Jan 20 - A big BIG night at Ballarat

[Messenger]

Terrible news when we talk about "ways to improve" harness racing. Having the likes of Vincent race in Australia would have been one way. He is one of the very few horses that make long-time followers watch in awe. We never saw him fully extended in a race. Cross your fingers and hope he makes it back to the track, but my inner feeling is studs will be queuing up with offers to stand him next season. New Zealand, in particular, badly needs an outcross stallion like him due to the prevalence of Bettors Delight / Christian Cullen bloodlines dominating in recent seasons.

Performance wise, Vincent is Art Major's best downunder entire and his female line sires - Safely Kept, Armbro Operative, Kentucky and Hilarious Way were all leading Australian sires of their era. Add to that, he traces to a German-bred trotter and is devoid of any NZ blood in his pedigree. His connections would never risk his welfare and, being one of the hottest stallion prospects around, may be sound reasons for him to stand at stud next spring. Which is a great shame, as much as I'd love one of his foals.

He will certainly be sought by studs (one day). Does it count that we have to go back 100yrs for the German trotter and is it really German bred or a USA family that was exported to England and then Germany then back then here

[Showgrounds]

He will certainly be sought by studs (one day). Does it count that we have to go back 100yrs for the German trotter and is it really German bred or a USA family that was exported to England and then Germany then back then here

Not sure at all where you are coming from Kev. My point is Vincent is completely devoid of NZ blood which makes him an ideal prospect to stand there. There is a glut of Bettors Delight x Christian Cullen horses in the top ranks there (and here) which is great for racing but to the detriment of breeders now and in the future. Take a look at the too few stallions represented in the yearling sales over there, which worsens with the recent passing of Mach Three and his son Somebeachsomewhere.