Trainers and Drivers

[Messenger]

Interesting Trev, I had overlooked when he was exported and did not realize it was so short as I was going on his last start in NZ being back in April
He was exported on 27/10 and even prior to the wins, he was trialing at Menangle in 1.52 on 8/11
You wouldn't think they could put the polish on a horse that quickly - maybe they use a rag to apply the polish :confused:

[Showgrounds]

To hell with the rag, what's in the polish?

[Messenger]

9 different trainers and 10 different drivers winning on Vicbred Finals night is a real positive

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX311222

[Messenger]

It has to be a tough gig being a driver
Take R1 at Hamilton today
Jackie Barker has done a remarkable job on 40m horse Icicle to get it into the 1x1 early and then took the spot behind the leader when it presented itself early on - no doubt figuring Icicle had travelled 40m further than those around him and that the leader was a more popular conveyance than the death horse so let's take it easy and wait for the sprint lane later
With 400 to go she becomes worried that the leader is not going to take her far enough and tries to get out but Kerryn in the 1x1 is having none of it
I will let you watch it rather than spoil the end of the movie

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=HM150123#HMC15012309

ps the margins in the results are wrong - they should read NK x Nose

[Messenger]

Noel pointed out to me just how well Marg Lee's stable is going
Click on her name in the fields or results (I don't know another way of accessing the trainer and driver info)
and you will see she has won 6 of her last 10

Nephew Glen Craven is driving more and brought up a treble at Cranbourne last night

[Messenger]

Noel pointed out to me just how well Marg Lee's stable is going
Click on her name in the fields or results (I don't know another way of accessing the trainer and driver info)
and you will see she has won 6 of her last 10

Nephew Glen Craven is driving more and brought up a treble at Cranbourne last night

The story behind it (a new training track)

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/lee-family-back-on-track-as-major-upgrades-start-to-bear-fruit/

[Messenger]

Mark Pitt cannot be driving 2 horses in the Hunter Cup
If the authorities cannot confirm drivers they should leave an empty space - NOT put a driver down for 2 horses

[aussiebreno]

Mark Pitt cannot be driving 2 horses in the Hunter Cup
If the authorities cannot confirm drivers they should leave an empty space - NOT put a driver down for 2 horses

Why? At least having a name there you know the intention and you can make more educated guess at what will transpire. Which is Pitt first choice driver depending on stable selection (likely influenced by draws). Blank name you have less of an idea of stables intentions and less chance of knowing what will probably happen.

Edit: Or in the event its a driver down for 2 seperate stables how are the trainers supposed to know when nominating. If driver down for both people can make educated guess on who they will drive and/or have been made aware they are preferred driver for each horse. Blank name just leaves too much unknown.

W

[Messenger]

You have to be kidding Brendan
Blank name means they do not know - that is the fact of the matter
It is blatant misinformation to put down the same driver for 2 horses

[aussiebreno]

You have to be kidding Brendan
Blank name means they do not know - that is the fact of the matter
It is blatant misinformation to put down the same driver for 2 horses
Would you rather a 50/50 chance of knowing who is driving or a 1 in a 1000 chance of knowing who is driving?

[Messenger]

If you want to throw around 1000/1 then it is 500/1 for both horses as they either get Pitt or one of a thousand

They had better start printing a caveat with the fields and form, saying that they cannot guarantee they are accurate - even so a legal eagle may have a case if he/she backs the non Pitt horse today, believing that he was to drive it (as they are the official body that release the fields)

[aussiebreno]

If you want to throw around 1000/1 then it is 500/1 for both horses as they either get Pitt or one of a thousand

They had better start printing a caveat with the fields and form, saying that they cannot guarantee they are accurate - even so a legal eagle may have a case if he/she backs the non Pitt horse today, believing that he was to drive it (as they are the official body that release the fields)

A) Official driver declaration time probably hasn't passed anyway. Not sure when exactly with Vic but NSW is usually an extra day after fields released.
B) If he is down for 2 its obvious to the user anyway.

[Messenger]

It should be obvious, unless someone is only interested in one horse checks the draw, checks the driver and is silly enough to then plonk on a bet
I guess we will agree to disagree again
I just cannot help but see it as misinformation - it is stating the impossible

[Messenger]

Wishing these young drivers a speedy recovery

https://nationaltrotguide.com.au/concession-drivers-hospitalised-after-car-crash/

[Showgrounds]

Wishing these young drivers a speedy recovery

https://nationaltrotguide.com.au/concession-drivers-hospitalised-after-car-crash/

I wish them well, too, but there is a bigger issue at play here. While PP raises the issue of how long Miller and Crossland had been "working" on the day - it is plausible they had started work at 8:00 AM and the crash (I won't call it an accident) occurred 18 hours later _ I believe the Tasmanian Transport Department investigators would be looking very closely at the scene.

