said:

Finally saw the light hey Gamma, right on every count re the South Island Utopia 😎. Ah nostalgia. Best days of my life.

ps Was there for Enterprise’s Cup, and can tell you it was a NI gem of a drive that got him home 👌, peach to watch.

lol...Straight out of Utopia for Enterprise (and Armalight too) for those Auckland Cup wins , both winning by panels driven expertly by Wolfie . Impressive stuff alright. (and good for the wallet)

 

[Gammalite]

3 hours ago, Walt said:

Some big names there Gammalite evoking fond memories. Jack Smolenski

Tell ys what Walt , I'll throw in some more UTOPIA winners for you that I saw at Auckland trots, as distinctly recall a fabulous win by Jack on the mare TEMPEST TIGER in the Nz Messenger.

Once upon a Time,  that was a great Group 1 race for 4 year olds , run at Christmas time. used to help get them ready for a Auckland Cup tilt in February  as well. the Nz Messenger.

LOCARNO the very first I saw live, storming home for the 'Utopians' 😂 (Robin Butt) followed by Tempest Tiger , then we had John Tudor , Melton Monarch , Hilarious Guest , Nostradmus (Peter Jones)  ,and of course the great Roydon Glen (on his way to winning the Auckland Cup in an unbeaten 12 win / 12 start 4 year old season. ) 

Saw all those one's live at Alexandra Park . What great Christmas Gifts !!  

***N.B  note John Tudor , the Sole Northerner 😳  I got to see win the Messenger . For 'Mad-dog Dodds' and his brother. We called him Mad-dog as was always fighting and yelling with his brother, and God Only knows how they got to win races with John Tudor. Mad as a cut snake . 

somehow they got John Tudor into the Great Northern Derby earlier that year too (8th) . When Armbro Wings sensationally beat Armalight (wolfie) by a nose in a Very close Finish. 

[Walt]

On 8/7/2023 at 11:32 AM, Gammalite said:

Tell ys what Walt , I'll throw in some more UTOPIA winners for you that I saw at Auckland trots, as distinctly recall a fabulous win by Jack on the mare TEMPEST TIGER in the Nz Messenger.

Once upon a Time,  that was a great Group 1 race for 4 year olds , run at Christmas time. used to help get them ready for a Auckland Cup tilt in February  as well. the Nz Messenger.

LOCARNO the very first I saw live, storming home for the 'Utopians' 😂 (Robin Butt) followed by Tempest Tiger , then we had John Tudor , Melton Monarch , Hilarious Guest , Nostradmus (Peter Jones)  ,and of course the great Roydon Glen (on his way to winning the Auckland Cup in an unbeaten 12 win / 12 start 4 year old season. ) 

Saw all those one's live at Alexandra Park . What great Christmas Gifts !!  

***N.B  note John Tudor , the Sole Northerner 😳  I got to see win the Messenger . For 'Mad-dog Dodds' and his brother. We called him Mad-dog as was always fighting and yelling with his brother, and God Only knows how they got to win races with John Tudor. Mad as a cut snake . 

somehow they got John Tudor into the Great Northern Derby earlier that year too (8th) . When Armbro Wings sensationally beat Armalight (wolfie) by a nose in a Very close Finish. 

Always enjoy your posts Gammalite.....allows me to enjoy a stroll down memory lane

[Gammalite]

On 8/4/2023 at 3:47 PM, Walt said:

I grew up in Nelson where they raced twice a year on the grass. Summer meeting in January and Winter meeting in July. Always big fields and always well attended even if it was knee deep in mud.

While strolling Memory Lane , lets hit you with this close finish. you'll never get it 😂 try and name this Winner.

I believe that is Robert Dunn over on the inside (as can see his orange Skull cap ) and he probably thinks he has it won, But got pipped by the 11.

This will test out the Nelson hardnuts 😂😄. looks like a familiar current driver there 4th as well ??

Anyone that names this winner and driver deserves the BOAY Nz Cup ?. 

(Rangatira always a chance 🏆 , very good eye for them that young fella)

 

[Walt]

29 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

While strolling Memory Lane , lets hit you with this close finish. you'll never get it 😂 try and name this Winner.

I believe that is Robert Dunn over on the inside (as can see his orange Skull cap ) and he probably thinks he has it won, But got pipped by the 11.

This will test out the Nelson hardnuts 😂😄. looks like a familiar current driver there 4th as well ??

Anyone that names this winner and driver deserves the BOAY Nz Cup ?. 

(Rangatira always a chance 🏆 , very good eye for them that young fella)

 

That looks to me like Spangled Lord with John Vincent in the cart beating Tumahu Hanover for Robert Dunn. Third was Watbro Cloud for Peter Jones. Back in fourth spot was Bachelor Creed with Rick May in the bike. The race I believe would be the 1985 Nelson Cup. 

Shall I put my NZ Cup on the mantlepiece Gammalite?