Ch2 ODDS AND ENDS - not big enough for a thread of their own

[Messenger]

Patronus Star was too good for them at GP last night and made it 8/8 since coming from NZ
Full older bro Billies A Star won 7 of his first 10 when he came over
There will be plenty of interest in the full sibling due to arrive soon in NZ
The McQuoids will no doubt race it at first before deciding whether to sell some or all of it

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...20#GPM21082006

[Messenger]

Is Glenn Douglas training with Roma Pocock nowadays?
I heard a caller refer to them as a partnership

[Messenger]

A 2yo albeit a late 2yo, racing and beating open age does not happen that often especially one considered a cert - he paid $1.04

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...20#ECC27082003

He wasn't eligible for the 2yo race as he had won 2 races

[Messenger]

How's that for perfect handicapping
R2 at Melton the final fixed odds for the 6 horses were
$4.20
$5.50
$5.00
$4.00
$8.00
$4.80
Even on the tote they were all within the range of $3.90 to $6.50 bar one at $11.20
It proved a good viewing race too

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...20#MXC28082004

[Messenger]

Looking at 6yo Vigoroso who will be going for 4 wins in a row at Kilmore today since coming over from NZ
In NZ he had 73 starts for 3 wins and 7 placings.
Between March 25, 2019 and March 22, 2020 he had 52 starts in 52 weeks (for 2 wins)
He didn't race until he was a 4y0

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...20#KIC30082003

[alphastud]

A 2yo albeit a late 2yo, racing and beating open age does not happen that often especially one considered a cert - he paid $1.04

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...20#ECC27082003

He wasn't eligible for the 2yo race as he had won 2 races

2yo's have decimated the lowest grade races (<NR45, <NR47) winning every race that they competed in during August in the Sydney region.

See below where they also fill the placings. They are often short priced and win by significant margins. The extended 2yo season will make it near impossible for the older horses to ever win these races while the 2yo's are eligible this season.

Their discounte rating because of their age enables them to stay in this grade longer and even after a few wins.

There is a <NR45 race tomorrow at Menangle where they are predicted to again fill the first 4 placings.

The ratings system has merit however programming here isn't working. Yes Covid doesn't help.

This programming will pressure Sydney trainers with horses <NR47 to sell or move their horses to another region and affect the local horse population.

Is there a way to run a few races for the <NR47 3yo+ or any other solution to keep these horses or are we better without them? These horses are usually trained by private trainers and the only way for them to win a race. Cross, Butt, Locke, Pizzuto, Fitzpatrick etc. rarely have runners in these races.

6th August Penrith <NR47
1st MARMITTA

10th August Menangle <NR45
1st WATTS UP SUNSHINE
2nd PLATINUM STRIDE NZ
3rd CAPTAIN BRAVEHEART

13th August Penrith <47
1st MALAKIE

20th August Penrith <NR47
1st ARMA RENEGADE
2nd OUR ACTION MAN
3rd CAPTAIN BRAVEHEART
4th MARMITTA

27th August Penrith <NR47
1st WATTS UP SUNSHINE
2nd MERRYWOOD LYNN

[Messenger]

Many of Vic's lowest grade races are for 4yos and older

[Showgrounds]

Looking at 6yo Vigoroso who will be going for 4 wins in a row at Kilmore today since coming over from NZ
In NZ he had 73 starts for 3 wins and 7 placings.
Between March 25, 2019 and March 22, 2020 he had 52 starts in 52 weeks (for 2 wins)
He didn't race until he was a 4y0

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...20#KIC30082003

And won again! No doubt in NZ it was really another Cardigan Bay in disguise. Two wins, two seconds and two thirds from 34 starts this season with a best winning mile rate of 2:00.3 racing mainly on faraway South Island tracks. Obviously, trainer Denis O'Connell (51 wins from 879 starters over last 38 years) was keen to dodge the Allstars Stable. He hails from the Dunedin district, I doubt it was huge money being offered that forced his hand to sell.

The horse was cleared to Australia on 12 July and, despite already having 34 starts this season, got straight down to business as a member of the Amanda Turnbull stable.

25 days after leaving NZ the horse won on debut at Echuca in career best mile rate of 1:59.3. It achieved a PB on Victoria's smallest track; something it could not achieve on larger tracks back home. The smallest track it raced on was Forbury Park, Dunedin, at 1000 metres. Next up, Bendigo a month to the day the horse was cleared from NZ and the horse records another 10 metre win in an incredible (in the true meaning of the word) 1:55.3!

Twelve days later the horse steps out at Maryborough and wins by 35 metres! And 6 days later fronts up at Kilmore for another win!

The horse has led in all Australian starts and started at ridiculous odds of $1.04 at its past three. It was $1.40 first up.

While the horse has beaten nothing of substance it is nothing short of a remarkable resurrection from equine obscurity. Dual-state trainer Amanda Turnbull must be a rated a genius not only for this performance but by devising a way to get around border crossing restrictions. But I would honestly love to know how a 74 start plodder could improve so much in so few weeks.

[Messenger]

She sure is on a hot streak
Another NZ import wins the last at Shep tonight

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...20#SPC01092008

[Messenger]

I wonder why Bruce Edwards Bettor Be Sorry winner at Shep tonight for the Aikens
changed stable after winning his last four and 5/7 for the Stewart stable.
By the way, I am not suggesting any owner discontent as it was just last Wednesday that the Stewart won with Bruce's very exciting 2yo prospect Act Now