The tow vehicle was a Ford Ranger dual cab, presumably a four-wheel drive. These vehicles are rated to "tow" a maximum of 3,500 kgs. They were towing four horses, so let's be generous and estimate each horse (and their harness, because we don't know) weighs 500 kg each. Maybe each horse weighed less, because trainer Ben Yole's training establishment is no showpiece and the horses were likely to be trained out of the paddock and a bit-light on.

So, deduct 2,000 kg from the 3,500 kg "tow weight" and we have 1,500 kg left. My 40-plus year old extended front, 2-horse float weighs 1,200 kg completely emptied. What do you reckon the weight of the 4-horse trailer the Ranger was towing was? I don't know, but somewhere around 1,800 kg minimum, probably more, is my guess. My old clunker's 300 mm extension in front of the axles adds 300 kg to the bog-basic model, so I am generous in my estimation. Whatever it weighs, just the combination of the float and four horses exceeds the "tow" capacity.

The "towing capacity" figure is rubbish, what investigators will be looking at is the Gross Combination Vehicle Mass (GCVM), the maximum total weight of the vehicle and trailer and, most importantly, the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM). The GVM is the total weight of the tow vehicle, kerb weight plus passengers, luggage and accessories. Accessories includes that rather heavy black steel bull-bar on the front of the Ford ranger in the picture. So, presuming the five people in the vehicle were light weight and young trotting participants, I'd average them out at 65 kgs each - 325 kg, plus another 150 kgs for the bull bar and the seriously HD tow hitch which did its job admirably in a major collision.

Do the maths, the vehicle was well and truly overloaded. As an employer, Ben Yole can expect a visit from stern-faced Worksafe Tasmania inspectors. I think he will get his share of mental pain, which is nothing compared to the physical pain his young workers are experiencing.

[Messenger]

Ben Yole is listed as a Kilmore trainer now according to the Form Guide although his Harnessweb address is Tas. His large stable would require quite a property. Does anybody know if he bought another trainer out?

[Showgrounds]

Ben Yole is listed as a Kilmore trainer now according to the Form Guide although his Harnessweb address is Tas. His large stable would require quite a property. Does anybody know if he bought another trainer out?

It's hard to find, because you would be looking for a large stable complex. You would be wrong. There is a good track and well-worn paddocks full of horses with rugs on, going by Google Earth. The property was last sold in 2013, no track to be seen in the real estate photos from that time.

[Messenger]

Wishing these young drivers a speedy recovery

https://nationaltrotguide.com.au/concession-drivers-hospitalised-after-car-crash/

Jockey Craig Newitt has set up a GoFundMe page for the injured

https://harnesslink.com/australia/support-rolls-in-for-tassie-young-guns/

Laura Crossland, Cody's mum seems far happier with the Yoles than PP

[Messenger]

Bailey McDonough on $151 pop Small Town (overs) really stitched up dad Allan on $2.15 fav Imperials Reason at no sprint lane Ballarat tonight

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA170223#BAC17022301

[Messenger]

Why didn't Kate Gath drive Tough Tilly on Saturday night at Menangle?

[Messenger]

I know Mark Pitt is no1 stable driver
Could it have been Kate wanting to concentrate on one drive, you would not think so
Surely the EB Research horse and stable would not sack the EB Research ambassador

[Messenger]

PP says this is Ben Yole's in Tassie with the title: Australia's Leading Trot Trainer, and How He Treats His Horses

[Messenger]

Is Geoff Webster taking a holiday? I don't think I have noticed his name this year

[Messenger]

Jack Laugher wins R1 at Melton for the Douglas stable (his stable)
Asked about his drive in the next for the stable's Captain Confetti
he was rather dismissive ("including your guess is as good as mine")
The horse is favourite or thereabouts

I say BS Jack, you are a young talent who is coming across like one of the old-timers from 50yrs ago = tell em nothin

[Toohard]

Apologies if I missed anyone. Jackie Barker and Lochie Cook drove at Mt Gambier last night. Abby Sanderson drove at Menangle. Long, long late trips home for them.

Day off today?

Nope... front up at Boort today!

A remarkable work ethic.

[Toohard]

Sorry missed Ryan Sanderson...

[Messenger]

Sometimes it is a treat to just watch a master driver at work. Rarely will you not appreciate simply watching Greg Sugars
I watched the Horsham Trotters Cup this afternoon, honing in on Greg on the favourite - I was not disappointed

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=HS130323#HSC13032307

[Messenger]

Is Geoff Webster taking a holiday? I don't think I have noticed his name this year

I was wrong about 'this year' as he had runners as recently as Feb 4 but his next runner has been tonight - winner Andaman Bay at Ballarat

[Messenger]

Natalie Rasmussen has just topped $13m in winnings as a driver

https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/rasmussen-tops-13million-in-stakes-with-g1-nz-messenger-win/

George Brennan has just become the 7th North American driver to top $200m

https://ustrottingnews.com/brennan-talks-milestone-borgata-and-matchmaker/

Now you can see why people go North

[Showgrounds]

Natalie Rasmussen has just topped $13m in winnings as a driver

https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/rasmussen-tops-13million-in-stakes-with-g1-nz-messenger-win/

George Brennan has just become the 7th North American driver to top $200m

https://ustrottingnews.com/brennan-talks-milestone-borgata-and-matchmaker/

Now you can see why people go North

A correction, Nat's drives amassing $13 million refers only since she settled in NZ with Mark Purdon in 2011. It does not include the $4,575,438 earnt by Blacks A Fake or any other of her pre-NZ career.

As of last night her season's record, which is really only the past month, reads 18 drives, 9 wins, 1 second, 3cthirds and $259,996 in stakes. Her UDRS stands at .5864.

No argument from me about the opinions of others extolling her greatness in the sport. We saw it last night, I reckon her aggressive tactics makes even Self Assured look a better horse. And he is already a great horse.

[Messenger]

But then we have to adjust that down as they are talking US dollars so she would still not be $13m US.

[Messenger]

Robert Walters driving for Emma Stewart - holy crap

[Showgrounds]

Robert Walters driving for Emma Stewart - holy crap

Questionable as to whether he is fit to drive a mobility scooter; he'd keep looking over his right shoulder and end up in the gutter.

[Messenger]

I thought I heard the caller say that Kerryn Manning missed out on a treble so I am thinking he was a replacement for her

[Theoldfox]

Robert Walters driving for Emma Stewart - holy crap

....crazy devil;)

[Messenger]

I don't think sole owner A.K. Stewart would be too impressed with David Moran's drive on the sensationally backed Roryville ($2.50) going 26.9 Q1 and running last in the APG Final

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX060523#MXM06052307

[Showgrounds]

I don't think sole owner A.K. Stewart would be too impressed with David Moran's drive on the sensationally backed Roryville ($2.50) going 26.9 Q1 and running last in the APG Final

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX060523#MXM06052307

Huge run the winner of this race, last at the 800 and circled the field to win. A 57 grand winner's check and a Vic bred first win bonus, not a bad night for a $31 shot.

[Messenger]

Marveling at how Ron Burke has over $300m in prizemoney as a trainer in the US

For comparison:

Gary Hall Snr $44m
Emma Stewart $42m
Grant Dixon $26m
David Aiken $25m
Andy Gath $25m
The Bonds $23m
Peter Manning $21m
Lance Justice $21m
Belinda McCarthy $18m
John Justice $12m
Jayne Davies $12m
Geoff Webster $12m
Ben Yole $12m
Justin Prentice $10m

This is just a quick knock up (with numbers rounded up)
You get the idea

ps If there are any glaring omissions - feel free to add them

[Messenger]

We have plenty of full time trainers who have not made $5m in 20yrs
If they were keeping all the prizemoney (as if) they would be scraping by after expenses
Lucky they have so many supporters giving them training fees!

[Messenger]

Anybody else find this funny

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GD200523#GDC20052302

[Messenger]

Surfin At Midnight's win at $51 in R1 at Shep tonight was Owner/Breeder/Trainer John Morris's first winner for 3yrs (not that he has had many starters since that last one)
Surfin's name caught my eye this morning and seeing the winning odds and the same name for owner/breeder/trainer piqued my curiosity

I don't know John, but did a bit of research and although the Career Stats we can access only go back 20yrs (which is at least better than HRA's Trainer Chronicles, which only go back to 2012 - gosh HRA have let us down), John has been training much longer than that as his best horse Outer Limits had his first start in 92/93

Who can tell me more?
There must be much more as his career stats say 109 wins (now 110) but the listed last 20yrs only add up to 34 wins when he seems to have mostly bred/owned and trained a few as a hobby. I imagine his listed Top Horses tell the story
The first year on the list '2000/2001' shows he had 102 starters before it dropped off so his numbers were likely far greater last century

Tonight's win took his prizemoney over $500,000

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=SP230523#SPC23052306

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/trainers/john-morris1/

[Showgrounds]

The first horse I recall John Morris training and driving was the good pacer Outer Limits, who made its debut as a 3yo winning a restricted race at Birchip in April 1993. He bowed ot 9 years later having recorded 27 wins and 35 placings. I am sure he had other horses prior to breeding Outer Limits. From the northside of the Murray at Barham.

[Showgrounds]

Great to see Kyle Marshall breakthrough for his first Aussie winner in race 2 at Shepparton tonight. Kyle recently upped stumps and relocated from Auckland to Cranbourne, bringing his star 3yo Son of Mac with him. Son of Mac was runner up to Merlin in the NZ Northern Derby at its last start - put him in you black book.

Gee, things must be crook in NZ if you reckon Victoria is a better option!

[Messenger]

The last at GP tonight is a nice little earner of $18,225 for the Bonds as they train all 4 starters (and part own 3), they left $608 behind by scratching a 5th starter

https://www.harness.org.au/form.cfm?mc=GP020623&rc=GPM02062302

[Messenger]

The first starter out of this lot is by Indomitable Saab (deceased), a stallion I had not picked up on before now.
Infinite Merit will be only his 6th starter but he has the excellent record of 5 starters for 5 winners from 12 of racing age (including Infinite Merit) and an average of $92k per starter
I am figuring they are all pretty much homebreds
Infinite Merit is the 3rd Indomitable Saab from mare Never Waver Lombo, which means that after tonight this mare will account for half the stallions starters
I don't think this percentage will change as she is also responsible for one of two yearlings from his last crop

[KTQ]

The first starter out of this lot is by Indomitable Saab (deceased), a stallion I had not picked up on before now.
Infinite Merit will be only his 6th starter but he has the excellent record of 5 starters for 5 winners from 12 of racing age (including Infinite Merit) and an average of $92k per starter
I am figuring they are all pretty much homebreds
Infinite Merit is the 3rd Indomitable Saab from mare Never Waver Lombo, which means that after tonight this mare will account for half the stallions starters
I don't think this percentage will change as she is also responsible for one of two yearlings from his last crop

Theyre not bad horses either! Very fast. I wonder if he had an accident or died through human means. Wish he'd had a chance with some other mares :(

[KTQ]

The last at GP tonight is a nice little earner of $18,225 for the Bonds as they train all 4 starters (and part own 3), they left $608 behind by scratching a 5th starter

https://www.harness.org.au/form.cfm?mc=GP020623&rc=GPM02062302

I had my horse in that race but didn't think we could compete against 5 stablemates. The handicappers are flooding the market with 2yo races which results in tiny fields and walk-sprint type racing. I think there was one planned for last monday, one tonight, one tomorrow, sunday then monday, tuesday, wednesday and then friday again. Only one or two races are standing up each week and none are ever full fields.

[Messenger]

The last at GP tonight is a nice little earner of $18,225 for the Bonds as they train all 4 starters (and part own 3), they left $608 behind by scratching a 5th starter

https://www.harness.org.au/form.cfm?mc=GP020623&rc=GPM02062302

I am not sure we could call this a race

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GP020623#GPM02062302

An example of why you should never have one stable races

[Showgrounds]

I am not sure we could call this a race

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GP020623#GPM02062302

An example of why you should never have one stable races

You shouldn't penalize one stable just because nobody else turns up. In reality, it is a reflection of dwindling horse stocks.

[Messenger]

I see your point but we already heard how one trainer did not fancy taking on 5 from the one stable

[Messenger]

Aaron Dunn could probably bring Bondi Lockdown home - I am not sure the McCarthy's are doing anymore than he could now (if he puts a top driver on)

[Messenger]

Aaron Dunn could probably bring Bondi Lockdown home - I am not sure the McCarthy's are doing anymore than he could now (if he puts a top driver on)

Further confirmed tonight, I think

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=AP170623#APC17062301

[Messenger]

PP thinks Jason Grimson has drawn too much attention to himself (as in not on the up and up) with the win of Swayzee in Tk Rec time at Albion Park yesterday
Swayzee has now won 4 in a row for Grimson but PP does not believe he could improve a horse trained by Tim Butt that much. In his many starts at AP, Swayzee had not been able to rate 1.52.0 over the shorter trip much less the middle distance (and win by 29m)

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=AP200623#APC20062302

Swayzee is however an older half bro of Leap To Fame

[Messenger]

OMG I just watched it. Drew outside front row and stuck wide around first bend, then he could not hold him back to them. He took 0.4 off Record held by Bling It On

[Showgrounds]

OMG I just watched it. Drew outside front row and stuck wide around first bend, then he could not hold him back to them. He took 0.4 off Record held by Bling It On

Yeah, he's just a good trainer. Tim Butt? Has he ever had a good horse? Obviously a mug.

[Messenger]

Congratulations to Mel Thackeray on driving her 6th winner at Maryborough today. Mel has taken to driving late but she is the wife of Danny Thackeray. Danny had a Gp1 win in 2011 with Left In Paris who was owned, raced and successfully bred from by Bill and Anne Anderson.

I notice that Left In Paris's last foal was bred by the Thackerays so they must have bought or leased her from the Andersons. She had a filly by the Anderson's Poster Boy. I reckon it would be fitting if she turned out to be a poster child

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MH300623#MHC30062304

[Messenger]

Yeah, he's just a good trainer. Tim Butt? Has he ever had a good horse? Obviously a mug.

Swayzee wins again! Butt who trained the horse the race was named after to a win in a Hunter Cup and an Interdom?
I wonder what that trainer could do with Swayzee ?
What do you mean he trained him for all his 36 starts before this winning streak

It is interesting to note that in Swayzee's first ever (2yo) start and win, he was driven by Jason Grimson for Tim Butt
Last month PP suggested there is bad blood between the two of them - anybody know if that is true?

[Messenger]

Look at the following table taken from the USTA homepage today

Can a driver have already had 2242 drives in 2023?
That is 80 drives a week, that seems incredible when many of their tracks do not commence racing until April

[Messenger]

I loved the drive of Greg Sugars on 2nd fav Sahara Breeze in R4 at Kilmore last night
He had a plan to not make life easy for the $1.15 fav Joyful which included not handing up the lead
It happens so often that a horse deep in the red is given the lead, I was starting to think the bookies must have been issuing a 'lead ticket' for the drivers of such favourites to show to the other drivers in the race

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=KI150723#KIM15072307

Edit - But the bookies would want the fav to be beaten Hmmmmm?

[Messenger]

Swayzee wins again! Butt who trained the horse the race was named after to a win in a Hunter Cup and an Interdom?
I wonder what that trainer could do with Swayzee ?
What do you mean he trained him for all his 36 starts before this winning streak

It is interesting to note that in Swayzee's first ever (2yo) start and win, he was driven by Jason Grimson for Tim Butt
Last month PP suggested there is bad blood between the two of them - anybody know if that is true?

I have been trying to find how we explain Swayzee
Here is the link to his performances

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/horse-search/?horseId=809740

Start at the bottom for his very first start and work your way up
You do not have to watch all the replays - just click on the dates and go to the results (a better way to view the replays anyway)
Check out his performances and who he was running against
At least go all the way up until he went to QLD

You would have to say he would be a horse you would be pretty keen to get into your stable

If you were tossing around explanations one might be to ask "Was Tim Butt, still as 'hungry' when he made the move to sunny Qld?" I am not saying one way or the other (as if I would know) - just looking for explanations other than those being thrown around.

[Messenger]

R1 at Yarra Valley today would have to be the worst drive of Rebecca Bartley's career on the $1.45 fav
There were only 6 starters after scratchings and she was the lone runner on the back row
How do you manage to be held up the whole race?

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=YG260723#YGC26072308

We will await the stewards report but no matter what excuse is given, she should have got a couple of weeks to remind her to do better - tell her to imagine her mum has put her house on her drive - would she have done things differently?

Sub standard drives like this one can cost the industry followers

[thepacingman]

Queensland stewards are investigating bar altercation involving harness racing participants at Albion Park.

Championship-winning harness trainer Jason Grimson will be interviewed by stewards as part of a wide-ranging investigation into a wild bar brawl at Brisbane’s Albion Park on Saturday night.

The brawl started in The Creek bar after Grimson was allegedly baited by several men after his horse Swayzee beat local idol Leap Of Fame in the Blacks A Fake championship which is the major race of the harness racing winter carnival.

The jewel night of Queensland harness racing’s crown was soured soon after by a brawl which is the talk of the industry.

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission revealed it was “investigating an altercation involving racing participants that allegedly took place at Albion Park on Saturday evening’’ but gave no further detail.

Track manager Tony Turpin, father of former Brisbane Broncos rugby league hooker Jake, was privately praised by officials for trying to break up the melee which left him with a cut jaw.
“It (the brawl) lasted about two minutes and we ended up sending one group out one door and another group out a separate one,’’ Turpin said.

“I stepped in because you think of what that night means to the club, but it proved to me I’m not 24-years-old any more.’’

It is understood stewards have been given closed circuit television footage of the incident and plan to interview at least six people present on the night.

It is believed the taunts at Grimson stemmed from the improvement of Swayzee, which has won six races from as many starts under his guidance after being unplaced at its previous eight starts in Queensland.

One observer said Grimson copped taunts from several different men and shrugged off the first few before the situation escalated.

Sydney-based Grimson, 30, has an exceptional record for a young trainer with his 304 wins including eight Group 1s.

His career strike rate is a win every four starts and he won back to back Inter Dominions with tried pacers I Cast No Shadow and Boncel Benjamin.

[Messenger]

Is there a ceremony going on at Melton tonight or is the announcement of Hall of Fame Inductees only happening on TrotsVision - it is good for between races but I am thinking that the recipients must be getting honoured in a more formal way as well surely Yes, Rob just mentioned that there is a ceremony being conducted at Melton tonight

[Yabbie]

Is there a ceremony going on at Melton tonight or is the announcement of Hall of Fame Inductees only happening on TrotsVision - it is good for between races but I am thinking that the recipients must be getting honoured in a more formal way as well surely Yes, Rob just mentioned that there is a ceremony being conducted at Melton tonight

There was an induction ceremony in the Sky Box - approx 60 attendees.

Inductees were:

Trainer - Lance Justice
Driver - Dal Fitzpatrick
Horse - My Lightning Blue
Trainer - Jim O'Sullivan
Associate - Keven and Leo Newbound
Associate - Noel Ridge
Legend (elevated to this status) - Scotch Notch

[Messenger]

As you have probably seen in some articles, it was quite an effort by Kate Gath yesterday.
Not only did she drive Pull The Other Leg to win the Stawell Cup
In the morning she ran a half marathon in < 90mins, finishing 128th overall , 8th female overall, 4th female in the 40-49yo section (of thousands!)

[trish]

That's a massive effort from Kate. Could just see us in that marathon Kev. I would be still at the starting line.

[Messenger]

I have run a couple of marathons Trish :cool:
Running was my life until I turned 35 (and jumped on a bike) but I don't whether I would still have been going that fast at 40 which is Kate's age

[aussiebreno]

Got my 1hr38m covered.

[Messenger]

I didnt have any trouble doing a couple of those in a row But I was really an 800m man

[aussiebreno]

I didnt have any trouble doing a couple of those in a row But I was really an 800m man

Is there a seniors Stawell Gift? Get in training and we'll load up Fixed Odds!

[trish]

I have run a couple of marathons Trish :cool:
Running was my life until I turned 35 (and jumped on a bike) but I don't whether I would still have been going that fast at 40 which is Kate's age

Very impressed Kev.
I was a dead set sprinter . 100 & 200, were my go.

[trish]

Is there a seniors Stawell Gift? Get in training and we'll load up Fixed Odds!

That would be interesting.
Maybe a very slow one I could cope with.
To many aching bones these days.

[Messenger]

Is there a seniors Stawell Gift? Get in training and we'll load up Fixed Odds!
There is a Vets mile and runners as old as me even compete!
I actually had one run as a pro 40yrs ago (before doing my achilles)
It was in a mile (which I did not like running but the half mile was every 2nd meeting)
Funny thing was, unbeknownst to me until after the race when the stewards called me in, I was backed into favouritism but ran the race commensurate with how I felt about the distance

[Messenger]

That would be interesting.
Maybe a very slow one I could cope with.
To many aching bones these days.

No way should we even think about it Trish
During covid I thought I would push a lap of the local oval - on my 2nd 'surge' I pulled a calf muscle - commonly known as the 'old man's injury' LOL

[trish]

No way should we even think about it Trish
During covid I thought I would push a lap of the local oval - on my 2nd 'surge' I pulled a calf muscle - commonly known as the 'old man's injury' LOL

Ouch.
No , I don't even walk the hills anymore Kev since Mark bought me a treadmill. Much easier. But I do incline it.

[trish]

But I still overlook the amazing view we have while I walk. Very Lucky.

[trish]

There is a Vets mile and runners as old as me even compete!
I actually had one run as a pro 40yrs ago (before doing my achilles)
It was in a mile (which I did not like running but the half mile was every 2nd meeting)
Funny thing was, unbeknownst to me until after the race when the stewards called me in, I was backed into favouritism but ran the race commensurate with how I felt about the distance

Funny you say that , not doing your Achilles but, Marks mum ran in one & she was cranky a 72 yo beat her , she was 76.

[aussiebreno]

Impressive stuff Kev. You could hardly complain if you backed a horse and it was non-trier though!

[Messenger]

Impressive stuff Kev. You could hardly complain if you backed a horse and it was non-trier though!

Think of me as a RNRDoo = good when the conditions (distance) suited. I wasn't so much a non-trier as a 'nutcase' :o

[Messenger]

Rob Auber and co's Niki Nah Nah had won 5 of 53 starts with Kari Males up until 5 weeks ago
She goes to the Douglas stable and has won 4 in a row and running best times

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=SP271223#SPC27122302

[Messenger]

Niki has now won 5 races in 27 days
5 wins in under 4 weeks

Her previous 5 wins took about 4 years

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BN301223#BNC30122306

[Messenger]

With it being Young Guns races 2-9 at Melton tonight
surprised to see Kate Gath there for R1 at 5.39 and R10 at 10.42 - she will have more than enough time to run a Marathon in between drives

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX311223#MXC31122301

[Messenger]

Ryan Sanderson wins the first Young Guns series. There was a bevy of talented drivers going around tonight but we already knew that Ryan is something special

[Messenger]

Hoping all the young drivers are OK after the fall in R2 at Melton tonight.
(the reason the rest of the program was put back 90 minutes)

[Messenger]

A broken femur which can take 6 months!

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/drivers-recovering-after-last-nights-melton-fall/?fbclid=IwAR1kqLrLPhmJWT6oAGp8VtbgSvWFiH-N-lQrmmpR5_eZJhbEY3HjaiMqIFk

[Jasper]

Imagine the force hitting you to do that!

[Messenger]

A good article by Adam Hamilton on Chris Alford's best horses.
(I am pretty sure Chris and Adam are friends)

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/hamilton/hamilton-the-horses-that-alford-puts-above-the-rest/

[Messenger]

Aaron Dunn as owner and trainer can drive whichever of his horses he likes but if you are a punter you need to be aware that he has zero nouse at the driving caper
If you need reminding, have a look at R3 at Stawell today
He is on first starter and favourite No.7

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=SW260124#SWC26012407

[Messenger]

Chris Alford won 4 of the 7 races at Cranbourne tonight and now only needs 4 wins to bring up 8,000 winning drives

[Messenger]

Michael Bellman is in good form
Last night at Ballarat he drove 3 winners from his best 3 drives (all favourites)
but with his other 3 drives he also drove:
2nd on a $41 pop
4th on a $51 pop
3rd on a $101 pop

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA070224

[Messenger]

Aaron Dunn as owner and trainer can drive whichever of his horses he likes but if you are a punter you need to be aware that he has zero nouse at the driving caper
If you need reminding, have a look at R3 at Stawell today
He is on first starter and favourite No.7

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=SW260124#SWC26012407

He really is an ordinary driver
Have a look at R5 from Menangle last night
He is on Dee Roe (behind the leader)
How did he keep 2nd position - I count him going inside 10 pegs
He then comes out and badly checks the death horse

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=PC170224#PCM17022402

[Messenger]

Greg Sugars is at Menangle tonight and has only one drive
Better Eclipse from their own stable
You would have thought there had to be some other connections/stables that could have improved their chances with his services

[Messenger]

Yesterday, seeing that it was a Terang meet, I looked in the Trainers column for the Lee and Craven stable runners but there did not seem to be that many

I should have been looking in the Drivers column - Jason Lee drove 6 winners from 7 drives
(Mum did train 3 of them - she didn't need many starters!)

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=TE200324#TEC20032403

[Messenger]

According to HRV, HRA, TAB, Chris Alford is supposed to be driving in the next in 20 minutes - I don't believe it as he is in his civvies sitting at the Trots Vision desk
The above sources are supposed to be accurate

[Messenger]

I was wrong! He is out there - he must have had his white pants on behind that desk LOL

[Messenger]

Click on Glenn Bull's name and it has him from Salt Ash NSW (North of Newcastle) - that has not been right for a couple of years HAS IT?

[Messenger]

3/6 again for Jason Lee at Terang tonight taking his tally for the last 12 months to over 20 and a better than 50% strike rate!

[Messenger]

You definitely can't say they 'sit' in the carts in the USA

[trish]

And I hate how some try & do just that here. I have said before, if you want to drive like that , the States is the place to go.

[trish]

Jase & Cam are no more. Oh dear.


!st at menangle Sat night... 07181 LAST TANGO IN HEAVEN NZ Seaton Grima Cameron Hart

[trish]

Over to Jack.
If this is late news We have been ön the road again".

34225 OUTSIDE FIGHTER Jason Grimson Jack Callaghan (C)

[Messenger]

4 winners to Glen Craven at Melton tonight from just 6 drives

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX180524

[Messenger]

As Dan called, "Goodness Gracious!"
Be sure to have a look at Glen's win in R8 - it was a Gavin Lang special

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX180524#MXM18052409

[Messenger]

No Jason Lee to win half the card at Terang tonight (he has driven 19 winners there this season and is 16 ahead of anyone else)
Maybe it will be one of the other Levarg family - Glen or Matthew Craven but Kerryn or Jackie could easily take the honours

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=TE210524

[Messenger]

I reckon it may have been a while since John Caldow drove a treble (but it wouldn't really surprise me if it isn't)

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MH230524

[Messenger]

And
Ross Conway has one go around for the first time in 4 years - which I believe was the last time this one went around
and 8yo Cornelia first up for 4yrs and having only her fifth ever start Wins

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=FD220524#FDC22052410

[Messenger]

Chris Alford - 4 wins and 1 second from 6 drives at Kilmore last night (the other drive was 80/1)
Whatever caused the Stewart stable to desert him?

[Messenger]

James Herbertson is absolutely killing it of late. If he doesn't drive at least a double then he must not be there
He had to share the honours with Alex Ashwood at Bendigo last night with them both driving a treble but James gets the nod for the day's best as he had already driven a double at Terang

[dmac43]

Not much media about the Stable Change for a leading Victorian Trotting Owner

[trish]

Not much media about the Stable Change for a leading Victorian Trotting Owner

And the winner is????

[Messenger]

Answer: Andy Gath

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/driscoll-golino-part-ways-as-stars-leave-yabby-dam-farms/

[trish]

Wow

I remember Blake Fitzpatrick trained a lot of Pat's horses with plenty of success.

[ryantics]

Can anyone here tell me why I can't find anything about Alison Alford, except for snipets every now and then. She never gets interviewed, they never talk to her at the track or take her picture. She's Mrs. Invisible. The only person that ever gets to speak about what happening at their stable is Chris. Am I missing something?

[Messenger]

I will see you your Alison Alford and raise you Julie Douglas - she has a full time job elsewhere and does not go to the trots

[ryantics]

So that makes them Claytons trainers from what your telling me. What happens if there's a Stewards inquiry and the trainer is a no show?

[Messenger]

Their nominated stable representative

[Messenger]

21yo Ewa Justice won 4 races in a row at Echuca tonight from only 5 drives
Previous to this she had won 60 races in a couple of seasons
Let's hope that young talent like herself continue to have a sport that enables her to make a career like her father was able to

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=EC220924

[Messenger]

James Herbertson's current domination knows no bounds
Today at Yarra Glen he drove the winners of 6 out of the 7 races for 5 different trainers

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=YG211024

[Messenger]

Swan Hill tonight

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=FD050125#FDC05012502

[Messenger]

Alex Ashwood had 5 drives at Shep tonight
He won them all
3 he trained himself, the other two were for Terry French

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=SP140125

[Messenger]

Greg Sugars only had 3 drives at Kilmore tonight - all for other stables
but he won all three $14, $11, $2.20

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=KI230125

[trish]

Good story on harnesslink on "Herbie" doing well in the US but I don't think Luke McCarthy was there.

[Messenger]

https://harnesslink.com/australia/herbie-among-placegetters-on-the-big-stage-in-usa/

Herbertson’s mum Jody, of Lexton, near Ballarat, said yesterday.

“On Friday he did a double-header driving at Harrahs (6th and 8th) and that night finished second and third at the Meadowlands. He was thrilled to pick up an outside catch drive, but I think he was surprised to find there’s no driver fees over there.”

USA might not be as attractive as I thought!
Who would want to drive a complete outsider

[trish]

Herbie really looks the part , if you take a close look at the photo on his story . He sits in the gig like a natural.

[Messenger]

What has happened to the Douglas stable?
A winning percentage of 5%

[trish]

What has happened to the Douglas stable?
A winning percentage of 5%

I have zero interest in that stable so I do not care less .

[Messenger]

I very much understand your sentiment Trish